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.
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.
