Hey, this is Sham Jaff, your very own news curator. Each week, I highlight some of the biggest stories from regions and countries that are historically underreported in "Western media". My goal is to burst our Eurocentric bubbles, and expand the view we hold of the world. Questions, comments, concerns? You can reach me anytime by replying to this mail. And if this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can sign up at whathappenedlastweek.com.
Issue #401 is about the much-awaited parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Brazil's latest survey results about how the country thinks about racism. Plus, Tanzania's startup scene is full of women, greater bamboo lemurs might be making a comeback, the ICC is renewing its investigation into the violence in the DRC, "one of the best animated movies of 2019" about a Moroccan boy in Paris, an Egyptian rapper's debut world tour, three women in Gaza and their stories of perseverance, Colombian and Mexican fantasies of love, and so much more.
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Good reading, and catch you in your inbox next week!
Sham
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🔍 Estimated reading time: 10 min 🔍
You have access to all of my sources by clicking on what's underlined.
Big shout-out to Wikimedia Commons for the helpful maps.
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People in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq voted for a new parliament on the weekend
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What happened
On October 20, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), a semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq, finally held its parliamentary elections, after a two-year delay (the major parties fought over how the voting system should work).
Btw: I was born and raised in this part of the world.
Why this matters:
Of the region’s 6 million people, nearly 3 million are eligible to vote. The KRI has had a level of self-rule since 1991, and it often promotes itself as a stable place in an otherwise unstable region. With its close ties to the U.S. and Europe, it's also a magnet for foreign investment. These elections are a chance to keep that image strong.
Tell me more
This election will fill 100 seats in the Kurdish parliament, and then the elected members will choose who gets to be the next speaker, president, and prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Out of the 100 seats, five are reserved for minorities, and 30% are set aside for women. Over 1,000 candidates, including 368 women, are in the race, and the region has seen a steady increase in registered voters. In the last regional elections in 2018, voter turnout was 51 percent. This time around, it was 72 percent – a stark increase.
Tell me more about the Kurdish parties
There are quite a few, but Binar FK for Stimson Center gives a quick rundown of the major players:
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Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) – Led by Masoud Barzani, this is the most powerful Kurdish party. It’s very nationalist, pro-autonomy, and has deep roots in Erbil and Dohuk. It’s also closely connected to Turkey and is often criticized for dominating the region’s politics.
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Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) – Now led by Bafel Talabani (son of Jalal Talabani), the PUK is a longtime rival of the KDP. It’s more progressive, leans left, and has strong ties to Iran. Its base is in Sulaymaniyah, and it's faced leadership struggles recently. Turkey is really mad with him, accuses him of ties to groups linked to the PKK, a group that has fought for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey. More ominously, a former Turkish military officer has called for the assassination of Talabani. Fun fact: He regularly dropped his mic on stage while giving his fiery speeches this election.
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People’s Front – This is a breakaway group from the PUK, led by Lahur Talabany (aka Lahur Sheikh Jangi). Lahur was kicked out as co-president of the PUK and started this party, which is all about fighting corruption and fixing governance.
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Halwest Movement – Led by Ali Hama Salah, this new party is anti-elite, railing against the big families (like the Barzanis and Talabanis) that hold most of the power.
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New Generation Movement – Started by businessman Shaswar Abdulwahid, New Generation is all about being anti-establishment. The party made waves after opposing the 2017 Kurdish independence referendum and focuses on holding the KDP and PUK accountable.
What are people talking about?
Despite the rallies and party speeches, a lot of people aren’t exactly thrilled with their choices. The region’s economy isn’t in the best shape, even with all that oil money. Civil servants aren’t getting paid on time, oil prices keep swinging, and Baghdad’s budget cuts are hitting hard. Many voters blame their leaders for mismanagement. As one voter, Ghazi Najib, put it, "People want electricity, their salary on time, and more jobs. That’s all they want."
Corruption is a hot topic, too. The KRG has long been accused of nepotism and not being transparent. Younger voters especially are calling for big reforms, hoping to clean up the system and make things run more smoothly. On top of that, the regional government is hoping to pressure the central government in Iraq to release its budget share and reopen key oil pipelines, which could help ease some of the economic strain.
At the time I finished writing this, the polls closed, and the counting began. Results will be announced today.
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Most people in Brazil recognize there is racism against Black people, but few admit to being part of the problem, new study finds
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What happened
Brazil is facing some tough questions about race, as shown by a recent survey from PoderData. The poll, conducted from October 12 to 14, 2024, shows a big gap between how people see racism in society and whether they admit to having personal biases.
Why this matters:
The findings suggest that while many Brazilians recognize racism as a societal issue, fewer are willing to admit to their own prejudices. This reflects a disconnect between public attitudes and personal reflection.
Tell me more
The PoderData survey gathered responses from 2,500 people across 181 cities in all 27 Brazilian states, using phone interviews. With a small 2% margin of error, the survey gives a solid snapshot of Brazil’s racial attitudes. Respondents were asked two key questions:
- Do you think there’s prejudice against Black people in Brazil?
- Do you consider yourself racist?
Learn more about the methodology by reading this.
What are the survey results?
The survey shows a mixed view of racism in Brazil. A large majority—75%—recognize that racism exists in the country. But when it comes to their own attitudes, only 33% admit to having prejudice against Black people. This gap between what people see in society and what they admit personally reveals a tricky dynamic in Brazil’s discussions on race.
What about Lula vs Bolsonaro supporters?
The survey also highlights differences between supporters of former President Lula and ex-President Bolsonaro. Lula’s supporters are more likely to acknowledge racism, with 76% saying it exists, compared to 71% of Bolsonaro voters. But when it comes to admitting personal prejudice, Bolsonaro voters are more upfront—35% of them admit to bias, compared to 28% of Lula’s supporters.
Good to know: PoderData has been asking these questions since November 2020. Over the years, the percentage of people who believe racism exists in Brazil hasn’t changed much, staying within the margin of error. However, fewer people are denying personal prejudice. In 2020, 59% said they weren’t racist, but that number has now dropped to 50%. Meanwhile, 33% of people today admit to having some bias against Black people, down from a peak of 39% in late 2021.
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Bad
Sudan: Reports of disease outbreaks and starvation are reported in Khartoum North as a military offensive and battles are reported in the city. (Sudan Tribune)
Africa: The World Food Programme says that millions of people in southern African countries are facing a food crisis, with more than 21 million children currently malnourished. (Reuters)
Nigeria: At least 170 people were killed and dozens of others were injured when a gasoline tanker overturns and explodes in Majiya, Jigawa State, Nigeria. (Al Jazeera)
Somalia: A suicide bombing at a restaurant in Mogadishu, Somalia, killed at least seven people and injures at least six others. Islamic terrorist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. (AL24 News)
Vietnam: A court in Vietnam sentenced tycoon Trương Mỹ Lan to life in prison for fraud, in addition to a death sentence that Lan received in April for embezzlement. (Radio Free Asia)
Interesting...
Indonesia: Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka are inaugurated as the 8th president of Indonesia and 14th vice president of Indonesia respectively. (AP)
Global: This year's Nobel Prize in economics was awarded to Turkish-American economist Daron Acemoglu, British-American economist Simon Johnson, and British economist James A. Robinson for their studies "of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity". (The New York Times) Ingrid Kvangraven was really upset by this, tweeting: "The economists who managed to incorporate colonialism into mainstream economic theory *without* challenging the underlying (Eurocentric) understanding of capitalism... Ofc will be rewarded by the Economics discipline."
Western Sahara/Morocco: Morocco and The Polisario Front rejected a proposal put forward by the UN envoy for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura that would partition Western Sahara with the northern part being annexed by Morocco and the southern part forming an independent state controlled by the Polisario Front. (Assahifa)
Iraq/Saudi Arabia: Protesters stormed and damaged the office of the Saudi-owned MBC TV channel in Baghdad, Iraq, after the channel aired a program which called Hamas and Hezbollah leaders "terrorists". The Iraq Communications and Media Commission later suspended MBC's operations in Iraq in response to the incident. (New Arab)
Kenya: Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, has been impeached by parliament. He’s accused of corruption and stirring up ethnic tensions, which led President William Ruto, his former ally, to back the impeachment. Gachagua isn’t going quietly, though—he’s taken the fight to court, and for now, the court has paused Ruto’s plans to replace him. Many feel the government is focusing too much on this political drama instead of tackling the country's big problems, like corruption and economic struggles. (BBC Africa)
Bangladesh: A court in Bangladesh ordered the arrest of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others for crimes against humanity. Hasina is in exile in India. (AP)
El Salvador: Six former guerrillas from El Salvador, who had been on trial for a 1989 murder, were acquitted by a court in Sensuntepeque. The men, linked to the left-wing Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), were accused of killing a woman during the country’s civil war, but the court dismissed the case due to the statute of limitations. These men, who are now environmentalists, were released immediately. (The Guardian)
Good
UK/Madagascar: Cotswold Wildlife Park successfully bred a critically endangered greater bamboo lemur, one of the rarest lemur species in the world. This little newcomer, born to parents Raphael and Bijou, is part of a very small group — only 36 greater bamboo lemurs exist in captivity globally. Breeding these lemurs in captivity is incredibly rare, and the Cotswold park is the only place in the UK to achieve this feat this year. With lemur populations in Madagascar under threat due to habitat destruction, these captive breeding programs play a vital role in conservation efforts. (The Guardian)
Cuba: Cuba has been grappling with worsening blackouts for weeks, often lasting up to 20 hours, thanks to aging infrastructure, fuel shortages, and rising energy demand. These outages are impacting everyday life—traffic lights are out, shops have closed, and long lines are forming at places selling essentials like bread. The government also had to send nonessential workers home to conserve fuel, making the situation even more challenging. Now, Cuba is slowly restoring power across the island after its national grid collapsed for the second time in 24 hours, leaving most of the country's 10 million people in the dark. (The Guardian)
DRC: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that it is renewing its investigation into violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), specifically focusing on alleged crimes in the North Kivu region from January 2022 onward. This move comes after the DRC government requested further action due to the ongoing violence caused by armed groups in the eastern part of the country. The ICC first opened investigations in the DRC back in 2004, resulting in the conviction of key figures like Thomas Lubanga and Bosco Ntaganda for war crimes. The current investigation will look at recent crimes but is also linked to patterns of violence going back decades, meaning it could lead to charges for longstanding perpetrators. (Nation Africa)
Tanzania: The National Investment Report 2023 highlights major changes in Tanzania’s startup scene, showing a 30% rise in startups owned by women and youth, alongside a 15% increase in foreign ownership. Investments surged to US$750 million in 2023, up from US$600 million the previous year, with Foreign Direct Investment growing by 12%. Startups created 20,000 new jobs, a 25% increase from 2022, driven by growth in sectors like tech and agriculture. The government aims to double the sector’s GDP contribution to 8% by 2030, supporting innovation and business-friendly reforms. (The Citizen)
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Watch… "I Lost My Body" (link to trailer), an animated movie from France about a severed hand that comes to life in a medical lab in Paris. The hand belongs to Naoufel, a pizza-delivery boy from Morocco. It's definitely one of 2019's best animated films in my opinion, and I watch a great deal of them. You can read the full synopsis here, but if you ask me, well, I think at the core of it, it's a movie about feelings of being lost and yearning, dealing with failure, loss, belonging. Indiewire's David Ehrlich's review of the film describes it as "a resonantly cathartic saga about the struggle to find beauty in a world that forces us to leave parts of ourselves behind." Aren't you so very convinced right now?
Listen to... Felukah. Felukah, the NYC-based Egyptian rapper, is going on her debut world tour. The tour kicks off on October 21st in Berlin (yes, today!) and wraps up on November 16th in her hometown, Cairo. This is Felukah’s first headlining world tour. ‘Before The Sun’ is also the title of Felukah’s upcoming rap/pop EP, which focuses on the challenges women face in nightlife. Singles from the EP will drop during the tour as a sneak peek, " Ana Mesha Haya" is already on repeat in my "Go Global Weekly" Spotify playlist. The full album is set to release on November 22nd. The tour includes shows in cities across Europe and West Asia, including Paris, Amsterdam, Bern, Amman, Beirut, and Dubai, with a lineup of Arab talents from the region as opening acts. Felukah will donate a percentage of all ticket sales from her debut world tour, ‘Before The Sun’, to relief funds supporting displaced families in Palestine and Lebanon.
Read... "In wartime Gaza, Women Step Up To Help Their Communities" ( link to article) by Mohammed Soleimane for Goethe Institute. Every month, I also write another newsletter (for the Bonn Institute). That one is about journalism mostly – I scour the web for latest research, recommend pieces by colleagues that I gain a lot of knowledge from for my own craft, and more. You can sign up here. In the latest issue, I shared the article above because it highlights the stories of three women in Gaza as they persevere and continue to support their communities during the war. I'm desperately looking for stories on the ground, specifically of perseverance, because everything else I see are images of destruction and suffering. I keep finding them here and there. For example, last week, I also learned about this woman making ovens herself. If you find these stories, tag me on Instagram here or here or share them with your own followers.
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How romantic are you? I Colombian reggaeton-pop star Mike Bahía just gave his latest track, "Bolerito," a little glow-up. Originally released last month, Bahía decided to turn up the romance by bringing in the talented duo from Mexico City, Daniel, Me Estás Matando, fresh off their NPR Tiny Desk performance. These guys are known for their "boleroglam" vibes, and they didn’t disappoint, giving Bahía’s bittersweet ballad about letting go a nostalgic twist. With their signature stripped-down sound and sweet harmonies, the remix now feels like a throwback to the golden era of bolero—perfect for anyone in the mood for a dreamy slow dance. (I am, especially now that the leaves are falling/dancing down.)
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Weddings are all about celebrating what you love, right? Well, a couple in León, Guanajuato, took that to the next level by having a Saint Seiya (or Los Caballeros del Zodiaco)-themed wedding. For those who don’t know, Saint Seiya is a classic 80s and 90s anime that was huge in Latin America. It follows young warriors called Saints who wear mystical armor inspired by the zodiac and fight to protect the goddess Athena.
But while the couple was totally in their element, the church they got married in wasn’t feeling the same vibe. In fact, the Archdiocese of León was so unimpressed with the costumes that they’ve now banned them at weddings altogether.
Costume weddings aren’t super common in Mexico, but they’re not unheard of—and they’ve mostly been allowed until now. However, the Archdiocese found this particular Saint Seiya affair a bit too much, especially since the groom was decked out in full Gold Saint armor (as Seiya, the show’s main character), like so.
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Hey, I'm Sham, the person behind this newsletter. Since 2014, I email a bunch of strangers once a week, curating news headlines from Asia, Africa and the Americas. I work under the assumption that, here in the West (I live in Berlin, Germany), we don't read or know much about the global majority, aka the rest of the world.
My goal is to help you burst your Western-centric bubble.
If you want to know more about me, visit my website or follow me on Twitter or Instagram.
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