These are the tough challenges Liberia's new president faces

Mocked by detractors as "Sleepy Joe," 79-year-old Joseph Boakai has been inaugurated as Liberia's oldest president ever. He secured a victory in the November run-off election, aided by support from a former rebel commander

International

2024 01 22T134939Z 1465265383 RC20N5AMJP6E RTRMADP 3 LIBERIA ELECTION Scaled — Liberia's president-elect Joseph Boakai, who defeated President George Weah in a runoff election attends his swearing-in ceremony as a president during the inauguration ceremony in Monrovia, Liberia January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Carielle Doe

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Paolo Natale

Front of mind

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.