June was packed. You’ll find politics, big sports moments, and a few culture stories that mattered across Africa and the world. This archive groups the month’s highlights so you can catch up fast.
South African politics stayed front and centre: Marshall Dlamini kept his parliamentary seat despite a suspended jail term and fine, and the MK Party leadership dispute involving Jabulani Khumalo and Jacob Zuma went to the Electoral Court. On the international stage, world leaders marked D‑Day’s 80th anniversary and debated support for Ukraine — the G7 prepared a $50 billion loan while Biden met Zelenskyy in Paris to discuss aid. Japan and Italy agreed to deepen diplomatic and defense ties, Germany pushed back against an EU foreign‑influence bill, and tensions rose in East Asia after North Korea expanded a leaflet balloon campaign and Kim Yo‑jong warned of countermeasures. Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang also drew attention over possible military cooperation.
Football grabbed headlines with transfers and squad surprises. Tottenham moved for Leeds teen Archie Gray after interest from Brentford, Gareth Southgate left Jack Grealish out of England’s 26‑man squad, and Frenkie de Jong was ruled out of Euro 2024 with an ankle injury. Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina beat Guatemala 4‑1 in a pre‑Copa friendly. In club news, Borussia Dortmund’s manager Edin Terzic left the club unexpectedly.
Cricket fans had a busy month with the T20 World Cup: Afghanistan and Bangladesh staged a tense contest, Australia started their Super‑8 campaign, and West Indies faced South Africa in a virtual knockout clash. England beat the West Indies thanks to Phil Salt’s big hitting, while the West Indies vs Papua New Guinea fixture opened the tournament in Guyana. These matches shaped early tournament momentum and gave us key form lines heading into the knockouts.
Rugby saw England beat Japan 52‑17 in Tokyo despite discipline problems, showing grit and adaptability. In motorsport, George Russell took pole for the Canadian Grand Prix, setting up an exciting race weekend.
Cultural and human interest stories rounded out the month. Rod Stewart’s pro‑Ukraine shout drew boos in Germany, House of the Dragon was confirmed for season 3, and Monaco’s Mohamed Camara got a suspension after obscuring an anti‑homophobia logo. A feature on millennials highlighted midlife financial pressure, housing stress, and retirement worries — a relatable read for many readers.
How to use this archive: skim the headings to find what you care about, or click through individual pieces for match reports, court details, and interviews. Want daily briefings? Bookmark the site or sign up for alerts. Tell us which story you want followed up and we’ll dig deeper next.
Tottenham Hotspur is negotiating to sign 18-year-old Archie Gray from Leeds United after the midfielder rejected a £35 million offer from Brentford. Despite previously agreeing on terms with Brentford, Gray shifted his interest to Tottenham, who have long admired the young talent. His decision comes amid interest from various Premier League and European clubs.
Jude Bellingham celebrated his 21st birthday with a touching tribute from his brother Jobe and numerous wishes from fellow football stars like Romeo Beckham, James Maddison, and Aurelien Tchouameni. The day highlighted the close bond between the Bellingham brothers and showcased the love and admiration from the global football community.
Marshall Dlamini, the Secretary General of the EFF, has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment (suspended for five years) along with a R6,000 fine, yet he will continue to serve as a Member of Parliament. His conviction stems from a 2019 incident involving the assault of a police officer. Due to the fine inclusion, he remains eligible for his parliamentary role.
In their first clash, Biden and Trump faced off in a presidential debate marked by new rules and a lack of a live audience. Biden acknowledged inflation challenges but highlighted pandemic recovery, while Trump boasted of his pre-pandemic economic record. The debate also saw Trump accused by Biden of threatening democracy amid criminal cases against him.
Ukraine and Belgium face off in a pivotal Euro 2024 Group E match on Wednesday. Both teams, led by Domenico Tedesco and Serhiy Rebrov respectively, are looking to secure a top spot in the group. The outcome is crucial as all teams in the group have won one game each, making every point valuable for advancing to the last 16.
The 52nd match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 between Afghanistan and Bangladesh saw an engaging battle. Afghanistan batted first, with early breakthroughs provided by Rishad Hossain's skillful spin. Notably, Ibrahim Zadran's aerial shot led to his dismissal, making the match evenly poised at 59 for 1 after 10.4 overs. This set a thrilling tone for the game, especially with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran's vital partnership.
In the T20 World Cup 2024, the West Indies will clash with South Africa in a pivotal match, as both teams strive for a place in the semifinals. Held in Antigua, the match is a virtual knockout with significant impact on the teams' future in the tournament.
In a gripping Copa America 2024 Group B match, Ecuador and Venezuela fought to a goalless draw in Santa Clara, California. This article captures the vibrant visual moments, dramatic highlights including Enner Valencia's red card and Kendry Paez's sterling performance, and the electric atmosphere of football fans.
England secured a 52-17 victory against Japan in Tokyo despite a series of errors and discipline problems. Marcus Smith's fly-half brilliance and the back-row's adaptability were standout features. Despite conceding numerous penalties and cards, England's spirit and physicality shone through, while Japan displayed promising moments and scored two late tries as their newcomers found rhythm.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Australia, the 2021 titleholders and favorites, are set to face Bangladesh in their first Super-8 match at North Sound, Antigua. Under Mitchell Marsh's leadership, Australia had an undefeated run in the group stage. Bangladesh enters the Super-8 after a strong performance in Group D.
In a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup 2024, England emerged victorious against the West Indies by eight wickets. Phil Salt's remarkable performance, along with support from Jonny Bairstow, guided England in chasing the target of 181. This victory broke West Indies' eight-match winning streak and showcased England's robust cricketing prowess.
Millennials are facing a difficult midlife characterized by financial instability, housing challenges, and retirement uncertainty. The story of Claire, a 42-year-old entrepreneur who opened a store at 24, highlights the financial struggles of this generation. Despite initial success, she now faces housing affordability issues and retirement worries, mirroring the concerns of many millennials who've seen less financial success compared to their parents.