Africa – Page 40 – Prologue Journal

Presidential Portraits by Kehinde Wiley, This Time From Africa

New York Times Mr. Wiley, famous for his portrait of former President Obama, is now showing paintings of 11 current and former African heads of state. “This is not a celebration of individual leadership,” he said. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/arts/design/kehinde-wiley-africa-presidential-portraits.html

An Ancient Leviathan Named for King Tut, But Moby-Dinky in Size

New York Times Paleontologists in Egypt announced the discovery of Tutcetus rayanensis, an eight-foot-long leviathan that lived 41 million years ago. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/science/archaeology-whales-egypt.html

‘Only God Can Thank You’: Female Health Workers Fight to Be Paid

New York Times Community health workers put in long hours to protect people in developing countries from diseases such as malaria, Covid-19 and H.I.V. But most are compensated minimally, or not paid at all. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/21/health/community-health-worker-pay.html

Darfur’s New Generation, Once Full of Promise, Now Suffers ‘Fire of War’

New York Times In a region with a history of genocide, weeks of intense fighting between rival military factions in South Darfur have left hundreds dead and sent thousands fleeing. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/21/world/africa/sudan-war-darfur.html

Ancient Logs Offer Earliest Example of Human Woodworking

New York Times Scientists have unearthed logs in Africa that are nearly a half-million years old, the remnants of large wooden structures crafted by our early ancestors. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/20/science/ancient-human-woodworking.html

Portraits of Fire Victims: Two Toddlers Named ‘Memory,’ and a Teacher About to Wed

New York Times A picture is emerging of some of the 77 people who died when the derelict building in Johannesburg where they were living went up in flames on Aug. 31. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/20/world/africa/portraits-of-fire-victims-two-toddlers-named-memory-and-a-teacher-about-to-wed.html

J.M. Coetzee’s Best Books: A Guide

New York Times His spare, icily precise books explore humanity’s most serious themes, including South Africa’s legacy of apartheid. And not all of them are downers. https://www.nytimes.com/article/jm-coetzee-best-books.html

As Junta Tightens Grip, Niger Is Being Strangled by Sanctions

New York Times Border closures and a freeze on financial transactions imposed after soldiers seized power are hurting millions, while Western nations remain divided over what to do. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/15/world/africa/junta-niger-sanctions-food.html

Gridlock, Confusion and Waiting: On the Road With Spanish Rescuers in Morocco

New York Times Our video journalists embedded with a team of Spanish military rescuers in Morocco as they attempted to save lives after the earthquake. They spent much of the day waiting for orders. https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000009082956/spanish-rescuers-morocco.html

Morocco’s Quake Zone Now Fears for Its Livelihood, Too

New York Times The towns and villages of the Atlas Mountains were building a thriving tourist economy. The devastation of the earthquake puts that in doubt. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/world/africa/morocco-earthquake-tourism.html