Finally, Kurdistan has voted

This issue 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.

People in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq voted for a new parliament on the weekend

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Most people in Brazil recognize there is racism against Black people, but few admit to being part of the problem, new study finds

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...