Explainer: Could alien life be hiding beneath Mars’ icy surface?

The ice sheets on the Red Planet may shield primitive life forms from dangerous cosmic radiation, forming tiny pockets of water where life could flourish, according to this notion, which is supported by computer simulations.

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thumbnail image — Data collected by NASA's Curiosity rover has suggested that Mars was once a water world fit for life - whose surface later became inhospitable to human or other life. Photo Credit: NASA

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Florence Naa Oyoe Quartey

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India’s political troubles explained

Rahul Gandhi calls out the ECI for “vote theft,” but the Commission demands proof or apology.

On August 7, 2025, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of enabling “vote theft” during the 2024 general elections. He pointed to alleged irregularities in voter rolls in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura constituency, citing thousands of duplicate entries, invalid addresses, bulk registrations, and faulty photographs. Gandhi labelled the claims as the result of six months of research by his team and demanded transparency, including access to digital voter lists and CCTV footage.

How a Senegalese engineer is using 3D printers to tackle plastic pollution

Senegal struggles with a severe plastic waste crisis, producing around 250,000 metric tons annually.

In Dakar, a young self-taught engineer is changing the perspective of plastic waste. Francois Mbengue has developed a device that converts discarded plastic bottles into filament for 3D printers to produce o produce rulers, plant pots and hospital equipment.