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Unknown (AFP) – Footage released by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on July 19 shows US forces launching its ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military capabilities. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday the attacks were meant to “further diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz”. The fresh fighting came after a weekend in which the US announced three new US military fatalities and one service member missing in action.

New Delhi (AFP) – India’s riot police baton charge protesters in New Delhi as they try to march to parliament, as demonstrations over irregularities in major exams swell. Thousands of protesters defy police barricades to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the errors, including question paper leaks and technical glitches.

Madrid (AFP) – Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra-time to win their second World Cup.

Havana (AFP) – The Astral sailing vessel of the Spanish NGO Open Arms arrives at the Port of Havana, carrying humanitarian aid for Cuba’s healthcare system, including medicines and photovoltaic equipment for a pediatric hospital. IMAGES

Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Amputees recreate the FIFA World Cup final in a war-damaged stadium west of Gaza City, as Palestinian players injured during the conflict take to the pitch wearing the jerseys of Argentina and Spain ahead of the tournament’s showpiece match. The side representing Spain won the match 3-1.

Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Kyiv residents recall the terror of an overnight Russian strikes that damaged apartment blocks and businesses across parts of the capital, killing one person and leaving at least 16 wounded. Witnesses describe powerful explosions, shaking buildings and frantic attempts to find shelter. “There was no time to run,” local resident Hanna Zagorodnya says. “It was missile after missile.”

New York (AFP) – Argentina and Spain fans bring the noise to New York’s Times Square ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday as the first 48-team tournament in history reaches a climax in New Jersey. The South Americans are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are eyeing a second title after their maiden victory in 2010. Sunday’s showpiece is likely to be the final World Cup appearance for Lionel Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time.

La Mierla (Spain) (AFP) – As Spain triggers emergency alerts for its third major heatwave this summer, firefighters are trying to stop a devastating wildfire just 100 kilometers north of the capital, Madrid, which has already burned more than 12,000 hectares.

Batán (Argentina) (AFP) – Residents of Batan, in Argentina’s Buenos Aires province, unveiled a 1,000-meter-long national flag ahead of the FIFA World Cup final.

Shanghai (AFP) – China’s range of humanoid robot companies display their wares at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. In recent years, the world’s second largest economy has been keen to demonstrate its technological advancements, in particular in robotics.

Sriharikota (India) (AFP) – India’s first privately built orbital rocket takes its maiden flight, marking a significant step for the South Asian giant as it eyes a bigger slice of the global space economy.

Orés (Spain) (AFP) – Air and ground crews, including military emergency units and helicopters, are deployed in an operation to tackle a wilfire in northern Spain, which has already scorched more than 15,400 hectares. The blaze has sparked alarm and continued to grow since starting in a rural part of the Aragon region on Wednesday, a week after the country’s deadliest such disaster in recent history.