MENA states most vulnerable to future heat-related deaths

MENA states most vulnerable to future heat-related deaths

Climate change is expected to disproportionately affect the Middle East and North Africa states with high heat and drought, but most of the heat-related deaths expected with the temperature rise can be avoided if global warming is limited to the 2°C target. That’s according to a new modeling study published…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Algeria mourns dozens lost to fast-moving wildfires

Algeria mourns dozens lost to fast-moving wildfires

Algerian authorities say they’ve mobilized all resources to combat wildfires that have claimed at least 38 lives in the El Tarf and Setif districts of the country’s northeast. The month of August has seen at least 106 different fires reported through Wednesday, with hundreds more people injured and homes and…

Algerian released from Guantánamo after 20 years

An Algerian man held by the United States for two decades following the September 2001 terrorist attacks has been repatriated, the U.S. Department of Defense said on Saturday. Sufiyan Barhoumi, a native of Algiers, was among more than three dozen detainees still held at the Guantánamo Bay facility since the…

Death toll rises to 69 in Algeria’s wildfires

The death toll from wildfires sweeping across parts of Algeria rose to 69 on Wednesday, according to a local official in the hard-hit district of Tizi Ouzou. Abdelkader Amrouche, the attorney general for the region, confirmed that the number included 20 soldiers who responded to the emergency when the fires…

IOM sees increase in Mediterranean migrant deaths

Back in March, a 22-year-old rapper named Sohail Al Sagheer left Algeria for Spain aboard a migrant boat. He went missing and his body wasn’t found until April 5, when it was discovered off the coast of Aïn Témouchent. The Algerian musician is one of at least 1,146 people who…

Algerian protesters mark hirak anniversary with call for new regime

Algerians took to the streets by the thousands on Monday to mark the second anniversary of the “hirak” protest movement, pressing for overall democratic reforms as many remained unimpressed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s call for new elections and the overtures to move forward in unity. The protests remained peaceful, while…

Report: Rwanda makes short list for EU travel reopen

Rwanda is the only nation in sub-Saharan Africa that appears to be approved for travel to the European Union as management of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, according to a list seen by the New York Times. The short list of non-European nations with citizens determined eligible to enter the EU,…

WHO warns COVID-19 spread is accelerating for Africa

More than 200,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed on the African continent, and the sweep of the pandemic is accelerating, according to World Health Organization (WHO). Officials said Thursday the coronavirus count reached the benchmark of 100,000 cases in 98 days, but it then took only 19 days to…

Africa-focused Renault plans 15K job cuts around the globe

Struggling French automaker Renault is set to cut 15,000 jobs around the world, according to labor leaders who met with company officials Thursday night to discuss the plans before a public announcement expected Friday. The cuts are part of a deal the company hopes will deliver €2 billion in savings…

New projections see South African COVID cases climb

The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa continues to climb, with the Ministry of Health reporting 30 additional deaths on Thursday and a toll that has reached 369 victims. Among them is a 2-day-old baby who was born prematurely and did not survive on a ventilator. “The mother had…

Nigeria confirms first COVID19 case in Lagos

Nigeria has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus, according to a statement from the Federal Health Ministry issued early Friday morning. The patient was identified in Lagos State, a coastal area along the Gulf of Guinea, said health minister Osagie Ehanire. It is home to the city of…