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UK unveils tough new rules designed to cut immigrant numbers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The British government announced tough new immigration rules Monday that it says will reduce the number of people able to move to the U.K. each year by hundreds of thousands.Home Secretary James Cleverly said he was taking “robust action” to lower authorized immigration, which hit a record level of almost 750,000 people in 2022. Critics said the moves would leave overstretched sectors like health and social care at a breaking point.Under the new rules, immigrants will have to earn more to get a work visa and will find it harder to bring family members to the U.K.Cleverly said that from the spring of 2024, prospective immigrants will have to earn 38,700 pounds ($48,900) to get a skilled worker visa, up from 26,200 pounds ($33,000) now. British citizens who want to bring their foreign spouse to Britain will have to earn the same amount – almost double the current threshold.Health and social care, sectors that are highly reliant on immigrant staff, are exempt from the sal...

2 SIU students from Park Ridge, Des Plaines killed in head-on crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Two Southern Illinois University students were killed in a head-on crash in Carbondale Monday morning.It happened around 7:45 a.m. in the 1500 block of North Illinois Avenue when two trucks collided head-on.According to police, two young men were found dead on the scene in the northbound vehicle. The Jackson County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as 19-year-old Wolfgang W. Gustaveson, of Park Ridge, and 18-year-old Francis M. Martinez, of Des Plaines.Police said they both attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and were living on campus.The occupant of the southbound vehicle was seriously injured and transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Father of 3, limo company owner shot fatally shot in Austin The city released the following statement: The City of Carbondale is extremely sorry for the loss of these young men, and extends our deepest sympathy to their families and loved ones.Anyone with information about the incident is urged to c...

Father of 3, limo company owner shot fatally shot in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

CHICAGO -- A Chicago man who emigrated from Jordan, started his own limo company, and a father of three was shot and killed by passengers while driving on the city's West Side Sunday evening.The family is preparing funeral arrangements after 39-year-old Muhammad Al Hajoj of Jefferson Park and a father of three, including an infant, was fatally shot in Austin. Al Hajoj was driving his black Cadillac near the 1700 block of North Lotus Street around 5:36 p.m. when he witnessed four additional individuals in the vehicle. Police said witnesses heard shot then saw individuals leave the Cadillac and flee the scene.Al Hajoj sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the body and was transported to Loyola Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead.A small memorial and photos were set up in the area. His brother Sadam Al Hijoj said he was loved by many. "No one ever said anything bad about him," Al Hajoj said.Al Hijoj emigrated from Jordan and started his own limo company in Chica...

Juror removed as Ed Burke trial moves into December

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

CHICAGO — The Ed Burke trial enters its second month Monday and the day began with a shakeup on the jury.One juror has been removed after falling ill. Rather than wait for her recovery, all parties agreed to remove her from the jury to be replaced with the first alternate.It's an indication of how the judge is motivated to finish the trial before the holidays.As far as the substance of the trial, the prosecution said it plans to pause its presentation of the alleged bribery of Ed Burke over a Binny's Beverage Depot sign. They are shifting back to the alleged Burger King scheme.That part of the trial involves allegations that Burke used his official position to hold up construction permits for a remodeling project at a Southwest Side Burger King.The Burger King allegations also involves his long-term aide Peter Andrews. Previous: Prosecutors to present final evidence in Ed Burke trial Also Monday, the defense plans to begin its case by calling a witness out of order due to a medica...

Who's running for president? See a rundown of the 2024 candidates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

The 2024 Republican presidential primary field has narrowed, with Doug Burgum dropping out of the race.The North Dakota governor qualified for the first two presidential debates but missed the third debate and appeared on the verge of not making the stage for the fourth debate, set for Wednesday in Alabama.Here's a look at the candidates still competing for the Republican and Democratic nominations, as well as the third-party contenders:REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FIELD DONALD TRUMP The former president announced his third campaign for the White House on Nov. 15, 2022, at his Mar-a-Lago resort, forcing the party to again decide whether to embrace a candidate whose refusal to accept defeat in 2020 sparked the U.S. Capitol attack and still dominates his speeches.The GOP front-runner remains hugely popular in the Republican Party, despite making history as the first president to be impeached twice and inciting the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Referring to hi...

Initial lineup announced for Moontower Just for Laughs comedy fest; Tickets go on sale this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Moontower Just for Laughs Comedy festival announced its initial lineup of performers from a list of over 100 comedians that will take over Austin for two weeks next spring. Some well-known acts will hit stages in Austin next April and will include the likes of Andrew Schulz with his "The Life Tour," Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey with their podcast "Office Ladies," a Q&A with Alan Ruck following a screening of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and many more. Moontower Comedy said in a release it anticipates the 2024 Just For Laughs festival will be its biggest yet. Festival dates are April 10-21, 2024. Shane Gillis, who recently released his first Netflix special, will kick off the first weekend of the festival at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park on April 13. Then, on April 14, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, who co-starred in "The Office" as Pam Beesly and Angela Martin, will be at ACL Live with their hit podcast "Office Ladies," where they discuss...

How to avoid fake ticket resales for UT's Sugar Bowl game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hook 'em! The University of Texas at Austin will face off against the Washington Huskies in New Orleans Jan. 1 as part of the College Football Playoff Semifinals. As Longhorn fans rush to get their hands on bowl tickets, experts caution against falling for any fraudulent resale offers.Gary Adler serves as executive director and counsel for the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB). He said fraudulent tickets can be an issue for any kind of event, but especially so when it's a high-profile event or one that's highly sought after, such as bowl game tickets. Adler said fans need to do their homework in two key areas: where they're looking to buy resale tickets from and how much money those resale tickets are being advertised for. NATB collaborates with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with Adler adding NATB has a list of verified resellers that offer legiti...

Texas foster kids' lawyers ask federal judge to consider 'drastic' step for reforms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Twelve years into a lawsuit over the treatment of Texas children in long-term foster care, a federal judge will consider taking some of the toughest and most extreme actions yet against the state.  Lawyers representing thousands of children in the state’s care asked U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack to not only fine the state for not complying with certain court orders for reforms but also to consider placing parts of the child welfare system into what’s called a receivership – a mechanism typically used in corporate law, which allows a court appointee to take control of an entity. ‘There has to be some penalty’: Judge threatens sanctions over Texas foster care system In their filing requesting this step, the plaintiff’s attorneys argued the court is “entitled” to worry about whether the state will “self-correct” the problems facing the Texas system.“Children in the Texas foster care system have been unsafe for decades,” they wrote. “The State’s persistent non...

City of Stillwater releases new details on longhorn carcass investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is previous coverage from KFOR-TV of the investigation.STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) — The City of Stillwater provided new details on Saturday as the investigation regarding the dead longhorn illegally dumped on the lawn of FarmHouse fraternity at Oklahoma State University continues.According to the city, Stillwater Police are working in collaboration with Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Agricuture Investigative Services Unit, Noble County Sheriff's Office and the OSU Animal Science Department. Dead longhorn found on front lawn of OSU fraternity The OSU Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory stated "the animal was suffering from a natural disease process" in their initial necropsy findings. Final necropsy results have yet to be released, but are expected to reveal additional details about time of death, cause of death, and any evidence of animal cruelty. The City of Stillwater did not specify an anticipated release date.Preliminary reports in the in...

CGHS/SPCA waives all adoption fees for December

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:57 GMT

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Interested in adopting a furry friend this holiday season? All adoption fees at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA will be waived through December! Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A longtime friend of the humane society who wishes to stay anonymous will sponsor the fees. The adoption fees cover cats, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The CGHS/SPCA is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays by appointment only. Click here for more information and to see animals up for adoption. You can fill out an adoption form here.