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Asuncion (Paraguay) (AFP) – Paraguay sensationally send four-time champions Germany crashing out of the World Cup on Monday as Brazil and Morocco clinch dramatic victories to reach the last 16. Paraguay’s seismic upset was the highlight of another day of enthralling action as the knockout rounds got into full swing, with Brazil coming from behind to score an injury-time winner in a 2-1 defeat of Japan before Morocco edged past the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in a classic duel in Monterrey.

Doha (AFP) – Mediator Qatar says that no high-level meetings or direct talks between the United States and Iran are planned in Doha after Washington said it had sent a top delegation for negotiations, adding that US envoys were meeting with Qatari mediators. Iran said a team would head to Doha this week but contradicted US President Donald Trump’s claim that direct talks will take place.

La Guaira (Venezuela) (AFP) – Drone images show widespread destruction in La Guaira, Venezuela, as rescuers search for survivors in the heavily damaged area. The death toll from last week’s devastating twin earthquakes has surpassed 1,700, with tens of thousands of people still reported missing. IMAGES

Venezuela (AFP) – During a protest by local residents, a group of soldiers are forced to take up pickaxes and shovels and help clear the rubble of a collapsed building, as it has now been four days since the earthquakes in Venezuela that have left nearly 1,500 dead. “They all come and sit over there to take pictures and then they leave at six, seven in the evening, and then we’re left here suffering, clinging to the hope that they’re going to help us, and they never help us,” an outraged man shouts at a soldier in the Tanaguarena area, in La Guaira state.

Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledges that his country is suffering from “a certain shortage” of fuel in an interview published by the Kremlin, after repeated Ukrainian strikes in their four-year war. “Of course, these attacks on our infrastructure facilities are causing problems, that’s obvious,” says Putin. “We are currently seeing a certain shortage, but it is not critical.”

Caracas (AFP) – Rescuers search a collapsed building in Caracas for survivors and bodies after Venezuela was hit by two powerful earthquakes that killed almost 1,500. IMAGES

La Guaira (Venezuela) (AFP) – Search and rescue teams in La Guaira break down rubble of collapsed buildings to try to find trapped people as the death toll from the quakes, that struck within a minute of each other, had reached 920, with the United Nations’ aid chief Tom Fletcher warning AFP the figure could rocket. IMAGES

Caracas (AFP) – People discharge water supplies from a truck in Caracas while people queue to receive a drink after deadly twin earthquakes in Venezuela may have affected almost seven million people, the UN says, as almost 1,000 people have died and rescuers race to locate survivors and victims under the rubble. IMAGES

Rom (AFP) – With summer temperature soaring around Europe, including in Italy, Rome’s Bioparco zookeepers are providing ice pops and frozen foods to animals, from giraffes to seals to capybaras, to help them cope with the heat. At least 150 million people in Europe are expected to experience temperatures above 35C, according to AFP calculations based on forecasts.

Caracas (AFP) – The death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes has more than doubled to 589, interim President Delcy Rodriguez says, as rescuers race to find survivors beneath collapsed buildings. “Regrettably, we now have 589 people who died,” Rodriguez says during a televised meeting with military and civilian officials.

Yangon (AFP) – Myanmar authorities torch seized drugs they say are worth an estimated $525 million, including 31 different classes, to mark the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Analysts say crumbling governance since a military putsch in 2021 triggered a civil war has allowed all sides in Myanmar to profit from the illicit drug trade.