Jane Ferguson, a correspondent known for her war zone reporting, discusses her memoir 'No Ordinary Assignment' on PBS NewsHour. She reflects on her upbringing in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, her career covering conflicts like the Syrian uprising and the U.S. war in Afghanistan, and her close calls, including leaving Homs before Marie Colvin's death and departing Kabul just before the Abbey Gate bombing. Ferguson expresses gratitude for her life and remains optimistic despite witnessing suffering, emphasizing the importance of covering underreported stories.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant decline in routine childhood immunizations worldwide, with over 25 million children missing basic vaccines. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faces challenges in delivering vaccines due to its size and misinformation, particularly on social media, which has fueled vaccine hesitancy. Efforts to rebuild trust and educate communities, including through U.N. and Ministry of Health campaigns, are underway. Health workers aim to restore immunization rates, emphasizing the importance of vaccines in preventing life-threatening diseases.

Madagascar is facing severe food insecurity due to multiple cyclones and a historic drought. The World Food Program warns of significant damage to rice crops, the main food source for Malagasy people, leading to increased food prices and malnutrition rates. Madagascar contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, yet it is disproportionately affected by climate change. President Andry Rajoelina has called for support from high-emission countries. The country is currently bracing for another cyclone, with the tropical storm season lasting until May.

Russia, through Sergei Lavrov, has stated that any peace agreement between Kosovo and Serbia must be approved by the UN Security Council, where it holds veto power. The US has invited both parties to Washington for talks, which has been accepted by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, who also emphasized the necessity of Russia's consent. The EU has been mediating the dialogue for nearly a decade, and the talks are set to resume after Kosovo lifted trade sanctions and Serbia agreed to halt a de-recognition campaign. NATO, through Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, expressed support for the dialogue and commitment to the KFOR mission in Kosovo.

Wakaliwood, the film industry hub in the slums of Wakaliga, Uganda, has gained international acclaim for its dynamic, low-budget action films. Founded by Isaac Nabwana, who has produced and directed over 40 movies, Wakaliwood is known for its unique blend of action, comedy, and themes drawn from Uganda's history. Despite budgets often under $200, the studio has attracted global attention, with films premiering at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and screened at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. Actors like Nakibuuka Nashibah balance their passion for acting with other professions, and American Alan Hofmanis, who moved from Brooklyn, now works in the studio. Wakaliwood's success is a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of its filmmakers.

Serbia welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Belgrade, where he signed agreements on military and energy cooperation. Putin criticized Western destabilization in the Balkans, while Serbia aims to join the EU by 2025. Serbia's reliance on Russian gas is a point of leverage for Moscow. Jelena Milic of the Centre for Euro-Atlantic Studies suggests Serbia should balance its energy dependency with closer EU ties. Serbia must resolve its dispute with Kosovo to progress with EU accession. Public sentiment in Serbia shows strong support for Russia, particularly over the Kosovo crisis. Protests against Serbian President Vucic's alleged repression of media and political violence occurred just before Putin's visit, amidst rumors of new elections.

Thousands protested in Belgrade against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, marking the fourth consecutive weekend of demonstrations. The opposition movement demands electoral reform, media freedom, and an end to what they perceive as autocratic rule. The protests began after an opposition politician was assaulted, and have since grown, with the latest estimates suggesting 50,000 participants. Vucic denies involvement in the attack and is open to calling elections, despite his party's strong lead in polls. The opposition seeks to maintain momentum to influence the government and Vucic, who has shifted from far-right nationalism to pro-European values while maintaining ties with Russia and China.

A next-generation supercomputer will be installed in Bologna, Italy, with the capability to predict the weather more accurately, thereby improving preparedness for high-impact weather events.

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are combating the country's tenth Ebola outbreak, with 185 people infected since early August. New medicines and a vaccine are aiding treatment efforts, but the outbreak is complicated by active fighting between the government and over 100 armed groups. The World Health Organisation deems the risk of regional spread very high. In Beni, the epicenter, health workers use a new CUBE system for safer patient care. Over 15,000 people have been vaccinated, and local health workers are being trained to respond independently due to security risks. Despite the challenges, there are successes, such as Janine Mbuka's recovery after 22 days of treatment.

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are combating the country's tenth Ebola outbreak, with 185 people infected since early August. New medicines and a vaccine are aiding treatment efforts, but the outbreak is complicated by active fighting between the government and over 100 armed groups. The World Health Organisation deems the risk of regional spread very high. In Beni, the epicenter, health workers use a new CUBE system for safer patient care. Over 15,000 people have been vaccinated, and local health workers are being trained to respond independently due to security risks. Despite the challenges, there are successes, such as Janine Mbuka's recovery after 22 days of treatment.

Health officials in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo, are combating an Ebola outbreak with new tools, including experimental drugs and a vaccine. Despite the challenges of an active conflict zone, over 15,000 people have been vaccinated. Health workers are also educating the community and training local nurses to protect themselves. The outbreak is complicated by violence, political instability, and misinformation, with some patients refusing treatment and health workers facing attacks. Amidst this, there are moments of success, such as the recovery of a 13-year-old girl from Ebola.

Jean Claude Juncker visited Pristina, Kosovo, on his tour of the Western Balkans, marking his first official visit there. During the visit, he emphasized the need for a legally binding text for normalizing relations before Kosovo can join the EU, with a deadline set for 2019. Despite aspirations from the six Western Balkan countries to join the EU, the only potential date mentioned for accession is 2025 for Serbia and Montenegro, and not as a guarantee. The upcoming Western Balkan summit in Sofia, Bulgaria, is considered crucial, with expectations for the countries to accelerate internal reforms and resolve bilateral disputes.

Kosovo celebrated its 10th anniversary of independence from Serbia with street festivities in Pristina and a concert headlined by Rita Ora. Locals expressed joy and optimism, despite the country's challenges with EU entry and non-recognition by Serbia and some EU members. Kosovo's president, Hashim Thaci, anticipates a deal with Serbia that could lead to UN membership.

Kosovo celebrated its 10th anniversary of independence from Serbia with street festivities in Pristina and a concert headlined by Rita Ora. Locals expressed joy and optimism, despite the country's challenges with EU entry and non-recognition by Serbia and some EU members. Kosovo's president, Hashim Thaci, anticipates a deal with Serbia that could lead to UN membership.

Kosovo celebrated its tenth anniversary of independence with street festivities, including a parade with traditional musicians and a concert by pop star Rita Ora. While the ethnic Albanian majority rejoiced, Serbia and ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo did not share in the celebration, continuing to contest Kosovo's independence. Over 110 countries recognize Kosovo as a state, but others, including Russia, Spain, and Greece, do not.

Kosovo celebrated its tenth anniversary of independence with street festivities, including a parade with traditional musicians and a concert by pop star Rita Ora. While the ethnic Albanian majority rejoiced, Serbia and ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo did not share in the celebration, continuing to contest Kosovo's independence. Over 110 countries recognize Kosovo as a state, but others, including Russia, Spain, and Greece, do not.

The article profiles Albin Tahiri, a 28-year-old athlete from Kosovo, who is set to make history as the country's first Winter Olympian at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. Born and raised in Slovenia to a Kosovar Albanian father, Tahiri will compete in all five alpine disciplines. Despite the language barrier, as he does not speak Albanian fluently, he feels accepted as a Kosovar. The article discusses the challenges he faces, including limited support and having to prepare his own equipment. Tahiri's journey to the Olympics began in his childhood, influenced by his father, a former athlete. The significance of his participation is heightened by Kosovo's decade of independence and his own upcoming birthday during the Games. Tahiri's expectations are realistic, focusing on the honor of participation rather than medals.

Anti-government protests in Serbia are expected to resume with full force after a break during the Easter holidays.

Thousands of migrants are being redirected around the Balkans due to competitive border closings by Croatia and Hungary, both aiming to shift the influx of asylum seekers from Serbia. Hungary's border closure with Serbia led to refugees being sent to Croatia, causing tension between the nations. Croatia temporarily closed its border in Tovarnik, leaving 2,000 refugees stranded. The situation has resulted in diplomatic clashes and highlights the lack of a unified EU policy on migration, exacerbating tensions in Central Europe and the Balkans.

The article reports on the dire conditions faced by refugees in the Roszke camp on the Hungarian border, where many are awaiting registration before they can claim asylum in the EU. The camp has become a flashpoint in Europe's migrant crisis, with overcrowding and inadequate provisions leading to a breakout by some refugees. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's hardline stance on immigration and the construction of a fence along the border with Serbia are highlighted as exacerbating the situation. The Hungarian government eventually decided to transport refugees by bus to Austria, easing the immediate tension. The article also touches on the broader EU response to the crisis, including the consideration of a quota system for refugee distribution among member states.