DINNER PARTY INTEL...
The topics you have to be able to discuss this week
1. Losing face
Facebook is facing a revolt — this time from a group it can’t ignore. A number of companies have suspended advertising on Facebook over its failure to address hate speech on its platform. Outdoor clothing brands North Face, REI and Patagonia have refused to pay for advertising on Facebook platforms as part of the Stop Hate for Profit campaign, launched last week. Freelance job listing site Upwork and internet firm Mozilla have also joined the pledge. The campaign hopes to force the tech giant to adopt stricter policies against racist and hateful content.
“Court operations will be disrupted for months to come. Postponed trials will become commonplace as the accused, witnesses, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, lawyers and court staff with symptoms self-isolate.”
NPA boss Shamila Batohi, writing in The Guardian about Covid-19 and justice
2. Dam dispute rages
Talks between Ethiopia and Egypt have deadlocked over the filling of Africa’s most powerful hydroelectric dam, prompting Egypt to turn to the UN for help. Ethiopia is expected to start filling the $4bn Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam next month, possibly with no agreement of how much water it can divert into the dam. Egypt fears filling it too quickly will result in it experiencing water shortages. However, the rainy season, which brings more water to the Blue Nile, makes July the ideal time to begin filling the dam’s reservoir. Both countries have hinted at military steps to protect their interests should talks fail.
3. Railway contract illegal
Kenya’s court of appeal has declared that a contract between Kenya and China for the construction of a 500km railway between Nairobi and Mombasa was illegal because it violated procurement law. The project, which was completed in 2017, was challenged by Kenya activists because it was not subjected to an open tender. The activists say no due diligence was conducted. And they cite a conflict of interest: China Road & Bridge Corp, the project’s contractor, conducted a feasibility study and design of the railway for free.