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
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
A deal between the Liberian government and a Dubai-based company would rely on the West African nation’s trees to provide carbon offsets, but it’s raising questions about how Liberia would relinquish nearly 1 million hectares of forest to allow others in the United Arab Emirates and beyond to meet their…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Growing concern over violent protests in Senegal, and the country’s decision to ban the main opposition party Pastef Les Patriotes, has led to global calls to protect human rights in the West African nation, one long considered a successful model of democracy on the African continent. Social media platform Tik…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
A genetic change that occurs only in people of African descent may offer clues that lead to improved HIV treatment, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. The authors say the study also underscores the importance of research specific to Africans. “Although there have been large studies…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Victoria Nuland, the Acting Deputy Secretary of State for the United States, began a three-nation tour to Africa on Saturday that follows both the just-completed Russia-Africa summit and a coup in Niger that’s renewed concern over African reliance on Russia and Wagner Group Russian fighters. Nuland is expected to lead…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
With Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani announcing his leadership of Niger and the country’s constitution dissolved in this week’s coup, there’s growing concern over Nigerien uranium mines operated by the national firm Sopamin, and the mines operated or funded by companies in France, China, South Korea and beyond. Canada’s Global Atomic, for…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) planned to send the president of Benin, Patrice Talon, to Niger to assist with negotiations over a coup to remove President Mohamed Bazoum, who remained in military custody in the presidential palace. The coup actors took to live television late Wednesday to…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Africa depends on wildlife conservation to drive economic development, not just in tourism but in fisheries, farming and more, according to executive director Richard Vigne of the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation. “The overall health of the continent’s economy actually depends on conservation. In fact, almost 60% of…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
How will artificial intelligence impact the future, and what benefits and risks does AI hold for democracy, conflict, and development? With ChatGPT now reaching 100 million users in just two months, African representatives participated this week in a United Nations Security Council session meant to encourage an informed response to…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Russian officials say President Vladimir Putin is open to providing grain to developing African nations to ensure food security, despite an end to a Black Sea Initiative that ensured exports would continue amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters Saturday that Moscow will find a…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
At least one person has died and more than 40 others were injured when an underground explosion in Johannesburg tossed vehicles in the air and turned a street into rubble in the city’s central business district on Wednesday. Robert Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the city’s emergency services, said the body…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Tunisia and Algeria recorded some of the hottest temperatures in the world on Tuesday, as an extreme heat wave spiked across the Mediterranean region. The coastal region of Chlef recorded a high of 47.4°C (117 degrees Fahrenheit), with a number of other Algerian stations reporting highs in excess of 44°C…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Defense officials in Spain say dozens of soldiers have been dispatched to help with firefighting efforts in the Canary Islands, where some 4,000 people have been evacuated from the island of La Palma as wildfires claimed at least 4,500 hectares and threatened communities in Punta Gorda. Additional fires, including the…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
An estimated 11,600 children have traveled a migration route across the Central Mediterranean so far this year, with at least 289 children who have died or disappeared while making the dangerous crossing. Most of them were traveling alone or separated from their parents, according to UNICEF, the United Nations children’s…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times