The sudden closure of airspace over parts of the Middle East from late Monday evening triggered widespread chaos at Kerala’s four major international airports on Tuesday, with hundreds of passengers stranded due to numerous flight cancellations.

Display boards at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur airports showed long lists of cancelled and delayed flights, leaving travellers in a state of uncertainty.

However, with reports emerging that the situation is beginning to normalise after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced, many have heaved a sigh of relief as airlines began rescheduling affected journeys.

Home to over a quarter-million Keralites, various Middle Eastern countries rely heavily on air connectivity with Kerala.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday announced that the Israeli Air Force struck missile launchers in Iran that were ready to be launched towards Israeli territory.

"Air Force aircraft attacked in western Iran in recent hours, destroying missile launchers that were ready to launch as part of the barrage launched towards Israeli territory," said the IDF.

Earlier in the day, according to the IDF, alerts were activated in several areas of the country following the discovery of missiles launched from Iran.

Four people were killed and several others injured after an Iranian ballistic missile struck an apartment complex in Beersheba. The building was reduced to rubble following the direct impact.

In a significant move to strengthen the Indian Army’s operational readiness in counter-terrorism operations, the Ministry of Defence has concluded 13 contracts worth Rs 1,981.9 crore under the Emergency Procurement mechanism, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The key equipment being procured includes Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems, Low Level Lightweight Radars, Very Short Range Air Defence Systems and Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicles.

Loitering Munitions, including Vertical Take-Off and Landing systems, various categories of drones, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles, Night Sights for Rifles, Bullet Proof Jackets and Ballistic Helmets also form part of the list.

Newborn screening programme for sickle cell disease (SCD), undertaken between 2019-2024, reduced mortality risk to below 5 per cent from the earlier 20 to 30 per cent, said Dr. Manisha Madkaikar, Director of ICMR- Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies (CRHCM) in Nagpur.

Madkaikar explained how the Newborn Screening Programme 2019-2024 found that an early diagnosis can significantly boost the outcomes of the chronic, single-gene disorder.

SCD is a chronic, single-gene disorder that causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterised by chronic anaemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, and chronic organ damage, significantly reducing life expectancy.

West Bengal Police on Tuesday said that four persons have been arrested so far in connection with the death of a 13-year-old girl in a bomb blast at Kaliganj in Nadia district.

However, the state government, in its statement, has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations of the victim's family members and the local people that she was killed after getting hit by splinters of a bomb that was hurled during a victory procession of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

The party had held the victory procession after its candidate Alifa Ahmed won the by-elections to the Kaliganj Assembly seat on Monday afternoon.

“In the incident of an explosion at Molandi, Borochandghar under Kaliganj police station area, which led to the death of a minor girl, 4 prime accused persons were arrested yesterday- Adar Sk, Manowar Sk, Kalu Sk, and Anwar Sk. Kaliganj PS Case No. 534/25 dt 23.06.25 u/s 191(2)/191(3)/190/118(2)/109/305/103 BNS & 3/4 ES Act is registered. Investigation and legal proceedings are underway,” read a statement issued by Krishnagar Police District on Tuesday morning.

Three members of a family were killed after they allegedly consumed a poisonous substance in Dhobgatta village in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district.

According to police sources, the deceased include 50-year-old Radheshyam, his wife Rangu Bai (48), and their elder daughter Asha Bai (23).

The couple's younger daughter, Rekha Bai (15), was also affected and is currently under intensive medical care at Indore's private hospital.

Her condition remains grave, and she is under constant observation.

When contacted, senior police officers said "the matter is under investigation".

The tragic chain of events began at approximately 10.30 p.m. on June 21, when all four family members reportedly consumed a poisonous substance, suspected to be pesticide.

Inter Miami and Palmeiras shared the spoils in a back-and-forth affair on Tuesday (IST) and 1-1 draw saw both sides qualify for the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Palmeiras snatched away what would have been a perfect early birthday gift for Lionel Messi. Inter Miami CF led the final Group A match for 79 minutes before the Brazilians struck twice in quick succession to secure first place in Group A.

The Herons took the lead against the run of play after Luis Suarez knocked down a long ball at midfield for an onrushing Tadeo Allende. The young Argentinian sprinted clear of Palmeiras’ defenders and coolly finished past Weverton.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Tuesday reported the detection of 12 sorties of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around its territory.

According to the MND, the activity was observed up until 6 a.m. (local time), with 10 of the 12 PLA aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entering Taiwan's northern, southwestern, and southeastern air defence identification zones (ADIZ).

"12 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC 8) today. 10 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the defence ministry said in a statement.

Australian researchers have found that honey made by native stingless bees possesses distinctive antimicrobial qualities, offering new hope in the fight against the worldwide threat of antibiotic resistance.

Known locally as "sugarbag" honey, honey from three species, such as Austroplebeia australis, demonstrates remarkable antimicrobial activity, news agency reported.

Researchers from the University of Sydney noted that the antimicrobial activity remains intact even after undergoing heat treatment and long-term storage -- a trait that could benefit commercial medical applications.

This resilience sets it apart from honey produced by European honeybees, whose antimicrobial effects often rely on hydrogen peroxide and can diminish over time or with heat.

The study found that stingless bee honey's antimicrobial power relies on both peroxide and non-peroxide mechanisms, remaining effective even without hydrogen peroxide -- unlike manuka honey, whose potency depends mainly on certain plants.

India is likely to see a GDP growth of 6.5 per cent in current fiscal (FY26) due to robust domestic demand, a normal monsoon and monetary easing, a report by S&P Global Ratings said on Tuesday.

Domestic demand resilience is particularly relevant in limiting the economic slowdown in economies less exposed to goods exports such as India.

“We see India's GDP growth holding up at 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2026 (year ending March 31, 2026). That forecast assumes a normal monsoon, lower crude oil prices, income-tax concessions and monetary easing,” said the report covering Asia-Pacific economies.

In India, falling food inflation also helps contain headline inflation.

The country’s annual rate of inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) eased further to a 14-month low of 0.39 per cent in May from 0.85 per cent in April and 2.05 per cent in March.