July 2024 archive: the month’s biggest stories in one place

Looking for what mattered in July 2024? This archive pulls together the key headlines from Africa Daily Spectrum so you can catch up fast. From big sports moments and transfer drama to major political and cultural stories, here’s what we covered and why it mattered.

Sports, transfers and big matches

Football dominated the month. The hot transfer talk was teenage sensation Chido Obi-Martin choosing Manchester United over higher offers because he sees a clearer path to first-team football. Fans were buzzing about that move and earlier rumours about his switch from Arsenal.

On the club front, Riccardo Calafiori caused a stir after publicly praising Ruben Dias — which raised eyebrows at Arsenal. Tottenham’s Japan friendly against Vissel Kobe and MLS match previews like Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami kept the pre-season and league action lively.

Big tournaments also grabbed attention. The Paris 2024 opening ceremony on the Seine made headlines — even as a rail network attack disrupted travel. Lamine Yamal set a record in the Euro 2024 final, breaking a long-standing milestone. At the Copa America final, Argentina faced Colombia in a match that could be Lionel Messi’s last at the tournament.

Individual stories hit emotional notes. Tom Daley returned to the Olympic stage and took silver in synchronized diving — a comeback shaped by family and persistence. In youth football, Mia Enderby helped England reach the U19 Euros semis, while Mick Schumacher’s WEC form fuels talk of an F1 return.

Politics, security and culture

Global and regional security stories were front and center. Israel carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s Hodeidah port to disrupt weapons flows to the Houthis. In the U.S., Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after criticism over a security lapse tied to an assassination attempt. Nigeria’s NDLEA scored a major drug interception aimed at shipments to the US, UK and Cyprus.

West African politics remained tense as ECOWAS struggled to reconcile with junta-led states. In Nigeria, former Minister Saleh Mamman faced a N10 billion bail bond on money laundering charges. These stories underline ongoing governance and rule-of-law challenges across the region.

Cultural and social news included the tragic details around Sinéad O'Connor’s death tied to COPD and asthma complications, and personal revelations like Brenda Biya coming out — a flashpoint for LGBTQ+ rights in Cameroon. In motorsport, Ralf Schumacher publicly came out, a notable moment for inclusivity in racing.

Closer to home, South African TV drama Muvhango faced contract delays at SABC, and actress Innocent Sadiki’s house fire sparked community support. Commercially, Betway signed a R900 million sponsorship with the PSL, reshaping local football funding.

If you want a deeper read on any story, pick a headline and follow the full article. This archive is your quick map of July 2024 on Africa Daily Spectrum—news that mattered, explained simply.