Humanitarian aid workers face increasing threats, with 139 killed worldwide in 2017 and 83 more this year. Attacks are prevalent in conflict zones like South Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, and the Central African Republic. Humanitarian groups are adopting stricter security measures and seeking ways to negotiate with armed groups. The International Committee of the Red Cross is developing strategies to identify and engage with leaders of armed groups, leveraging local traditions and laws to protect aid workers and ensure the delivery of aid.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been re-elected as Mali's president and faces the challenge of tackling insecurity, improving the legal system, and boosting the economy. Despite a peace deal signed in 2015, Mali continues to experience inter-communal violence and fighting between armed groups. The government and international forces have struggled to stabilize the country, which has led to a decline in tourism and private investment. Mali's agriculture-based economy has grown, but the benefits have not reached rural areas, leading to widespread food insecurity. Analysts call for government reforms to restore public trust by providing security, justice, and basic services. The 2015 peace accords require disarming fighters and integrating some into the military, but critics say the government is slow to implement these measures. Corruption and a lack of effective security forces hinder progress, while experts suggest judicial reforms and increased political participation to foster reconciliation and reduce the appeal of armed groups.

Over half of the world's children face poverty, conflict, and gender discrimination, with 1 billion living in poverty, 240 million in conflict zones, and 575 million girls in discriminatory environments. The Save the Children's End of Childhood Index indicates improvements in 95 of 175 countries but notes slow progress, especially in childhood-disrupting events. Singapore and Slovenia lead the index, while Niger, Mali, and the Central African Republic rank lowest. The report highlights the triple threat of poverty, conflict, and discrimination against girls, with countries like Nigeria facing significant challenges, including the impact of Boko Haram on education and a high rate of child marriage. Save the Children warns that without urgent action, the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for children will not be met, and Africa's population growth could become a curse without better investment in education and health.

Zimbabwe faces political and economic turmoil with protests over shortages and alleged government corruption. President Robert Mugabe's long rule is challenged by factionalism within his party and new opposition movements. Analysts at a U.S. symposium advocate for a 'soft landing' post-Mugabe, emphasizing the military's central role and revisiting outdated sanctions. The U.S. considers maintaining sanctions to promote democratization, while efforts to engage Zimbabwe's business community and international financial institutions continue. Stability and international interest are crucial to prevent regional destabilization.

The United States is the leading funder of global health research, contributing over 70% of the $2 billion in public funding for neglected diseases. However, a report from the Global Health Technologies Coalition highlights that funding has stagnated over the past five years, partly due to budget sequestration in 2013. The report calls for sustained funding, better coordination among U.S. agencies, and incentives for private sector involvement. It also suggests collaboration with middle-income countries to enhance their R&D efforts. The report warns against diverting funds from one health crisis to another, emphasizing the need for consistent investment to maintain progress in developing new health products. Erin Will Morton, GHTC executive director, stresses the importance of regulatory authorities in ensuring the safety of new medical technologies.

Thousands of African children lack textbooks or must share them, hindering the achievement of U.N.-backed Sustainable Development Goals for inclusive and equitable quality education. The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report highlights severe textbook shortages in countries like Cameroon and Uganda, exacerbated by inadequate budget allocations and poor-quality materials. Solutions include increasing education budgets for textbooks, improving transparency, and adopting efficient distribution systems. The report suggests using models from other sectors, such as Gavi's demand forecasting for vaccines, to ensure better resource allocation and sustainable funding for textbooks.

A study by Afrobarometer highlights the role of infrastructure development in reducing poverty across Africa. The survey, which included nearly 53,000 people from 33 countries, found that 22 countries showed improvements in living standards through government-supported infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and health clinics. Urban areas and educated populations experienced lower poverty levels. North African countries, often with authoritarian regimes, had higher infrastructural development, potentially as a means to maintain power. Sub-Saharan Africa displayed mixed results, with countries like Cape Verde, Zambia, and Ghana reducing poverty through international support, while others like Mozambique, Benin, and Liberia saw increases. South Africa's poverty reduction was attributed to its social welfare network, and Zimbabwe's improvements were linked to the policies of the opposition party MDC during a unity government. The study suggests that African governments need to improve tax systems to sustain development investments.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), established by the UN Security Council in 1994 following the genocide, is closing after indicting 93 people, convicting 61, and acquitting 14. The tribunal's legacy includes pioneering the prosecution of rape as a genocide crime and influencing the creation of the International Criminal Court. Despite its achievements, the ICTR faced criticism for trying few perpetrators, conducting trials in Tanzania, and not prosecuting members of the Rwandan Patriotic Front for alleged war crimes. Human Rights Watch's Geraldine Mattioli-Zeltner highlighted the cultural shift towards accountability for atrocities but noted political interference in some Rwandan trials. Eight indictees remain at large, with future proceedings to be handled by a residual mechanism.

During the Ebola crisis, many pregnant women in Liberia chose to give birth at home due to fears about health clinics, resulting in tens of thousands of unregistered births. Only 700 births were recorded between January and May 2015. The Liberian government, with support from UNICEF, is working to update birth registrations and address the backlog. Deirdre Kiernan from UNICEF emphasized the risks unregistered children face, including legal issues and susceptibility to trafficking. Efforts to improve registration systems are ongoing, with mobile teams registering over 12,000 children so far. Similar initiatives are being considered for Guinea and Sierra Leone.