Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made his first visit to the White House since the killing of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi, a move aimed at restoring his global standing and demonstrating to President Donald Trump that supporting his decisive leadership was a worthwhile risk. Tuesday’s meeting between Trump and Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, widely known as MbS, highlights a relationship founded on strategic interests that has endured even as the international outrage over Khashoggi’s 2018 murder gradually recedes.

Seven years on, MbS presents himself as a mediator, working to repair ties with Iran, push for a ceasefire in Gaza, and reintegrate Syria into the Arab fold — a remarkable shift for a leader once criticized for his reckless involvement in Yemen’s war. Both reformist and autocratic, he has emerged as one of the most transformative and audacious figures in modern Saudi history, steering the kingdom through major social and political changes.

Domestically, the 40-year-old prince has launched a social revolution unprecedented since the era of his grandfather, King Abdulaziz, who unified the kingdom and established its longstanding alliance with the United States. MbS has curtailed the religious police, limited clerical influence, and dismantled decades of strict social codes. Women now drive, work, and freely interact with men, a sharp departure from past restrictions. Riyadh has embraced pop culture, fashion shows, and international celebrities, with stars like Jennifer Lopez and Camila Cabello performing in the capital alongside high-profile fashion events, signaling a rapid push toward modernization.

Yet, the crown prince’s liberalization at home comes alongside a tightening grip on political power. Dissent has been suppressed, critics silenced, and rival power centers dismantled, sending a clear message that reform advances only on MbS’s terms and loyalty to him is non-negotiable. Internationally, he has weathered the fallout from Khashoggi’s murder, which U.S. intelligence linked to him. While he denied ordering the killing, he accepted responsibility as Saudi Arabia’s effective ruler. Despite prior calls to isolate the kingdom, including from then-presidential candidate Joe Biden, U.S. strategic interests in energy, defense, and technology have kept relations intact. Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 revived a warm, transactional relationship, with billions in Saudi investment pledges and collaboration on defense initiatives.

Analysts describe his White House visit as a “pre-coronation” moment, underscoring the inevitability of his future ascension. Even amid past crises, such as the 9/11 attacks, the U.S.-Saudi relationship remains anchored in shared energy, defense, and now artificial intelligence interests. MbS’s presence dominates Saudi public life, from malls and billboards to state media, portraying every initiative as a hallmark of his vision, though debate over the feasibility of his reforms remains muted.

MbS has also positioned Saudi Arabia prominently on the global sports stage, merging the PIF-backed LIV Golf circuit with North America’s PGA Tour, attracting top football talent like Cristiano Ronaldo, and securing hosting rights for the 2029 Asian Winter Games and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. With these moves, he casts himself as a leader shaping both the kingdom’s present and its future, balancing bold reforms with firm political control.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Ecuador has apprehended the leader of one of the country’s largest drug trafficking gangs, Los Lobos, in a joint operation with Spanish authorities, President Daniel Noboa announced on Sunday (Nov 16). Wilmer Geovanny Chavarria Barre, known as “Pipo,” leads a powerful criminal network that the US designated as a foreign terrorist organization in September, along with its rival gang, Los Choneros.

According to Noboa, Chavarria oversaw illegal mining activities and drug routes in collaboration with Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He reportedly faked his death, assumed a new identity, and hid in Europe while continuing to order killings in Ecuador. “Some thought he was dead; we found him in his own hell,” Noboa wrote on social media, thanking Spanish authorities for their role in the operation, which Ecuador’s police chief said occurred in Malaga.

Interior Minister John Reimberg noted in a separate post that Chavarria was linked to at least 400 deaths and had run criminal operations from prison between 2011 and 2019. Noboa has pursued a militarized approach to curb rising gang violence in a country once regarded as one of Latin America’s safest. Analysts warn that the capture of gang leaders can intensify violence as rival groups vie for control. Ecuadorians voted on Sunday on whether to allow the return of foreign military bases, which Noboa says are crucial in combating organized crime.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

At least three people lost their lives in Stockholm after a double-decker bus went off the road and crashed into a bus stop on Friday, according to local police, as reported by Deutsche Welle. Officials said that three additional individuals were injured in the incident, and two of them were transported to a hospital for further medical care.

Police acted promptly following the crash and detained the bus driver on the orders of the public prosecutor on suspicion of manslaughter. However, this charge was later withdrawn after authorities found no evidence suggesting that the collision had been intentional. Investigators later stated that there was “no indication” the bus had been deliberately driven into the bus stop. The case has now been reclassified and is being investigated under charges of causing death and bodily harm.

Authorities have not yet released information about the identities of the victims. The accident took place around 3 p.m. on Valhallavagen, a major thoroughfare located near the Royal Institute of Technology in central Stockholm. Emergency services quickly cordoned off the area, and police officers, ambulance teams, and rescue personnel worked at the scene to manage the situation and assist those affected.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson commented on the tragedy through a post on X. He expressed his condolences to the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by the incident. Kristersson also urged people in the vicinity to follow the instructions of emergency workers, who are carrying out demanding and crucial tasks. He noted that, although the cause of the accident is still unknown, his thoughts remain with those who have suffered from this unfortunate event.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Russia’s latest overnight assault, which involved around 430 drones and 18 missiles hitting several regions. He called it a “deliberately calculated” strike on civilians and vital infrastructure. The attack killed four people and injured dozens, including children and a pregnant woman.

Zelenskyy said emergency teams have been working nonstop at the strike sites and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He noted that Kyiv suffered major damage, with debris from an Iskander missile hitting the Azerbaijani Embassy. Strikes also affected the Kharkiv, Odesa, and Sumy regions, where a Zircon missile was reportedly used.

Renewing his plea for tougher sanctions and more Western military aid, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is responding with long-range capabilities but urgently needs stronger air-defense systems and interceptor missiles. He stressed that Europe and the United States can provide these reinforcements and that Ukraine is counting on concrete action.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@ZelenskyyUa.

The US government released blurry footage showing a fishing boat moving through the Caribbean Sea before disappearing in a flash of light. Andrew Roth, the Guardian’s global affairs correspondent, tells Annie Kelly that this US airstrike near Venezuela’s coast was just the first in a series targeting what President Donald Trump calls “narco-terrorists.” With US aircraft carriers and 10,000 troops now being sent to the region, Roth explains what is known about US plans for Venezuela, the diplomatic breakdown that led to this situation, and which members of the Trump administration are pushing this aggressive policy. Tom Phillips, the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, examines Trump’s claim that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro leads an organized crime syndicate. He details the corrupt system Maduro has built to shield himself, compares the current situation to previous US interventions in the region, and discusses how other Latin American countries are responding to the US threat.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian

Singapore is making waves on the global technology stage with a strategic leap forward in quantum computing. Marking a major milestone under its National Quantum Strategy, Singapore is set to become the first country outside the United States to host Quantinuum’s Helios quantum computer by 2026. This partnership not only positions Singapore as a pioneering hub for quantum innovation but also promises to accelerate developments across pharmaceuticals, finance, and advanced material sciences with cutting-edge computational power.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA. 

This week, the US government shutdown became the longest ever, surpassing 36 days. Millions of Americans have had their food stamp benefits delayed, and major airports are seeing 10% fewer flights as government workers stay home due to halted pay. Rachel Leingang and David Smith examine why the president is prioritizing grand building projects instead.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Anthony Albanese may have enjoyed a brief surge of popularity after returning from the US, but the newest Guardian Essential poll indicates that voters remain skeptical about the results of his discussions with US president Donald Trump. Political reporter and Canberra bureau chief Josh Butler talks with Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, about how the absence of real tension in parliament undermines effective governance — and why the Liberal party resembles a bird struggling to fly with two injured wings.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.