BRIEF.ME – WORLD NEWS BRIEFING

In today’s briefing update, we learn football star Christiano Ronaldo will not face rape charges in the US due to lack of evidence. 

We head to Hong Kong to find out why the suspected suicides of four people have darkened the Hong Kong protests. 

Finally, we learn of the Saudi preacher who has been accused of promoting and justifying terror and his theories on the West.  

All in today’s WORLD news briefing – A daily roundup of all the news headlines that you need to know, summarised as part of WTX News Briefing.

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FOOTBALL STAR WILL NOT FACE US RAPE CHARGES

France 24 leads with the news that footballer Christiano Ronaldo will not face charges of rape in the US. The alleged rape was a decade ago in Las Vegas, prosecutors say there is not enough evidence to proceed.

A district attorney in Nevada, the state the alleged rape happened, said they “cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt” that a sexual assault occurred. Ronaldo has always denied the sexual assault and insists their encounter was consensual. 

The claim was originally made in 2009 by former model, Kathryn Mayorga. A financial settlement was reached a year later. Police say they were unable to conduct “any meaningful investigation” back in 2009 as she initially refused to say who had assaulted her or where it had happened. As a result, they were unable to collect vital forensic evidence and a video showing the two together was lost. 

Read the full story on France24

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HONG KONG’S PROTESTS DARKENED BY LINKED SUICIDES

CNN reports, following the suicide of a fourth person in connection with the Hong Kong protest, the movement has taken a dark turn. Thousands gathered earlier this month to pay tribute to a woman most had never met. One card left for the 28-year old read: “We will accomplish what is left to be done.” Her death along with three others have been linked, by local media, to the ongoing protests.

The protests originally started over the now-suspended extradition bill which many feared would restrict freedoms. CNN reports the protests have since taken a darker tone with violence escalating between police and protesters. 

Talks of sacrifice, hopelessness and a loss of trust in their leaders have been openly discussed by the protesters. The deaths of the four have led to some treating them as heroes of the cause, their images are often depicted in art during protests. 

Read the full story on CNN

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SAUDI PREACHER, AWAD AL-QARNI IS THE JUSTIFIER OF TERROR

Arab News describes Saudi preacher, Awad Al-Qarni as a preacher of hate in today’s post. The preacher used TV interviews to spread conspiracy theories, glorify terrorism and criticise western culture.

Whilst his extreme views have been heavily criticised by Saudi press, social media and scholars he stands firm in his beliefs. The hate preacher has said the fight against terror was “fabricated” by the West to destroy its way of life and colonise the East. 

The article claims Awad Al-Qarni has for years misguided a large number of followers through sermons and after school clubs for youths. Mr Al-Qarni’s conspiracy views range from colonisation, 9/11 and modernisation. 

Read the full story on Arab News 

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