Extinction of the unique Gourma elephants "is a real possibility if conditions don't change soon," Vicki Huddleston, U.S. Ambassador to Mali, warned in a June 18 interview with the U.S. State Department International Information Program. If the international community does not join with the Malian government now to prevent their ranges from being taken over by human settlements, these beautiful creatures will die, she said.

Cyber cafés catering mainly to students and young people are proliferating around Bamako, Mali's capital, showing the growing importance of information and communications technology (ICT) in the landlocked West African country. However, most Malians have yet to join the digital age. To make the Internet and other digital tools available to all sectors of society, the Government is formulating and implementing a national ICT strategy.

The Northern Mali Peace and Reconciliation Project, supported by a small grant, has helped to promote peace through radio programming in Northern Mali and is positive proof that small projects can bring large results. The six-month activity has contributed to the significant conflict reduction in the Timbuktu Region of Mali and left participating stations with mechanisms and a mission to promote peace and reconciliation.