Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has appealed to people across India to join his indefinite hunger strike by observing a one-day fast in support of education reforms, environmental protection and Ladakh's concerns. Speaking from Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the second day of his fast, Wangchuk invited supporters to join the protest in person or organise similar fasts in their own cities and villages. He joined the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak.

Cape Verde's historic FIFA World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by a serious off-field controversy after captain Ryan Mendes came under investigation over an alleged rape complaint. According to reports, a Brazilian woman working as a translator accused the 36-year-old footballer of sexually assaulting her during Cape Verde's visit to New Zealand in March. New Zealand Police confirmed an investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been filed. FIFA said it is in contact with the authorities and takes such allegations seriously. Despite the investigation, Mendes remains with the squad as Cape Verde prepare to face Argentina in the Round of 32. (PC: India Today)

A record-breaking heatwave continues to sweep across Europe, leaving at least 1,000 excess deaths in France and shattering temperature records across several countries. Most of the victims were aged 65 and above, according to French health officials. Germany recorded a new all-time high of 41.7°C, while Denmark also experienced its hottest day on record. Hospitals are under heavy pressure, transport networks have been disrupted, and emergency alerts remain in place across several countries. Health experts and the World Health Organization have warned that extreme heat is becoming more frequent due to climate change and poses a growing public health threat.  

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 1,450, while tens of thousands of people are still feared missing. Rescue teams say many collapsed buildings have not yet been searched because of limited manpower and equipment. The powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes hit less than a minute apart during a national holiday, trapping thousands inside homes. Aid agencies say the first 48 to 72 hours are critical for saving lives, though survivors may still be found later. Concerns are also growing over the speed and coordination of the government's disaster response as rescue efforts continue. (PC: BBC)

Ghanaian traditional priest Nana Kwaku Bonsam has predicted a major upset at the FIFA World Cup 2026, claiming Cape Verde will eliminate defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32. Bonsam, known for making controversial football predictions, said Cape Verde has the spiritual strength and belief to defeat Lionel Messi's side. Argentina, one of the tournament favourites, will face Cape Verde on July 3 in a knockout clash. While Bonsam's claims have drawn widespread attention, they remain personal predictions with no sporting basis. The match is expected to be one of the most closely watched fixtures of the knockout stage. (PC: X)

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she will return to Bangladesh before the end of this year despite facing legal cases and a death sentence in absentia. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Hasina described the charges against her as politically motivated and said her fight is for democracy and the rights of the people, not personal power. She also accused the current leadership of weakening democratic institutions and expressed concern over attacks on minority communities, saying such incidents go against the spirit of Bangladesh's independence. Her remarks come amid continuing political tensions in the country and could have significant political implications. (PC: NDTV)  

Democratic Republic of Congo's most famous football supporter, Michel Kuka Mboladinga, missed his country's historic first FIFA World Cup victory after being denied a US visa. Known as the "90-minute standing superfan" for remaining on his feet throughout every match, Mboladinga was unable to travel for DR Congo's crucial clash against Uzbekistan. The African nation secured a memorable 3-1 win to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Mboladinga had become a global fan favourite for his unique support and colourful appearance, making his absence from one of the country's biggest football moments especially emotional. (PC: X)

The investigation into the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft has revealed that several accused tried to destroy digital evidence before their arrest. According to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), some suspects deleted chat records, formatted their mobile phones and removed key data to hide their alleged involvement. Investigators believe these actions were aimed at obstructing the probe. The SIT has sent the seized devices for forensic examination to recover deleted information. Eight people have been arrested in the case, and nearly ₹80 lakh has been recovered so far. The investigation is continuing to uncover the full extent of the alleged embezzlement. (PC: X)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered the Round of 32 after an exciting group stage, with 32 teams battling for a place in the last 16. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will face Cape Verde on July 4 at 3:30 AM IST. Spain take on Austria on July 3 at 12:30 AM IST, while Brazil meet Japan on June 30 at 10:30 PM IST. Other key knockout clashes include Germany vs Paraguay, France vs Sweden, England vs DR Congo and Portugal vs Croatia. Every match is now a knockout, with no second chances. (PC: India Today)

India suffered a shocking 2-0 T20I series defeat to Ireland after losing the second match by one run in Belfast. It was India's first T20I series loss since August 2023. Captain Shreyas Iyer praised Ireland for their performance. He said, "They definitely outplayed us in that department." Ireland scored 154/8 before restricting India to a narrow defeat. Prince Yadav impressed on his debut with three wickets. Tilak Varma scored a fighting half-century, but India fell short. The defeat also ended India's 16-series unbeaten run. India will now focus on the upcoming series against England. (PC: BCCI/X)