Chris Sherwood, the outgoing chief executive of the RSPCA, discusses the complexities of leading a high-profile charity amidst polarizing debates on animal welfare, intensive farming, and climate change. He highlights the challenge of balancing diverse opinions, including calls for the RSPCA to adopt a plant-based stance, against the backdrop of a largely meat-consuming public. Sherwood emphasizes the importance of coalition-building and collaboration to navigate ethical and value-based disagreements within the organization. He is set to leave the RSPCA to become the chief executive of the NSPCC.

Over 30 charities, including Barnardo’s and the RNIB, have collaborated with the think tank NPC to urge the UK government to implement fairer environmental policies. Their report recommends measures such as a national scrappage scheme for polluting vehicles owned by low-income families and prioritizing energy-efficient installations in social housing. The report highlights the need for accessible government programs and green job opportunities for underrepresented groups. It emphasizes the disproportionate impact of climate crises on marginalized communities and calls for government action to prevent unequal burdens.

Liberian authorities suspended the licenses of fuel importers to conduct performance reviews after some companies drew excessively from state reserves, causing gasoline shortages. The shortages led to long queues, increased prices, and public discontent. The government has since resolved the issue and assured sufficient fuel supply. President George Weah's office confirmed the suspension to verify importers' operational fitness. Total, the largest importer, was not affected. The deputy managing director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company was dismissed for negligence and fraud.

Hartwig Fischer, director of the British Museum, announced his resignation following the revelation of multiple thefts of precious items from the museum's collection, which were reported to management in 2021. Fischer acknowledged the museum's inadequate response to the warnings and took responsibility for the oversight. The museum's board, chaired by George Osborne, accepted his resignation. An independent security review has been launched, and a staff member has been dismissed. The stolen items, primarily small gold jewelry and semi-precious stones, were stored in a museum collection storeroom.

The article discusses the economic and political turmoil in Liberia, 15 months into President George Weah's term, highlighting the public's discontent with rising prices and perceived government corruption. It reflects on Liberia's civil war history, the unimplemented recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, particularly the establishment of a war crimes court, and the ongoing culture of impunity. The piece contrasts Liberia's situation with neighboring Sierra Leone, which also faces challenges despite setting up a war crimes court after its civil war. The article emphasizes the failure to fully implement reforms for sustaining peace and justice in both countries, attributing it to a lack of political will and insufficient funding. It also touches on the 'Palava Hut' reconciliation process in Liberia, which stalled due to financial constraints, and the perceived superficiality of Sierra Leone's transitional justice efforts.

The article covers a range of global events. Pope Francis visited Iraq, marking the first papal visit to the country, with the aim of supporting the Christian minority and fostering inter-religious dialogue, including a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani. In Mozambique, the government faces challenges with an Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado province, with ongoing attacks and military actions since 2017. Singapore is conducting a mass vaccination campaign, focusing on aviation and maritime workers, using a terminal at the main airport for the rollout. In Liberia, sea cucumber farming is lucrative but raises concerns about endangering species. Lastly, the Pacific island of Kiribati, free of COVID-19 cases, has sailors stranded abroad due to sealed borders, including a group in Germany.

The article discusses the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-continental trade and is expected to contribute an additional $450bn to African economies by 2035. Liberian President George Weah has expressed support for the AfCFTA and plans to push for its ratification. However, the article highlights significant challenges to the success of the initiative, particularly in Liberia, due to poor transport infrastructure. The report follows the journey of cocoa beans from rural Nimba County to Monrovia, illustrating the difficulties faced by traders like George Howard due to inadequate roads, especially during the rainy season. The article suggests that these issues contribute to Liberia's cocoa industry lagging behind neighboring Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest cocoa producer.

The article by Lucinda Rouse explores the burgeoning trade of sea cucumbers between West Africa and China, focusing on the activities in Liberia. Abdoulaye Mansaray, a Sierra Leonean, has capitalized on this trade by employing local divers to harvest sea cucumbers, which are highly valued in China as a delicacy and for medicinal purposes. Despite the economic benefits, the trade poses risks to both the divers, who face health hazards, and the marine ecosystem, which could be destabilized by overfishing. The Liberian government, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), is cautious and is developing a sustainable management plan with the help of academic researchers. The article also touches on the socio-economic impact on local communities and the potential for job creation if the trade is managed sustainably.

The article discusses the Biden administration's new policy to restrict exports of AI and semiconductor technologies to China, which could impact the Chinese tech industry significantly. Gregory Allen from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies comments on the potential effects. The article also explores the growing digital divide, highlighting the lack of affordable and reliable internet in Africa and the Americas, with insights from Elena Babarskaite at Surfshark. Additionally, it features a story about an AI-powered chatbot tutor named Rori, developed by Rising Academies, which is helping students in Ghana with their education and has the potential to reach many more children in West Africa.

The article discusses the long-term psychological impacts of Liberia's second civil war on its population, highlighting the lack of mental health professionals in the country. It focuses on a Swedish-funded sociotherapy program that facilitates group sessions for survivors to discuss their experiences and heal together. The program, run by ZOA and the YMCA, aims to improve social cohesion and has been used in other post-conflict scenarios, such as after the Rwandan genocide. Personal stories from participants like Augustine Fayiah and Henry Weah illustrate the program's positive effects on individuals and communities. The article also touches on the broader issues of poverty, lack of trust, and the need for reconciliation and justice in Liberia, including the debate over establishing a war crimes court.