This Week in Explainers: What is Russia’s Burevestnik missile that prompted US to resume nuclear testing?

All eyes were on Asia this week. Donald Trump was on a high-stakes tour, visiting Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. The last leg was the most crucial as Trump held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in a first meeting in six years, in Busan amid an ongoing trade war. “12 out of 10” is how the American leader rated the meeting where they came to an agreement on “almost everything”.

Just before meeting Xi, Trump made a big announcement – the US would resume nuclear testing after 33 years. “Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” he wrote on social media. The decision comes in the backdrop of Russia testing two nuclear-powered weapons.

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Trump, indeed, had a busy week, even as the US government shutdown has entered its second month. Americans are feeling the heat, as hundreds and thousands of federal employees have not received their salaries. From healthcare to air travel, the impact is massive.

In the UK, Prince Andrew has continued to grab headlines over his connection to disgraced financer Jeffery Epstein. Amid growing pressure, King Charles has stripped his younger brother of his ‘prince’ title; Andrew will also leave his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge. It’s the biggest consequence the royal has faced for his alleged crime and controversies.

In news from Africa, the Sudan civil war has taken a bloody turn. Thousands of civilians have reportedly been massacred by the RSF militia.

We take a look at the week that was in our weekly wrap.

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1. It was a big week for Asia. Donald Trump visited three countries over five days – Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. He met with leaders, including Japan’s new PM Sanae Taikaichi and China’s Xi Jinping and some signed deals. The countries went all out to please the sometimes temperamental leader.

MUST WATCH: President Trump has ARRIVED in Malaysia! 🇺🇸😁🕺🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/GIRi1KRmLs

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 26, 2025

In Malaysia, Trump secured access to critical minerals and presided over a “peace deal” between Thailand and Cambodia. There was also some progress on trade arrangements with the Southeast Asian countries. In Japan, Takaichi promised $550 billion in Japanese investment in America and nominated Trump for the covered Peace Nobel. South Korea, too, rolled out the red carpet, gifting the US president a replica of an ancient gold crown and the country’s highest honour.

The biggest talking point was the Trump-Xi meeting, which led to an easing of tensions. According to Potus, overall tariffs on Chinese goods would drop by 10 per cent due to progress on soybean imports, rare earths and fentanyl issues. We look back at the visit.

2. Just before he met with Xi, Trump called on US military leaders to resume nuclear testing to keep pace with China and Russia. The announcement came just days after Russia tested a nuclear-powered missile. What is the Burevestnik cruise missile that Vladimir Putin claims “no one has”?

3. The US government shutdown has entered its second month. And it is about to get worse. More than a million federal employees are working without pay, and some of the country’s vital programmes are shutting down. From food aid to security, we explain how the shutdown has hit public services in America.

4. Britain’s infamous Prince Andrew is now Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. King Charles has started the process to strip the younger brother of his royal title. That’s not all. Andrew will also be evicted from Royal Lodge, the mansion in Windsor. This comes amid growing anger over the controversial royal’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. So where does Andrew go from here?

5. Brazil saw its deadliest raid of all time. In Rio, a police raid on a drug gang turned violent, leaving more than 100 people dead. The target was the “Red Gang”, the country’s oldest criminal group. While police claim that all the casualties were alleged gangsters, locals are outraged. The carnage, days before Brazil hosts the COP30 climate talks, has left President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva horrified. Here is what happened.

6. Is a genocide unfolding in Sudan? The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have taken control of El Fasher in the country’s western Darfur region. The fall of the city has resulted in mass killings of civilians, including women and children, by the militia. At least 1,500 people who tried to flee the city have been killed. This story gives you the complete picture.

7. Our last story is about a mid-air stabbing. A 28-year-old Indian, identified as Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, reportedly attacked two teenagers with a metal fork, one in the shoulder and the other in the head. When flight crew members attempted to subdue Usiripalli, he allegedly raised his hand, formed a gun with his fingers, put it in his mouth and pulled an imaginary trigger. Here’s how it all unfolded.

That’s all from us this week. If you were too busy to keep up with the news, we have you covered. You can follow more such explainers here.