Laureen Fagan

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Laureen is a freelance journalist creating high-quality, informed content on international affairs, politics and technology. She has worked both in and out of newsrooms since 2000. She is a former paramedic with significant experience in community resilience and nonprofit community development initiatives, and maintains "a passion for action" on sustainability and climate change. She also is trained in conflict resolution and diversity, and has special interests in science and medical reporting, and culture and religion issues. Laureen received her MSJ from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in the United States, and completed additional graduate study in theology at University of Notre Dame. Follow Laureen on Mastodon at @laureen@m.ai6yr.org

Nigeria prepares for floods due to Cameroon dam releases

Nigeria prepares for floods due to Cameroon dam releases

Nigeria’s emergency management agency says it’s keeping close watch on river levels, following the decision in neighboring Cameroon to release water from the Lagdo Dam. Humanitarian affairs minister Betta Edu has recommended that frontline communities living in about a dozen states along the Benue River should begin preparing for high…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Mnangagwa re-elected in Zimbabwe but opposition rejects result

Mnangagwa re-elected in Zimbabwe but opposition rejects result

President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling Zanu PF party has been re-elected in Zimbabwe, receiving 52.6% of the vote in this week’s election while opposition leader Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) reached 44%, according to Saturday’s late-night results from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The CCC, however,…

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Egypt, Ethiopia to be BRICS member states in 2024

Egypt and Ethiopia will join the BRICS group of nations, in a decision on expansion made at the 15th summit of leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and host South Africa. The two African nations, often at odds with each other, will take up membership in January 2024. Also joining…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

HRW says Ethiopian migrant deaths may be crime against humanity

A Human Rights Watch investigation released Monday found hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers were killed by Saudi border guards when they tried to cross into the country along the border with Yemen. “Human Rights Watch research indicates that, at time of writing, the killings are continuing,” said the…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Tenerife fires displace 26,000 as WMO calls heat the ‘new norm’

More than 26,000 people have faced evacuation as fires on Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, continued to blaze. The information account for emergency services said Saturday that people have been sent to shelters from affected regions including Los Realejos in the northern part of the island, which saw expanded evacuations….

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Aide to Madagascar’s Rajoelina arrested on bribery charge

The United Kingdom says it has arrested Romy Andrianarisoa, the 46-year-old chief of staff to President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, as part of a corruption investigation that also led to the arrest of a French partner. The UK’s National Crime Agency said Andrianarisoa, as well as 54-year-old Philippe Tabuteau, have…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Tech leaders advance AI goals for neglected African languages

Machine learning and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) are opening new doors of opportunity, but as a new study points out, that’s only true if you speak English, French, or one of the other common languages used in products like ChatGPT. Now, there’s a new effort to ensure that…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa, Chamisa head toward elections

Zimbabwe is heading into the final weeks before its August 23 elections, which have President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling Zanu PF party again facing Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC). Campaigning continues, with Mnangagwa telling supporters that their vote for him has religious rewards. The 80-year-old…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

South Africa’s DA decries Zuma prison release

South Africa’s corrections system is releasing thousands of nonviolent offenders at the direction of President Cyril Ramaphosa, but one of them – former leader Jacob Zuma – is at the center of controversy. Zuma, now 81, was sentenced to 15 months for contempt of court in 2021. The decision followed…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Niger coup opposition emerges as ECOWAS plans new meeting

A former Tuareg rebel leader has formed the Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR) movement in Niger, in order to support besieged President Mohamed Bazoum and restore the government displaced by the July 26 coup. Rhissa Ag Boula said Wednesday in a CRR statement that his group supports the…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times