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

Tropical storm toll reaches 24 deaths in Madagascar

Tropical storm toll reaches 24 deaths in Madagascar

The storm-related death toll has now reached 24 in Madagascar, where forecasters say Tropical Storm Cheneso poses a continued threat with heavy rainfalls, storm-related landslides and high seas as it lingers along an offshore track over the Mozambique Channel. The National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) in Madagascar…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Intensifying Storm Cheneso isn’t leaving Madagascar

Intensifying Storm Cheneso isn’t leaving Madagascar

Forecasters now say an intensifying Tropical Storm Cheneso poses a continued threat to Madagascar after re-emerging over the Mozambique Channel, with the country’s National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) warning of heavy rainfalls, storm-related landslides and high seas as it lingers along an offshore track. The National Bureau…

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Odinga rejects ‘illegitimate’ Ruto win amid IEBC whistleblower claims

Kenya’s Raila Odinga, the main opposition candidate who lost a presidential bid to President William Ruto in August, says his party won’t accept the current government following the allegations of false results reporting from an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) staffer who leaked documents to Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

U.S. to ID Wagner Group as transnational criminal org, add new sanctions

The United States plans to identify the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company active on the African continent, as a significant transnational criminal organization. The U.S. Treasury also plans to impose additional sanctions against Wagner this week, according to John Kirby, the National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications….

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Storm Cheneso claims 3 in Madagascar

The damage may not be over with Tropical Storm Cheneso, which crossed Madagascar over the weekend after making landfall on Thursday. The storm is now re-emerging over the Mozambique Channel but is moving slowly, adding to the threat of flash flooding, heavy seas and storm-related landslides. The National Bureau of…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

INEC chief says Nigeria is ready for next month’s presidential election

It’s just 38 days until national elections in Nigeria, and Mahmood Yakubu, head of the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), assured Tuesday that his organization is prepared to meet the challenge of managing 93.4 million registered voters as the February 25 elections move ahead as scheduled. Yakubu, speaking at…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Uganda declares end to Ebola outbreak

Uganda declared an end to its Ebola outbreak on Wednesday, after completing a 42-day waiting period in which no new cases emerged. The announcement came less than four months after the first case was identified in September. “Uganda put a swift end to the Ebola outbreak by ramping up key…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

China’s new foreign minister begins 5-nation tour in Ethiopia

Newly appointed Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday, as part of Beijing’s tradition to begin each year with a diplomatic tour of African nations. Talks in Ethiopia focused on investment and economic development, according to Ethiopian officials. “The relationship between the two countries remains steadfast,” said…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

SA energy, economy in focus during Ramaphosa’s ANC anniversary speech

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address on Sunday as the African National Congress marked its 111th year, prioritizing the country’s energy crisis and economic challenges in his speech at Mangaung, Free State. Ramaphosa, re-elected as ANC leader in December despite being the subject of recent corruption investigations,…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Simulations offer human-wildlife solutions for Botswana, Zimbabwe

Along the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe, researchers are using computer model simulations to understand the impacts of human-wildlife conflict and how to reduce its costs to both the community and the surrounding ecosystem. Still a pilot program funded by the European Union, the approach is used in the Hwange-Kazuma-Chobe…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Ghana begins new COVID policy for China travel

Beginning on Friday, travelers arriving in Ghana from China will require screening for COVID-19 due to concern over the current rise of coronavirus cases in China. They will need to produce a 48-hour negative PCR test and undergo a mandatory antigen test on arrival. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times