Proposed Anti-Gay Law in Kenya Could Cost $7.8 Billion Annually, Report Warns

A BBC investigation has revealed TikTok is allegedly profiting from live-streamed sexual performances by underage girls, taking a staggering 70% cut from their earnings. The investigation highlighted cases in Kenya, where girls aged as young as 15 engage in suggestive dancing and advertise sexual services through the platform's Live feature. According to statements from a 17-year-old participant, who started at age 15, these girls often bypass age restrictions with the help of older friends. TikTok accounts with large followings reportedly act as digital pimps, facilitating these livestreams while evading content moderation efforts. A former moderator, known as Jo, criticized TikTok's insufficient guidelines for identifying sexual solicitation in livestreams, asserting that the platform benefits financially from such content. A lawsuit filed in Utah claims TikTok has been aware of the exploitation occurring through its Live feature but has ignored it due to high profitability. The UK watchdog has also initiated an investigation into TikTok's use of children's personal data, emphasizing concerns about the platform's practices regarding underage users.

Armed conflicts are escalating along the Tana River in eastern Kenya, driven by a struggle for dwindling resources such as land and water, according to local leaders. King Babisan I, a representative of the Wailwana community, has experienced the ramifications of climate change firsthand, stating, "I am in the middle of the climate crisis; it shapes all my actions." Frequent and severe flooding, coupled with prolonged drought, has devastated agricultural practices, leading to displacement and violence among communities. The violence intensified after young men from the nomadic Wardei group attempted to forcefully evict displaced Wailwana families from the land they occupy. Recent clashes have reportedly resulted in over 18 fatalities. Local conflict researcher Harrison Morowa noted that 80 percent of disputes in the region are resource-related, worsening due to extreme weather. Efforts towards peace include discussions between rival leaders, though tensions remain high, with villagers demanding government intervention for lasting solutions. Without sustainable land management and resource allocation, observers fear the cycle of conflict will continue to escalate.

As global tensions escalate, Africa emerges as a key battleground in the ongoing contest between major powers, including the United States, China, and Russia. According to Pádraig Carmody, a professor at Trinity College Dublin, this "New Cold War" reflects a shift from geo-economic to geo-strategic competition for resources and influence on the continent. With vast reserves of strategic minerals needed for technology and a burgeoning market of 1.4 billion people, Africa has become increasingly attractive to foreign powers. China, in particular, has significantly invested in infrastructure projects across the continent, even as recent financial constraints have led to reduced direct investment. Meanwhile, Russia flexes its influence through security partnerships and the paramilitary Wagner Group, despite setbacks in its military engagements elsewhere. The dynamics in Africa demonstrate a complex interplay where national actors may leverage competition between external powers for their advantage. Nevertheless, experts warn that this shift may entrench authoritarian regimes and suppress democratization efforts as foreign interests prioritize strategic alliances over civil and political rights.