--- title: "Why the Israel-Iran war is a global threat; Shivambu goes solo; and lingering cough explained" description: "How the Israel-Iran war places the world in grave peril, Shivambu parts ways with Zuma, Malema, and why your cough won’t go away." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "THE WEEKEND WRAP" author: "Daily Maverick" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-21-why-the-israel-iran-war-is-a-global-threat-shivambu-goes-solo-and-lingering-cough-explained/" published: "2025-06-21T10:34:35" updated: "2025-06-21T10:38:36" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 833 --- # Why the Israel-Iran war is a global threat; Shivambu goes solo; and lingering cough explained > How the Israel-Iran war places the world in grave peril, Shivambu parts ways with Zuma, Malema, and why your cough won’t go away. By Daily Maverick · Published 21 June 2025, 12:34 SAST · Updated 21 June 2025, 12:38 SAST ## Key points - As the Middle East teeters on the brink of chaos with the Israel-Iran conflict, Floyd Shivambu breaks free from the Zuma-Malema duo, and your persistent cough continues to mock your attempts at wellness, the weekend news serves up a cocktail of geopolitical tension, political drama, and health woes. - The Israel-Iran conflict escalates, raising fears of a wider regional war and reflecting decades of US-Israel intervention strategies. - The Government of National Unity grapples with ongoing crises, highlighting tensions between the ANC and DA amid attempts at coalition stability. - Floyd Shivambu distances himself from Malema and Zuma, facing uncertainty as he steps into the political spotlight alone. - The tragic reality of missing children in South Africa persists, with families enduring endless pain and hope for their return. ## Content ## The Weekend Wrap How the Israel-Iran war places the world in grave peril, Shivambu parts ways with Zuma, Malema, and why your cough won't go away. ## [Attack on Iran is Israel and the US’s latest step in implementing Mideast regime change](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-18-iran-attack-is-latest-israel-us-step-towards-mideast-regime-change/) As Middle East tensions spiral, and the prospect of a broader regional war intensifies, it’s important to examine previous steps the US and Israel took over the years towards regime change and hegemonic control of the region. By Mel Frykberg ## [The GNU at one — serial crises and continual turmoil are the order of the day](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-16-the-gnu-at-one-serial-crises-and-continual-turmoil-are-the-order-of-the-day/) The first year of the Government of National Unity saw crises of power-sharing, policy fallouts, court challenges, declarations of mutual contempt between the ANC and DA, and the construction of a substitute coalition — followed by truces and a seeming compulsion to stay the course. By Susan Booysen ## [Zionism untethered — inside the legal battle for the soul of UCT](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-18-zionism-untethered-inside-the-legal-battle-for-the-soul-of-uct/) Up until now, a narrative has been pushed in the local and international right-wing press that the council of the University of Cape Town had chosen to wilfully sacrifice R750-million in donor funding on the altar of its so-called Gaza resolutions. By Kevin Bloom ## The Weekend Wrap How the Israel-Iran war places the world in grave peril, Shivambu parts ways with Zuma, Malema, and why your cough won't go away. ![Iran Israel](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GettyImages-2219260466-720x480.jpg) ## [How the Israel-Iran war places the world in grave peril, and brings us alarmingly close to wider conflict](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-18-iran-attack-is-latest-israel-us-step-towards-mideast-regime-change/) As Middle East tensions spiral, and the prospect of a broader regional war intensifies, it’s important to examine previous steps the US and Israel took over the years towards regime change and hegemonic control of the region. By Mel Frykberg ## [The GNU at one — serial crises and continual turmoil are the order of the day](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-16-the-gnu-at-one-serial-crises-and-continual-turmoil-are-the-order-of-the-day/) The first year of the Government of National Unity saw crises of power-sharing, policy fallouts, court challenges, declarations of mutual contempt between the ANC and DA, and the construction of a substitute coalition — followed by truces and a seeming compulsion to stay the course. By Susan Booysen ![government of national unity](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ferial-IFPBriefmeaning-scaled.jpg) ## [Zionism untethered — inside the legal battle for the soul of UCT](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-18-zionism-untethered-inside-the-legal-battle-for-the-soul-of-uct/) Up until now, a narrative has been pushed in the local and international right-wing press that the council of the University of Cape Town had chosen to wilfully sacrifice R750-million in donor funding on the altar of its so-called Gaza resolutions. By Kevin Bloom ![UCT](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_489202-720x480.jpg) ## [Floyd Shivambu to step out of the shadow of Malema and Zuma, but his future is uncertain](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-19-shivambu-to-step-out-of-shadow-of-malema-zuma-but-future-uncertain/) Floyd Shivambu, the perennial sidekick, faces an uphill battle on his own. By Nonkululeko Njilo ![Floyd Shivambu addresses the media](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ED_561747-720x374.jpg) ## SA’s missing kids and the agony of parents who never stop hoping Hundreds of South African children go missing every year. Most are found, but many are not. For the families left behind, the pain is excruciating – and endless. Daily Maverick will be publishing a series of articles throughout Child Protection Week to highlight this crisis. [YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEkxgG2oygo) ![Andre Lincoln](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lincoln-analysis-caryn-copy-720x360.jpg) ## [Condolences and contradictions — what André Lincoln’s funeral exposed about the state](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-17-what-andre-lincolns-funeral-exposes-about-the-state/) When retired top cop André Lincoln died recently, he faced a multimillion-rand state legal bill and accusations, which he denied, about a killed colleague. But President Cyril Ramaphosa approved Lincoln’s funeral, meaning the state officially viewed him as honourable. By Caryn Dolley ## [The new Iron Curtain: Eastern Europe mobilises for defence against Russian aggression](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-18-the-new-iron-curtain-eastern-europe-mobilises-for-defence-against-russian-aggression/) US President Donald Trump’s threat not to respect America’s Nato obligations has spurred Europe into action. By Peter Fabricius ## [Historical Guest Farms of the Eastern Cape Karoo: Part 1](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-19-historical-guest-farms-of-the-eastern-cape-karoo-part-1/) The Eastern Cape Karoo, arguably the unsung hero of all South African travel destinations, is famous for its country hospitality, its adventure options, and its historic old farmsteads full of stories and friendly faces. By Julienne Du Toit ## [Innovative Shukri Conrad turned a wilting Proteas side into the best in the world](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-16-shukri-conrad-turned-wilting-proteas-into-best-in-the-world/) Many of Shukri Conrad’s often left-field decisions have been met with disdain – until they’ve paid off. By Keanan Hemmonsbey [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023_04_24_CROSSWORDS-GIF-TEST3-1.gif)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) ## [Daily Mini Crossword Quickie](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) [Play here.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) ## [Why won’t my cough go away?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-17-why-wont-my-cough-go-away/) There can be a range of reasons for a persistent cough. But most chronic coughs are caused by three conditions. By David King ## [Wits researchers help create ‘most accurate maps yet’ of where reforestation can best fight climate change](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-19-forests-for-good-sa-scientists-help-groundbreaking-reforestation-study/) The study has strong implications for Africa where natural grasslands and savannas are often misguidedly and inappropriately converted to forests, which can actually harm biodiversity and even exacerbate global warming. By Ethan van Diemen ## [V is for VUUR: A fiery bro-fest redefines what a restaurant can be](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-20-v-is-for-vuur-a-fiery-bro-fest-redefines-what-a-restaurant-can-be/) After a tour of a fine foods business that grew out of a car boot, fire rained down on a sunny, lazy day on a Stellenbosch farm. If fire could make waves, this was it. By Tony Jackman [Subscribe to First Thing](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/edit-my-profile/) to receive the Weekend Wrap in your inbox every Sunday morning. If you value the work our journalists do and want to support Daily Maverick, consider becoming a Maverick Insider. [Support DM](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/)