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’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 is the editor of Africa Times
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
As yet there are no official results from this week’s presidential election in Zimbabwe, which again put President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling Zanu PF party in a race against Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC). The CCC says it thinks it’s running ahead in the results,…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
The Russian news agency TASS reports that Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group paramilitary organization, was listed as a passenger aboard a downed flight on Wednesday in which there were no survivors. “An investigation has been launched into the crash of the Embraer aircraft that occurred tonight in the…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the South African nation on Sunday evening, speaking about foreign policy ahead of hosting the leaders of China, India, and Brazil during the BRICS summit, which begins on Tuesday. “This BRICS Summit and the state visit by President Xi Jinping, as well as the many bilateral…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
Union leaders in Egypt say at least 15 truck drivers have died in the heat while waiting at the border to enter Sudan, where the conflict has roughly 4,000 drivers currently idled and shipments have stacked up for two months. Journalists at the Cairo-based Mada Masr said the 15 drivers…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
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 is the editor of Africa Times
In Niger, thousands of supporters of Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani and the July 26 coup to remove President Mohamed Bazoum turned out at a Niamey stadium on Sunday, as time ran out on a deadline imposed by the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the release of Bazoum…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times