By AP ISTANBUL (AP) — Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of Turkey’s banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has said that he is willing to contribute to peace between Turks and Kurds, in a statement issued by the pro-Kurdish DEM party Sunday. “I possess the necessary competence and determination to contribute positively to the new
Continue Reading By Jared Strong – The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (TNS) Dec. 29—The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. Drinking water in Cedar Rapids had one of its worst prolonged spikes of nitrate contamination this year amid a very wet spring and early summer that followed years of drought.
Continue Reading
By The Associated Press Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday that the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people, was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He
Continue Reading By JARED BARTON – Columbus Telegram, Neb. (TNS) Across Nebraska, renewable energy production such as wind turbines and solar farms has gained a lot of traction, and a recent grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will create even more energy. On Dec. 19, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture — and former Iowa governor — Tom
Continue Reading By JARED BARTON – Columbus Telegram, Neb. (TNS) With Christmas in the rearview mirror, many are looking forward to celebrating the new year with family friendly activities and parties. Thanks to local businesses and organizations, Columbus residents have a plethora to choose from. First, the Columbus Area Children’s Museum has a “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration
Continue Reading By ROBIN McCLELLAND – Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa (TNS) This past year was a great year for local stories that impact us where we live. I chose these as my favorites for 2024 because they are about everyday people who make North Iowa such a welcoming and fascinating place to live, work and play.
Continue Reading By MARY PIEPER – Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa (TNS) One Webster City man was killed and another injured in a head-on collision in Kossuth County earlier this week, according to a report from the Iowa State Patrol. Andres Garcia Exposito, 51, died at the scene. Daniel Eugene Murray Jr., 46, was transported by ambulance
Continue Reading By MARY PIEPER – Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa (TNS) Three people were killed and three injured in a head-on collision shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 35 one mile north of Iowa Highway 9 in Worth County. A Volkswagen EOS headed south in the southbound lane crossed the median and continued south in
Continue Reading By AP SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Emergency officials confirm only 2 of the 181 people on board survived a plane crash in South Korea.
Continue Reading By AP MOSCOW (AP) — Azerbaijan’s president says crashed Azerbaijani jet was shot down by Russia, albeit not intentionally.
Continue Reading By BRUCE R. MILLER – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) “Wicked” proved there’s still life in big-budget studio films. But the bulk of 2024’s best still came from independent studios, streaming services and foreign filmmakers. Does that say the business is expanding? Or has the capital of moviemaking shifted? Take a look at the list
Continue Reading By EARL HORLYK – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) Running onto the ice at the Tyson Events Center, Sioux City Musketeers defenseman Liam Hupka and forward Gavin Garry look like they’re ready for action. Muskies jerseys? Check. Top-of-the-line hockey skates? Check. Short pants? Eh, you work do work a sweat following a strenuous practice, even
Continue Reading By Nick Hytrek – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) As 2024 began, Siouxland needed moisture. After experiencing months of drought and dry conditions, the area was in desperate need of above-normal spring rainfall to make up for long-term moisture deficits. Mother Nature granted that wish. From March through May, much of the region saw plentiful
Continue Reading By Nick Hytrek – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) SIOUX CITY — A man who was seriously injured in a Sioux City traffic accident this spring has sued a Plymouth County official for allegedly causing the crash. Rosendo Mejia Lopez, of South Sioux City, says Plymouth County Emergency Management coordinator Rebecca Socknat ran a red
Continue Reading
By BASSEM MROUE – Associated Press JOBAR, Syria (AP) — In this Damascus suburb, the handful of remaining Jews in Syria can again make pilgrimages to one of the world’s oldest synagogues where people from throughout the region once came to pray. Syria’s 13-year civil war left the synagogue partially destroyed. Walls and roofs have
Continue Reading By EARL HORLYK – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) SIOUX CITY — Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and legendary member of The Moody Blues, John Lodge will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre, 528 Pierce St., on March 3. A critically-acclaimed songwriter, vocalist and bass player, Lodge is continuing in his celebration of the
Continue Reading By DOLLY A. BUTZ – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) SIOUX CITY — Break-ins at the former Jewish Community Center near Sioux City’s downtown have resulted in a recent rash of fire calls. A Monday night fire, which caused smoke damage, marked the fourth time in three days that Sioux City Fire Rescue had responded
Continue Reading By EARL HORLYK – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) SIOUX CITY — Many people will start off the new year with a desire to change their diet. The Sioux City Public Library’s Michael Maxwell wants everyone to eat the world. That’s because the first book for the 2025 Open Book Club is a book of
Continue Reading By DOLLY A. BUTZ – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) SIOUX CITY — Downtown Partners has installed new interior skywalk lights in Sioux City’s downtown. The colorful RGB LED lighting addition was installed inside the skywalk bridge above Nebraska Street between Third and Fourth streets. The test area began glowing pink on Friday. The comprehensive
Continue Reading By Nick Hytrek – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS) As 2024 began, Siouxland needed moisture. After experiencing months of drought and dry conditions, the area was in desperate need of above-normal spring rainfall to make up for long-term moisture deficits. Mother Nature granted that wish. From March through May, much of the region saw plentiful
Continue Reading By AP SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Death toll from plane crash at South Korean airport rises to 174, fire officials say.
Continue Reading By The Associated Press Missouri State Bears (8-3) at UIC Flames (3-6) Chicago; Sunday, 4 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Missouri State is looking to continue its four-game win streak with a victory over UIC. The Flames are 2-3 in home games. UIC is fifth in the MVC scoring 72.8 points while shooting 44.9% from the
Continue Reading By The Associated Press Missouri State Bears (7-5, 0-1 MVC) at Evansville Purple Aces (3-9, 0-1 MVC) Evansville, Indiana; Sunday, 4 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bears -4.5; over/under is 135 BOTTOM LINE: Missouri State plays Evansville after Dez White scored 26 points in Missouri State’s 68-56 win against the UCSB Gauchos. The Purple Aces
Continue Reading By The Associated Press Alabama State Hornets (4-8) at Missouri Tigers (10-2) Columbia, Missouri; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Alabama State plays Missouri after CJ Hines scored 25 points in Alabama State’s 83-80 loss to the Delaware State Hornets. The Tigers are 10-0 on their home court. Missouri is fourth in the SEC scoring
Continue Reading By The Associated Press Jackson State Tigers (2-8) at Missouri Tigers (10-4) Columbia, Missouri; Sunday, 3 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Missouri hosts Jackson State after Laniah Randle scored 21 points in Missouri’s 76-63 loss to the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. The Missouri Tigers have gone 8-2 in home games. Missouri is ninth in the SEC
Continue Reading By AP SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Death toll from plane crash at South Korean airport rises to 167, fire officials say.
Continue Reading By The Associated Press Saint Louis Billikens (6-7) at Rhode Island Rams (5-8) Kingston, Rhode Island; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Saint Louis visits Rhode Island after Peyton Kennedy scored 22 points in Saint Louis’ 86-69 win over the Bellarmine Knights. The Rams have gone 3-3 at home. Rhode Island is fifth in the
Continue Reading By AP SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Death toll from plane crash at South Korean airport rises to 151, fire officials say.
Continue Reading
By SYLVAIN PLAZY and MARK CARLSON – Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the inexpensive e-cigarettes had turned into a health threat since they are
Continue Reading
By ISABEL DEBRE and JUAN KARITA – Associated Press LAUCA Ñ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia’s former leader Evo Morales has a campaign pitch for 2025 that has worked elsewhere: Other politicians of recent years have brought you nothing but misery. It’s time for a return to the past. His supporters are looking to Morales for
Continue Reading