Latest news with #Samira
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan's Gali Ali Beg: Perfect summer getaway for Iraqi families
Shafaq News/ As temperatures climb across Iraq, Gali Ali Beg resort in the Kurdistan Region has emerged once again as a summer sanctuary. Visitors from Baghdad, Nineveh, Babil, and beyond are pouring into the site, drawn by a tranquil atmosphere that offers a refreshing counterpoint to the city heat. Located in the northeastern part of Erbil province, Gali Ali Beg has long held a special place among Iraq's top tourist destinations. The resort's signature features—its cascading waterfalls running between rocky cliffs, its lush green surroundings, and its temperate summer climate—make it a magnet for families and solo travelers alike, especially during holidays. Alaa, who traveled from Baghdad during Eid al-Adha, shared with Shafaq News that his visit offered more than just a change of scenery. 'My trip to Gali Ali Beg felt like a real getaway. The nature here is magical, the weather is much cooler compared to Baghdad, everything is well-organized, and the tourist facilities are readily available. It all made the journey feel easy and relaxing.' That sentiment resonates with others who made the holiday journey. Among them is Samira, a mother from Nineveh, who described the resort as a perfect place to bring children during the holiday break. 'The resort is perfectly set up for families,' she expressed to Shafaq News. 'There are plenty of rest areas, restaurants, and small markets. The atmosphere is calm and enjoyable, especially for spending time with children during the Eid holiday.' The sound of rushing water and the beauty of the landscape, she added, had a calming effect on everyone in her group. 'We were impressed by how clean the place is—there's clear attention to maintaining the facilities, which we truly appreciate.' As more visitors arrive, the resort's management has been working to keep up with growing demand. Improvements in infrastructure and services haven't gone unnoticed. Mahmoud, a public employee from Babil, observed that the increased number of tourists had been matched by visible enhancements to the site. 'The site management has been working to upgrade the facilities and improve the services offered to guests,' he told our agency. 'That's become even more important with the growing number of tourists during Eid and other holidays. The strong turnout we're seeing reflects how far these efforts have come in strengthening tourism in the Kurdistan Region.' The numbers reflect the appeal. The Kurdistan Region's Tourism Board is projecting more than 300,000 tourist arrivals during the Eid al-Adha holiday—up from 220,000 during the same period last year. The Directorate of Tourism in Halabja announced that over 85,000 tourists and visitors arrived in the province during the first three days of the Eid alone, reinforcing the growing draw of the Region 's natural destinations.
DW
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- DW
NATO in Transition - A Year with the Soldiers – DW – 06/06/2025
Are the German armed forces prepared for the challenges of the future? With the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, German defense policy arrived at a so-called "turning point'. But can it succeed? Image: SWR The German army is facing enormous challenges: It has too few personnel, too little equipment, too little budget. And, for many years, it was not geared towards the kind of war for which it must now prepare. Image: SWR Namely, a possible defensive war within its own national borders, as well as the capacity to fight alongside NATO partners in the event of an attack on a NATO member. Image: SWR The film explores this dramatic upheaval, from the perspective of the people who must shoulder the task of "national and alliance defense' in their everyday lives, within their units. Image: SWR Yannick recently started training in a new tank. Samira is a recruit - one of a group the German army is desperately looking for. Andreas pilots a 30-year-old reconnaissance aircraft along NATO's eastern border. Image: SWR Joachim is a lecturer and is supposed to make sure that his soldiers understand what this "turning point' means for them. Three male soldiers and one female soldier are the focus of this film. Broadcasting Hours: DW English FRI 13.06.2025 – 01:15 UTC FRI 13.06.2025 – 04:15 UTC SAT 14.06.2025 – 13:15 UTC SUN 15.06.2025 – 19:15 UTC MON 16.06.2025 – 09:15 UTC MON 16.06.2025 – 16:15 UTC MON 16.06.2025 – 21:15 UTC WED 18.06.2025 – 12:15 UTC Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3 Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8 London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3 San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4
Metro
19-05-2025
- Metro
Mum of student killed in Strand crash 'almost reached her' as she lay dying
The mum of a student killed in the Strand crash was just yards from her injured daughter, but unable to reach her as she lay on the ground dying. Aalia Mahomed, 20, died, and two others were injured when a van crashed into the pedestrianised area outside King's College London campus on the Strand. The second-year physics and philosophy student was sitting down with friends outside the university when the van ploughed through the closed gates on March 18. Her family described Aalia as a 'ray of sunshine' as they tried to come to terms with her sudden death. Samira Shafi, Aalia's mum, described how she rushed to the crash scene after being alerted by her daughter's friend. Samira told BBC London: 'I got a call from Aalia's friend. There was just blue lights everywhere, it was cordoned off. 'It is a pedestrian zone and it's really hard to make sense of any of it because she wasn't doing anything dangerous – she was sitting on a bench in a pedestrian area in some sunshine.' The mum reached the area in 10 minutes after the frightening call. But as the emergency scene was cordoned off, she couldn't get to her injured daughter. She continued: 'I was told to stay back quietly because several people had been hurt, and so that's what I did. 'But later on based on the time that I got there, I worked out that I was there for nine minutes before Aalia's death was called. 'Maybe if she'd heard my voice she might have pulled through.' She added: 'Aalia wasn't just a daughter, she was my best friend and my rock.' Samira said that although an investigation is being carried out, the past eight weeks 'have felt like a lifetime.' She said: 'I haven't got answers to what happened that day. 'It's been slow. I keep being told an investigation is being carried out and these things take time, which I appreciate. 'But the silence is quite difficult for us because for us these eight weeks have felt like a lifetime.' She said she appreciates there is a process 'that needs to take place, but I would hope it's done as swiftly as possible to get us on some level of clarity.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and on suspicion of drug driving. He remains on bail. More Trending Metro understands that family liaison officers are in contact with the family. Chief Superintendent Thomas Naughton, from the Met's roads and transport policing command, told Metro: 'Aalia's family continue to be supported by specialist officers, we regularly meet with them to discuss the progress of the investigation and to ensure they are receiving the support they need. 'Our investigation continues at pace and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service. A 26-year-old man remains under investigation on conditional police bail following his arrest at the scene.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Raid of Café Diana in Kensington uncovers 45 tubs of 'illegal' shisha tobacco MORE: Brockwell Park festival organisers give major update over Mighty Hoopla MORE: Man says cafe staff refused to serve him because of his face tumours
CBS News
06-05-2025
- CBS News
Pyramids, flamingo watching and beaches: Philadelphia middle schoolers head to Mexico on school trip
A group of local middle schoolers is making their way to Mexico for the trip of a lifetime. The eighth graders at Jacquelyn Kelley Discovery Charter School in Philadelphia make a trip like this every year to experience the history, culture and natural wonders of another country. In the past, the school has sent students to Germany, Spain, Italy and Thailand, to name a few. This year, it's wings up to Mexico for a week-long, life-changing educational expedition. Students arrived at JYK Discovery Charter School late Monday night. They stowed their bags on the bus and said goodbye to their families before heading to the airport a little after midnight. They'll arrive in Cancun Tuesday morning to kick off seven days of sightseeing across the Yucatan and the Mayan Riviera, including stops at famous cathedrals, palaces, plazas and a visit to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itza. There's also plenty of fun built into the itinerary with activities like a flamingo watching tour, swimming in a cenote and spending a day at a beach in Tulum. The students are most excited about spending time at the beach and trying authentic Mexican food. "I never really had Mexican food like that," Samira, a student on the trip, said. "So I want to try it and see what they got." "I'm excited to make new memories with my friends, enjoy my time there, just explore new things and see what I like," said Jaydah, another classmate making the trip. "They're going to be getting an opportunity to visit a variety of different pyramids, going on a variety of different excursions to give us some experience, understand some of the culture, definitely be part of the language, and get a chance to enjoy and have some fun," said Fred Fields, an IT support specialist at JYK Discovery Charter School. All of the students on the trip will be keeping a daily journal of their travels, and they'll write an essay afterward summarizing all of the history, culture and natural wonders they experienced abroad.
Yemen Online
15-04-2025
- Yemen Online
Tourist Resorts Flourish Amid Yemen's Challenging Tourism Landscape
Despite the ongoing challenges facing Yemen's tourism sector, "tourist resorts" have emerged as a beacon of hope, providing a sanctuary for young people and families while boosting domestic tourism. These resorts, equipped with comfortable rooms, swimming pools, steam baths, and lush green spaces, have become popular destinations for relaxation and leisure. While most resorts are rented out during the summer, those in Sana'a have become year-round attractions, particularly for women and families seeking a safe and enjoyable environment. However, the rise of these resorts has not been without challenges. According to Samira, a worker at a resort in Sana'a, visitors often seek refuge from the "Zainabiyat," the female police force affiliated with the Houthi group. The Zainabiyat have been known to impose restrictions on social gatherings, including concerts, and have previously banned such events at weddings in areas under Houthi control. The flourishing of tourist resorts in Yemen highlights the resilience of the local population and their ability to adapt to difficult circumstances. These resorts not only offer a haven for relaxation but also serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of Yemenis in the face of adversity. The situation remains complex, with ongoing efforts to balance leisure activities and societal restrictions in Houthi-controlled regions.
