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Tag: Identification

  • 4 killed, 6 injured: Florida attorney general investigating deadly incident in Cuba

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    Cuba’s government has accused a group of armed Cubans living in the U.S. of attempting to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism, following a deadly shootout near Cayos Falcones.The Cuban Embassy in the United States announced that its personnel engaged a speedboat registered in Florida when the boat entered Cuban territorial waters located a little more than 100 miles southeast of Marathon and east of Havana.Speedboat registered in FloridaThe Cuban Ministry of the Interior announced on social media Wednesday afternoon that on Wednesday morning, a speedboat with a Florida registration number of FL7726SH entered Cuban territorial waters.The speedboat approached one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayos Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province.According to Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior, when border guard troops approached the boat, the crew opened fire, prompting the soldiers to return fire, resulting in four deaths and six injuries.The Cuban government claims to have seized assault rifles, handguns, explosive devices, and Molotov cocktails from the boat.Public records indicate that the boat’s owner resides in Miami Lakes.Men identifying themselves as FBI agents were seen approaching the home and speaking with residents through a Ring camera, as reported by a sister station in Miami. “In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region,” the Cuban Ministry of the Interior said in a statement. “Investigations by the competent authorities continue in order to fully clarify the events.”Florida leaders and representatives respondRick Scott took to X and said a full investigation into this deeply concerning situation was needed. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated on X that he’s directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with the federal, state and law enforcement partners to begin an investigation. “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable,” Uthmeier said.

    Cuba’s government has accused a group of armed Cubans living in the U.S. of attempting to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism, following a deadly shootout near Cayos Falcones.

    The Cuban Embassy in the United States announced that its personnel engaged a speedboat registered in Florida when the boat entered Cuban territorial waters located a little more than 100 miles southeast of Marathon and east of Havana.

    Speedboat registered in Florida

    The Cuban Ministry of the Interior announced on social media Wednesday afternoon that on Wednesday morning, a speedboat with a Florida registration number of FL7726SH entered Cuban territorial waters.

    The speedboat approached one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayos Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province.

    According to Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior, when border guard troops approached the boat, the crew opened fire, prompting the soldiers to return fire, resulting in four deaths and six injuries.

    The Cuban government claims to have seized assault rifles, handguns, explosive devices, and Molotov cocktails from the boat.

    Public records indicate that the boat’s owner resides in Miami Lakes.

    Men identifying themselves as FBI agents were seen approaching the home and speaking with residents through a Ring camera, as reported by a sister station in Miami.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    “In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region,” the Cuban Ministry of the Interior said in a statement. “Investigations by the competent authorities continue in order to fully clarify the events.”

    Florida leaders and representatives respond

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Rick Scott took to X and said a full investigation into this deeply concerning situation was needed.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated on X that he’s directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with the federal, state and law enforcement partners to begin an investigation.

    “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable,” Uthmeier said.

    This content is imported from Twitter.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

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  • What are the rules for euthanizing animals at Central Florida shelters?

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    What are the rules for euthanizing animals at Central Florida shelters?

    Updated: 4:30 PM EST Feb 13, 2026

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    A woman in Osceola County says he dog was euthanized an hour after it got loose and was picked up by animal control. What are the rules for holding an animal before it goes up for adoption or is euthanized?Each county is different. Here’s what they say: Osceola County Animal ServicesHolds stray pets for the legal hold period of three working days, after which time they are evaluated for potential adoptionThere could be medical conditions that are serious enough to make adoption inappropriate or impractical and in these cases, animals may be euthanizedMore from the county’s websitePet Alliance of Orlando Does not euthanize for time or space, only for severe medical or behavior issues.More from Pet AllianceSeminole CountyHolds stray pets not microchipped or wearing identification for five business days before they become property of Seminole County. MoreOrange CountyLake County Brevard County

    A woman in Osceola County says he dog was euthanized an hour after it got loose and was picked up by animal control.

    What are the rules for holding an animal before it goes up for adoption or is euthanized?

    Each county is different. Here’s what they say:

    Osceola County Animal Services

    • Holds stray pets for the legal hold period of three working days, after which time they are evaluated for potential adoption
    • There could be medical conditions that are serious enough to make adoption inappropriate or impractical and in these cases, animals may be euthanized
    • More from the county’s website

    Pet Alliance of Orlando

    Seminole County

    Holds stray pets not microchipped or wearing identification for five business days before they become property of Seminole County.

    More

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  • National park staff are asking about citizenship status. Here’s why

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    If you’re planning to visit one of the 11 most popular national parks in the U.S. — two of which are in California — staff might ask a question that could be disquieting: Are you an American citizen?

    A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior said that the question is being posed only to confirm whether the visitor will have to pay a nonresident fee — which is hefty.

    The updates to visitor verification and fees was announced in November by the Trump administration, which said that beginning Jan. 1 it would implement “America-first” entry fee policies.

    “U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable pricing, while nonresidents will pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America’s parks,” according to the announcement.

    When you present your pass, or if you purchase one at a park entrance, staff must ask for your identification and determine your citizenship status.

    According to an internal National Park Service directive obtained by the Washington Post, staffers are instructed to ask visiting groups, “How many people visiting are not U.S. citizens or residents?” The document also stated that “the fee collector does not need to check the identification of every visitor.”

    The Times reached out to staff at Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon national parks for comment; both parks referred questions to the National Park Service.

    When is Park Service staff checking a visitor’s citizenship status?

    You will only be asked your citizenship status, by way of ID verification, when buying or using an annual pass, officials say.

    “National Park Service staff are not checking immigration status, citizenship, or residency beyond what is necessary to confirm eligibility for a specific entrance fee or pass,” said Elizabeth Peace, spokesperson for the office of the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

    Peace told The Times in an email that the Park Service had “long required staff to confirm that the name on the interagency pass or fee-based credential matches a valid photo ID.”

    The agency’s updated policy is that all digital-pass holders must show a photo identification matching the name on the pass. Acceptable forms of ID include:

    • U.S. passport
    • U.S. state or territory-issued driver’s license
    • state ID
    • permanent residency card

    You can only use a U.S. birth certificate to validate your identity for an Access Pass, which is for residents who have a permanent disability.

    Visitors who do not have a U.S. government-issued ID will be asked to purchase a nonresident annual pass, Peace said. Those passes are much more costly.

    How much do the passes cost?

    The cost of an annual pass, which covers entrance to thousands of recreation areas but not other amenities including camping and parking is:

    • $80 for U.S. residents
    • $250 for nonresidents

    If a non-U.S. resident is looking to purchase a day-of entrance, it will cost an additional $100 on top of the regular admittance fee, which is $20 to $35.

    The increased fees have sparked controversy. The National Parks Conservation Assn. said it backs efforts to increase funding that will support parks but doesn’t want fees to become a barrier “that keeps people from experiencing America’s most iconic places.”

    “Charging international visitors more is not uncommon globally,” said Theresa Pierno, president of the association, in a letter to the Department of the Interior, “but any such policy must be designed thoughtfully to ensure it doesn’t cause barriers or even longer lines at entrances.”

    In its report, the Post noted that the fees had resulted in longer lines at parks.

    Another concern Pierno voiced was how the verification process would affect an already understaffed workforce.

    The National Park Service staff has been reduced by 24% since January of last year, which means fewer fee collectors and IT specialists who she said are needed as the new fees are implemented.

    Which parks are affected?

    The 11 parks that are subject to additional fees for those who are non-U.S. citizens include:

    1. Acadia
    2. Bryce Canyon
    3. Everglades
    4. Glacier
    5. Grand Canyon
    6. Grand Teton
    7. Rocky Mountain
    8. Sequoia & Kings Canyon
    9. Yellowstone
    10. Yosemite
    11. Zion

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    Karen Garcia

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  • Israel identifies the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or

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    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or.That leaves the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion.Palestinian militants released Or’s remains Tuesday.Israel has agreed to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.Dror Or was killed by Islamic Jihad militants who overran his home in Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military said. His wife, Yonat Or, was also killed in the attack.That day, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza. Kibbutz Beeri was one of the hardest-hit farming communities in that attack that started the war in Gaza.Two of Or’s children, Alma and Noam, were abducted by the militants on Oct. 7 and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. The remains of two — one Israeli and one Thai national— are still in Gaza.Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed and 170,800 injured in Israel’s retaliatory offensive. The toll has increased during the ceasefire, both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or.

    That leaves the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion.

    Palestinian militants released Or’s remains Tuesday.

    Israel has agreed to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.

    Dror Or was killed by Islamic Jihad militants who overran his home in Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military said. His wife, Yonat Or, was also killed in the attack.

    That day, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza. Kibbutz Beeri was one of the hardest-hit farming communities in that attack that started the war in Gaza.

    Two of Or’s children, Alma and Noam, were abducted by the militants on Oct. 7 and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

    Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. The remains of two — one Israeli and one Thai national— are still in Gaza.

    Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed and 170,800 injured in Israel’s retaliatory offensive. The toll has increased during the ceasefire, both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.

    The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

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  • Gear News of the Week: Steam Makes a Home Console, and Apple Debuts a $230 Pouch for Your iPhone

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    Valve made a big return to PC hardware this week. The company, most famous for its PC gaming platform, Steam, announced a new home console called Steam Machine alongside a new version of the Steam Controller, and a new virtual reality headset dubbed the Steam Frame.

    The Steam Machine is a revival of Valve’s original Steam Machine, a failed attempt to bring PC gaming to the living room almost exactly 10 years ago. Now, it’s back, built on the success of the Steam Deck handheld. Valve claims the new Steam Machine is six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, and it’s kind of like a compact PC. We don’t have exact measurements yet, but some early hands-on impressions have called it similar in size to the Nintendo GameCube. The Steam Machine uses a custom Zen 4 CPU from AMD, and will reportedly be sold in several memory and storage configurations, which are user-upgradable. The new Steam Controller is meant to be paired with the Steam Machine, and it has two haptic-feedback trackpads and the typical assortment of thumbsticks, buttons, triggers, and bumpers.

    Lastly, there’s the Steam Frame. This long-awaited VR headset is the follow-up to the Valve Index, which is over six years old. Valve calls the Steam Frame a “streaming-first” VR headset, meant to be connected to a PC for lag-free, wireless gaming. To overcome the problem of latency, the Steam Frame will come with a dedicated wireless module to connect to your PC to ensure all the visual data is transferred as smoothly as possible.

    The Steam Frame can also be used as a stand-alone headset, running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, meaning you’d be playing x86 games on ARM in SteamOS. It’s a tricky endeavor, but based on the success of the Steam Deck in juggling the emulation layers required, I trust Valve to do it in a way Microsoft has always struggled with. As for the headset itself, it only weighs 440 grams, which is significantly lighter than both the Meta Quest 3S and the recently announced Samsung Galaxy XR. It has two pancake lenses with two LCD screens at 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye.

    There’s a lot more to learn about these devices, and none of the new hardware has a firm release date or price yet, as is customary with Valve. All we know is that these devices will begin shipping in early 2026. —Luke Larsen

    A Pouch for Your iPhone

    Courtesy of Apple

    You’ve probably already seen or heard about the iPhone Pocket. Inspired by a “piece of cloth,” it’s a tiny shoulder bag designed to carry around your iPhone, and it stems from a collaboration between Apple and Japanese design brand Issey Miyake. The two companies have enjoyed a long history—Steve Jobs famously wore Issey Miyake’s black turtlenecks on stage during every major launch event.

    The cloth is a singular 3D-knitted construction made in Japan and will be able to fit any iPhone model. This isn’t the first time Apple has suggested you put one of its products in a piece of cloth. In 2004, Apple debuted the iPod Socks, a simple and fun way to keep your iPod screen protected when traveling. They cost $29 at the time (about $50 today).

    Unfortunately, you’ll be paying a heck of a lot more for the iPhone Pocket. The pouch comes in a short-strap version for $150 and a long-strap design for $230. Both are available in a range of colors, but since this is a special-edition release, you’re only able to purchase them at select Apple Store locations and Apple.com in France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the US. (It’s already sold out online.)

    Digital ID Comes to Apple Wallet

    You already have your boarding pass on your iPhone, why not your passport, too? That’s the idea behind Apple’s new Digital ID, a new way to add information from your US passport into Apple Wallet. Acceptance is rolling out in beta at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports around the US for domestic travel, though Apple says that will expand in the future.

    You’ll be able to present this form of identification even if you don’t have a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID. (You can already add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet, but this is only available in select states.) It’s important to remember, though, that Apple’s Digital ID does not replace a passport, which is still required for international travel.

    Samsung’s Movingstyle Screens Can Go Wherever You Do

    Gear News of the Week Steam Makes a Home Console and Apple Debuts a 230 Pouch for Your iPhone

    Courtesy of Samsung

    Samsung has announced a new line of “portable” monitors that are meant to travel with you around your house or office. The Movingstyle (LSM7F) and Movingstyle M7 Smart Monitor (M70F) are standard 27- or 32-inch displays, with one big twist: They come with a rollable floor stand with hidden wheels. Rather than have separate large screens in each room, the idea behind these Movingstyle monitors is to have a screen on the go—similar to LG’s StanbyMe range. It’s not hard to imagine scenarios where this could be convenient. Maybe you’re following a recipe in the kitchen or want to finish a show you’re watching on your television in the bedroom. Samsung claims the wheels are quiet and stable on both hardwood floors and carpet.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • Grocery gift cards at Salem Y available to residents losing SNAP benefits

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    SALEM — The city of Salem’s Food Policy Council and the Salem Children’s Alliance have partnered with the Salem YMCA to make donated grocery store gift cards available for residents who lost their SNAP benefits.

    “Thanks to the many generous Salem residents who have already stepped up to donate grocery gift cards to support our neighbors in need during this difficult time,” Mayor Dominick Pangallo said.


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    Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202

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    By Michael McHugh | Staff Writer

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  • Israel readies DNA and CT scans to identify hostages’ remains

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    Teams are preparing to identify the fallen hostages, determine the causes of death, and support families, using scientific methods and human compassion

    A nationwide operation to identify the fallen is underway: the Health Ministry and the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir said they have completed preparations to receive the remains of the hostages expected to return to Israel on Monday.

    According to the official statement, this is among the most sensitive and complex processes in Israel’s health system, combining rigorous scientific work with a profound commitment to the families and the state.

    The center, headed by Dr. Chen Kugel, is responsible for identification, investigating the circumstances of death, and providing certainty to families. The work will be carried out in close cooperation with the IDF, the Military Rabbinate, the Israel Police, and the Religious Services Ministry.

    Dozens of specialists are involved at the institute, including forensic pathologists, anthropologists, radiologists, imaging and laboratory technicians, DNA experts, and forensic dentists, each responsible for a different stage of the identification process.

    The Health Ministry emphasized that since the start of the war, the institute has operated continuously. Over the past two years, it has identified more than 50 hostages who were killed while in captivity. The accumulated experience enables the teams to act swiftly and professionally now as well, while safeguarding human dignity and providing emotional support to families.

    People pay their respects while the convoy with the slain hostages arrive at the L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir. February 20, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

    The process of identification

    Identification will proceed in precise stages, in line with accepted international protocols. Upon arrival, the remains will undergo an advanced full-body CT scan to locate unique markers, such as medical implants or old fractures, that can be matched with medical records provided by families.

    A full forensic medical examination by specialist physicians will follow, including documentation of external identifying features, tattoos, scars, and injuries sustained before or after death.

    Dental examinations will be performed by dentists from the Israel Police volunteer unit, comparing dental X-rays and previous records. The forensic radiology department, headed by Dr. Alon Krispin, will carry out additional comparisons using X-ray and CT imaging to identify distinctive anatomical features.

    Samples will then be taken for advanced DNA testing at the center’s biological laboratory, led by Dr. Nurit Bublil. There, precise genetic analyses will be conducted and compared with reference samples collected from families.

    The goal is to reach the highest possible level of certainty, which often requires an integrated effort across several disciplines, including genetics, anatomy, anthropology, and radiology.

    Where findings are clear and the condition of the remains allows, identification can be completed in as little as an hour and a half. In complex cases, the process may take many hours or even several days until complete scientific certainty is achieved. Once identification is finalized, the findings will be submitted to the relevant authorities in the Health Ministry and the defense establishment, and families will be notified in person. Only then will the bodies be released for burial, in accordance with the families’ wishes and IDF procedures.

    The human element is never forgotten

    The institute stressed that even after the identification process is completed, its staff will remain available to families to explain the findings and answer questions. The aim is to ensure families fully understand the information and can reach personal closure.

    The Health Ministry also addressed the psychological dimension of this national trauma. It noted that uncertainty and tension surrounding the identification process affect the entire public and urged awareness of one’s own mental state and that of the community.

    Recommendations include mutual support among family and friends, avoiding disturbing videos or rumors, and engaging in activities that strengthen emotional resilience, such as spending time with loved ones and maintaining routine.

    In addition, the ministry warned against spreading information that does not come from official sources and called on the public to act responsibly and sensitively toward bereaved families and those returning from captivity. “We all carry the invisible wounds of grief and pain,” the statement said. “It is likely that many around us are coping with loss. Be sensitive, and help those in distress.”

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  • Struggling to Unlock Your Phone? You Might Have Lost Your Fingerprints

    Struggling to Unlock Your Phone? You Might Have Lost Your Fingerprints

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    Terri Krejci, 60, from Huntsville, Alabama, was working as an overnight manager at CVS in 2014 when she discovered she had breast cancer. She had six months of chemo, then surgery. Her medical team warned her that she might lose her hair, that she would get nauseous. She had no idea she could lose her fingerprints.

    “It was just after my second round of chemo, and I had a Samsung phone that had a touch ID, and it kept saying ‘fingerprint not detected,’” says Krejci, who is now retired. “Then one of the nurses said, ‘Oh yeah, I guess we forgot to tell you about that. That’s gonna happen.’ They said it could be quite a while before I would see those fingerprints come back again.”

    This caused a particular problem—as Krejci needed to use fingerprint ID to get into the cancer unit. Someone had to let her into the center each time, until they finally gave up and gave her the code. Ten years later, her hands are mostly back to normal, she says, but she still has to reset the fingerprint scan on her phone regularly.

    Langenburg, the forensic scientist, says issues with fingerprints aren’t going to go away any time soon. He predicts the trend will be to use multiple biometric factors to compensate for potential fingerprint issues—a retinal scan or face ID and a fingerprint, for example.

    He says that for people who know they have fingerprint issues—construction workers, rock climbers—there are ways to make your hands easier to read. Make sure to hydrate, and use sanitizer gel or hand lotion right before scanning. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, professionals tasked with taking fingerprints use “udder balm,” typically used on cows, because it makes the fingers a little sticky, and that helps with fingerprint recording.

    Of course, there are some people who want their fingerprints to be obscured—particularly criminals. “They often will pay large sums of money to try to obfuscate their fingerprints through acid or surgery or whatever,” says Thomas Busey, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University, who studies the use of fingerprints and accuracy of fingerprint analysis.

    But Langenburg says that going through those extensive procedures often has the opposite effect to what’s desired, creating a more unique mark. He points to the American gangster John Dillinger, who cut his fingers and then poured acid into them, which scarred the middles of his fingers but left all the tips, joints, and sides all identifiable. “As soon as we see those kinds of red flags, we immediately know this person’s trying to hide their identity. It’s such a nonsense thing that’s been going on for 100 years, and it does not work,” Langenburg says.

    Busey believes thinks that it’s odd that we’ve ended up focusing on using fingerprints for biometric identification. A criminal fingerprinting usually involves recording all 10 fingers as well as the palms, capturing a vast amount of detail, whereas something like a phone or computer or airport scanner may use only a single finger, or just an area on that finger. It’s a very limited identifier if something goes wrong—and also something that gets around.

    “You probably have a password for your computer, and you probably don’t get into the habit of sharing your password with other people,” Busey says. “But when your fingerprint is your password, you’re literally leaving your password on every object you touch.”

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    Dawn Fallik

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  • Abandoned German shepherd found in Malibu with mouth zip-tied shut

    Abandoned German shepherd found in Malibu with mouth zip-tied shut

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    After a group of hikers found an abandoned German shepherd wandering the Malibu wilderness with its mouth zip-tied shut, an animal protection group is offering a $2,500 reward to find and hold accountable the person responsible.

    Just before 8 p.m. on July 3, two hikers found the pup near Malibu Creek Canyon, according to a news release from In Defense of Animals. The dog had a zip tie around his mouth and another around his neck.

    The hikers quickly called 911 and removed one of the zip ties before police and animal control arrived. Together, they removed the second zip tie and carried him to safety, the group said.

    “Someone did this intentionally. They left him stranded, down a hill in the middle of nowhere off the side of the road,” one of the hikers who found the dog told KTLA. “Something needs to be done to find the person who did it.”

    The dog, which In Defense of Animals said was described as “sweet and gentle,” warmed up to his rescuers and eventually let them pet him. He was later taken to the Agoura Animal Care Center.

    “We are grateful for the quick actions of these hikers and law enforcement, but our efforts must continue,” said Fleur Dawes, spokesperson for In Defense of Animals. “We are determined to find the person responsible for this horrific abuse and hold them accountable since they are a danger to others.”

    Anyone with information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of a suspect is asked to call In Defense of Animals at (415) 879-6879.

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    Keri Blakinger

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  • How to Get a Real ID License Before the Deadline

    How to Get a Real ID License Before the Deadline

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    Already planning your big vacation for next year? If you’re flying within the United States, you better add one more item to that to-do list: Update your license to Real ID. Anyone who has a license that isn’t Real ID–certified will not be allowed to board domestic flights in the US starting May 7, 2025. So unless you have a passport on hand, you’ll need to update your license soon.

    This regulatory change is two decades in the making. The new identification standard was suggested by the 9/11 Commission in response to the September 11 attacks and signed into law by US president George W. Bush in 2005. While the original deadline for the change was set for three years later, it has been delayed numerous times. But despite previous delays, there has been no indication from the government that this current deadline, set for 2025, will be adjusted again.

    Curious about what the new licenses look like, and how to get your own before the deadline passes? Here’s everything you need to know about the switch to Real ID.

    What Does a Real ID Look Like?

    It looks quite similar to previous driver’s licenses, so don’t expect any drastic changes to the ID’s appearance. Get out your wallet, and check to see whether you have a Real ID by looking for a star in the top right corner of the license. That’s the only major change.

    Photograph: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

    Just like each state has different designs for their driver’s licenses, the exact implementation of Real ID’s star slightly varies depending on your state. Most of the designs feature a gold circle inlaid with a white star in the top right corner, but California has a gold bear surrounding the white star instead. And while many of the Real IDs feature a gold color, some states opted for a more muted color palette.

    How Do I Get a Real ID?

    To see exactly what steps you need to follow, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s webpage about updating to a Real ID, and click on the state where you reside. This will take you to another government website with more specific information from your state about the update process.

    You’ll likely have to apply for a Real ID in person at a local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and be prepared to bring plenty of documentation with you. Even though the specifics may be a bit different for your state, let’s take a look at Missouri’s requirements as an example to help you understand how much documentation will be required to get the Real ID.

    To start off, if you’re a Missouri resident, you will need proof of your Social Security number, which is typically a Social Security card but could also be a W-2 form. Then you’ll have to show one identity document as well as one lawful status document. For this section, a valid passport or a US birth certificate will cover both requirements. Next, two different proofs of residency are required to demonstrate that you actually live in the state, like a utility bill, employer paycheck, or car insurance. Finally, additional documentation is required for any name change, like a marriage license.

    In order to save yourself a frustrating, unfruitful trip to the DMV, double check all of your necessary documentation before going to the office. Depending on the state, you may need to make an appointment beforehand for a more streamlined experience. (Well, as streamlined as any visit to the DMV can be.)

    What Else Is a Real ID Required For?

    Even though many Americans need to update their driver’s license primarily just for travel purposes, there are a few edge cases where a Real ID is also necessary: According to the DHS, you will also need it to enter military bases and some federal buildings. A Real ID is also necessary to visit nuclear power plants in the US.

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    Reece Rogers

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  • Pacoima pedestrian dies after being struck by 3 cars. None of them stopped

    Pacoima pedestrian dies after being struck by 3 cars. None of them stopped

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    Police are searching for the drivers of three vehicles who failed to stop after striking — one after another — a pedestrian in Pacoima late Friday night.

    At around 11:45 p.m., a man was crossing mid-block on San Fernando Road south of Montague Street in the San Fernando Valley community when he was struck by a wrong-way driver, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The light-colored pickup truck was traveling northbound in southbound lanes.

    The man, described as Latino and in his late 20s or early 30s, fell to the ground and was trying to get back up when he was hit by a second car, a light-colored full-size SUV, in the northbound lane.

    “The force of the second collision threw the pedestrian onto southbound lanes, where he was run over by a third vehicle,” the LAPD said in a news release. That car was described as a dark-colored midsize SUV.

    All three drivers failed to stop, render aid and remain at the scene, which is required by law, police said.

    The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was withheld pending identification and notification of next of kin by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

    As of Sunday evening, no suspects had been taken into custody, according to LAPD Officer Tony Im, and the drivers remained at large.

    The city is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the drivers. The LAPD is asking anyone with information to contact the department’s Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8022.

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    Melissa Gomez

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  • Police Release Novelty Wild West Photo With Mass Shooter

    Police Release Novelty Wild West Photo With Mass Shooter

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    SANDUSKY, OH—Following a mass shooting at an area mall that left 12 dead and another seven wounded, law enforcement officials released to the public Friday a novelty Wild West photo of the suspect they had taken into custody. “Thanks to the actions of our quick-thinking officers, we were able to arrest the shooter, fingerprint him, and swing by [local amusement park] Cedar Point to pose for one of those fun old-timey portraits with him,” said Sandusky Police Chief Greg Hartwell, who, alongside the suspected murderer, appears in the resulting sepia-toned photograph wearing a white hat, a Western-style vest, and a duster, along with accessories such as a kerchief, a watch chain, and an imitation Colt revolver. “In the process of booking the perpetrator, we informed him of his right to choose from a fancy fringed cowboy outfit, a series of fake mustaches, and an oversized jug marked ‘XXX,’ but he waived these options in favor of a plain denim shirt. The gunman did ask to hold his own AR-15-style rifle during the photo shoot, but we of course could not allow this, as it would not have been period correct.” Hartwell went on to ask if any of the reporters present would be willing to wear his badge and gun while he held two large sacks marked with dollar signs and reenacted a bank robbery for the camera.

    This Week’s Most Viral News: June 16, 2023

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