Of red carpets and bilateral deals

1. What do you think was the most remarkable thing that happened recently?

Plenty of big developments over the last few days: a dramatic political shake-up in Saudi Arabia, with the arrest of 11 princes, wealthy businessmen and senior officials for alleged corruption; the removal, at last, of 93-year-old Robert Mugabe as President of Zimbabwe after 37 years of tyrannical rule; and at home, the train collision at Joo Koon station, compounding the woes of the SMRT, to cap a dreadful year for the rail operator. But for its potential long-term impact on the region, I would vote for US President Donald Trump's 12-day swing through five Asian countries, which ended on Tuesday.

2. Why is this a big deal?