Latest news with #KCK
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exploring the history of Clinton
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — FOX4 took our first of the year to Clinton, a town located in Henry County, 90 minutes from downtown Kansas City. First platted in the 1830s, Clinton was a popular pathway for pioneers heading west. The town's railways brought in more visitors and boosted local businesses. Missouri counties denied state aid for tornado damage However, Clinton wasn't officially incorporated as a town until the late 1870s. Developments, including water, electricity, and roads, did not emerge until the 1880s-90s. In 2007, Clinton added the downtown square to the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, the square has been the site of three known tragic events. In 1876, a fire tore through several budlings. Iconic KCK burger drive-in reopens under new ownership In 1946, an explosion at a refrigerator store caused severe damage to the south side of the square, and in June of 2006, the 'Elk's Lodge' located on the square collapsed. The leader of the lodge, Tony Komer, was killed in the incident. In both the good and bad moments, Clinton residents say preserving history is essential. Residents hope that you will take a look at the town's rich history the next time you visit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdish group blames Turkiye of ignoring peace push after PKK disbands
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) accused the Turkish government of ignoring the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)'s recent initiative to end armed struggle. The KCK's Head of External Relations Department Zagros Hewa told Shafaq News that despite intense political and social debate in Turkiye surrounding the PKK's decisions, reactions have remained confined to theoretical discussions, he noted, adding that 'the absence of an official response reflects Ankara's ongoing policy of denial and disregard.' He further expressed regret over the continued isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who remains imprisoned on Imrali Island without access to lawyers, family, journalists, or political representatives. Regarding Turkish operations, the KCK official pointed out that Turkiye continues military actions in Kurdish regions of southeastern Turkiye as well as in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, 'while Ankara maintains threats against the self-administration model in northeastern Syria.' Hewa emphasized that the PKK's decision to end the armed struggle is irreversible and called on Turkiye to end military operations, lift Ocalan's isolation, and release political prisoners. He urged Ankara to initiate inclusive dialogue and enact legal reforms recognizing Kurdish rights, warning that failure to engage would squander a historic chance for lasting peace. On May 12, the PKK declared its disbandment, marking the end of more than 40 years of armed conflict with Turkiye. The decision came in response to a February appeal from the group's imprisoned founder, Abdullah Ocalan, who called on members to lay down their arms and dissolve the organization. Nonetheless, Turkiye's Defense Ministry stated earlier this week that military operations against PKK elements would persist while confirming ongoing efforts to set up a joint framework for disarmament.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'PKK hasn't laid down arms, only ended armed struggle; ball in Turkey's court'
One of the oldest conflicts in West Asia -- the so-called 'Kurdish question' -- is currently inching closer to a solution. Since its foundation in 1923, the Republic of Turkey has failed to establish peaceful and democratic relations with its Kurdish population. Since then, the country's approximately 25 million Kurds have resolutely resisted the denial of their identity, language and rights and a policy of systematic expulsion and forced assimilation. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its founder Abdullah Öcalan have played a key role in shaping the resistance of the Kurdish people since the 1970s. In October last year, the Turkish politician and leader of the ultranationalist party Devlet Bahçeli took an important step. He called on Öcalan, who is imprisoned on the Turkish prison island of Imrali, to disband the PKK and persuade it to lay down its arms. In return, he hinted at the release of Öcalan and a solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey. Bahçeli took this step in close coordination with his coalition partner and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Öcalan has been in prison since 1999 and had been in total isolation since 2020. His family members, lawyers and political representatives were banned from visiting him. However, seven visits to Imrali have taken place since Bahçeli's initiative. Öcalan used one of these visits on 27 February 2025, to address the public with a 'Call for Peace and a Democratic Society'. In his call, he made three historic demands: the democratization of Turkey, the dissolution of the PKK and the end of its armed struggle. The PKK then announced a unilateral ceasefire on March 1 and declared its dissolution, and willingness to lay down its arms after its 12th Party Congress on May 5 to 7. Öcalan's call attracted a great deal of attention in Turkey and internationally. Since then, there has been renewed hope for a solution to the approximately 100-year-old conflict, particularly in Turkey itself. Important public discussions about the necessary political and legal reforms have been taking place for months now. In this context, Kurdish representatives are calling for the release of Öcalan, an end to Turkish attacks on the Kurdish population, an active role by parliament and the drafting of a new constitution. Talking to Neena Gopal from an undisclosed location is Zagros Hîwa, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union (KCK), on the prospects for success of the latest developments in Turkey. The KCK is an important umbrella organization of political and civil society organisations from Kurdistan, to which -- until its dissolution -- the PKK also belonged. The PKK has taken the decision to dissolve and lay down arms. What is the regional political context that led to this development? First of all, it must be emphasised that the PKK has not yet decided to lay down its arms, but to put an end to the method of armed struggle. This does not necessarily mean to lay down arms. The PKK has decided to cease fire and find a way to put an end to the armed conflict with the Turkish state and instead achieve an exchange on an equal footing using democratic political means. People's leader Abdullah Öcalan has taken the historical responsibility for this. One of the reasons for the current developments is the expansion and deepening of the 'Third World War' that has been going on since the 1990s. The hegemonic relationships in the region have changed, borders are being redrawn and responsibilities redistributed. In recent months, this can be seen above all in the developments in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Cyprus. The system of classic nation-states that was attempted to be established in West Asia and under the control of mainly Turkey and Iran has failed. We think, that especially in a region like the Middle East, which is characterised by so many different ethnic and religious nations, the system of the nation-state leads to constant instability, crisis and war. It has become clear that the only way to achieve stability in West Asia is inevitably through democratization. Therefore, the call of people's leader Abdullah Öcalan for 'Peace and a Democratic Society' and the PKK's decision to dissolve itself, is about stepping out of a context of constant conflict, and creating space for peace and democratic politics.
Rudaw Net
16-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq says ready to help with PKK disarmament
Also in Iraq Mass grave of suspected ISIS militants found in Shingal Jordan to supply Iraq's electrical grid with 150-200 MW by August Iraq begins registering land for Development Road Green Climate Fund approves Iraq's $1.3bn climate program ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An Iraqi government spokesperson said on Friday that Baghdad is willing to receive weapons from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which this week announced it has decided to dissolve itself and end its armed struggle against the Turkish state. 'Iraq is ready to cooperate with Turkey and the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party in receiving weapons," Basim al-Awadi told Rudaw, adding that Iraq has presented "initiatives that it is also ready to deal with this issue from both humanitarian and relief aspects." He said that a potential PKK disarmament would significantly contribute to Ankara-Baghdad relations and that if the process is done properly 'this will certainly be encouraging and a factor in the withdrawal of all foreign forces from northern Iraq, that is, from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq." The Turkish army has established dozens of bases and outposts in northern Kurdistan Region on the pretext of battling the PKK. The PKK said on Monday that it had decided to 'dissolve its organizational structure and end the armed struggle' against Ankara. The move, widely seen to include its disarmament, has been welcomed by regional and Western countries. No timeline has been set. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told journalists on Wednesday that they have conducted in-depth discussions with the Turkish authorities regarding the PKK's disarmament. 'There are specific visions, and there will be cooperation between the federal government in Baghdad, the Turkish government, and the Kurdistan Regional Government to deal with this important decision. We hope that this decision will be a step toward achieving peace and stability in Turkey and the region,' he said. Iraq banned the PKK in March last year ahead of a visit from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when the two sides signed agreements in various fields, including security. A PKK spokesperson said on Friday that the group has not decided to lay down arms yet, saying there has been no change to the security landscape in northern Kurdistan Region where the group is based and battling Turkish forces. 'No one has talked about laying down and surrendering weapons. The caves and tunnels of resistance in Zap and Metina are still surrounded by the Turkish state and the KDP,' Zagros Hiwa, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Community Union's (KCK) foreign relations department, told the PKK-affiliated Sterk TV. KCK is an umbrella organization consisting of several groups including the PKK. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is the most powerful political party in the Kurdistan Region and enjoys close relations with Turkey. The PKK has often accused it of supporting Ankara in anti-PKK operations. 'The distance between the guerrilla fighters and the Turkish occupying soldiers is 50 meters, 100 meters. In such a situation, how can one lay down weapons?' asked Hiwa. 'Before we talk about laying down weapons, we need to talk about the withdrawal of the Turkish occupying army from the soil of Southern Kurdistan [Kurdistan Region]. It's too early to define this situation as a process.' Iraqi government spokesperson Awadi said that the mechanism of the PKK's potential disarmament will be discussed in talks between intelligence agencies of Iraq, Turkey and the Kurdistan Region. This is not the first time Iraq has been involved in disarming a Kurdish group. A security pact signed between Iran and Iraq in March 2023 saw Baghdad agree to disarm Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and secure the border regions. The groups are being relocated within the Kurdistan Region. Awadi said Baghdad intends to apply "the same mechanisms that we used with the Kurdish Iranian opposition inside Iraq, including weapons surrender and finding alternatives with the participation of the international community and organizations." Turkey has named the peace efforts 'terror-free Turkey.' During an event in Istanbul on Friday, Erdogan said that the 40 years of war with the PKK has affected the economy. 'We have also suffered a lot economically. We have had to allocate resources of nearly two trillion dollars to this issue. We have faced numerous problems in politics and democracy as well as in our unity and solidarity," he said. "We have had to grapple with this issue besides other troubles in international relations. Our brotherhood has been harmed because of terrorism. Our development journey proceeded very slowly because of terrorism. Now, we are taking our steps very determinedly and yet very carefully to free our country and our nation from this scourge once and for all. We will not stop until we reach our target. We will definitely achieve the goal of a terror-free Turkey,' he said.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Nothing happened': No green light given on Troost name change
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Discussion took place again Monday on changing Troost Avenue to Truth Avenue, but not much took place during the Special Committee for Legal Review meeting. Monday, this item was the only for review within City Hall in KCMO, during that specific session. KCK man convicted for high-speed chase in Leavenworth County 'This was a day of denial, but that doesn't mean that we're not going to continue to fight,' Councilwoman Melissa Robinson said. 'I think about the descendants of slaves, and I think about young people who live along Troost, and I think about them writing that name everyday as their address and I have a problem with that.' During the public testimony of the session, many shared their thoughts and feelings on the matter. Some described their opposition to it, in its entirety, the process so far, and/or offered up their own name suggestions for the avenue. 'I am 100% against the renaming of Troost to Truth. Renaming Troost is a superficial way to addressing racial inequality,' one man shared during public comment Monday. Out of the dozen-plus members of the public that spoke Monday, most were in favor of the name change. Chris Goode, a business owner of a Ruby Jean's, a juicery on Troost Avenue, is one of them. 'My granddaddy couldn't have purchased the real estate that I own. My body would have not have been my own. My ancestors were whipped and spit on and forced to pick fruit trees on that land,' Goode shared. His shop on Troost Avenue reads '3000 Truth' already. 'I've already moved on, and that was a very nominal cost for me,' he said. 'It's exhausting. What will it take? What will it take for us to be seen as equal? What will it take?' Mayor Quinton Lucas shared some thoughts with FOX4 Monday on this ordinance as well. 'I think my focus is going to be what the people of Kansas City sent me here to do. What they sent me here to do was make sure the busses are better on Troost, are businesses are safer on Troost. That we are building more economic development on Troost and East of Troost. My priority is always going to be how do I build a better quality of life,' Lucas said. The Committee, Monday, voted this ordinance to be 'held off docket' and wasn't given any green light to progress. Conversation surrounding it could come back up in the future. According to the Legislation Text of Ordinance No. 250202, the name change of Troost to Truth would have been effective within six months after the ordinance passed, and $50,000 would have come from the General Fund to change street markers along the avenue. Groundbreaking held for Cultural Heritage Trail at Brush Creek The text also reads, Troost Avenue was named after Benoist Troost, a Kansas City physician, and known slave owner. Robinson said, signage from Troost Avenue would live in museums, and not be erased completely, if this ordinance were to pass. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
