The Common Pulse

BY MBULA  PENINAH. THE COMMON PULSE. When travelers think of tropical getaways, China doesn’t always come to mind but Sanya, on Hainan Island , is changing that. Nicknamed “China’s Hawaii,” this southern paradise offers crystal-clear waters, golden sands, and lush mountains, making it one of Asia’s rising beach destinations. Whether you’re after luxury resorts, water sports, or cultural discoveries, Sanya blends relaxation with adventure in true island style. Beaches That Rival the Tropics Yalong Bay    Often compared to the Caribbean, this bay boasts seven kilometers of pristine white sand and turquoise waters. It’s perfect for swimming, diving, or just unwinding at one of the beachfront resorts. Dadonghai Beach    A lively stretch close to the city center, Dadonghai is great for families and first-time visitors. Restaurants, cafés, and shops line the boardwalk, making it a perfect blend of convenience and leisure. Sanya Bay  Known for its palm...

By Mutunga Tobbias The Common Pulse | August 2025 President William Ruto has openly acknowledged that his government spent millions of shillings on lobbying efforts in the United States , sparking debate over whether the expense was justified or a misuse of public funds. For months, questions had swirled around Kenya’s relationship with US lobbying firms, with critics accusing the government of secrecy and wastefulness. Now, Ruto has sought to clarify the rationale behind the move, framing it as a strategic investment in Kenya’s global standing. Why the Lobbying? According to Ruto, the lobbying was aimed at: Strengthening bilateral ties with Washington. Securing trade and investment opportunities for Kenya. Positioning Kenya as a regional security partner in East Africa. Shaping international perception , particularly in the aftermath of Kenya’s domestic protests and political turbulence. He emphasized that lobbying is not unusual, pointing out that many African g...

By Tobias Mutunga The Common Pulse | August 2025 Alibaba has developed a new AI inference chip,  crafted domestically and compatible with Nvidia’s software ecosystem, to reduce the company’s reliance on U.S. hardware amid tightening export restrictions. While China's broader AI industry has pushed forward with domestically produced alternatives, these chips have lagged behind Nvidia's offerings in performance and reliability. Alibaba’s latest innovation is a strategic effort to address inference services, where demand is rising, even as next-generation training hardware remains largely out of reach. Institutional Momentum Alibaba’s cloud business is thriving, with a 26% year-on-year revenue jump in Q2, driven in part by AI demand. This financial momentum underscores the urgency and commercial viability of designing its own AI chips. Broader Landscape This move echoes China’s larger strategy to circumvent dependence on Nvidia-driven infrastructure. Rivals like ByteDance, M...

 By Tobias Mutunga The Common Pulse | August 2025 A Treasury Department report reveals that from 2020 to 2024 , Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs) have facilitated approximately $312 billion in suspicious transactions through U.S. banks, with much of it supporting Mexican drug cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation. How It Works Structure of the Scheme : CMLNs exploit currency control policies in China and Mexico. Chinese citizens, limited to about $50,000 in foreign currency conversions per year, turn to underground brokers in the U.S. who can trade dollars on the black market. Mexican drug cartels, possessing large amounts of illicit dollars, use these networks to launder money into renminbi and pesos. Money Mules and Deceptive Methods : Individuals, including students, retirees, and housewives, are recruited as "money mules," opening accounts to deposit large cash sums that don’t match declared income or occupation. These activities are flagged thr...

By Purity Karambu  The common pulse  Trading desks have always been the heartbeat of financial institutions  fast-paced environments where every second counts. Today, artificial intelligence is transforming these nerve centers, turning what used to be instinct-driven trades into data-augmented, AI-optimized decisions . Predicting Market Microstructure Modern trading desks are leveraging AI to analyze liquidity flows, order books, and cross-asset correlations . Instead of relying solely on historical patterns, AI continuously learns from evolving data, helping traders anticipate: Sudden liquidity gaps Hidden accumulation/distribution by large players Micro-movements that precede larger market swings For example, hedge funds now deploy reinforcement learning algorithms to adapt to shifting volatility regimes, something impossible with static models.  Execution Optimization One of the greatest challenges on a trading desk is minimizing slippage,  th...

By Tobias Mutunga The Common Pulse | August 2025 Kenya’s Parliament has once again stirred heated debate after passing the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025 , a proposal that seeks to entrench the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) , the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) , and introduce a brand-new Senate Oversight Fund (SOF) . While the move has been celebrated by MPs as a way of securing resources for grassroots development and oversight, it has sparked outrage among constitutional experts, civil society, and devolution advocates. What the Amendment Proposes NG-CDF : Channeling funds directly to constituencies, often controlled by Members of Parliament. NGAAF : A similar fund designed to support initiatives led by women representatives. SOF : A new fund intended to empower Senators in their oversight role at the county level. If adopted, these funds would be formally anchored in the Constitution, effectively shieldi...

 By Tobias Mutunga The Common Pulse | August 2025 On August 28, 2025 , Russia unleashed one of the most devastating drone and missile strikes on Kyiv since the recent summit between President Trump and President Putin. The assault killed at least 23 people , including several children, and wounded dozens more, even as Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted many of the incoming projectiles. Scope of the Attack The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia deployed 598 strike drones and decoys, plus 31 missiles in the coordinated overnight barrage. Key civilian and diplomatic targets were hit, including the European Union delegation offices and the British Council buildings, marking an escalation in deliberate targeting of international institutions. Human Toll The confirmed death toll stands at at least 23 civilians , with multiple children among the victims. Around 63 people were injured in Kyiv alone, with dozens of them in critical condition. Political and Geopolitic...