Saudi Arabia accused Iran of encouraging Houthi attacks and alleged that regional actors helped the Yemen-based group obtain advanced military technology, including ballistic missiles, attack drones and explosive-laden boats. Saudi officials said Tehran continued arming, training and supporting the Houthis in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The Saudi-led coalition reported 20 attacks on Riyadh airport in October and urged the group to stop targeting civilian infrastructure. Riyadh said it remained in direct communication with Tehran and had sought talks with the Houthis in Muscat, Oman, but the group declined. The Houthis’ military spokesperson denied responsibility for a reported attack, as Yemen’s conflict intensified amid wider regional instability. (PC: AFP)

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif faced criticism after allegedly sharing an AI-generated Marilyn Monroe puzzle on X. The image, set in 1956, showed Monroe wearing a modern smartwatch, which viewers were expected to identify as an anachronism. Asif allegedly reposted it with “Watch” and a smiling emoji. News18 could not independently verify the post because the purported account was “withheld” on X. Social media users questioned his priorities amid Pakistan’s economic, political and security challenges, while others mocked the post or defended its wording. Critics also called it “AI slop,” describing low-quality, mass-produced AI content. News18 clarified that user-generated claims remained unverified. (PC: X)

A 19-year-old man, Alexandros Paporakis, has been arrested in Palatine, Illinois, for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a Hindu place of worship in nearby Aurora. Police arrested him on October 11 after his co-workers reported disturbing messages describing an alleged attack plan. Prosecutors allege he shared an eight-page manifesto containing white supremacist and neo-Nazi views, alongside threats against Indians and other communities. Investigators reportedly recovered a rifle, ammunition, tactical equipment and Nazi-related items from his home. India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the alleged anti-Hindu plot. Paporakis faces felony charges and remains in custody pending further court proceedings. 

The United States military has reportedly developed fresh strike plans against Iran that could involve the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), known as the “Mother of All Bombs.” According to CNN, the potential targets include Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, including sites near Pickaxe Mountain. The plans emerge as President Donald Trump faces growing domestic pressure to end the increasingly unpopular conflict ahead of November’s midterm elections. However, military officials reportedly question whether the powerful non-nuclear weapon could destroy deeply buried nuclear facilities. No final decision to deploy the bomb has been confirmed, and Washington continues to consider its military options. (PC: Reuters)

The surname Khan could overtake Smith as the most common surname among newborns in England and Wales by 2027, according to an analysis by The Telegraph of official data. In 2025, 4,102 babies were registered with the surname Smith, compared with 3,772 named Khan. The gap has narrowed sharply over the past 3 decades. The analysis found that Smith registrations have declined by an average of 4% annually, while Khan registrations have risen by 1.9%. Experts link the shift to migration patterns, changing birth rates and the growing diversity of the population. The projection depends on these trends continuing. (PC: X)

Indonesia has launched an experimental operation using dry ice to tackle toxic haze caused by widespread forest and peatland fires. On Thursday, aircraft scattered 1.5 tonnes of solid carbon dioxide over South Sumatra, targeting Palembang and nearby areas. Officials hope the method will help push haze into higher layers of the atmosphere. Indonesia is facing its worst wildfire season in a decade, worsened by strong El Niño-driven drought. Authorities are also using cloud seeding and deploying helicopters to fight the fires. The smoke has spread to Malaysia and Singapore, where air quality has reached unhealthy levels. (PC: BBC)

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah, is expected to visit India for 3 days in November, marking his first official bilateral trip abroad since taking office in March. The visit, likely in the third or fourth week of November, will include delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meetings with senior Indian ministers. The agenda is expected to cover border disputes, hydropower projects, trade, air routes and reconstruction after devastating August floods. Both countries are also discussing agreements and memorandums of understanding. However, the official dates of the visit have not yet been announced. (PC: India Today)

Following the alleged attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight FZ1073 by an Omani co-pilot, who reportedly tried to crash the aircraft while stabbing Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a mid-air cockpit brawl, Air France has reportedly agreed to comply with new Israeli nationality-based flight restrictions. According to French investigative publication Mediapart, nationals of 31 Muslim-majority countries are barred from flying aircraft into Israeli airspace. The countries reportedly include Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Niger. The restrictions concern who can fly to and over Israel. The report also states that Smartwings and Air France confirmed compliance with Israel’s new rules affecting pilots and cabin crew. (PC: AP)

Iran has vowed to intensify its crackdown on Starlink satellite internet and impose further internet restrictions amid continuing tensions with the United States and Israel. Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Cyberspace Council, called Starlink a “tool of war,” alleging it enables enemy command operations, espionage and information gathering. Authorities say they have systems to disable terminals. Reported countermeasures include jamming signals, spoofing GPS locations, detecting Starlink-related internet protocols and physically seizing devices. Using or possessing Starlink can attract six months to two years in prison, while importing or distributing terminals carries up to five years. National security or espionage charges can potentially lead to the death penalty. (PC: Reuters)

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are seeking Chinese-made components to develop advanced ballistic missiles capable of striking targets in Saudi Arabia and Israel, according to a Conflict Armament Research (CAR) report released October 14. Yemeni authorities intercepted two suspected shipments originating in China and reportedly destined for Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port, the Associated Press reported. The components included stabilising fin cores, rocket motor closures, nozzle attachments, igniters and phenolic resin used in missile heat shields. Researchers said the parts could support development of a missile resembling Iran’s Kheibar Shekan, reportedly capable of travelling around 2,000 kilometres. CAR analyst Fabian Hinz said the findings indicated more ambitious Houthi manufacturing plans. China said it controls military and dual-use exports. (PC: AFP)