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Join the military, become a US citizen: Uncle Sam wants you and vous and tu

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Esmita Spudes Bidari was a young girl in Nepal, she dreamed of being in the military, but that wasn’t a real option in her country.Last week, she raised her right hand and took the oath to join the U.S. Army Reserves, thanks in part to a recruiter in Dallas who also is Nepalese and reached out to her through an online group. Bidari, who heads to basic training in August, is just the latest in a growing number of legal migrants enlisting in the U.S. military as it more aggressively seeks out immigrants, offering a fast track to citizenship to those who sign up. Struggling to overcome recruiting shortfalls, the Army and the Air Force have bolstered their marketing to entice legal residents to enlist, putting out pamphlets, working social media and broadening their outreach, particularly in inner cities. One key element is the use of recruiters with similar backgrounds to these potential recruits.“It is one thing to hear about the military from locals here,...

Following owners, thousands of cows, buffaloes evacuated away from restive Philippine volcano

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

DARAGA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine authorities were evacuating more than 2,000 cows and water buffaloes away from a restive volcano to minimize potential losses in case of a major eruption, officials said Sunday.The farm animals were being herded out of rural communities within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon volcano’s crater in northeastern Albay province to 25 temporary grazing area. They’re following more than 12,600 villagers who have moved to emergency shelters since last week, when Mayon began spewing superheated gas and heavy ashfall in a sign of a possible major eruption within days or weeks. Thousands more people may still need to be relocated to shelters, usually schools and other public buildings, officials said. “It’s not only people that should be brought to safety but their farm animals too,” Albay provincial veterinarian Manny Victorino told The Associated Press. He said authorities were taking steps to avoid a deeper economic impac...

Strong earthquake rattles northern Japan; no damage reported

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.No tsunami warning was issued. There were no reports of problems at the nuclear plants in the area, or of disruptions to power supply or bullet trains running in northern Japan.The quake, which hit at 6:55 p.m, was 140 kilometers (87 miles) deep and struck the southwestern part of Hokkaido, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency.It shook much of the island, including the cities of Chitose and Atsumacho, the agency said.Parts of northern Honshu, the nation’s biggest island where Tokyo is located, were also rattled. Tokyo was not affected.Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations.The Associated Press

Crosses from New Zealand shipwreck sent to Quebec in honour of 19th-century Patriot

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

MONTREAL — A pair of wooden crosses made from a shipwreck in New Zealand have been sent to Quebec to honour the 185-year-old wish of a francophone man who rebelled against British rule.François-Xavier Prieur was one of dozens of Patriots who were exiled to Australia aboard the HMS Buffalo as punishment for their part in the 1837-1838 uprising in Lower Canada, now Quebec. He later wrote in his memoir of his desire that pieces of the ship be sent to his home as a reminder of what he had suffered.Last month, his wish was granted, thanks to a Quebec-Australian film crew and officials in New Zealand, where the HMS Buffalo was wrecked in 1840 shortly after Prieur arrived in Australia, which used to serve as a British penal colony.Kurt Bennett, who works for Heritage New Zealand and is a member of the HMS Buffalo Re-examination Project, helped organize a ceremony in April to mark the start of the crosses’ journey to Canada. He said it was an emotional moment, in part because of the a...

Boy, 15, injured after shooting in Austin overnight

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 15-year-old boy was shot in the city's Austin neighborhood early Sunday morning.According to police, the boy was standing in the street on the 200 block of North Kilpatrick Avenue around 12:49 a.m. when he was shot in the right hand by an unknown individual. 4 people shot during funeral procession in Oak Park Police say he was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition. Police are investigating the incident.

APD searches for missing, endangered man last seen in downtown Austin

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Saturday, the Austin Police Department said it was attempting to locate a missing and endangered person last seen in downtown Austin.APD said 33-year-old Nikko Jackson was last seen near the Dell Seton Medical Center on Thursday at approximately 9 p.m."Jackson’s relatives are worried for his wellbeing due to his need for immediate medical assistance related to a serious chronic illness," police said.APD described Jackson as a 5-foot-6-inch tall Black man weighing 190 pounds. Police said he has black hair and was last seen wearing a dark jacket over a hospital gown. Anyone with information on Jackson’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact the Austin Police Department’s missing persons unit at 512-974-5250.

Urgent care, freestanding ER or hospital? How to choose

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – When Kathy Gassman’s dog, Sophie, has to go outside to do her business, she has to go.Even if it’s in the middle of that brutal ice storm at the start of 2023.“It was the ice storm of Jan. 31,” Gassman recalled.When she opened the back door to let Sophie out, Gassman slipped on some ice on the patio.Kathy Gassman looks at paperwork associated with her injuries (KXAN Photo/Mike Rush)Kathy Gassman plays with her dog Sophie in her Round Rock backyard (KXAN Photo/Mike Rush)Kathy Gassman's foot soon after slipping on ice on her patio (Courtesy Kathy Gassman)“Boom, I went right down,” she said. “I still opened the gate for the dog and I went in to see what was happening with my body.”Gassman’s right wrist and left foot were hurting. “So, I went to this freestanding emergency place, which I thought was like an urgent care,” she said.It was called the Brushy Creek Family Hospital, and it's just minutes from her house in Round Rock.After a quick exam and a couple of X-rays, t...

Bodycam video shows former Colorado officer punching handcuffed woman

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Just-released body camera video shows a now-former Colorado police officer punching an in-custody woman in the face after she spits on him.Loveland Police Chief Tim Doran explained in a video released Friday why he fired Russell Maranto, 28, for unnecessary use of force. He included a short clip of the body camera video showing the minutes before Maranto punched Angelia Hall, 59, in the face while she was in custody in a hospital ER room and after. She is using explicit language and yelling at the officers and nurses. She spits at Maranto and he immediately punches her in the face. The other officer in the room grabbed Hall and separated her and Maranto. The video below is an excerpt from the body camera footage released by the Loveland Police Department. The blurring seen in the clip was in the original video posted by LPD. Edits to the audio were made by FOX31. Viewer discretion is advised. The full video posted by Loveland police can be seen on their YouTube page....

LIST: Study ranks Texas's best resorts, 3 Austin locations make the cut

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — Texas is home to some of the best resorts in the world. From luxury ranch getaways to beachfront escapes, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the top resorts in Texas, according to USnews.comRosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek - Dallas Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection - AustinHyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa - San AntonioJW Marriott San Antoni Hill Country Resort & Spa - San AntonioThe Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa - HoustonLake Austin Spa Resort - AustinLa Cantera Resort & Spa - San Antonio Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa - AustinThe Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton - The WoodlandsGaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center - GrapevineThe Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa - FriscoMoody Garden Hotel, Spa, and Convention Center - GalvestonHyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa - Lost PinesLakeway Resort & Spa - LakewayHorseshoe Bay Resort - Horseshoe BayThe San Luis Resort, S...

Texas is known for what? Here are 25 things Texans love about themselves

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — Texans love themselves, but why? Do they love the cowboy boots, the Texan accent, or is it something else?Texas is known for its legendary cowboy culture, its large cities, its diverse landscapes, its delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, and its strong southern hospitality.It is also famous for its cattle and oil industry, its rodeos, its music, and its unique Texan culture. An animal information website, A-Z Animals, listed 25 things Texans love about themselves.A-Z animals said, "The food, history, wildlife, and culture are so unique that the state is renowned throughout the world". The top 25 things Texans love about themselves: Texas is known for its size above all elsePersonal Freedoms and IndependenceTexas is also for Hot foodsNASA Trains and Launches Astronauts from HoustonMassive RanchesThe AlamoCountry Music State Fairs Embracing Guns Rattlesnakes Abound Drilling for OilThe State has a profound love of footballAutomobile ManufacturingBarbeque FoodCowboys Blazing Hot W...