Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.
Duduzile Zuma, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, appears for a pre-trial hearing at the Durban High Court in Durban, 14 August 2025, facing terrorism and public violence charges stemming from her alleged involvement in the 2021 riots. Picture: Rajesh JantilalResidents look at a minibus taxi that was set alight near the Maponya mall in Soweto on August 14, 2025 the day after gunmen killed a ride-hailing driver on August 14, 2025 in the latest violence between online operators and traditional taxi and minibus drivers. Ride-hailing drivers in South Africa have faced repeated deadly attacks by taxi and minibus drivers who say platforms like Uber and Bolt are undercutting their business. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)Fluids are flushed orally via a tube for a Western gull while it recovers from an unknown illness at the International Bird Rescue facility in Los Angeles, California, USA, 13 August 2025. An unknown illness is plaguing Southern Californian Western gulls leaving an unusal surge of sick and dying birds according to the organizaiton International Bird Rescue. Picture: EPA/CAROLINE BREHMANPeople revel amid ‘carretillas’ fireworks during the ‘Nit del Alba’ festival in Elche, Spain, 14 August 2025. Every year on the night of 13 August, Elche celebrates the Nit del Alba, during which hundreds of fireworks are launched, including ‘carretillas’ devices that emit sparks as they move unpredictably until culminating in a small explosion. Picture: EPA/PABLO MIRANZOInmates at the opening of the newly established bakery at the Durban Management Area on August 14, 2025 in Durban, South Africa. The bakery will enable offenders to bake bread for their own consumption, thereby lowering operational costs and contributing to significant savings for the department. The initiative will also equip offenders with baking and entrepreneurial skills that can assist them in securing employment or starting small businesses upon reintegration into society. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)Fireworks light up the sky during Independence Day celebrations, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 14 August 2025. Pakistan is celebrating its 78th Independence Day on 14 August since it became a sovereign state in 1947. Picture: EPA/BILAWAL ARBABA woman poses during the Petronio Alvarez Pacific Music Festival in Cali, Colombia, 13 August 2025. The 29th edition of the Petronio Alvarez Festival, held from 13 to 17 August, is the largest Afro-Colombian cultural event in Latin America. Picture: EPA/Ernesto GuzmanA volunteer holds a rescued cat at the Adopt and Save a Life Rescue Mission seat in Miami, Florida, USA, 13 August 2025. According to the non-profit organization for animal rescue, they are now dealing with the issue of dogs, cats, and other pets that are left behind after their owners are deported from the USA. Picture: EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICHPolitical satire artist Kaya Mar poses with his artwork depicting US President Trump, Ukraine’s President Zelensky and Russian President Putin outside at Downing Street in London, Britain, 13 August 2025. British Prime Minister Starmer co-chaired a Coalition of the Willing meeting at Downing Street ahead of a Trump/Putin summit on 15 August 2025. Picture: EPA/ANDY RAINA man battles the flames during a forest fire in the municiplaity of A Pobra de Trives, Ourense province, Spain, 13 August 2025. Multiple blazes continue to affect several provinces in Spain, after burning thousands of hectares across the country. Picture: EPA/BRAIS LORENZOBalinese Hindu people perform a ritual at a beach in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia, 14 August 2025. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an extreme weather warning for residents in southern Java and Bali for strong winds and high waves that are currently occurring and are expected to continue over the coming days. Picture: EPA/MADE NAGIVendors sell flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Taliban takeover, along a street in Kabul, Afghanistan, 13 August 2025. The Taliban government on 15 August marks the fourth year since its return to power in 2021, ending a major offensive which followed the withdrawal of US troops from the country. The takeover has resulted, among other things, in a reversal of women’s rights, as well as the country becoming isolated internationally. Picture: EPA/SAMIULLAH POPAL
