The 2026 Wimbledon Championships begin on Monday with defending champion Jannik Sinner, seven-time winner Novak Djokovic and women's world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka leading the opening day's schedule. Sinner starts his title defence against Miomir Kecmanovic, while Djokovic begins his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title against Wu Yibing. Sabalenka opens her campaign against Teodora Kostovic as she chases her first Grand Slam title of 2026. After days of extreme temperatures in London, cooler weather is expected to provide welcome relief for players and fans during the opening matches. (PC: India Today)

Search and rescue teams continue to arrive in Venezuela following the devastating back-to-back earthquakes that struck on Wednesday, but hopes of finding more survivors are fading. Officials say at least 1,450 people have died, and the toll is expected to rise as thousands remain missing. A missing persons website now lists more than 46,000 names. Outside hospitals in Caracas, walls are covered with photos of loved ones still unaccounted for. Rescue efforts are being slowed by a shortage of heavy machinery, while some survivors say government support has been inadequate. Rescue workers are now hoping for rare "miracle rescues" after the critical 96-hour survival window passed. (PC: BBC)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered the knockout stage with defending champions Argentina receiving a comparatively easier route to the later rounds. Lionel Messi's side will begin their Round of 32 campaign against Cape Verde and could avoid facing another major title contender until the semi-finals. In contrast, European giants Portugal, Spain, France and Germany find themselves on a much tougher side of the draw. Potential Round of 16 clashes between Portugal and Spain, and France and Germany, mean some of the tournament favourites could be eliminated early, making the race for the World Cup title even more intense. (PC: X)

India has achieved a major clean energy milestone by successfully producing green hydrogen using heat from a nuclear reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. The hydrogen production facility, developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), uses the Copper-Chlorine thermochemical process powered by heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). This allows clean hydrogen to be produced without carbon emissions while also generating electricity. Scientists say the breakthrough strengthens India's clean energy ambitions and supports its Net Zero 2070 target. The technology demonstrator is expected to pave the way for large-scale commercial production of nuclear-powered green hydrogen in the future. (PC: NDTV)

The State Bank of India (SBI) had reportedly recommended removing staff responsible for counting donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya nearly three months before the alleged theft was uncovered, sources said. However, some temple trust officials allegedly intervened, allowing the staff to continue. Police have arrested eight people in connection with the donation theft and are investigating the alleged involvement of two SBI employees who supervised the counting process. Statements of key trust members have been recorded as the probe continues. The temple trust is expected to introduce stricter recruitment rules, including police verification and performance reviews for future appointments.

India's disappointing 0-2 T20I series loss to Ireland drew a sharp reaction from Iceland Cricket, known for its humorous posts on social media. Soon after the defeat, Iceland Cricket mocked India head coach Gautam Gambhir with a sarcastic message, saying he had "truly remarkable gifts." The post quickly went viral, triggering mixed reactions from cricket fans. While some users found the joke amusing, others criticised the account for targeting the Indian coach after the unexpected series defeat. India's loss has also raised fresh questions about the team's performance and strategy under Gambhir's leadership. (PC: X)

A record-breaking heatwave sweeping across Europe has caused severe disruption, with roads melting in France and tram tracks buckling in Germany due to extreme temperatures. Several countries have issued heat alerts as temperatures climbed above 40°C in parts of western and central Europe. Transport services were disrupted, schools adjusted schedules, and authorities urged people to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours. Emergency services are on high alert amid growing concerns over heat-related illnesses and wildfire risks. Scientists say climate change is making extreme heatwaves more frequent and intense across the continent.

The dispute between the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Class 12 student Vedant Shrivastava has intensified over his re-evaluation results. CBSE said Vedant's total marks increased by 11 after re-evaluation, including a nine-mark rise in Physics. However, Vedant rejected the claim, saying his revised marksheet shows no increase in his Physics score and only minor changes in other subjects. The controversy follows an earlier row over an incorrect Physics answer sheet allegedly uploaded by the board. The case has renewed concerns over the transparency and accuracy of CBSE's evaluation and re-evaluation process. (PC: HT)

The United States and Iran have agreed to avoid further military escalation following recent tensions, while technical-level nuclear talks are set to continue in Doha, Qatar. Officials from both sides described the discussions as constructive, with negotiators focusing on the technical details needed to revive diplomatic engagement. Although major differences remain, the decision to continue talks has raised hopes of easing tensions after weeks of conflict and military exchanges. Mediators from Qatar and Oman are facilitating the dialogue. Both Washington and Tehran said diplomacy remains the preferred path despite unresolved disagreements over sanctions, uranium enrichment and regional security. (PC: The Indian Express)

Pakistan has been accused of carrying out "double-tap" strikes on homes and mosques in Afghanistan, with rescuers reportedly killed when they rushed to help victims after the initial attacks. According to reports, the first airstrikes hit civilian areas, while follow-up strikes targeted the same locations minutes later, causing more casualties among emergency responders and residents. Afghan officials and rights groups said the attacks killed dozens, including children. Pakistan has maintained that its operations targeted militant hideouts and denied intentionally striking civilians. The allegations have sparked fresh concerns over civilian safety and the conduct of cross-border military operations. (PC: NDTV)