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Melbourne Islamic leader Samir Mohtadi released a video discussing silence after UAE prosecutors linked his centre to an alleged Flydubai hijacker. Mohtadi said, “So the best thing, sometimes, is not to say anything.” He did not address claims that the suspect attended his centre while studying at RMIT in 2017.
Pakistan’s economy is expected to grow by more than 4% this fiscal year. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Monday that the government plans to raise over $1 billion by selling five to six state entities. The country is also seeking a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility from the United States.
Australia and New Zealand joined several nations on Monday in warning citizens against travel to Saudi Arabia. These advisories followed Houthi attacks on airports, including a strike on Sunday that killed one person at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Many countries now urge people to avoid non-essential travel there.
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast on Monday. South Korea’s military said one missile flew over 900km from Pyongyang. Japan’s coastguard reported two projectiles fell into the water. This launch adds to rising tensions as both nations continue conducting various new weapons tests.
Hundreds of tribal residents in Ajaygarh protested on October 12 against India’s $87 billion river-linking project. Rising waters flooded homes and temples, leaving many angry. Bitti Bai Kondar said, "The government is taking our land and water without giving us another place to live." Critics fear the project damages local ecosystems.
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Monday that the military is monitoring Chinese live-fire drills happening along the coast this week. Koo noted, "we adhere to the principle of 'anticipating the enemy as broadly as possible'." China started these exercises after President Lai Ching-te gave his national day speech.
Senator Darline Graham and Dr. Annie Andrews faced off in a televised debate on Sunday evening. Dr. Andrews accused Ms. Graham of taking her cues from President Trump. Ms. Graham said Dr. Andrews wouldn't say no to socialists. Many voters watched as the candidates showed their sharp differences on policy.
At least 139 people died after a boat carrying 305 migrants capsized off the coast of Djibouti. The vessel sank between Thursday night and Friday morning. Alexandre Coissac said, “What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation.”
Scientists in Indonesia are testing a new earthquake warning system using mosque loudspeakers. Dr. Inoue Hiroshi, the project lead, said, “The advantage of a mosque speaker is that they’re existing and well maintained.” This five-year trial aims to reach remote communities by using the existing network to save many lives.
Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud received a phone call from Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. Araghchi said, "there is no military solution" to the conflict. He urged diplomacy to resolve regional tensions. Both nations continue to use their restored embassies despite recent friction and attacks.
SEC Commissioner Mark T Uyeda said the agency revised its quorum rules to ensure enforcement actions continue despite fewer commissioners. He noted that the change prevents well-resourced defendants from escaping accountability. Uyeda added that the departure of Commissioner Hester Peirce was not abrupt, as she joins Regent University in November.
Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Ceuta on October 13. This trip follows a major migration crisis at the border. Spain and Morocco still have a long-running dispute over the city. While Spain calls it Ceuta, it is known as Sebta in Arabic, reflecting its complex history.