Sumba Island (Indonesia) (AFP) – Two hours from the tourist beaches of Bali, slavery is still a reality on the Indonesian island of Sumba, where some are born into bondage. They work from dawn to dusk without pay, are passed on in marriage and are sometimes beaten and raped by their masters. Yet most are resigned to their fate because their status “cannot be wiped away”, as one young slave — or “ata” — tells AFP.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that he is dismissing Oleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s army, and appointing joint forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty in his place. “I have decided that the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be Mykhailo Drapaty,” he says. It comes amid a political crisis triggered by the removal of a popular defence minister, who accused Syrsky of forcing him out and stalling his attempt to reform the military.
Hong Kong (AFP) – Long-awaited reforms to Hong Kong’s sexual offence laws will introduce stricter penalties for sexual crimes, but survivors warn that the proposed changes don’t go far enough to protect victims. Jessie, a survivor who shared her story with AFP, said she felt “oppressed and helpless” after testifying against the man she said attacked her. The judge had acquitted the defendant, saying he may have “honestly but mistakenly” believed that she consented.
Kuwait City (Kuwait) (AFP) – Residents of Kuwait City say they are adjusting their daily routines to reduce electricity consumption after authorities appealed for public cooperation following Iranian attacks targeting power and water facilities. “The government is calling for this, and we should all comply,” says one resident.
Ezeiza (Argentina) (AFP) – Thousands of fans line the streets as Buenos Aires holds a bus parade to celebrate the return of Argentina’s national team back home after its defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. “Argentines are like that, it’s the people, it’s love, it’s grit, it’s pride,” says fan Nadia Borda. “It’s what our players taught us out on the pitch. What more could we ask for?”
Moscow (AFP) – The Kremlin says it has “no hope” for better ties with the UK, a day after Britain’s new prime minister Andy Burnham took office, with Moscow criticising his support for Ukraine. Russia sees the UK as one of the most hostile Western countries, with relations at historic lows over a litany of issues — including accusations of Russian poisonings on UK soil — long before the war in Ukraine.
Parun (Afghanistan) (AFP) – Rescuers use excavators and poles to search for missing residents trapped under mud and boulders in eastern Afghanistan, after a major flood smashed through one province killing at least 23 people.
Sumba Island (Indonesia) (AFP) – Two hours from the tourist beaches of Bali, slavery is still a reality on the Indonesian island of Sumba, where some are born into bondage. They work from dawn to dusk without pay, are passed on in marriage and are sometimes beaten and raped by their masters. Yet most are resigned to their fate because their status “cannot be wiped away”, as one young slave — or “ata” — tells AFP.
Srinagar (India) (AFP) – In Indian-administered Kashmir, the wives of missing men are known as “half-widows” — unable to mourn fully until they know their husbands are dead. During the armed rebellion in the contested Himalayan territory, thousands disappeared as New Delhi poured in soldiers to quash the insurgents. The rights group Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) estimates as many as 8,000 people were victims of “enforced disappearance.” Some of them, it says, were likely abducted by militants.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Protesters gather in Kyiv for a fourth consecutive day to oppose President Volodymyr Zelensky’s dismissal of tech-savvy Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, accusing the authorities of reversing recent defence reforms and trying to wait out public anger. Demonstrators are also criticising parliament’s decision to go into recess and are demanding an explanation from the president.
London (AFP) – Keir Starmer gives a speech as he departs Downing Street, insisting his two years in office have made Britain a better place as he steps down as prime minister to make way for Andy Burnham. “I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago,” Starmer tells reporters outside No. 10 Downing Street in central London.
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.
