Africa – Page 5 – Prologue Journal

You Can Stand Under My Umbrella, if You’re an Egg-Laying Locust

New York Times Male locusts have long been observed shielding mates from other males. Researchers say this behavior may also protect the females from desert temperatures. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/02/science/desert-locusts-umbrellas-heat.html

Dikembe Mutombo, a Towering N.B.A. Presence, Dies at 58

New York Times Coming late to basketball, he nevertheless found stardom, retiring with the second-most blocked shots in league history. He devoted much of his life to humanitarian causes. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/sports/dikembe-mutombo-dead.html

Amadou Mahtar M’Bow, 103, Dies; His Tenure Leading UNESCO Was Stormy

New York Times He was the first Black African to head a major international organization, but complaints about his tenure led the U.S. and Britain to pull out of it. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/world/africa/amadou-mahtar-mbow-dead.html

Mass Shooting in South Africa Leaves 17 Dead

New York Times Most of the victims were women killed in one house, according to the police, who have started a manhunt for the gunmen. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/world/africa/south-africa-mass-shooting.html

Using Dance to Provoke, Delight and Tell South Africa’s Stories

New York Times Growing up in a Black township, Vusi Mdoyi found a sprinkle of joy under apartheid in a street-dancing style known as pantsula. As a choreographer, he has elevated it into high art, injected with ideas. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/world/africa/south-africa-pantsula-dancing-vusi-mdoyi.html

Things Are Looking Up for Africa’s Upside-Down Baobab Trees

New York Times A researcher followed up on a study warning that the massive trees were in danger, and found many venerable specimens thriving. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/science/baobab-trees-africa-climate-change.html

Sudan’s Army Launches Operation to Retake Khartoum

New York Times The latest outbreak of fighting comes as nations gathered at the U.N. General Assembly called for an end to the war and for aid to be fast-tracked to millions in need. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/26/world/africa/sudan-army-operation-capital-khartoum.html

African countries eye world’s first joint ‘debt-for-nature’ swap

Reuters Reuters exclusively reported that at least five African countries are working on what could be the world’s first joint “debt-for-nature” swap to raise at least $2 billion to protect a coral-rich swathe of Indian Ocean. Debt-for-nature deals are becoming increasingly popular for poorer nations to pay for conservation. The post African countries eye world’s…

Senegal’s Young President Wants a New World Order

New York Times In his first interview with Western media since becoming president of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye said the United Nations has to change to reflect changing world demographics. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/world/africa/president-senegal-bassirou-diomaye-faye.html

Nigeria Faces a Cooling Crisis as Global Temperatures Rise

New York Times With electricity scarce, Africa’s most populated country struggles to provide lifesaving cooling without worsening the very crisis causing the heat. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/climate/nigeria-heat-air-conditioners.html