US-Iran war escalated with 14 American military deaths and Trump announcing a Strait of Hormuz blockade, while Ukraine and nine European nations formed a missile defense coalition after striking 105 Russian vessels. The World Cup semifinals (France vs. Spain) were overshadowed by racism controversies and the death of South African player Jayden Adams, alongside India’s historic women’s Test cricket victory at Lord’s. Economic and social strains appeared in De Beers’ pause of South Africa’s largest diamond mine and a mass deportation of 53,000+ migrants, while sports expansion continued with NFL flag football competitions in Kenya. Notable deaths included actor Sam Neill in Australia and two Romanian climbers in the Italian Alps.
- Argentina: World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland featured tributes for deceased South African player Jayden Adams.
- Australia: Actor Sam Neill, star of Jurassic Park, died suddenly in Sydney at age 78; New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Australian PM Anthony Albanese issued tributes.
- Canada: Defeated South Africa 1-0 in World Cup round of 32 on June 28; South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, appointed to temporarily fill his Senate seat.
- Croatia: Slaven Bilić returned as national team coach following Zlatko Dalić’s departure after World Cup exit.
- Czech Republic: South Africa played group-stage match against them hours after player Jayden Adams learned of his grandmother’s death.
- Egypt: Won men’s NFL flag football competition in Kenya, part of league’s African expansion ahead of 2028 Olympics debut.
- France: World Cup semifinal against Spain on July 14; minute of silence planned for 10th anniversary of Nice attack; former Spanish PM Rajoy criticized for racist remarks about French team’s diversity. Lamine Yamal aims to challenge Kylian Mbappé in semifinal showdown.
- Germany: Hosting flag football world championships in Dusseldorf in August; new US Ebola patient arrived for treatment.
- Ghana: Participated in NFL flag football competition in Kenya.
- India: Women’s cricket team thrashed England by 270 runs in historic first Test at Lord’s, with Kranti Gaud taking 5-37 and Yastika Bhatia scoring a century.
- Iran: War with US escalates with 14 military deaths confirmed; Strait of Hormuz tensions rise as Trump announces blockade plan.
- Iraq: KC-135 refueling aircraft crash killed six US service members supporting operations against Iran.
- Italy: Bodies of two Romanian mountain climbers found in Gran Paradiso massif in the Alps.
- Kenya: Hosted NFL’s third annual flag football competition in Africa, with Nigeria winning women’s contest.
- Kuwait: Iranian drone strike on US command center killed six soldiers.
- Moldova: Drone from Russian attack on Ukraine’s Odesa region crashed and exploded on Moldovan territory, called “serious and unacceptable.”
- Morocco: Lost to Spain in World Cup quarterfinals.
- Nigeria: Won women’s NFL flag football competition in Kenya; citizens among 53,000+ deported from South Africa; two citizens’ deaths investigated in anti-immigrant protests.
- Paraguay: Senator Celeste Amarilla faced backlash for racist remarks mocking French player Kylian Mbappé’s origins after World Cup loss.
- Portugal: Defeated Croatia 2-1 in World Cup round of 32 after controversial offside call via ball sensor technology.
- Romania: Two mountain climbers found dead in Italian Alps after going missing since July 9.
- Russia: President Putin vowed “several times more powerful” retaliation against Ukraine’s strikes on refineries and vessels; Crimea faces fuel crisis; claimed to thwart Ukrainian drone attack plots.
- Saudi Arabia: One US soldier died after being wounded in attack on Prince Sultan Air Base.
- Singapore: Court postponed French teen Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien’s case for licking and replacing a vending machine straw to July 30.
- South Africa: Police investigating death of World Cup player Jayden Adams; deported or repatriated over 53,000 immigrants in crackdown; De Beers paused production at Venetia diamond mine for two years due to market pressure.
- Spain: World Cup semifinal against France; former PM Rajoy’s racist comments about French team sparked diplomatic condemnation from France and Spain.
- Switzerland: World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina.
- Togo: Merchant vessel carrying fertilizer attacked in Ukraine’s Odesa region, killing five crew and wounding 10.
- Tunisia: 2016 Nice attack perpetrator, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, was a radicalized Tunisian national claimed by ISIS.
- Uganda: Citizens among those deported from South Africa in immigration crackdown.
- Ukraine: Announced coalition with nine European countries to protect continent from ballistic missiles; struck 105 Russian vessels in Sea of Azov; Russia launched 134 drones and missiles at Ukraine; Odesa port strike killed five on Togo-flagged ship.
- United Arab Emirates: US Embassy and Consulate in Dubai suspended consular appointments July 13-15 due to escalating Gulf security tensions.
- United Kingdom: England women’s cricket team suffered historic 270-run defeat to India in first Test at Lord’s; involved in Strait of Hormuz tensions with Iran.
- United States: Military death toll in Iran war rose to 14 after Navy pilot died in Arabian Sea helicopter crash; over 400 wounded; Trump announced plan to blockade Iran in Strait of Hormuz and charge ships for safe passage.
- Zimbabwe: Migrants among those deported from South Africa in xenophobia-linked crackdown.
