ph365 original login register

By Vanessa G. Sánchez, KFF Health News (TNS) LOS ANGELES — President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations and tougher immigration restrictions is deepening mistrust of the health care system among California’s immigrants and clouding the future for providers serving the state’s most impoverished residents. At the same time, immigrants living illegally in Southern California told KFF Health News they thought the economy would improve and their incomes might increase under Trump, and for some that outweighed concerns about health care. Community health workers say fear of deportation is already affecting participation in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income residents, which was expanded in phases to all immigrants regardless of residency status over the past several years. That could undercut the state’s progress in reducing the uninsured rate, which reached a record low of 6.4% last year. Immigrants lacking legal residency have long worried that participation in government programs could make them targets, and Trump’s election has compounded those concerns, community advocates say. The incoming Trump administration is also expected to target Medicaid with funding cuts and enrollment restrictions , which activists worry could threaten the Medi-Cal expansion and kneecap efforts to extend health insurance subsidies under Covered California to all immigrants. “The fear alone has so many consequences to the health of our communities,” said Mar Velez , director of policy with the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “This is, as they say, not their first rodeo. They understand how the system works. I think this machine is going to be, unfortunately, a lot more harmful to our communities.” Alongside such worries, though, is a strain of optimism that Trump might be a boon to the economy, according to interviews with immigrants in Los Angeles whom health care workers were soliciting to sign up for Medi-Cal. Selvin, 39, who, like others interviewed for this article, asked to be identified by only his first name because he’s living here without legal permission, said that even though he believes Trump dislikes people like him, he thinks the new administration could help boost his hours at the food processing facility where he works packing noodles. “I do see how he could improve the economy. From that perspective, I think it’s good that he won.” He became eligible for Medi-Cal this year but decided not to enroll, worrying it could jeopardize his chances of changing his immigration status. “I’ve thought about it,” Selvin said, but “I feel like it could end up hurting me. I won’t deny that, obviously, I’d like to benefit — get my teeth fixed, a physical checkup.” But fear holds him back, he said, and he hasn’t seen a doctor in nine years. It’s not Trump’s mass deportation plan in particular that’s scaring him off, though. “If I’m not committing any crimes or getting a DUI, I think I won’t get deported,” Selvin said. Petrona, 55, came from El Salvador seeking asylum and enrolled in Medi-Cal last year. She said that if her health insurance benefits were cut, she wouldn’t be able to afford her visits to the dentist. A street food vendor, she hears often about Trump’s deportation plan, but she said it will be the criminals the new president pushes out. “I’ve heard people say he’s going to get rid of everyone who’s stealing.” Although she’s afraid she could be deported, she’s also hopeful about Trump. “He says he’s going to give a lot of work to Hispanics because Latinos are the ones who work the hardest,” she said. “That’s good, more work for us, the ones who came here to work.” Newly elected Republican Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez, who flipped a seat long held by Democrats in the Latino-heavy desert region in the southeastern part of the state, said his constituents were anxious to see a new economic direction. “They’re just really kind of fed up with the status quo in California,” Gonzalez said. “People on the ground are saying, ‘I’m hopeful,’ because now we have a different perspective. We have a businessperson who is looking at the very things that we are looking at, which is the price of eggs, the price of gas, the safety.” Related Articles National Politics | Mexico tests cellphone app allowing migrants to send alert if they are about to be detained in US National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process National Politics | Immigration agency deports highest numbers since 2014, aided by more flights National Politics | Advocates train immigrants to ‘prepare to stay’ in the US under Trump National Politics | Immigration drives US population growth to highest rate in 23 years as residents pass 340 million Gonzalez said he’s not going to comment about potential Medicaid cuts, because Trump has not made any official announcement. Unlike most in his party, Gonzalez said he supports the extension of health care services to all residents regardless of immigration status . Health care providers said they are facing a twin challenge of hesitancy among those they are supposed to serve and the threat of major cuts to Medicaid, the federal program that provides over 60% of the funding for Medi-Cal. Health providers and policy researchers say a loss in federal contributions could lead the state to roll back or downsize some programs, including the expansion to cover those without legal authorization. California and Oregon are the only states that offer comprehensive health insurance to all income-eligible immigrants regardless of status. About 1.5 million people without authorization have enrolled in California, at a cost of over $6 billion a year to state taxpayers. “Everyone wants to put these types of services on the chopping block, which is really unfair,” said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat and chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “We will do everything we can to ensure that we prioritize this.” Sen. Gonzalez said it will be challenging to expand programs such as Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, for which immigrants lacking permanent legal status are not eligible. A big concern for immigrants and their advocates is that Trump could reinstate changes to the public charge policy, which can deny green cards or visas based on the use of government benefits. “President Trump’s mass deportation plan will end the financial drain posed by illegal immigrants on our healthcare system, and ensure that our country can care for American citizens who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,” Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to KFF Health News. During his first term, in 2019, Trump broadened the policy to include the use of Medicaid, as well as housing and nutrition subsidies. The Biden administration rescinded the change in 2021. KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, found immigrants use less health care than people born in the United States. And about 1 in 4 likely undocumented immigrant adults said they have avoided applying for assistance with health care, food, and housing because of immigration-related fears, according to a 2023 survey . Another uncertainty is the fate of the Affordable Care Act, which was opened in November to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are protected by the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program. If DACA eligibility for the act’s plans, or even the act itself, were to be reversed under Trump, that would leave roughly 40,000 California DACA recipients, and about 100,000 nationwide , without access to subsidized health insurance. On Dec. 9, a federal court in North Dakota issued an order blocking DACA recipients from accessing Affordable Care Act health plans in 19 states that had challenged the Biden administration’s rule. Clinics and community health workers are encouraging people to continue enrolling in health benefits. But amid the push to spread the message, the chilling effects are already apparent up and down the state. “¿Ya tiene Medi-Cal?” community health worker Yanet Martinez said, asking residents whether they had Medi-Cal as she walked down Pico Boulevard recently in a Los Angeles neighborhood with many Salvadorans. “¡Nosotros podemos ayudarle a solicitar Medi-Cal! ¡Todo gratuito!” she shouted, offering help to sign up, free of charge. “Gracias, pero no,” said one young woman, responding with a no thanks. She shrugged her shoulders and averted her eyes under a cap that covered her from the late-morning sun. Since Election Day, Martinez said, people have been more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” she said. “They don’t want anything to do with it.” This article was produced by KFF Health News , which publishes California Healthline , an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation . ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.ph365 original login register 。

Will Jerry Jeudy Play in Week 17? NFL Injury Status, News & Updates

ARSENAL 3-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO, the Nottingham Forest manager, summed up the scene afterwards when he reminded reporters his side had come to London with high expectations, in and outside the club, of ending Arsenal’s season. Just over a quarter of the way there, but it already felt like a win or bust for Mikel Arteta’s men after four matches without victory. Arsenal had been arguably fragile, definitely unconvincing, in their previous 11 matches and one more failure at a time when their fans and manager alike had called for a restart would have been catastrophic for their title aspirations. Are Arsenal back? Too soon to tell, but the vibe is, the energy is and, most importantly, so is their captain and leader Martin Odegaard. Team him up with a hungry Bukayo Saka and the emerging talent of teen Ethan Nwaneri and there is some cause for hope on the huge assumption this is just the start of a strong run between now and the end of the year. One of the players returning from injury in a vastly changed starting line-up was summer signing Ricardo Calafiori. The Italian defender was not quite up to pace but his competitive, winning attitude is infectious and summed up the positivity returning to their squad. Calafiori pointed out how he can see opponents “hate playing against them” when he discussed the twin threat of Saka and Odegaard. This was only the fifth time they have played together and Saka‘s stats are better in every area when they are twinned. Saka broke Forest’s spirit with a 15th minute wonder strike. He could have had a first-half hat trick. Thomas Partey killed it with a long-range pearler shortly after halftime and Nwaneri polished it all off with his late effort. Calafiori was almost lost for words when asked to describe the talent of Nwaneri, who replaced Odegaard as a late sub to score his first Premier League goal. Only Cesc Fabregas was younger in Arsenal history when he got his first. England youngster Nwaneri turns 18 next Spring and is being man-managed by Arteta and his staff daily to ensure the Premier League’s youngest-ever player (he was 15 when he started at Brentford a couple of years ago) fulfils his potent potential. “I don’t think I have even seen a 17-year-old like that,” Calafiori said. “He can be really good. I'm really happy for him but he really deserved his goal. He's a pure talent. For sure you will see more on the pitch and he can help us as well.” Odegaard, playing his first home game since August due to injury, has walked similar steps to Nwaneri. The Norwegian has a close relationship with his young team-mate. He was courted by Europe’s finest, including Arsenal, when he signed for Real Madrid aged 16. At 25, he has found his voice, feet and home in Arteta’s rebuild. Calafiori added: “You can feel it when he is back. You just can feel it when he's missing because he gives us a lot of energy, a lot of quality as well. And you see him, with Bukayo, what they did is unbelievable. I cannot tell you one thing Martin adds, but something we all feel. You can feel it if he is on or off the pitch. When it's missing, you can feel it.” Recent injuries and Tuesday’s Champions League tie could have influenced Arteta’s decision to make five changes from the side that drew at Chelsea before the international break. He explained afterwards he felt the side needed a shake up and some of his fringe players deserved a chance now he had more fit players to choose from. Calafiori noted: "I think the whole team has the same idea of me. For sure when everybody is available it's easier for everybody.” Calafiori and co. were due to work out at their training ground on Monday morning before jetting out to Portugal for pre-match duties ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon. They play West Ham away at the weekend, and the three-match pattern looks relentless going into the New Year. “Honestly, all the season will be like this, so we are prepared for this,” Calafiori concluded. “We don't think a lot about the standings right now. We just want to win as many games as possible. From my side, I only think about winning the next game.” Arsenal : Raya 6, Timber 7 (Kiwior 88), Saliba 8, Gabriel 7, Calafiori 6 (Zinchenko 69), Jorginho, 6 (Partey 46) Merino 6, Odegaard 9 (Nwaneri 84), Saka 9 (Sterling 84), Trossard 6, Jesus 6. Subs: Neto, Martinelli, Havertz, Rice. Nottingham Forest: Sels 7, Aina 6, Murillo 6, Milenkovic 6, Moreno 6 (Williams 73), Ward-Prowse 5, Dominguez 6 (Sosa 63), Yates 6, Hudson-Odoi 6, Elanga 6 (Silva 46), Awonyi 6 (Wood 46). Subs: Miguel, Morato, Toffolo, Moreira, Boly. Ref : Simon Hooper 5 Att: 60,298

Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed. The government arrests 3

Immersive experiences are the next big thing in nightlifeDisappointed with Germany, Poland is reorienting its security policy. Warsaw wants to work with the Scandinavian and Baltic countries to help Ukraine, and stand up to Russia. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was hailed as a bearer of hope in Sweden this week. "Poland is a star," said the Swedish premier, Ulf Kristersson, commending the government in Warsaw for its high level of defense spending. Tusk confirmed that Poland will spend 4.2% of its GDP on the military this year, and its defense budget is set to increase to 4.7% in 2025. "Poland is becoming an important player on security policy," the Swedish news agency TT wrote appreciatively. A photo posted on X shows Tusk and Kristersson in conversation in a rowing boat, accompanied by Kristersson's dog, Winston. This was the first time Tusk had participated in a meeting of the NB8 (Nordic-Baltic 8) countries. The two-day summit was held at Harpsund, the Swedish prime minister's country residence, and concluded on Thursday, when Tusk and Kristersson signed an agreement elevating the strategic partnership between their countries from foreign minister level to that of heads of government. Poland, northern Europe and the Baltics 'like a fist' "Poland's security is Sweden's security," Kristersson said after the signing ceremony. Tusk described the closing of ranks between northern Europeans and the Baltics as the establishment of a "solid group of states in solidarity," a group that "speaks and thinks identically, including on the most difficult issues, which certainly includes Russia's invasion of Ukraine." He emphasized that "it will send an important message to Europe that, on this issue, we are like a fist." The NB8 group has existed informally since the 1990s. It consists of the Scandinavian countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden — and the Baltic states of Estonia , Latvia, and Lithuania. Is Poland's PM Donald Tusk the EU's new powerbroker? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Tusk proposed a joint surveillance of the Baltic Sea by the navies of the western coastal states — "a sort of Baltic Sea policing " along the lines of NATO's own Baltic Air Policing mission, which guards the airspace over the sea. "I am very glad my colleagues were interested in this idea. We will continue to discuss the details," the Polish prime minister said. Not quite two weeks ago, two undersea communications cables in the Baltic Sea were mysteriously damaged . One ran between Helsinki in Finland and the German port of Rostock, the other between Sweden and Lithuania. The police have not ruled out sabotage. Investigators suspect the damage was caused by the Chinese cargo ship Yi Peng 3, which allegedly passed the sites of the breaks at the relevant times. 'If Europe stands united, Russia is a dwarf' Before leaving Warsaw, Tusk appealed to other countries not to give in to Vladimir Putin's threats, saying: "If Europe stands united, then Russia is a technological, financial and economic dwarf in relation to Europe. If Europe is divided, Russia is a threat to each individual European state." At the summit in Sweden, the participants announced their intention to support arms production in Ukraine, increase ammunition supplies, and strengthen its energy infrastructure "so that Ukrainians can survive the winter." They will also support Ukraine on its path to NATO and EU membership. "Russia does not want peace. If we want a free Europe, we must give Ukraine everything it needs. There can be no red lines," said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Long tradition of Polish–Swedish partnership Poland has a history of cooperation with Sweden, but this was overshadowed in the past by its close partnerships with Germany and France. In 2008, it was the Polish and Swedish foreign ministers — Radoslaw Sikorski and Carl Bildt — who initiated the Eastern Partnership, a political and economic cooperation program between the EU and six former Soviet states, aimed at supporting reform processes in the EU's eastern neighbors. In his first governmental declaration on December 12, 2023, Tusk didn't mention Germany once. Instead, he announced plans for closer cooperation with the Baltic states, and with Finland, Sweden, and Norway. This shift in orientation toward northern Europe is in large part a consequence of Polish disappointment with Germany. Despite the change in government in Warsaw a year ago, Polish-German relations are still not what they once were. There has been no progress on reparations for the surviving victims of World War II, nor on the investments Poland wants to secure as a frontline state on Europe's eastern border. And now, following the breakup of the coalition government in Berlin, the German-Polish House project to establish a place of remembrance and mutual encounter will probably also be delayed until after the German federal elections. Poland is disappointed with Germany Poland's self-assured politicians were deeply offended that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz invited the leaders of France and the UK to the October 20 meeting with US President Joe Biden to discuss the situation in Ukraine, but did not invite a Polish representative. Scholz's recent phone call with Putin also raised new questions about Germany's reliability. "No one will stop Putin with phone calls," Tusk wrote on X, in a criticism of this "telephone diplomacy." Germany is not the only country that has disappointed Warsaw. Poland's traditional partners in central Europe, Hungary and Slovakia, cannot be considered its allies because of their close relations with Putin's Russia. "We are adapting to the new geopolitical situation," Marek Prawda, undersecretary of state at Poland's ministry of foreign affairs and former ambassador to Berlin and Stockholm, told the PAP news agency. He added that Poland is going back to the "idea of a northern policy." Tusk's diplomatic offensive also aims to prepare Europe for the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency. In Sweden, the Polish prime minister again emphasized that the European Union must put more into its own defense . Poland will assume the EU Council Presidency on January 1, 2025, and Denmark is next in line. Tusk says both countries must work to ensure that Europe "wakes up," insisting: "We have to do more to ensure our own security." With these new partnerships, Poland's center-left government is trying to show that it has room to maneuver, and is not dependent on Germany. However, this stronger focus on northern Europe does not indicate that it has turned its back on Berlin. Last week there was a meeting in Warsaw of the foreign ministers of the Weimar Triangle (Germany, France, and Poland), which was expanded to include top diplomats from Italy and the UK; and this week Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz visited Berlin. On Thursday — the day the NB8 summit concluded — it was announced that Germany has proposed to redeploy its Patriot air defense system to southeastern Poland. Coincidence, or a response to Poland's overtures to the countries of northern Europe? This article has been translated from German.

Kobe Sanders tied a season high with 27 points as Nevada claimed fifth place in the Charleston Classic with a 90-78 victory over Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. Sanders helped the Wolfpack (6-1) earn a second win following one-possession games against Vanderbilt and VCU. After hitting the decisive 3-pointer with five seconds left in Friday's 64-61 win over VCU, Sanders made 7 of 10 shots, hit three 3s and sank 10 of 13 free throws Sunday. Nick Davidson added 223 points as Nevada led by as many as 19 and shot 58.9 percent. Brandon Love contributed 11 on 5-of-5 shooting as the Wolfpack scored 46 points in the paint and scored at least 85 for the fourth time this season. Marchelus Avery led the Cowboys (4-2) with 15 points and Arturo Dean added 13. Robert Jennings and Abou Ousmane added 11 apiece but leading scorer Bryce Thompson was held to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting as Oklahoma State shot 42 percent and 73.2 percent (30-of-41) at the line. After Avery's 3 forged a 12-12 tie with 13:41 remaining, Nevada gradually gained separation. The Wolfpack took a 24-15 lead on Chuck Bailey's jumper in the paint with 8:28 left but the Cowboys inched back, getting within 33-31 on a dunk by Avery with 4:11 left. Another Bailey jumper staked Nevada to a 40-33 lead by halftime. Nevada began pulling away early in the second half as it scored eight in a row for a 52-40 lead on a basket by Love with 16:44 left. A 3 by Sanders opened a 62-43 lead with 14:06 remaining before Oklahoma State charged back. After Nevada made eight straight shots, the Cowboys countered with 11 straight points and trailed 62-54 with 11:19 left on a 3-pointer by Avery. Thompson made his first basket by sinking a jumper with 10:37 left to get Oklahoma State within 64-56 left, and Keller's triple cut the margin to 70-64 nearly three minutes later. The Cowboys were within 78-72 on a basket by Avery with 3:56 remaining, but he fouled out about a minute later and the Wolfpack outscored Oklahoma State 12-6 the rest of the way as Sanders sank five free throws. --Field Level MediaMilwaukee 69, St. Thomas (MN) 65

The closer a Prince Rupert woman looked at the deer in her yard, the stranger things became for her. “It was the first time I’ve seen anything like that; it was pretty bizarre,” said Joan Dudoward. Dudoward is a senior residing on 11th Avenue East in Prince Rupert. A flash of movement caught her eye as she scrubbed her breakfast plates on a typical Wednesday morning. Peeking out the window above her sink, she gasped— a majestic buck with massive antlers stood gracefully in her yard. “As soon as I noticed the huge buck, I ran and grabbed my camera to photograph it. I’ve been taking photos since I was a teenager...I photograph everything,” she said. She says he cozied up to lie on the grass and stayed for about half an hour. “He was wiggling his ears so I zoomed in and noticed a tag clipped on him,” she said. “I thought, why is this dear clipped? I got very concerned.” Dudoward, driven by her curiosity, noted that one side of the clip was labelled “BC WILDLIFE 06-529,” while the other read “CALL RAP: 877-952-7227.” It was suspicious because the number displayed is very similar but different from the official number of B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service, which is 1-877-952-7277. Also, the legitimate acronym for their hotline, Report All Poachers and Polluters, is “RAPP,” not “RAP,” as indicated on the tag. She called the number on the neon green tag to inquire about the buck, but reached a woman who spoke to her very hurriedly, she said. The woman, who identified herself as Jessica, wanted to send Dudoward a “free medical alert device” that she could wear around her neck. “We’re very excited to tell you about a special promotion for select callers,” Dudoward recalls the woman saying. She was then asked questions such as her age to check eligibility. Jessica then explained that as a senior, the device would help her in emergencies, such as falls, by alerting her immediate contacts. To proceed with delivery, she said she needed some personal information from Dudoward, such as her address. Then, Dudoward was abruptly transferred to another agent who continued the call. But when she tried to ask her about the buck and why the agency had clipped its number on his ear, they wouldn’t respond but instead continued to promote their products “That’s just cruelty to animals. They are targeting seniors for sure, and hurting the deer in the process,” said Dudoward. She wondered how they must have handled the wild animal to dart him. She questioned, “Did they sedate him? What exactly happened there?” She was absolutely shocked. Dudoward couldn’t comprehend why B.C. Wildlife, a legitimate organization, would have put this company’s number on the buck's ear. The incident reminded her of this continued pattern of companies attempting to target elderly and vulnerable individuals. “I also have my mother’s old number, and it gets scam calls all the time,” she said. “How can they do that? Especially to seniors. They are trying to decide if they should pay the rent or get medication,” said Dudoward in frustration. She proceeded to contact the legitimate conservation officer’s number, who, like the local RCMP, didn’t pay much heed to her situation, she said. The next day, Dudoward called the agency’s number on the tag again, and the conversation took a completely different turn. Now, the agent asked if she was 18 and was promoting products aimed at youth. They informed her that she needed to pay $3 through a call paywall to proceed to the next step, during which she would be directed to the free products for which she was eligible. “The message keeps changing; this is so strange,” said Dudoward. The Northern View investigated the call and found that it was an intricately designed AI automated voice call. The system guides the caller through different phases by detecting both their spoken responses and the number keys they press. Contrary to Dudoward’s initial belief, it wasn’t a live human speaking to her, but a pre-recorded one. In fact, similar cases of fraud involving medical alert devices have happened in the U.S. before, prompting the New York State Department of State and the Minnesota Attorney General to issue cautionary alerts for consumers regarding these “robocalls.” The authorities advised seniors to immediately hang up, not press any keys when prompted, and avoid sharing personal information. “Fraud is the number one crime against older Canadians. Though people of all ages can be victims of fraud, older people get targeted more than others,” states the Canadian Government on its website. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) says that there have been 40,623 reports of fraud this year up to Oct. 31, resulting in a loss of $503 million. Vishing is a social engineering technique that uses voice communication technology. It involves fraudulent phone calls to trick the victim into revealing personal data. The CAFC advises caution during phone calls. They urge people not to hesitate to say no if something feels off and not to feel pressured by urgency or time limits. They also encourage taking enough time to research before sharing personal information. The Northern View contacted the B.C. Wildlife Federation for a comment regarding the tag on the buck. “The Conservation Officer Service darted this deer Nov. 5 to remove wires wrapped around its antlers. The tag is legitimate, but unfortunately has the wrong number on it for RAPP. The new versions of the tag have the correct number and COS will stop using these older tags,” said Jesse Zeman, executive director at B.C. Wildlife Federation. Although the exact cause of this mistake is unclear, anyone who suspects fraud should contact CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or their local police.

Jose Ibarra was last week sentenced to life in prison for murdering Laken Riley, 22, in February. He attacked the college student while she was jogging on the University of Georgia campus, in southeast USA . Her sister Lauren Phillips, now a University of Georgia student herself, walks the grounds of her dream school in fear. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “I cannot walk around my own college campus because I am terrified of people like Jose Ibarra,” she said tearfully in court as her sister’s killer looked on. Riley went for a run in broad daylight. She texted her mother to let her know what she was doing. She used her cell phone to share her location with trusted friends. And she used her phone’s SOS feature to call for help when she was being attacked. Many women who use these tools to keep themselves safe would say Riley did everything right. And there’s a growing arsenal of products aimed at enhancing safety and protecting peace of mind. Apps such as Find My Friends, or the runner’s app Strava, allow people to share their locations with friends. Some ride-share apps offer users the option to share their route with a third party. Personal safety alarms that can fit in a pocket or on a keychain are advertised with sleek designs and eye-catching colours. Shoe insoles and backpacks are being sold with GPS trackers attached. Phones, watches and other devices can make emergency calls with the push of a button. But, as tragic cases like Riley’s continue to emerge, many people are taking a closer look at the role technology can play in keeping people safe, along with the vulnerabilities it can create. In addition to the safety technology that people intentionally adopt, almost every person with a smartphone leaves a digital trail that be incredibly valuable in holding bad actors to account. Investigators were able to use location data from both Riley’s and her attacker’s phones to trace their movements the day of Riley’s death. The data placed the two in close proximity at the time of her killing, according to court testimony. Data from Riley’s smartwatch revealed the moment her heart stopped. “In today’s world, there’s an expectation by a jury that there will be some kind of digital evidence,” said Jane Anderson, a senior attorney advisor with AEquitas, a nonprofit that workshops prosecution practices related to gender-based violence and human trafficking. That digital evidence can be especially important in cases of domestic violence or sexual assault, where there are rarely eyewitnesses present. For example, prosecutors can use cell phone or location data to corroborate details of a victim’s account and bolster their credibility in the eyes of a jury, Anderson said. “You should believe this victim because she told you this, and I corroborated it. She told you this, and I corroborated it,” Anderson said. “And then she told you that he sexually assaulted her ­— and while I don’t necessarily have a surveillance camera on the sexual assault, you can then also believe that part of the disclosure because she was so believable in the rest of the disclosure.” In the absence of eyewitnesses, video, cell phone and location data were a central part of the 2023 murder case against Alex Murdaugh, who was sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh. In the case against Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, investigators were able to use location data to determine his cell phone was near the scene where the students were killed. And this year, Richard Allen was convicted of murdering two teenagers in Delphi, Indiana, in 2017, after investigators examined evidence linking him to the crime, including a video recorded on one of the victim’s phones that appeared to capture their attacker. “In many cases, that type of technology — sadly, what it does is allow an investigation. It tells you where somebody is, where they were last known to be, perhaps ongoing location data, if the offender then takes that phone and continues to use it,” Anderson said. “It’s an investigative tool but, in and of itself, it’s not going to keep you safe. “The other side of that coin for almost every type of digital device is how it can be misused.” Advocates for victims and survivors of gender-based violence say technology can be a powerful safety tool. But people need to be aware of the ways it can leave them vulnerable to harm — and how to close those gaps. The National Network to End Domestic Violence created the Safety Net Project to educate survivors and advocates about tech safety and privacy. “As the world is getting more and more tech-savvy, there are products and devices that can be really helpful for our safety and our convenience,” the group’s CEO Stephanie Love-Patterson said. “We just have to be cognisant of the fact that there are individuals, unfortunately, who seek to use those very things to cause harm.” Often, a person who intends to cause harm knows their victim and has access to their technology devices, she noted. If that person is tech-savvy, they can break into or monitor those devices for information about their victim’s location or communications. “Technology leaves a footprint, and one of the things that we talk often about in our Safety Net Project is how to erase or decrease that footprint — and it involves a lot,” Love-Patterson said. That’s where technology education comes into play. The Safety Net project encourages people to do their research and make a plan when it comes to their own safety, including only sharing location information with trusted people, changing passwords often and documenting threats or suspicious incidents. Staying vigilant and reporting suspicious behaviour can also go a long way in helping the people around you — even those you don’t know, Love-Patterson noted. The day that Riley was killed, a UGA graduate student reported a person who peered into and tried to open the front door of her apartment. Surveillance video corroborated the student’s account, and cell phone location data linked Riley’s killer to the incident. Earlier this week, that student sat in a Georgia courtroom and testified in the trial that ultimately resulted in the killer’s life-sentence.Another checkered flagGunners back in the groove as Calafiori demands consistency

The U.S. Counties Most at Risk From a Tsunami