Australian shares closed marginally higher, even as American technology stocks slid, with Meta leading the decline after investors questioned whether its planned expansion of artificial intelligence spending would generate returns. Oil prices moved sharply upward, with Brent crude climbing above $113 per barrel following fresh Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and renewed worries about a possible flare-up between Washington and Tehran. Separately, ABC News director Simon Robinson informed employees that The Business program will not be broadcast next year.
The United States has ordered non-essential embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia as the kingdom faces sustained deadly attacks by Yemen's Houthis. State department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the safety of department personnel remains the highest priority. A diplomatic source told AFP that some families were also being withdrawn from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain, but Pigott said Thursday's order applied only to Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities said one person was killed and others were hurt in drone-related incidents this week, while a diplomatic source reported the withdrawals elsewhere.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined counterparts from Canada, France and the United Kingdom in calling a delay to Palestinian elections deeply disappointing. President Mahmoud Abbas postponed the planned legislative and presidential votes to next year, citing conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. The ministers urged the Palestinian Authority to reconsider and hold the elections without further delay. The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation said Israel's refusal to allow election materials or international observers into Gaza was a key reason. The ministers called on Israel to avoid actions that would impede the vote.
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King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived in Canberra late on Monday for his first visit to Australia in 10 years. His schedule includes high-level meetings, defence engagements and cultural events. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said ongoing defence and security cooperation between the two countries is essential. On Tuesday, the King met House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick. Australia has given Jordan $130 million in humanitarian funding since 2017, and the two countries trade about half a billion dollars a year.
Yemen's Houthis have warned airlines, travellers and airport workers to avoid Saudi airports, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport killed 12 people and wounded more than 300. It was the deadliest such attack in the kingdom in more than a decade. Saudi Arabia extended the airport closure until at least 9pm on Sunday, local time. The Houthis said further Saudi military action in Yemen would bring a stronger response, warning that worse is yet to come. Condemnations came from Arab countries, the United Nations and European leaders.
Smartraveller has downgraded its travel advice for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, urging Australians to exercise a high degree of caution. The move follows an alleged hijacking attempt on a flydubai flight from the UAE to Israel on September 31. Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami reportedly attacked his co-pilot with an axe, aiming to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. The attempt was thwarted by passengers and an off-duty pilot, who landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.
