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Migrants in Mexico fall victim to rampant scams on their way to the US

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Latin American migrants making their often-arduous journey to the United States frequently fall victim to scams that can amount to thousands of dollars in losses paid to fraudulent businesses that spread disinformation and prey on the vulnerable.The scammers range from human traffickers — often referred to as coyotes — to social media influencers, and many of them fraudulently pose as work recruiters, legal advisors or immigration coaches.Most of the impostors take advantage of the many twists and turns in U.S. immigration policy, tricking migrants into paying for fake legal advice, work visas, political asylum or alternative ways to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.About a quarter of migrants surveyed earlier this month said they received messages offering immigration services and jobs, mainly via Facebook and WhatsApp. Two thirds of the 210 surveyed said they fell victim to some sort of fraud or disinformation. One migrant said he spent $1,500 on a form that turned ...

Scientists have finally ‘heard’ the chorus of gravitational waves that ripple through the universe

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have observed for the first time the faint ripples caused by the motion of black holes that are gently stretching and squeezing everything in the universe.They reported Wednesday that they were able to “hear” what are called low-frequency gravitational waves — changes in the fabric of the universe that are created by huge objects moving around and colliding in space. “It’s really the first time that we have evidence of just this large-scale motion of everything in the universe,” said Maura McLaughlin, co-director of NANOGrav, the research collaboration that published the results in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.Einstein predicted that when really heavy objects move through spacetime — the fabric of our universe — they create ripples that spread through that fabric. Scientists sometimes liken these ripples to the background music of the universe. In 2015, scientists used an experiment called LIGO to detect gravitational waves for the first time and show...

Human remains have likely been found in the Titan submersible wreckage, US Coast Guard says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Human remains have likely been recovered from the wreckage of the submersible that imploded on a voyage to view the wreckage of the Titanic, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday. The announcement came hours after the announcement that debris from the Titan, collected from the seafloor more than 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) below the surface of the North Atlantic, had arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Twisted chunks of the submersible were unloaded at a Canadian Coast Guard pier.Recovering and scrutinizing the wreckage is a key part of the investigation into why the Titan imploded last week, killing all five people on board. The multiday search and eventual recovery of debris from the 22-foot (6.7-meter) vessel captured the world’s attention. “There is still a substantial amount of work to be done to understand the factors that led to the catastrophic loss of the Titan and help ensure a similar tragedy does not occur again,” Coast Guard Chief ...

Three to hospital, one in custody after University of Waterloo stabbing

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

Three people were taken to hospital Wednesday after a stabbing at the University of Waterloo.Waterloo Regional Police said in an email to The Canadian Press that three victims were stabbed inside the university’s Hagey Hall. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.One person was taken into custody, police said. An increased police presence was expected on campus “as officers continue to clear buildings and ensure public safety.”Police said details will be released as they become available.The University of Waterloo said in a tweet that is it supporting the police in their investigation.It said there is no further risk to the campus community.Classes scheduled for Wednesday evening in Hagey Hall were cancelled, but all other campus operations will proceed as usual, the university said in a tweet.

Over 1,000 people remain evacuated as crews dig containment line around Arizona brush fire

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — More than 1,100 people remain evacuated from their homes Wednesday as Arizona fire officials determine if a containment line will hold up in windy conditions.Crews successfully dug a containment line overnight around the brush fire in northern Scottsdale, a city just east of Phoenix, that has burned 3.9 square miles (10 square kilometers) and threatened about 100 homes.Scottsdale officials said 1,145 people remain evacuated.Meanwhile on Wednesday, Arizona officials applied for a federal grant for funding to aid the battle against the Diamond fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides funding of up to 75% of the eligible costs of fighting a fire.Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management spokesperson Tiffany Davila said the cause of the fire is under investigation.The blaze broke out around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday and quickly grew — fueled by grass and brush.“We had very successful overnight. We have a line around the entire fire and people are ...

Are wildfires getting worse?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Wildfire smoke has grayed the skies of many states several times already this summer, prompting some to ask, "Are wildfires getting worse?" Usually, wildfire season in the United States and Canada is in the middle of summer. However, exceptionally dry conditions in Canada have allowed fires to burn out of control, with very little rain in sight. The smoke caused by those fires has proven especially impactful for the Midwest, thanks in part to the polar jet stream that is usually traveling through Canada and The Great Lakes quite frequently.Fires burning in California as of June 28, 2023. (WOOD)According to NASA, wildfires across the world are getting worse. There has been a clear increase in size, number and intensity worldwide. In addition, the number of acres burned has increased through the years. The most likely cause for the steady trend is an average increase in global temperature, which leads to an increase in extremes, like extreme drought and ex...

From the Border to Chicago: Asylum process could take years

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Frank Sandoval waited five years to reunite with his family. He left Venezuela in 2018 and recently won asylum cases for his wife and daughter. They arrived in the U.S. in early June. MORE STORIES: From the Border to Chicago "One of the main problems with asylum claims is that no lawyer wants to take an asylum case because it's so difficult win it,” Sandoval said.Data shows that about 40% of asylum cases are ultimately approved. The recent asylum seekers will first have to wait for hearings. A 2022 Syracuse University report showed that 1.6 million asylum applications were pending in immigration courts. 

From the Border to Chicago: 25% of new arrivals are children

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

As cities across the country find ways to shelter new arrivals, school districts have their own challenges. It’s estimated that 25% of new arrivals are children with nearly 1,300 of them still living in temporary shelters in the Chicago area.Our special report introduces you to 5-year-old Stiven and details the challenges school districts across the state are facing.    Fore more "From The Border to Chicago" content, click here.

From the Border to Chicago: Migrants seek shelter at Police Stations

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

More than 600 asylum seekers are sleeping at police stations across Chicago.  Many of them are waiting for asylum hearings which could take months.In our special report "From the Border to Chicago," our cameras were allowed inside the 20th police district where new arrivals shared their stories of survival.   

AUS surveying travelers to share their Austin airport experiences

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:50:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport announced the Journey With AUS airport expansion and development program and invited travelers to participate in a survey to share their AUS experiences.According to AUS, the airport said it released the program to help deliver an improved passenger experience for travelers by prioritizing people-driven design. Austin airport to fast-track improvements following new passenger projections “Journey With AUS projects will deliver improvements to not only address today's record-breaking number of travelers but also prepare for future passenger growth in the decades to come,” the airport said.AUS invited travelers to take a survey that launched Wednesday.“Survey responses will be used to create passenger profiles that capture the typical AUS traveler. These passenger profiles will help inform design standards, which will be used to design and eventually build the midfield concourse,” the airport said.AUS said in-p...