WORLD - The African Mirror

Jun

15

2025

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…

Jun

14

2025

By JENNIFER GERSON

Harvey Weinstein convicted in retrial as push for #MeToo accountability continues

WORLD

This story was originally reported by Jennifer Gerson of The 19th. Meet Jennifer and read more of her reporting on gender, politics and policy. HARVEY Weinstein was convicted Wednesday in a New York City retrial on one charge of committing a criminal sexual act. The former Hollywood studio head, who has also been convicted of rape in a California court, was acquitted on a second charge. On Thursday, the judge declared a mistrial on the third charge against Weinstein, related to the alleged rape of actress Jessica Mann. The mistrial on the third charge was declared after the jury foreperson…

Jun

13

2025

By The African Mirror

When the sky fell: The Ahmedabad air disaster and the miracle of seat 11A

WORLD

THE afternoon sun blazed mercilessly over Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, as Flight AI171 roared down the runway at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Inside the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, 242 souls settled into their seats - families heading to London for vacations, business travellers with important meetings, students pursuing dreams abroad. None could foresee that in mere minutes, their journey would become one of aviation's darkest chapters. The Final Minutes At 1:38 PM, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar guided the massive aircraft skyward, its belly heavy with fuel for the long journey to London Gatwick. The engines…

Jun

13

2025

By The African Mirror

Day 7 in the LA – City of Angels, City of Fire

WORLD

THE helicopters arrived at dawn like mechanical vultures, their rotors slicing through the amber Los Angeles sky as if cutting the city's last threads of peace. Below, in the narrow streets of the Fashion District, federal agents moved through the early morning shadows like ghosts in tactical gear, their boots echoing off warehouse walls where immigrant families had built lives thread by thread, dream by dream. Maria Gonzalez was folding her son's school uniform when the first boot kicked down her door. June 6th began like any other Tuesday in downtown LA - vendors setting up their carts, children walking…

Jun

13

2025

By JENNIFER MATHERS

Putin forced to send wounded back to fight and offer huge military salaries as Russia suffers a million casualties

WORLD

RUSSIAN military casualties in the war in Ukraine are expected to reach a million before the end of June. This figure, which is composed of combat-related injuries as well as deaths, reveals that Moscow is prepared to see its soldiers pay a staggeringly high price for Russia to maintain and expand its illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory. The scale of losses since the full-scale invasion in 2022 is a direct result of Russia’s “meat grinder” approach to fighting, which relies on sending waves of troops into enemy fire, sacrificing many so that a few can get through. Vladimir Putin’s strategy…

Jun

12

2025

By GHADA ABDULFATTAH

Gaza’s first responders: A life of fire and rubble

WORLD

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian.By Ghada Abdulfattah IN the Gaza Strip, where the relentless grind of war has erased streets, homes, trees, neighbourhoods, and almost entire cities, firefighters and other civil defence workers have become more than first responders – they are lifelines in a world that has collapsed. Before the war, Gaza’s firefighters mostly responded to routine emergencies – house fires, car accidents, and individual medical crises. Their work was challenging, but largely predictable. During previous wars – in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021 – they worked under difficult conditions. Still, nothing prepared them for…

Jun

12

2025

By CHRISTOPH BLUTH

Why South Korea’s new leader may be on a collision course with Trump

WORLD

THE new South Korean president, Lee Jae-myung, calls himself a foreign policy “pragmatist”. He says he is driven by South Korea’s national interest, rather than ideology, and has spoken of his desire to improve relations with China and North Korea. Under the former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s relationship with these countries came under increasing strain. Yoon adopted a confrontational stance toward North Korea and openly sided with Washington in its rivalry with Beijing. Lee’s vision may bring his government into conflict with the Trump administration. On the campaign trail, Lee sought to dispel doubts about his commitment to…

Jun

12

2025

By SAM POWER

Why ultra wealthy donors like Elon Musk and Zia Yusuf may just be fundamentally incompatible with the politics of the radical right

WORLD

FORMER chairman Zia Yusuf has rejoined Reform after quitting days previously. Yusuf had said he no longer wanted to work to get the party into government when new MP Sarah Pochin called for a ban on burqas in the UK. However, he seems to have had a change of heart and will return, ostensibly to lead the party’s “department of government efficiency”. Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s bromance, however, is on much rockier ground. There’s no sign of the world’s richest man reconciling with the US president, his former employer. These spats, at first glance, might seem like little more…