Kurdish News in Brief: Updated Often PLEASE Add Items

[Anthea]

Sulêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Bulgaria to Open Consulate in Kurdistan

Sofia: Bulgaria's government has decided to open a consulate in Erbil, the capital city of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Sofia News Agency novinite.com reported. The consulate will serve the provinces Erbil, Sulêmanî [Sulaimaniyah] and Duhok. Erbil is the fourth largest city in Iraq after Baghdad, Basra and Mosul. It has a population of 1.3 million people. In the beginning of 2013, Bulgaria reopened its embassy in Baghdad, which was closed in 2003 at the start of the war. Ekurd.net

Turkey: The exports to Iraq via Khabur exceeded 10 billion dollars

According to Turkish press reports, the country 's exports to Iraq have exceeded 10 billion dollars in 2013. Anatolia Turkish agency said in a report that the value of Turkish exports to Iraq through Khabur border crossing, reached during the first ten months of last year to 10 billion, 737 million, 343 thousand and $ 249.

For his part, the Director of Trade and Customs in the region in the far south-east Turkey, Hassan Aken said that “ the volume of exports through the crossing has witnessed an increase of 9.6% compared to previous years, while imports declined 8.7%. Iraq rely on basic goods and products from other countries, especially neighboring countries for its almost complete lack of industrial and agricultural production. He added: "The value of Turkish exports to Iraq through the Khabur border crossing reached, during the first ten months of last year, 10,737,343,249 $." shafaaq.com | ninanews.com

70% of Turkish trade with Iraq in Kurdistan region

Erbil: The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has said that 70% of Turkish trade with Iraq occurs in the Kurdistan region. Dler Tariq, the spokesperson of KRG’s Finance Ministry said that the Turkish Consulate in Erbil has called on them [Finance Ministry] to help strengthen relations. “They want to improve collaboration, because currently %70 of Turkish trade with Iraqi is in the Kurdistan region,” Tariq said.

Tariq also revealed that Kurdistan hosts the largest number of Turkish trade companies in the region, with more than 1300 Turkish companies working in Kurdistan in all sectors. In recent years, Turkish-Kurdish relations have improved enormously, especially economic relations and in the energy sector, with Kurdish oil now being exported to Turkey through independent oil pipelines. basnews.com

Electoral code for the upcoming Iraqi Parliament elections released

Baghdad: The electoral code for the upcoming Iraqi Parliament elections have been released Wednesday by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Committee IHEC in Baghdad. The Kurdish Change (Gorran) movement headed by Nawshirwan Mustafa has got number 234, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK headed by the President, Jalal Talabani, got number 266 and Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP headed by the President of Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani, got number 213 during the draw of the Independent High Electoral Commission to participate in the next elections. Ekurd.net

New created province of Halabja needs Iraqi parliament's approval

Halabja: After the Iraqi Council of Ministers agreed on anointing Halabja as the forth province in Kurdistan Region, the law draft for that decision is still awaiting approval from the Iraqi Parliament. The decision by the Iraqi Council of Ministers for Halabja has been made on the eve of the New Year. Regarding the subject, Burhan Mohammed, Iraqi MP said that the decision has not been merged to parliament's schedule for discussion despite that the law draft has reached the parliament earlier. The Iraqi MP also emphasized that no parliament session is scheduled for today but parliament committees are gathering to discuss some subjects. pukmedia.com

36 coalitions, 71 political entities participate in the coming Iraqi parliamentary elections

Baghdad: The head of IHEC, Miqdad Sharifi said the number of lists that will participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections reached 107 lists. Sharifi said in a press conference to announce the numbers of political entities, participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections that these lists are divided by 36 coalitions and 71 political entity. It is due to hold parliamentary elections on 30 April. ninanews.com

Jalal Talabani still in Berlin

Sulêmanî: A source has confirmed that the Founder and Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, is still in Berlin, Germany. However, to avoid the media in light of his health condition, it is reported that Talabani has been moved to a villa in the Zehlendorf quarter owned by a Kurdish citizen of the city.

Talabani’s guards also left the hotel he was staying in for the villa and reside there to ensure his security. One guard has been tasked with securing all provision for those inside the villa, but the remainder have been restricted from leaving the villa grounds. Zehlendorf is an elite quarter where most of the cities wealthy residents reside. The quarter is known for its expensively decorated villas. Talabani, who suffered a stroke in December 2012, has been recovering in Germany ever since. basnews.com

Kurdistan population growth not reflected in next Iraqi parliamentary elections

Sulêmanî: The number of voters in the autonomous Kurdistan Region has grown by more than 100,000, statistics show. But this does not translate into more Kurdish seats in the Iraqi parliament because of the way that population figures are counted by Baghdad. The central government decides population figures on the basis of coupons issued for food rations by the trade ministry in Baghdad, not on provincial population statistics. “We count on the database for food coupons, not the figures of the directorates of statistics,” said Hendren Mohammed Salih, head of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Erbil.

The issue resurfaces as Iraq awaits two elections in April, the Iraqi legislative elections and the provincial polls in Kurdistan. People born in 1996 will be eligible to vote. According to data by authorities in the three provinces of the Kurdistan Region, the number of Kurdish voters in 2014 is up by some 102,000: 41,000 in Sulêmanî, 34,000 in Erbil, and 27,000 in Duhok. The Kurds will be contesting 44 seats in the Iraqi legislative elections. Candidates will be fighting for 89 seats for the Kurdish provincial polls, 32 for Sulêmanî, 30 for Erbil and 27 for Duhok. The KRG regularly accuses Baghdad of waging political wars against the Kurds and believes that the Kurdish population is much larger than what Baghdad declares...rudaw.net

Kurdistan Businessmen Union to be founded

Sulêmanî: A number of Amed (Diyarbakir) businessmen visited Wednesday Sulêmanî Chamber of Commerce and Industry aiming to form a Kurdistan Businessmen Union. Sirwan Mohammad, the Head of Sulêmanî Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "Today, we held a meeting with Amed'sbusinessmen delegation to discuss how to unite the Kurdish businessmen across the 4 parts of Kurdistan in a union.

" Mohammad mentioned the Western Kurdistan autonomous region declaration as a good approach and said, "This will make it easier for the union to have contact with the businessmen there." Mohammad concluded with the purpose of creating such a union which is to gather all the Kurdish businessmen from North, East, West and South of Kurdistan and establish a network between them in the Kurdistan Businessmen Union. pukmedia.com

Direct flights between Erbil and Paris discussed

Erbil: In a move to foster stronger relations, talks were recently held between a tourism committee from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the French Consulate in Erbil. The committee noted that the KRG is looking to France to bolster tourism to the region. The two parties discussed the possibility of making it easier for Kurdish people to obtain French visas in the near future. The meeting also saw a discussion on beginning direct flights between the French Capital Paris and the Kurdish Capital Erbil. According to the KRG tourism committee, the next step is to invite French tourism and airline companies to Kurdistan to familiarize themselves with the region and Kurdish tourism companies. From there, the committee noted, further steps will be taken to establish direct flights between Erbil and Paris and ease the visa process for Kurds traveling to France. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

Terrorist group storm Human Rights Ministry’s office in Baghdad

Terrorists wearing explosive belts stormed today the office of the Ministry of Human Rights near headquarter of the Ministry of Transport in eastern Baghdad.

Clashes took place between security forces and terrorists and resulted in the killing 3 of the terrorists, a security source told PUKmedia adding that the terrorists took a number of the employees as hostages.

2 terrorists are currently in the building, he added clarifying that the Green Zone outlets have been shut down in anticipation of any terrorist attack.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18453

[Anthea]

Qamishli (Qmişlo), Amude, Afrin - Hesekê (Hasaka) — Western Kurdistan (Syrian Kurdistan) aka Rojava (West)

Kurdish PYD leader Salih Muslim questions authority of NCC statement

The co-president of the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), Salih Muslim, has called into question the authority of a statement issued in the name of the National Coordination Committee for the Forces of Democratic Change (NCC), saying that it was not an official statement of the body in question. Muslim was referring to a statement released Wednesday, January 29th, in the name of the NCC which claimed to not recognize the project of Democratic Autonomy and the Social Contract accepted and proclaimed in Western Kurdistan. The statement claimed that the social contract involving local government and the political unity of Syria were in contradiction and that the committee would meet with the Kurdish side on the subject. Muslim told reporters that the opinions contained within the statement were not the official opinions of the NCC.

Muslim pointed out that there are many different groups and personalities in this committee and that such statements were out of touch with the reality of the NCC. He went on to say that open and democratic debate would invalidate such attacks. Muslim spoke on the topic thus:“Certain circles are attempting to spread false information in order to blacken the gains of the Kurdish people. Some individuals are influenced by such false statements. For this reason there sporadicly appear such random voices.” Muslim continued by pointing out that what needs changing is not the social contract but the old nationalist mentality, saying “the attitude of the Kurdish people has changed and as it turns out it has become the responsibility of the Kurds to change the mentality of our neighbors.” rojavareport.wordpress.com | firatnews.com

Kurdish refugees return to Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava)

A great majority of refugees who took shelter in Turkey after abandoning their lands due to severe clashes and embargo in West Kurdistan has turned back to Syrian Kurdistan, Rojava. Officials at the Dirbêsiyê border gate between North and West Kurdistan have stated that 140 thousand refugees who took shelter in Turkey have turned back to their homeland in the last five months. According to officials, most of the refugees have returned to Rojava after finding no work and facing ceaseless obstacles by authorities in Turkey. firatnews.com

Refugees waiting on Turkish border

Hundreds of people who fled clashes in Tal Abyad city of West Kurdistan are being kept waiting at Akçakale border crossing. The city is recently witnessing severe clashes between opposition groups and al-Qaeda affiliated ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). People who fled the city and wanted to enter Turkey through the Akçakale border crossing are being denied entrance into Turkey as the border crossing still remains closed. They are waiting in an open field near the border crossing. On the other hand, armored vehicles have been deployed in the border village of Öncül in order for the prevention of crossings into Turkey. firatnews.com

Kurds among 45,000 immigrants crossing Mediterranean in 2013

Geneva: According to a report released by IOM in Geneva in January 2014, 45,000 immigrants risked their lives in 2013 attempting to cross the Mediterranean to reach the Italian coast. The report notes that most of the immigrants in 2013 were Syrian Kurds, Eritreans and Somalis. The same sources indicate that this number is greater than 2008, when 42,900 people managed to reach Italy. Among these were 5,400 women and 8,300 minors. During the last 20 years, around 20,000 people have lost their lives while crossing the Mediterranean while trying to reach the Italian coast.

Among those who died were many Kurds. In 2011, 2,300 died attempting to make the crossing, while in 2013, 700 lost their lives. Those who make the crossing are fleeing war, violence and misery in their home country, and risk their lives in the pursuit of a better future elsewhere. The director of the Coordinating Office of IOM for the Mediterranean, Jose Anjel Oropeza, said 'Immigration numbers show that more and more people are fleeing war and oppressive regimes, and these people have the right to receive the protection of Italian law’’. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

Sulêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Kirkuk governor denies Talabani's death

Kirkuk: The Governor of Kirkuk province, Dr. Najmaldin Karim, who is authorized to speak for the health condition of the Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani, denied the news which reported the death of Talabani at a Germany hospital. The Governor said ”The news which reported that the President Talabani died is are totally groundless. ”The Governor called the media outlets to consider accuracy and credibility in reporting news. Several Arab media outlets reported that the Iraqi President Talabani died since a year ago at a Germany hospital after suffering a stroke. iraqinews.com

Kurdistan, UNHCR working on housing for Iraq's Anbar refugees

Erbil: Authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan are working to prepare special camps for the refugees that fled from Anbar province to Kurdistan. Tourists coming in during the Kurdish New Year will send them out of their present accommodation. Fighting in Fallujah and Ramadi has displaced as many as 140,000 people, according to figures by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They spread themselves over Iraq, some staying elsewhere in Anbar, others fleeing to Baghdad, Karbala, Salahaddin, Nineveh and Iraqi Kurdistan. The over 14,000 who came to Iraqi Kurdistan have moved mainly into motels and holiday housing in Kurdish holiday towns like Shaqlawa, often living three-families to one small apartment. When March comes and tourists flock to the holiday places for Newroz, there will be a big problem, predicts Inge Colijn, who heads UNHCR operations in Iraqi Kurdistan. With the holidaymakers coming in, the prices of accommodations will most definitely rise...rudaw.net

Over 2900 deaths in Kurdistan region in 2013

Erbil: The Kurdistan Forensic Science Institute has released its statistics for the last twelve months. According to their information, more than 2900 people from the region passed away in 2013. The institute said that the majority of the victims over the last year died as a result of road accidents. Dr. Yassin Kareem, the head of the Kurdistan Forensic Science Institute, told reporters that 2,950 people died in all three provinces of the Kurdistan region in 2013. Of those, 969 deaths were a result of road accidents. According to Kareem, the most deaths – 887 – were recorded in the Kurdish Capital, Erbil. Sulêmanî [Sulaimaniyah] was second with 825 deaths and Duhok was third with 646 deaths. The economic boom in recent years has allowed many Kurds to own cars, which has led to an increase in road accidents and deaths. basnews.com

In Kurdistan, tepid support for Iraqi football

Erbil: When Iraq’s under-22 football team won the Asia Cup against Saudi Arabia on Sunday night, the 1-0 victory received a mixed response across Erbil. Though many took to the streets of the Kurdish capital to celebrate, others remained indifferent. The last time Iraq won a football championship was in 2007. At the time, the win was the first Asian Cup victory in Iraq’s history. The match, won by a team of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite Muslims playing side-by-side, received hype around the world for briefly unifying the war-torn country in a way that no other politician or leader had previously managed. Sunday’s match, however, failed to stir up the same sentiment and has not received the same publicity. The team has no Kurdish players, which gives some reason for the tepid support. But even those who said they do watch Iraq play regularly – in the absence of a Kurdish national team -- displayed reluctant support...rudaw.net

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[Anthea]

Democratic Autonomy in North Kurdistan: New Book



A new book has been published entitled Democratic Autonomy in North Kurdistan: The Council Movement, Gender Liberation, and Ecology. By TATORT Kurdistan.

In order to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question, the Kurdish Freedom Movement in Turkey has developed an alternative social model: Democratic Autonomy.

In the fall of 2011, a group of TATORT activists journeyed into the Kurdish regions of Turkey to learn how the theory of Democratic Autonomy was being put into practice. They discovered a remarkable experiment in face-to-face democracy—all the more notable for being carried out in wartime.

Since 2005, under the most difficult of conditions, the movement in North Kurdistan has created structures for a democratic, ecological and gender-liberated society. At its core is a system of councils in villages, cities, and neighborhoods. These structures do not yetwww.Ekurd.net offer a way of life that is fully independent of the nation-state and the market economy, but they nonetheless reveal a potent civil counter-power.

The interviews and documentation in this book provide thought provoking glimpses into the practical implementation of a new left vision. The radical democratic awakening of the Kurds may serve as an inspiration for social change in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Find out more and purchase the book from Amazaon.

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[Anthea]

Jalal Talabani's health condition improves as he was seen in a car-tour around Berlin

The president Jalal Talabani's responding to the treatments has improved and that reflected positively on his ability to speak and move. Dr. Najmadin Karim, Talabani's special doctor, told Anadolu Agency: "Last week, Jalal Talabani, the president of Iraq, was in a car tour around Berlin, the capital of Germany where he hospitalized in since December 2012. As the president responding well to the treatments, the hopes get more to be back to Iraq in a near future.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18455

[Anthea]

140 thousand refugees return to West Kurdistan

Kurdistan: In the past 5 month, 140 thousand Kurdish refugees from West Kurdistan had returned to their homes in Syria.

This statistics had been published by Drbesi Border Gate which is located between North and West Kurdistan.

The drainage of refugees returning to their homes in West Kurdistan had all been residing in North Kurdistan.

According to a report from ANF, the returning refugees have highlighted that their conditions in Turkey were bad and they could not find jobs and gain a living.

Furthermore, the refugees have also stated that their conditions were made more difficult by Turkish officials and that is why they returning to Syria

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18479

[Anthea]

British Ambassador in Iraq visited Halabja

HALABJA- Kurdistan Region: Simon Collis, the British ambassador to Iraq accompanied by Hugh Evan, the British Consulate General in Erbil visited Hallabja.

They were warmly welcomed by Goran Adham, the Mayor of Halabja, and a number of the city officials.

In a visit to the Halabja Monument, Simon Collis, the British ambassador, expressed his deep feelings towards Halabja and said, "It is happy that Halabja is still alive."

"I cannot hide it that there are still other dictators doing the sam...

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[Anthea]

Bomb attack kills 4, injures 15 in Khormato

KHORMATO, Kurdistan: Just a while ago, the explosion of a planted bomb resulted in 4 deaths and 15 injuries.

A security source from Khormato confirmed to PUKmedia that the explosion took place in Askari neighborhood in Khormato near a mosque resulting in the death of 4 and injury of 15.

“The attack also brought with it damage and destruction to the area beside life loss,” the security source added.

Currently, investigations have been started by security forces.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18484

[Anthea]

On the investigations with Ömer Güney, France asks information from Turkey

Following investigations on murdering 3 Kurdish women activists in Paris on January 9, 2013, French authorities ask assistance from Turkey according to Firat News Agency.

They are asking for the phone call conversations of the suspected murderer Ömer Güney made on November 29, 2012.

The detailed information on the prior calls made by the 3 women and the last meeting of the suspected murderer in Ankara on December 25, 2012 are also asked to be given to French authorities as they want to investigate deeper into this murder case which is getting more international involvements, and protests by the Kurds have been occurring in France and other countries in Europe, as well as inside Turkey.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18523

[Anthea]

Kirkuk Police Fighting in Hamreen

A joint task force composed of police from Kirkuk and Iraqi army troops are fighting armed groups in the Hamreen hills south of Kirkuk since Friday evening. Heavy weapons and helicopters are being used according to officials.

“The fighting is ongoing. We have been able to detonate 10 explosive vehicles and kill a number of armed men from the terrorist groups”, a special source from the 12th division of the Iraqi army told Kirkuk now.

The joint task force composed of the Iraqi army and the Kirkuk district and sub-district police have been patrolling and clearing the Hamreen hills south of Kirkuk which have been in an ongoing battle for the last 24 hours. .

“The fighting is constant. We have destroyed and burned down three terrorist camps containing 10 tents each which are being used for accommodation in addition to a number of tractors and motor-cycles used for terrorist activities. We have seized some explosive belts”, says the Brigadier Sarhad Qader commander of the Kirkuk district and sub-district police in a phone call from Hamreen hills where he is as he said.

He pointed out that three of his body guards have been injured and added that a number of the armed groups have moved to Saladdin province and have placed landmines on all the roads in that area.

Meanwhile, a source from the 12th division said, “We’ve killed nine armed men of the terrorist groups”, without identifying the deceased.

Karwan As-Salihi – Kirkuk Now

http://kirkuknow.com/english/index.php/ ... n-hamreen/

[Anthea]

Sulêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Kurd MPs to attend Monday's session to vote on pension law: Kurdish MP

Baghdad: The MP of the Kurdistan Alliance, Ashuaq Jaf announced that "The members of the Kurdistan Alliance will attend the meeting of the Council of Representatives Monday to vote on the retirement law." She said "The Kurdistan Alliance with the approval of the law as soon as possible as it is a public demand and a lot of Iraqi people awaiting for approving it impatiently, because it is in the House of Representatives and ready to be voted on for a long time." She explained that "the Kurdistan Alliance made many proposals on the Law and it is imposed on the Finance Committee to take these observations into the account to include them in the final draft of the law to vote in favor of this law in today's session."

On the budget bill, she called " to send the budget to the cabinet because some of its paragraphs need to be modified, because it contains a lot of mistakes," pointing out that" most of the political blocs have objections to some of the paragraphs of the budget law, therefore this law needs to be corrected by the Council of Ministers, and then re- sent to the parliament as soon as possible , for approval , not to be used in the elections campaigns."...
ninanews.com

Kosrat Rasul: I certainly consider myself considerate to PUK and never depart

Sulêmanî: Kosrat Rasul said that according to the bylaws of PUK, “We all are only members and faithful Peshmerga of PUK, and I certainly consider myself considerate to PUK, and will never depart you as well as never forget my previous struggles and self-sacrifice for PUK.” His comments came when he gave a reception for a delegation of PUK Central Council headed by Adil Murad. Adil Murad “Today, we need Mr. Kosrat more than ever.” “PUK has a lot of opponents and foes; therefore, let’s all intensify our efforts to keep the unity within PUK and help it move forwards; wherein, I am ready by all means to support you in making PUK overtake its present hard times,” Kosrat Rasul emphasized. Rasul's comments came a day after the Deputy Secretary General of the PUK Dr. Barham Salih has resigned from his post saying that he does not have the right to hold any position in his party. Addressing reporters in Sulaimaniyah Dr. Barham said "I am only an ordinary member of the PUK until the PUK holds its fourth convention,” pukmedia.com | Ekurd.net

Fire broke in Erbil

Erbil: Fire broke out Monday morning at a small painting shops in Haval neighborhood in Erbil, local media reported. The fire-fighters were able to control the fire, according to the reports reason behind the outbreak of the fire, was an electrical fault, No casualties reported. Ekurd.net

Snowfall in Sulêmanî ,temperature 7 degrees below zero

Sulêmanî: Sulêmanî [Sulaimaniyah] has witnessed on Monday snowfall on a number of its districts and sub-districts. “A wave of snow has covered the center of Sulêmanî and its outskirts as it is likely that temperatures will be lower during the next two days in Sulaimaniyah to around 7 degrees Celsius below zero ,” The director of the Department of forecasters and monitoring earthquakes in Sulêmanî, Dara Hassan said. Sulêmanî has witnessed during the past three days, a wave of cold and strong winds that caused fall in the number of electricity poles and power outages on a number of residential neighborhoods in the city. shafaaq.com

Massoud Barzani calls PUK officials, asks for ending disputes

Erbil: Massoud Barzani calls PUK officials, asks for ending disputes. The president of Iraqi northern region of Kurdistan Massoud Barzani called on Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) leading officials and demanded them to bring an end to intraparty rifts, NRT website quoted a source on the condition of anonymity. The source said Barzani has phoned PUK Deputy Leaders Kosrat Rassul and Barham Salih as well as Hiro Ibrahim Ahmad, wife of PUK ailing Leader Jalal Talabani, and asked them to end their conflicts. Meanwhile Abdul satar Majid, a member of Kurdistan Islamic Communities’ delegation that visited the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and discussed establishing new region’s government, told Rudaw that the meeting expressed hope that PUK would soon settle its intraparty differences. Disputes were flamed inside PUK after the party failed to hold its congress on due date and postponed it to April 20, 2014. kurdpress.ir

Electronic voting cards delivered to Kurdistan Region, Nineveh, Kirkuk by IHEC

Baghdad: The Independent High Electoral Commission announced the delivery of the electors’ E-cards to the provinces of Kurdistan Region and the provinces of Nineveh and Kirkuk. The member of the Board of Commissioners of the IHEC stated in a press statement “The IHEC delivered the E-cards to the electoral centers in Kurdistan Region, Nineveh and Kirkuk.” “The electoral centers will starts distributing the E-cards on Tuesday,” he added, calling the political blocs and the officials to “Urge the citizens to receive them to ensure their participation in the elections scheduled on the 30th of April.” iraqinews.com

Many Syrian Kurdish refugees' tents collapsed in Arbat, Sulêmanî

Sulêmanî: Kurdistan Region-Sulêmanî city is witnessing since days a wave of winds which resulted in collapsing a number of Syria refugees' tents in Arbat camp, east of Sulêmanî. Mayor of Arbat district, Hoshyar Mustafa said on Monday, February 03, 2014, that the wave of winds had caused the tents' collapse, stressing that the situation is now under control. Mustafa added that UNHCR is opening a new occupied camp in Arbat, the Syrian families shall be moved to the permanent camp which is occupied with electricity, water and other services. Reported by Pola Ahmad from Arbat. pukmedia.com

KRG new cabinet will be established in two weeks: official

Erbil: The new cabinet of Kurdistan Regional Government KRG would be formed in the upcoming two weeks, a member of ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Fazil Mirani said. The eighth cabinet will be formed in February, Mirani told reporters after a meeting between a KDP delegation and officials from Kurdistan Islamic Communities. The meeting was held in Nechirvan Barzani, the KRG PM’s private home in Erbil. Meanwhile a member of the Islamic party, Taufiq Karim, said the KDP officials reiterated in the gathering that new government should be forms till the middle of February. kurdpress.ir

Kurdish MP: Peshmerga forces protects 33% of Iraqi land

Baghdad: A Kurdish Member of Iraqi Parliament has said that Kurdish Peshmerga forces protects 33 percent of Iraqi land, however Baghdad does not pay them a salary or provide them with military equipment. Ashwaq Jaff, said that the federal government should be paying Kurdish forces their salaries as well as providing them with equipment.

“The Peshmerga is an official force according to the Iraqi constitution and protects 33% of Iraqi land including the Iraqi Parliament building,” said Jaff. Jaff also explained that the Peshmerga had a key role during the Iraq invasion of 2003 and as an official army in Iraq they are protecting Iraqi Kurdistan borders and should be respected for their work. Iraq’s Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government have long been battling over issues including Peshmerga budget. While Kurds claim that their salaries should be paid for by Baghdad, the Iraqi government should pay their forces out of their budget, which is roughly 17 percent...basnews.com

More than 800 Hotels and Motels in Kurdistan Region

Erbil: According to the Kurdistan Region Tourism Committee, there are currently 806 hotels and motels in the region. The committee, which supervises the tourism sector in Iraqi Kurdistan, revealed that the number of hotels and motels has increased by 19% over the last year, in order to cope with the growing number of tourists. Fawzi Youssef, the Tourism Committee head of planning has said that the region is currently home to more than 800 hotels and motels as well as 72 tourism villages and 580 restaurants. Youssef also revealed that they are willing to give 20 million Iraqi Dinars in loans to anyone who wants to build a tourism projects as an incentive for Kurdish businessmen to develop tourism projects in the region. basnews.com

15,000 Iraqi Christian families live in Kurdistan

Erbil: Iraqi Christians continue to flee South and Central Iraq to cross into the autonomous Kurdistan Region. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has revealed that there are currently 15,000 families living in the region. The head of Christian Affairs at the KRG Ministry of Endowment & Religious Affairs, Khalid Albert, said that there are currently close to 15,000 Iraqi Christian families in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a majority living in Erbil, followed by Duhok and Sulaimaniyah. “There are still Christians fleeing to the Kurdistan Region and the number increases on a daily basis,” said Albert.

Albert explained that a large number of refugees in Kurdistan were initially using the region as a transit point towards another country and chose to stay due to the favorable circumstances. “Most Christian refugees in the Kurdistan Region are currently employed and some have brought houses and have a stable life,” added Albert. According to Albert, Christians are impressed with Kurdistan’s religious tolerance and prosperity. In the Christian town of Ankawa, for example, there are more than 600 Christian families There are 130,000 Christians in Iraqi Kurdistan, according to Albert. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

Mariwan - Mehabad - Sanandaj (Sne) - Baneh - Saqiz - Paweh- Kermanshah - Urmiye (Orumiye), Nowsud, Sardasht, Bokan, [Eastern Kurdistan, Iranian Kurdistan]

9 Kurdish prisoners were summoned by intelligence

Karaj: 9 Sunni Kurdish prisoners of Rajaei Shahr prison of Karaj were summoned and interrogated by intelligence officers once more. According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 9 Sunni Kurdish prisoners of ward 10 of Rajaei Shahr prison with the names of Varia Amiri (sentenced to 10 years in prison), Varia Ghaderifard (Sentenced to death), Shahoo Ibrahimi (Sentenced to death), Amjad Salehi (unknown), Omid Payvand (unknown), Bahman Rahimi (Sentenced to death and Mohammad Yavar Rahimi (sentenced to death) were transferred to ward number 8 which is also known as IRGC ward and is controlled by intelligence agency and interrogated by an intelligence officer on Wednesday, February 29.

These 9 Sunni prisoners were arrested four years ago and their sentences are declared by revolutionary courts. An informed source said to HRANA’s reporter: “These 9 prisoners were interrogated and put under pressure by Mr. Mohammadi, which came from Sanandaj and all profiling of Sunni prisoners are done by him.” Currently there are more than 100 Sunni Kurdish prisoners in hall number 10 of ward 4 of Rajaei Shahr prison nearly 40 of which are sentenced to death. hra-news.org

Iranian workers living in poverty as unemployment rises

Workers have been living a very serious situation in Iran where poverty and unemployment are endangering their lives. Mismanagement of public officials on the one hand and international sanctions on the other hand have caused to stop productions of factories and workers wage remain unpaid. The chairman of Construction Workers Associations in Iran told ILNA Agency:

"There are one million and 700 thousand construction workers, but only 700 thousand of them are covered by social insurance". One of the workers representatives of Loole Gostar Factory in the province of North Khorasan announced the postponement of three months salaries of 650 workers, due to lack of funds. "The factory is engaged in producing oil and gas transmission pipelines and has now reduced its production". On Wednesday 29 Jan, 200 workers from Zagros Steel Factory gathered in front of Qurwe Farmandari Office (in the Kurdistan Province) [Eastern Kurdistan] to protest the delay in their wages for seven months. Akbar Ghorbani one of the factory’s shareholders of Iran Pooya stated: "the company has been dissolved in March last year and because it took its dissolution without the approval of any official body, it is not clear what will happen to the 3 percent of the factory’s shares that belongs to the workers". firatnews.com

Kaboudvand’s message from prison: Support autonomy for Kurdistan

Mohammad Sediq Kaboudvand, 50, Secretary of Kurdish Human Rights Organization who has been in prison since 2007, sends a message to honour the anniversary of the establishment of the first Kurdistan republic. January 22, 1946, known as 2 Rebandan among the Kurds, is the day the first Republic of Kurdistan was founded in the city of Mahabad by President Qazi Muhammad and others. “Congratulations to the Kurds on the anniversary of the Kurdish autonomy,” writes Kaboudvand from Evin Prison of Tehran.

“We continue to honour Qazi Muhammad and others who have struggled for democracy and an autonomous Kurdistan.” “January 22 is a climax in the history of the Kurds because long before the establishment of Human Rights organizations, the Kurdistan republic was founded based upon peace and respect for human rights.” The editor of Kurdish human rights publication has continued to send messages from prison to encourage “peaceful protest to the apartheid government of Iran.” Through his website, he also condemns the Oppositions of neglecting the rights of the Kurds. Sentenced to eleven years imprisonment for his peaceful activities, Kaboudvand had to repeatedly go on hunger strikes because he was denied the basic rights of prisoners. Kaboudvand has been in prison for 80 months and has been granted furlough only once in his 6th year and after a hunger strike and much international pressures. basnews.com

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http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/mi ... rd1051.htm

[Anthea]

Snow blocks traffic in Sulaimani



Due to today`s snowfall and freezing temperatures, some parts, streets, and roads of Sulaimani has been blocked.

In a statement published by Sulaimani Traffic Police Directorate, the department requests Sulaimani citizens to stay indoors and only go out when necessary.

The frozen streets and continuous snowfall have led to the upper part of Sulaimani to be blocked. Moreover, Sulaimani main roads to Arbat, Qaradagh, and Sitak have been blocked by the traffic police.

Currently, Sulaimani-Dukan road is open for use.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=18528

Regarding oil-transporting tankers, Bahman Abdullah, Spokesperson of Sulaimani Traffic Police Directorate, told PUKmedia that due to the danger they pose on the traffic and to protect them, too, they have inhibited traffic of oil tankers.

[Anthea]

Love Renewed via Song



“I first sang this song in 1983. I am reproducing it in a more professional manner this time,” Sabir Kurdistani stated in an interview with Kirkuk Now.

Sabir Kurdistani, who is blind, has been one of the most prominent singers in Kirkuk since the seventies.

Kurdistani considers his new work very special because “it tells one of my own love stories from my youth”.

Some graduates from the Kirkuk Institute of Fine Arts are playing roles in the film clip.

Kurdistani released another album which is a duet with singer Shakhawan Kirkuki.

http://kirkuknow.com/english/index.php/ ... -via-song/