WORLD - The African Mirror

Jun

18

2025

‘This is the first time I’ve been afraid that I am Latina’: ICE raids set L.A. on edge

WORLD

This story was originally reported by Nadra Nittle of The 19th. Meet Nadra and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. “TOO much, too soon, too fast” — psychologists warn that this is a recipe for trauma. And over the past six months, no city nationwide has been battered in such a way as Los Angeles. The year began, as Joan Didion once wrote, with “the city on fire, just as we had always known it would be.” Before Angelenos could recover from the hurricane-strength winds that blanketed L.A. in flames, killing more than two dozen people…

Jun

17

2025

By The African Mirror

Fire and fear: The battle for Tehran’s soul

WORLD

THE ancient city of Tehran trembles under a crimson sky as the dawn breaks not with the call to prayer, but with the thunder of war. Across the sprawling metropolis of nine million souls, highways have transformed into rivers of desperation—an endless procession of families clutching their most precious belongings, fleeing the capital that has been their home for generations. Through the pre-dawn darkness, headlights pierce the chaos like fallen stars. The Tehran-North highway, normally a mundane commuter route, has become an artery of survival. Mothers cradle infants against their chests while fathers grip steering wheels with white knuckles, their…

Jun

17

2025

By The African Mirror

UN human rights chief warns world is abandoning international law as conflicts spiral

WORLD

THE UN's top human rights official has delivered a stark warning that the world is witnessing a dangerous erosion of international law and human rights protections, as conflicts escalate globally and powerful nations abandon the agreements that have underpinned peace for eight decades. Speaking to the 59th Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk painted a grim picture of a world in crisis, where civilians are deliberately targeted, humanitarian aid is obstructed, and human rights defenders are killed at an alarming rate. "The current trajectory – of escalating conflict and blatant disregard for international human rights…

Jun

17

2025

By The African Mirror

Rohingya refugee family reunites in Greece: “We can build our future now”

WORLD

JUST hours before the start of 2025, the Suji family celebrated the New Year in Athens with immense joy. After nearly a decade of separation, Mahmoud, Maryam, and their two sons, Maher and Mahdi, were finally together again – filled with hope for the future. Although born in Myanmar, Mahmoud, Maryam, and their sons – now 18 and 14 – are classified on their official documents as “stateless”. As members of the persecuted Rohingya ethnic minority, they remain invisible to a country that neither recognises them as citizens nor protects them. Lacking legal status or identity documents, they faced significant challenges throughout…

Jun

16

2025

By The African Mirror

Trapped in the crossfire: The human cost of the Israel-Iran escalation

WORLD

THE dawn of June 15, 2025, shattered any hopes for de-escalation in the Middle East as Iran unleashed its most devastating retaliation yet against Israel. Over 150 ballistic missiles streaked across the sky, accompanied by more than 100 drones in what Tehran dubbed "Operation True Promise III" – a response to Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military officials. Among the most vulnerable victims of this escalating conflict are the thousands of innocent bystanders who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to Israel's Ministry of Tourism, approximately 40,000 tourists are now stranded in…

Jun

16

2025

By The African Mirror

Manhunt underway for suspect in politically motivated assassination of Minnesota lawmaker, family

WORLD

A nationwide manhunt is underway in the US for 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who is suspected of assassinating Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in what authorities have described as a "politically motivated assassination". The shootings occurred early Saturday morning at the couple's home in Brooklyn Park, a suburb of Minneapolis. Boelter is also accused of shooting Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home about 9 miles away in Champlin. Both Hoffman and his wife survived after surgery and are reported to be in stable condition. The suspect allegedly impersonated a police…

Jun

16

2025

By The African Mirror

Number of people uprooted by war at shocking, decade-high levels – UNHCR

WORLD

THE number of people displaced by war, violence and persecution worldwide is untenably high, particularly as humanitarian funding evaporates, with the only bright spot being a pickup in returns, notably to Syria, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said today. According to UNHCR’s annual Global Trends Report released today, there were 122.1 million forcibly displaced people by the end of April 2025, up from 120 million at the same time last year, representing around a decade of year-on-year increases in the number of refugees and others forced to flee their homes. The main drivers of displacement remain large conflicts like Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine, and the continued failure to…

Jun

15

2025

By The African Mirror

Fire and Fury: The Iran-Israel war explodes

WORLD

THE Middle East stands at the precipice as two ancient enemies unleash decades of simmering hatred in a blazing exchange of missiles and military might. What began as shadow warfare has erupted into open conflict, with Israel and Iran trading devastating blows that have sent shockwaves across the globe. As Tehran slept in the pre-dawn darkness of Friday, the sky erupted in flames. Operation Rising Lion had begun—Israel's most audacious military gambit in decades, a surgical yet devastating assault that would rewrite the rules of engagement in the Middle East. Fifteen Iranian sites became infernos within hours. Nuclear facilities that…

Jun

14

2025

By The African Mirror

Global outcry and caution after Israel’s attack on Iran

WORLD

THE world responded swiftly and with deep concern following Israel’s dramatic military strike on Iran on Friday, June 13, 2025. The unprecedented attack, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and senior military leaders, immediately drew a chorus of condemnation, calls for restraint, and urgent diplomatic activity across capitals. United States The United States distanced itself from the Israeli operation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that Washington was not involved and warned Iran against retaliating against U.S. interests or personnel in the region. President Donald Trump convened an emergency cabinet meeting, and U.S. embassies across the Middle East were placed on…

Jun

14

2025

By The African Mirror

The last smile: A family’s final moment of pure joy before tragedy on Air India Flight 171

WORLD

ABOARD Air India Flight 171, moments before the unthinkable, the Joshi family’s last photograph glows with a brightness that now feels almost otherworldly. Dr. Prateek Joshi, his wife Komi Vyas, and their three children - twin boys Nakul and Pradyut, and their elder daughter Miraya - sit together in the cabin, their faces alight with pure, unfiltered joy. Their eyes are wide, sparkling with excitement, their smiles so radiant and perfect they could have stepped right out of a toothpaste commercial. Komi’s gentle smile radiates calm happiness, Prateek’s eyes twinkle with pride and hope, while the children beam with the…