Week 1 Report: October 8th-14th

In the past week, we have witnessed Miss Iraq fleeing her homeland following a flurry of murders of high-profile Iraqi women, the ongoing saga of missing Saudi journalist Khashoggi, key Brexit issues remaining murky in Brussels, and Merkel’s allies losing momentum in regional German elections. ​

Saudi Arabia face increasing diplomatic pressure following the suspected murder of Saudi journalist Khashoggi

Former Miss Iraq Shimaa Qasim Abdulrahman has fled Iraq after receiving death threats, just a week after Iraqi social media star Tara Fares was shot dead in her car in Baghdad, and following months of murders of high profile Iraqi women. Ms Abdulrahman stated that she believed her life would be in danger if she had remained in Iraq, as the government struggles to prevent the murders of influential Iraqi women who champion female empowerment. 

The Jamal Khashoggi mystery continues as Saudi Arabia experience mounting diplomatic pressure following the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul earlier this month. Turkish sources allege Khashoggi has been murdered, and the Turkish foreign ministry have announced that they will search Saudi Arabia’s consulate this week. Trump stated that Saudi will face ’severe punishment’ if evidence proves Saudi was responsible for the murder of the journalist. 

Over in Brussels, UK and EU officials have both said a number of key issues remain unclear following the latest round of Brexit talks. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier met for an intense meeting ahead of a EU summit next week. Barnier tweeted that issues such as a hard border with Ireland remain unclear, but both parties are confident negotiations are moving forward, as May faces increasing pressure at home. 

Across the border in Germany, Merkel’s CSU allies lose majority in Bavaria, which greatly shakes up the German political scene. The chancellor’s conservative sister party suffered massive loses in Bavaria, as the CSU appears to have lost voters’ approval following their controversial stance on immigration. Read Cathy’s article on Merkel’s party politics for deeper analysis on the matter.

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Favourite International News Story of The Week:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rwanda-beetrootwine/rwandan-entrepreneur-woos-drinkers-with-beetroot-wine-idUSKCN1MF28C

Lara Gibson