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Shafaq News
02-05-2025
- Shafaq News
Visit Kurdistan: Akre's rooftops lit by history and flame
Shafaq News/ Tucked between steep mountain slopes and cascading valleys, the town of Akre stands as one of the most picturesque destinations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Known for its stone-built homes stacked along the hillsides and narrow alleyways that wind through history, Akre offers a rare blend of natural serenity and cultural depth. Located approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Duhok and about 140 kilometers from Erbil, Akre's foundations go back more than 2,000 years. The town has been shaped by various civilizations, including the Medes, Assyrians, and Ottomans. This layered history is still visible today in its architecture, tombs, and religious sites. The road to Akre is paved and accessible year-round, with private taxis and shared cars available from major cities. Akre's Draw for Tourists Dominating the skyline is Qalla Akre, or Akre Castle, an ancient fortress perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the town. Though partially in ruins, it remains a popular viewpoint and photo stop, offering sweeping vistas of the surrounding hills and valleys. Another symbol of the town's rich past is the old synagogue, a remnant of the once-thriving Jewish community that lived in Akre for centuries. Though no longer active, the site stands as a quiet witness to the town's religious diversity and peaceful coexistence. Beyond its historical depth, Akre is renowned for its natural charm. The town is surrounded by hiking trails, caves, and cold-water springs, where locals and tourists gather during the summer months for picnics and respite from the heat. Just a short drive from Akre, Sipa Bjeel Waterfall offers a serene escape nestled among lush greenery and fruit-bearing trees. Fed by multiple mountain springs, the waterfall cascades into a tranquil pool, making it a favored spot for picnics and relaxation. But it is during Nowruz, the Kurdish New Year, that Akre truly shines. Every March, thousands of Kurds ascend the mountains in a fiery procession, lighting torches to mark the arrival of spring. Streets fill with music, dancing, and the bright colors of traditional dress, drawing not only locals but also international visitors and media. Welcoming Tourists with Local Flavor Akre's hospitality is as well-known as its scenery. The town has seen a steady rise in domestic tourism, with families from Mosul, Kirkuk, and Baghdad heading north to experience its cool weather, clean air, and relaxed pace of life. Guesthouses and small hotels cater to visitors seeking both comfort and authenticity. Many accommodations offer views over the valley or towards the castle, while local eateries serve Kurdish dishes. The local bazaar, alive with the scent of spices and the sound of bargaining, is the place to find handwoven rugs, dried mountain herbs, and locally made honey. Visitors often leave with jars of Murabba (Middle Eastern jam), a taste of Akre's agricultural richness. Though small in size, Akre leaves a lasting impression — a town where mountains cradle stories, traditions rise with the morning mist, and every stone seems to whisper a piece of Kurdistan's soul.
The National
17-04-2025
- Business
- The National
The US-Iran talks have given Pezeshkian a boost
Late March is happy season in Iran as the festival of Nowruz marks the end of winter and the start of a new calendar year. But the government of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian had little to celebrate even as it marked its first Nowruz, having received blow after blow last month. His influential vice President for strategic affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, was forced to resign. His finance minister, Abdolnaser Hemmati, was impeached by the hardliner-dominated Parliament. He was unable to push forward key promises he made about internet freedom, since he doesn't control the committee that decides on the matter. But perhaps most importantly, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had declared opposition to negotiating with the US, which Dr Pezeshkian and his political camp saw as key to the country's gravest problems. Without talking to Washington, how could Tehran get it to lift a range of sanctions and move towards resolving the country's economic challenges? Iran's economic malaise was visible throughout the harsh winter. It was forced to undergo unprecedented electricity cuts and organised shutdown of businesses. The exchange rate of the rial to the US dollar, which is usually a reliable indicator of how the economy is faring, told a sorry tale about Dr Pezeshkian's time in office. It was at about 600,000 rials to a dollar when Dr Pezeshkian was elected last summer. In recent weeks, it went as high as 1 million rials. Many Iranians have called on the President to resign since he has been unable to realise any of his big election campaign promises. But Mr Khamenei's volte-face, which launched a new phase of US-Iran talks, has now given the Pezeshkian administration a new confidence. One could even argue that the negotiations have extended a new lease of life to it. One reason for this is that even the mere fact of the talks taking place has given an economic boost to the country. In recent days, the rial's value has improved marginally, with more appreciation expected in the near future. If this is the outcome of one round of talks, it's not hard to see them having an even grander impact should they actually succeed. Even a partial lifting of the sanctions could significantly boost the Iranian economy. Dr Pezeshkian is also benefiting from establishment's consensus on the negotiations. Of course, talking to the US remains controversial in the Iranian political landscape. Certain hardliners continue to attack the negotiating team, especially as Iran comes close to offering concessions to secure a deal. The notoriously hardline state TV riles against them, as does an occasional editorial in the daily Kayhan. In the north-eastern city of Mashhad, the arch-conservative Friday prayer leader, Ahmad Alamolhoda, has spoken out against the talks as hurting 'national pride'. But these voices of dissent are relatively muted. The political debate is nowhere as heated as it was during the lead-up to the 2015 nuclear deal when former president Hassan Rouhani and his then top diplomat, Mr Zarif, became the target of attacks by powerful conservative factions such as those leading the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This time around, much of the establishment favours engagement. Even outlets affiliated to the IRGC, such as the daily Vatan-e Emrooz now speak relatively approvingly of them. Unlike Mr Rouhani, who was a polarising figure with decades of experience in the establishment's security echelons, Dr Pezeshkian is a more consensual politician who has promised to lead a government of 'national reconciliation'. On Sunday, when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported on his Muscat talks to the Cabinet, Dr Pezeshkian thanked Mr Khamenei for having approved the talks. He has tried not to politicise the process and it helps that Mr Araghchi, too, gives the impression of being a calm diplomat compared to the politically ambitious Mr Zarif. Even some conservative commentators have praised Dr Pezeshkian's posture on the talks. The conservative activist Abdollah Ganji compared him favourably to Mr Rouhani for two reasons. First, for not harshly attacking critics of the talks as the previous president did. Second, for not creating high expectations about the talks. Abbas Salimi Namin, a conservative journalist, praised Dr Pezehksian for 'not trying to make a political show out of the negotiations'. All of this sits well with Dr Pezeshkian's non-confrontational approach and his attempt to lead a big tent. This approach was heavily questioned when Parliament dismissed Mr Hemmati, the finance minister, last month. But conservative support for the nuclear talks as well as more controversial measures, such as Dr Pezeshkian's refusal to implement a draconian hijab bill, gives new credence to it. Buoyed by these more favourable winds, Dr Pezeshkian is set to soon introduce Ali Tayebnia as his new finance minister, pending parliamentary approval. Mr Tayebnia, who was also Mr Rouhani's finance minister from 2013 to 2017, is a known economist and one of Iran's best-known technocrats. His joining the government will give it new verve. Dr Pezeshkian has also filled another important vacancy lately. Mohsen Esmaeili, a law professor at the University of Tehran and a former member of the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council, was appointed Dr Pezeshkian's Vice President for Strategic and Parliamentary Affairs. He thus replaced both Mr Zarif and Shahram Dabiri, Dr Pezeshkian's parliamentary liaison, who had to resign after he went on an expensive private trip to Argentina and Antarctica. Mr Esmaeili is a weighty addition to the cabinet: a respected jurist and the only non-cleric to ever be elected to the Assembly of Experts. Still, Dr Pezeshkian's reversal of fortunes shouldn't be exaggerated. In all cases, the president, doesn't make any of Iran's most important decisions. All important calls are made either by Mr Khamenei or the National Security Council. There is also no guarantee that talks with the US will continue to go well and their collapse could spell disaster for the President, especially if Iran finds itself embroiled in military conflict. His entire gambit has been to make peace with the rest of the region and the world. He is not meant to be a wartime president. For now, Dr Pezeshkian enjoys calmer political waters. But if he wants to leave his mark, he will need a lot more than that.
South China Morning Post
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Write a funny caption for this unique horse riding gear
Nyingchi, a city in Tibet, is celebrating its annual peach blossoms. Spring begins earlier in this part of Tibet compared to other areas of the region because it is closer to the ground. This year's Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival started on April 3 and lasts for a month. Visitors can watch exciting horse riding performances, enjoy Tibetan dances and see special religious ceremonies. Reuters What is your best 'I'm not afraid of a little horse poop' outfit? Send us a funny caption by filling out this form . The deadline is at 12pm on April 16. We'll publish the best ones next week. Last week's top captions People celebrate Nowruz at a theme park in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Photo: AFP Wallace Wang (aged 11), The ISF Academy: Why are humans so short now? Sean Tang Pak-hin (aged 8), Po Leung Kuk Camoes Tan Siu Lin Primary School: Why are you guys so tall?
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Lahore celebrates interfaith harmony
Lahore hosted an interfaith celebration combining the festivals of Eid, Baisakhi, Holi, and Nowruz. Organised by Faces Pakistan, the event brought together people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds under one roof, promoting peace, tolerance, and national cohesion. Held at a local hotel, the celebration highlighted the shared values of love, humanity, and coexistence. The event drew enthusiastic participation from youth belonging to Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Christian, and Bahá'í communities. Cultural skits, regional dances, and performances were presented by the Youth Council for Peace and Interfaith Harmony, reflecting Pakistan's rich cultural tapestry. In his keynote address, Javed William, President of Faces Pakistan, said the organization's ultimate dream is to build Pakistan into a cradle of peace and brotherhood. "This gathering reflects our vision for a harmonious and inclusive society," he added. Prominent social and religious figures also shared messages of unity. Sister Genoveva Ram Lal remarked that festivals such as these promote the universal values of love and peace. Ijaz Alam Augustine, former Punjab Minister for Human Rights, commended Faces Pakistan for furthering the government's interfaith harmony policy launched in 2018. Maulana Asim Makhdoom, Chairman of the All Masalik Board, emphasised that humanity, love, and tolerance are the real forces that bind societies together. "This event is a living example of these values in action," he said. Community representatives shared the spiritual and cultural significance of their respective festivals. The evening featured cultural performances from Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, along with a special theatrical performance titled "Eight Colours, One Soil", which received wide acclaim from the audience. Traditional sweets representing each festival were also shared, enhancing the spirit of joy and inclusivity.
Iraqi News
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraqi President , his Iranian counterpart agree to coordinate in dealing with regional and international developments
Baghdad-INA President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, agreed on Friday to coordinate on regional and international developments. The Presidency's Media Department said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), "President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, discussed, in a phone call with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries, and ways to develop cooperation in various fields of mutual interest, in a way that serves the interests of the two peoples and enhances security and stability in the region," noting that "the two presidents exchanged congratulations on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz holidays, and expressed their wishes for the Iraqi and Iranian peoples for further progress and prosperity." The statement added that "the two sides discussed a number of regional and international issues during the call, emphasizing the importance of continuing cooperation between the two countries and intensifying constructive dialogue to address challenges and enhance the foundations of development and stability." It noted that "it was agreed to activate coordination in dealing with regional and international developments, which would contribute to supporting political stability and reducing tensions in the region."
