Manfred Zwecker - The African Mirror

Dec

03

2025

Record rainfall and cyclones claim hundreds of lives across Southeast Asia

WORLD

HUNDREDS of people have died, and more than 1.5 million have been displaced across Southeast Asia following record-breaking rainfall and back-to-back tropical storms, United Nations agencies reported Tuesday. Indonesia has been hit hardest, with 604 deaths, 464 people missing and 2,600 injured, according to the Indonesian National Disaster Office. More than 570,000 people have been displaced in the country. The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are also among the countries severely affected by what the World Meteorological Organisation described as a combination of monsoon rainfall and tropical cyclone activity. Tropical Cyclone Senyar brought torrential rains, widespread flooding and landslides…

Sep

24

2025

By Manfred Zwecker

92% of Ukrainian civilian detainees tortured by Russian authorities, UN report reveals

WORLD

A devastating new United Nations report has documented systematic torture and abuse of Ukrainian civilians by Russian authorities in occupied territories, with 92% of interviewed former detainees reporting they were tortured during detention. The UN Human Rights Office documented 508 cases of civilian detention, conducting 216 interviews with released detainees between June 2023 and September 2025. The findings reveal a pattern of severe beatings, sexual violence, and psychological torture, including mock executions. "One detainee described to us being beaten so severely with a baseball bat that he begged to be shot. His captor instead laughed and beat his teeth with…

Jun

26

2025

By Manfred Zwecker

UN Refugee Agency estimates 2.5 million people need resettlement

WORLD

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimates that 2.5 million refugees worldwide will need to be resettled next year, according to the Projected Global Resettlement Needs report released this morning. While the figure remains high, annual resettlement needs have decreased for next year – down from 2.9 million in 2025, even as the global number of refugees continues to grow. This is mainly due to the changed situation in Syria, which has allowed for voluntary returns. We are seeing some people pull out of resettlement processes in favour of plans to go home to rebuild. For 2026, the largest refugee populations that will…

Jun

24

2025

By Manfred Zwecker

Mahama’s billion-cedi boost: Transforming Ghana’s security forces to defeat crime and protect citizens

NEWS

HANA’s President John Dramani Mahama has launched a robust initiative to combat crime and enhance public safety in Ghana, announcing a substantial investment of 1 billion Ghana cedis aimed at retooling the country's security and emergency services. This commitment follows his recent shake-up of leadership within the security sector, including the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, tasked with addressing evolving security challenges such as violent crime, cybercrime, and organised criminal activities. Key Components of the Security Upgrade Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS): The President highlighted the critical need to replace outdated and malfunctioning…

Feb

11

2025

By Manfred Zwecker

Joburg Film Festival 2025 to open with powerful Ernest Cole documentary

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IN a groundbreaking moment for African cinema, the 7th Joburg Film Festival is set to illuminate the city's screens this March with the world premiere of "Ernest Cole: Lost and Found," a compelling documentary about one of South Africa's most influential photographers. The film, which captivated audiences and claimed the Best Documentary award at Cannes, will kick off six days of cinematic excellence from March 11-16, 2025. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Raoul Peck, known for "Lumumba" and "I Am Not Your Negro," the documentary unravels the extraordinary tale of Ernest Cole's life and his powerful documentation of the apartheid era.…

Feb

03

2025

By Manfred Zwecker

Rohingya civilians recall alleged Arakan Army abuses

WORLD

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian.By Tanbirul Miraj Ripon Mohammad Ayas came to live in Bangladesh just weeks after the August 2024 killing of his family by armed men he says were members of the Arakan Army, the largest ethno-nationalist armed group taking on Myanmar’s ruling junta. Like other Rohingya in Rakhine state, the 35-year-old refers to the Arakan Army’s forces with the pejorative Mogh Bagi, meaning robbers, and he never imagined they would kill his relatives in front of his eyes. “They killed my family. I don’t feel like I’m alive anymore. I can't see my…

Oct

31

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Harris warns of ‘petty tyrant,’ promises to work for and with all Americans

WORLD

VICE President Kamala Harris delivered her “closing argument” Tuesday on the National Mall, focusing on the future and drawing a sharp contrast with former President Donald Trump on fitness for office. “America: I know that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us. That’s why I’m in this race, to fight for the people,” Harris said and pointed to Americans who fought in wars and in pushes to expand civil rights. “They did not struggle, sacrifice, and lay down their lives, only to see us cede our fundamental freedoms, only to see us…

Jun

27

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Egypt needs to import $1.18 billion in fuel to end power cuts

BUSINESS

EGYPT needs to import around $1.18 billion worth of mazut fuel oil and natural gas to end persistent power cuts exacerbated by consecutive heat waves, its Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a televised address. It hopes the shipments will arrive in full around the third week of July, by which point the government aims to stop cutting power during the remaining summer months, he added. It has already started contracting for 300,000 tonnes of mazut worth $180 million to boost its strategic reserves which are expected to arrive early next week. Egypt's government on Monday extended daily power cuts to three…

Jun

09

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Denmark’s Prime Minister Frederiksen assaulted in central Copenhagen, man arrested

WORLD

DENMARK'S Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen walked away following an assault by a man in central Copenhagen and had no outward signs of harm, a resident told Reuters. "Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten on Friday evening at Kultorvet (square, red.) in Copenhagen by a man who was subsequently arrested. The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident," her office said without giving further detail. Police said on social media platform X they had arrested a man and investigated the incident but declined to give further details. "She seemed a little stressed," Soren Kjergaard, who works as a barista on the…

May

29

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Martial confirms departure from Man Utd

FOOTBALL

MANCHESTER United forward Anthony Martial will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June, the Frenchman said on Monday. The 28-year-old arrived at Old Trafford from AS Monaco in 2015 and has since scored 90 goals in 317 games for the Red Devils. The departure was expected, as he had struggled with injuries in recent seasons and had not been in the squad for months. He was not in the team for the 2-1 FA Cup final victory against Manchester City on Saturday. "It's with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye.…