1. Crude Oil Tops $106 as Houthi Attacks Escalate in Saudi Arabia

Brent crude price rose above $106 a barrel on Wednesday as markets reacted to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and growing risks to oil supplies. The Houthis have carried out repeated missile and drone attacks on Riyadh, including strikes around King Khalid International Airport, while a suspected Houthi attack also targeted a Saudi Aramco facility in Dhahran. Saudi Arabia responded with strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Brent was trading around $106.03 a barrel on Wednesday morning. 

2. Rajnath, Czech Deputy PM Agree to Expand Defence Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Czech First Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček agreed to expand India-Czech defence industrial cooperation during talks in New Delhi. The two sides reviewed existing defence cooperation and agreed to deepen collaboration through the India-Czech Joint Defence Committee, including efforts to promote Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. They also discussed regional peace and security and the need for greater cooperation. 

3. PM Modi, Canadian PM discuss Security and Defence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed security, defence, trade, energy, technology and people-to-people ties during a phone conversation on October 13. The two leaders agreed to build on the recent improvement in India-Canada relations and work towards concrete outcomes in their Strategic Partnership. They also welcomed ongoing security and law-enforcement engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. 

4. KP Clashes after Emergency, 50 arrested

Clashes broke out between supporters of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI and police in Khyber's Bara area after Pakistan imposed emergency rule and placed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under federal control. Government buildings were set on fire during the protests, while police used tear gas and, according to witnesses and PTI officials, live rounds. At least five protesters were confirmed injured by Dawn, while a provincial official said 50 people were arrested. The provincial administration denied allegations of indiscriminate live firing. 

5. Nine PLA Aircraft and Six Warships cross Taiwan Strait Median Line

Taiwan detected nine Chinese military aircraft, six PLAN ships and six Chinese official ships around Taiwan between October 13-14. All nine PLA aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern or eastern air defence identification zones. Taiwan said it deployed combat air patrol aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems to monitor and respond to the Chinese activity.

Savio Rodrigues

Savio Rodrigues is a Research Analyst at Escape Velocity MediaWorks Pvt Ltd and writes for Chakra News on Defence, Geopolitics, National Security. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Mumbai.