War in Sudan has left millions of children out of school
7/8/2026: The UN Deputy Secretary-General has reported that at least eight million school-aged children in Sudan remain outside the classroom. She called for Security Council members to do their utmost to bring the conflict to an end. Since 2024, the UN has verified more than 67 attacks on schools.
Source: UN News
Phase 2 of Gaza peace plan faces many obstacles
6/8/2026: Israel and Hamas are being compelled to move to “phase 2” despite lack of agreement on a sequence for implementation. Hamas says no disarmament without Israeli withdrawal; Israel insists no withdrawal until disarmament. Meanwhile, the daily life conditions for Palestinians in the enclave have largely not improved.
Source: The Conversation
What’s behind the Algeria-Morocco rivalry?
6/8/2026: The recent Ceuta incident points to the deep-seated rivalry between Algeria and Morocco. At its heart lies the conflict over Western Sahara, which began when Spain withdrew from the territory in 1975. The tensions give rise to a growing arms build-up that makes conflict a dangerous possibility.
Source: DW
How Tunisia’s democracy was undermined
6/8/2026: Thousands of Tunisian demonstrators have called for an end to what they describe as the increasingly authoritarian regime of President Kais Saied. The roots of the crisis reach back more than sixty years when the founders of the Republic placed the presidency, rather than a balance of powers, at the centre of the Tunisian state.
Source: African Arguments
Why Ethiopia’s conflicts keep returning
6/8/2026: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue seeks to chart a path toward peace, addressing some of the country’s most difficult political, historical, institutional, social, and peacebuilding questions. One answer lies in strengthening institutions below the regional level, including zonal, district and municipal governments.
Source: African Arguments
Call for authorities in Pakistan to restore Imran Khan’s rights
4/8/2026: Amnesty International has urged the Pakistani authorities to unconditionally restore the right of Imran Khan and his wife to see their family and lawyers, and to be given access to adequate medical care. These rights have been denied for three years.
Source: Amnesty International
The promise of AI for low income countries
4/8/2026: The World Bank's annual development report offers the first comprehensive assessment of what artificial intelligence means for lower income economies. It finds that AI tools can make it easier for doctors to diagnose patients, farmers to improve crop decisions, businesses to become more productive and Governments to improve tax and benefits programs.
Source: World Bank Group
Taliban assault on rights deepens 5 years on
3/8/2026: Afghanistan’s Taliban have entrenched one of the world’s worst human rights crises and systematically dismantled the rights of women and girls since taking power five years ago. Human Rights Watch calls on governments to provide resources for the UN investigation into rights abuses in Afghanistan.
Source: Human Rights Watch
DR Congo Ebola outbreak becomes world’s second-largest ever
31/7/2026: The current outbreak of Ebola has proven unusually deadly, killing five times more people in its first three months than previous outbreaks had by the same stage. Health officials say the true scale of the epidemic remains unclear. The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment.
Source: DW
US withholds dues to UN, again
31/7/2026: Since President Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025, the US has yet to pay its share of the UN’s regular budget. The US owes $2.2 billion on administrative dues and another $1.8 billion for peacekeeping. The latest setback may have been provoked by US anger over reappointment of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Source: Devex