Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed in the Maharashtra Assembly that government negligence led to the deadly explosion at an explosives manufacturing unit in Raulgaon village, Nagpur district, which killed 19 workers and injured 23 others. He accused both the state and central governments of ignoring repeated requests for safety audits despite 43 deaths in similar blasts over the past 18 months. Wadettiwar demanded a detailed assembly discussion on worker safety and criticised lax actions by regulatory bodies like PESO and the labour department. Assembly Speaker agreed to a discussion by Friday. (PC: PTI)

At least 101 people are missing and 78 others injured after a suspected submarine attack on an Iranian ship near the coast of Sri Lanka, officials said. Sources in the Sri Lanka Navy and the country’s defence ministry confirmed the incident. Search and rescue operations are under way to find those missing. Officials have not yet released details about the vessel or the passengers on board. The incident comes as fighting between Iran and the US-Israel alliance enters its fifth day. The conflict has caused heavy casualties across the region. More than 780 people have been killed in Iran. Dozens have died in Lebanon and Israel. Six US soldiers have also been reported dead. (PC: X)

An Iranian missile strike hit the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and damaged a key US radar system known as AN/FPS-132. Analysts called the radar the “nervous system” of America’s regional missile defence network. Qatar’s defence ministry confirmed that one ballistic missile struck the base after another was intercepted. Experts said the damage could leave parts of the US defence system “partially blind”. The strike came during Iran’s wider retaliation after US-Israel attacks. Iranian missiles and drones also targeted several US-linked sites across the Gulf region. These included bases in Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Around 40,000 to 50,000 US troops are stationed across West Asia. (PC: X)

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has emerged as the leading candidate to take the country’s top post, according to a New York Times report. Iran’s Assembly of Experts reportedly met on Tuesday to discuss succession. Officials familiar with the talks described Mojtaba as the “clear front-runner”, though no final decision has been announced. Mojtaba, 56, has never held elected office and is not seen as a senior religious scholar. But he is believed to have strong influence behind the scenes and close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Some clerics fear naming him quickly could make him a target during tensions with the US and Israel. (PC: The Indian Express)

Gulf states are weighing their response after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones across the region following US-Israeli strikes. The attacks targeted US bases in Gulf countries but also affected civilian and energy sites. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al Ansari said the strikes had crossed “all the red lines”. He said attacks on sovereignty, infrastructure and residential areas cannot go unanswered. Most missiles have been intercepted, but falling debris has caused fires and casualties. Some drones also reached targets and disrupted travel and trade. The six Gulf Cooperation Council countries held an emergency meeting and pledged to “take all necessary measures” to defend their territories and people. (PC: BBC)

Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said any leader chosen to replace Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be a “target for assassination.” The warning came even before Khamenei’s funeral. Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes during the ongoing conflict with Iran. Iranian authorities said a three-day state funeral will be held, with people allowed to pay tribute in Tehran. He will later be buried in Mashhad. Reports from Israeli media said Khamenei’s son Mojtaba may be named as the next leader. Iran has not confirmed this. Katz said Israel has instructed its military to prepare for action. “Any leader selected… will be a certain target for assassination,” he said. (PC: X)

Iran’s announcement on closing the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns about India’s energy supply and economy. The narrow waterway carries about a quarter of global oil trade and large volumes of liquefied natural gas. India imports more than 85% of its crude oil needs. Around 50–55% of these supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption could affect fuel supply and prices. Axis Mutual Fund said even a short disruption may affect “energy security, inflation trajectory and external balances”. Analysts warn that shipping risks could push oil prices higher. If the disruption continues, India may face pressure on fuel supply and energy companies. (PC: India Today)

A Kuwaiti fighter jet mistakenly shot down three US F-15E fighter aircraft over Kuwait on Monday, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. A US official said a Kuwaiti F-18 Hornet pilot fired three missiles at the American jets during active combat operations. The aircraft crashed in Kuwait, but the crews parachuted to safety. US Central Command said the incident happened during “active combat” involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones. Iran had earlier claimed it shot down the jets. The downing came as Iranian drones were entering Kuwaiti airspace. One drone strike earlier killed six US soldiers at a base in Kuwait. Officials said the exact circumstances are still unclear. (PC: NDTV)

Israel said it carried out airstrikes on what it called “security headquarters” across Tehran as fighting with Iran continued. Israeli forces also struck targets in Lebanon and again warned people in southern Beirut to leave the area. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 1,097 civilians have been killed in Iran since the US-Israeli attacks began on Saturday. Iran also launched attacks on US-linked sites. An Iranian drone hit the US consulate in Dubai, while a missile struck a US base in Qatar. Separately, an Iranian navy ship was reported sinking near Sri Lanka, with sailors being rescued. The cause of the incident remains unclear. (PC: BBC)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they launched more than 40 missiles at targets linked to the United States and Israel as tensions continue in the region. The Guards said the strikes were carried out in response to recent attacks on Iranian territory. They said the missiles targeted military and strategic sites connected to the US and Israel. The announcement came as Iran prepares for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Authorities said the public gathering will begin late Wednesday at the Imam Khomeini Musallah. People are expected to pay their respects there. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran’s next supreme leader would be a “target for elimination”. (PC: India Today)