Turkey says it is closely monitoring PKK disbandment to secure peace
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey is closely monitoring any attempts to undermine its peace initiative with the PKK, a senior official said Tuesday, following the militant Kurdish group's announcement that it is dissolving and ending its decades-long armed conflict with the Turkish state.
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by several, announced the historic decision on Monday months after its imprisoned leader called for the group to formally disband and disarm — a move that could bring an end to one of the Middle East's longest-running insurgencies .
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Yahoo
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- Yahoo
A mother talks about the value of CLTS for her disabled son
EAU CLAIRE — At the last county board meeting, County Board Supervisor Michelle Skinner (R-Altoona) brought up her concerns that $68,000 had been spent on annual passes at Chaos Waterpark for disabled children via the county's CLTS program (Children's Long-Term Support). This was compounded with Skinner's concerns over the Human Services budget, which went over by $3.2 million for the year. These two factors contributed to her voting against a motion that would have allocated $30,000 to Sojourner House, Eau Claire County's only emergency homeless shelter. Skinner's reasons were quoted in a May 23 interview for the Leader-Telegram that covered funding for the Sojourner House resolution, which failed to pass by one vote. In the article in the June 5 edition of this newspaper, we attempted to cover some of what Skinner's concerns were — in particular, the funds that had been spent for local park passes. However, press deadlines limited how complete the article could be in this regard. While this article attempts to more completely address those concerns, once again only so much could be compiled at press time. PARENT PRAISES CLTSAmber Borton is a parent of Ryker, a young boy with severe developmental disabilities. Her son is a recipient of the CLTS Program which provides waivers for things not provided by the county. While her son is a recipient of CLTS, her son does not receive the annual passes to any parks, such as Chaos Waterpark or Action City. 'One of the biggest things that we use all the time is for transportation,' said Borton. 'CLTS has to fund the modification of our truck so that I can get his wheelchair into the truck. That's been extremely helpful just getting to and from places.' She also said that the program allowed the family to remodel their bedroom to put in a large bathtub and lift system to get Ryker from the bed to the tub. 'We are working right now on getting an elevator,' she said. 'CLTS is a Medicaid waiver program,' said CLTS Support and Service Coordinator with Eau Claire County Ashley Butcher. '[Its] services go above and beyond what Medicaid can fund. It is a statewide program. Each county has a CLTS program.' Borton explained that caring for her son is a full time responsibility. 'To be plain and clear, I'm a single mom,' said Borton. 'I don't work outside my house. I can't because he needs 24 hour medical care. I truly don't have an outside income that helps me — so, absolutely, this program is everything.' A fundraising website for Ryker can be found at
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Lebanese army warns Israeli airstrikes might force it to freeze cooperation with ceasefire committee
BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese army condemned Friday Israel's airstrikes on suburbs of Beirut, warning that such attacks are weakening the role of Lebanon's armed forces that might eventually suspend cooperation with the committee monitoring the truce that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war. The army statement came hours after the Israeli military struck several buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs that it said held underground facilities used by Hezbollah for drone production. The strikes, preceded by an Israeli warning to evacuate several buildings, came on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holiday. The Lebanese army said it started coordinating with the committee observing the ceasefire after Israel's military issued its warning and sent patrols to the areas that were to be struck to search them. It added that Israel rejected the suggestion. The U.S.-led committee that has been supervising the ceasefire that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in November is made up of Lebanon, Israel, France, the U.S. and the U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon known as UNIFIL. 'The Israeli enemy violations of the deal and its refusal to respond to the committee is weakening the role of the committee and the army,' the Lebanese army said in its statement. It added such attacks by Israel could lead the army to freeze its cooperation with the committee 'when it comes to searching posts.' Since the Israel-Hezbollah war ended, Israel has carried out nearly daily airstrikes on parts of Lebanon targeting Hezbollah operatives. Beirut's southern suburbs were struck on several occasions since then. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began on Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began launching rockets across the border in support of its ally, Hamas, in Gaza. Israel responded with airstrikes and shelling and the two were quickly locked in a low-level conflict that continued for nearly a year before escalating into full-scale war in September 2024. It killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians, while the Lebanese government said in April that Israeli strikes had killed another 190 people and wounded 485 since the ceasefire agreement. There has been increasing pressure on Hezbollah, both domestic and international, to give up its remaining arsenal, but officials with the group have said they will not do so until Israel stops its airstrikes and withdraws from five points it is still occupying along the border in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah says that it has ended its military presence along the border with Israel south of the Litani River, in accordance with terms of the ceasefire deal.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Iranians react to new Trump travel ban as tensions are high between nations
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranians again face a U.S. travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump, with the decision drawing anger, frustration and some shrugs given the decades of tensions between the countries. Trump imposed a similar ban during his first term before withdrawing America unilaterally from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, under which Iran drastically limited its program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. When he returned to the White House and began seeking a new deal with Iran, it saw the country's rial currency improve and stocks rise. But worries have grown as its government appears poised to reject an initial American proposal. The travel ban has further darkened that mood and led Iranians to fear Trump will lump the nation's 80 million people with its theocratic government even after he repeatedly praised them while seeking a deal. 'Now I understand that Trump is against all Iranians, and his attitude is not limited to the government,' said Asghar Nejati, a 31-year-old man working in a Tehran pharmacy. Even in the years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and subsequent U.S. Embassy hostage crisis, Iranian students traveled to the U.S. to attend universities. Between 2018 and 2024, an average of around 10,000 Iranian students went to the U.S. annually. Estimates suggest some 1 million Iranian-origin people live in the U.S. today. Mehrnoush Alipour, a 37-year-old graphic designer, said the nations could have better relations if they could spoke to each other in softer tones. 'This is another foolish decision. Trump cannot reach his goals by imposing pressures on ordinary Iranians,' she said. 'The two nations can have better relations through openings, not restrictions.' Bank teller Mahdieh Naderi said Trump was lashing out over his frustrated efforts to reach ceasefires in the Israel-Hamas war and the Russia-Ukraine war. 'Trump just expressed his anger about his failed plans,' Naderi said. 'He is complaining about the Chinese and others who are living in the U.S., too Some said interest in the U.S. was already waning before the latest ban. 'Over the past years, two of my grandchildren went to Canada to continue their education there,' said Mohammad Ali Niaraki, 75. 'Iranians are not limited in immigration and they are not as interested to go to the U.S. as they were decades ago. Iranians prefer Canada, as well as neighboring countries with flourishing economies like the (United Arab) Emirates.' Others pointed out that high-ranking government officials have children living or working in the U.S., despite the tensions, and suggested that it would be fair to remove those as well. Tehran resident Mehri Soltani offered rare support for Trump's decision. 'Those who have family members in the U.S, it's their right to go, but a bunch of bad people and terrorists and murderers want to go there as well,' he said. 'So his policy is correct. He's doing the right thing.' ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
