Latest news with #Gao
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
University of Michigan student fled to China after being charged with voting illegally, FBI says
() — A Chinese national charged with voting illegally at the University of Michigan has fled the U.S., according to a criminal complaint filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that was unsealed on Friday. Haoxiang Gao was attending the Ann Arbor-based university in October 2024 and lived on campus, authorities said. Safety officials with the school spoke with Gao on Oct. 28 after hearing reports that a student had unlawfully cast a vote in the 2024 general election, according to the recently unsealed court documents. CBS Detroit previously reported on the case, but authorities didn't identify Gao at the time. Gao admitted during the conversation with the school that he registered to vote and did cast a vote at a polling location on campus on Oct. 27. He was charged by the state on Oct. 30 with one count each of unauthorized elector attempting to vote and making a false affidavit for the purpose of securing voter registration, court records show. During Gao's arraignment, a judge ordered him to surrender his Chinese passport and not to leave Michigan, according to the criminal complaint. The passport handed in had a serial number ending in '1332.' A warrant for Gao was later issued after he missed court hearings on March 6 and April 24. The FBI said in the filing that Gao's passport was in the possession of school safety officials during a court hearing. However, according to prosecutors, Gao boarded a Delta flight from Detroit International Airport to Shanghai, China, on Jan. 19 using a Chinese passport in his name with a serial number ending in '7137.' CBS News Detroit has reached out to the university for comment. Gao has been federally charged with flight to avoid prosecution, though the U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with China. The case is among the very few instances of noncitizens voting in federal elections in modern history, studies and investigations have found. Analysis by the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice found 30 cases of noncitizens suspected of voting in the 2024 general election reported by election officials out of 23.5 million votes cast in the 42 jurisdictions reviewed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Crypto Payments Firm RedotPay Enlists Circle Payment Network in Brazil
Hong Kong-based RedotPay, a crypto payment fintech serving over four million users, has partnered with stablecoin issuer Circle's new payment network (CPN), to take the headache out of Brazil's cross-border transactions. The CPN collaboration means RedotPay users can now send cryptocurrency directly to Brazilian bank accounts, with funds automatically converted into Brazilian Real (BRL) upon arrival, the companies said on Monday. Stablecoins for payments are growing rapidly, with various estimates about the potential market size for blockchain rails and dollar-pegged tokens. Circle, issuer of the second-largest stablecoin, USDC, introduced the CPN in April, to capture some of the cross-border payments and remittances space. RedotPay, which recently raised a $40 million funding round, says it's on a mission to make global payments more accessible for underbanked populations by reducing transaction costs, as well as eliminating the traditional one to five business day settlement period typically associated with international transfers. RedotPay is addressing two major pain points that have historically hindered cross-border payments in emerging markets, according to Michael Gao, CEO & Co-Founder of RedotPay. 'For users, the process has been slow and costly with high foreign exchange rates and handling fees,' Gao said in a statement. 'Transaction success rates have also been inconsistent. For Payment Service Providers (PSPs), capital has often been trapped in prefunded accounts with different PSPs or banks across multiple countries.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Don't do unto others what you don't want done to you': Victor Gao warns India
Listen to article Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization Victor Gao said the Indus Waters Treaty must be respected in letter and spirit, and warned against using water as a tool of coercion. 'Never use the Indus River as blackmail against the people of Pakistan,' he remarked. 'Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you.' In an interview with an Indian news channel, he called for regional cooperation on water sharing and criticised any unilateral moves to divert shared water resources. He reaffirmed China's commitment to its 'iron-clad friendship' with Pakistan, stressing that Beijing will not tolerate any attempts to undermine Pakistan's legitimate interests, particularly with regard to the peaceful use of Indus River waters under the long-standing treaty with India. 'China and India need to come up with a protocol so that the waters of the Brahmaputra can be better managed,' he said, referring to recent concerns over India's river management policies. 'This becomes more important in light of Indian government's attempt to divert water from rivers to Pakistan.' He underscored the geographical reality that most major rivers in South Asia originate in Tibet, placing China in a strategic position in terms of regional water diplomacy. 'China is in the upper stream, India in the midstream. It is not appropriate for India to interfere unilaterally with shared waters,' he said. Gao expressed hope that China, India, and Pakistan would be able to engage in dialogue on equitable water sharing in both the western (Indus) and eastern (Brahmaputra) river systems. 'Only through mutual understanding and cooperation can the region ensure the sustainable and peaceful use of these vital resources,' he concluded. Read more: Victor Gao shuts down Indian General Bakshi over anti-Pakistan terrorism taunt The statement should be seen in the backdrop of India's recent decision to "hold in abeyance" the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a 1960 World Bank-mediated agreement governing the distribution of the Indus river system's resources. Under the treaty, Pakistan holds rights to the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while India controls the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. Islamabad has warned that any attempt by India to divert or obstruct Pakistan's share of water would be treated as "an act of war," with a commitment to employ all elements of national power in response.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Volunteer teachers illuminate classrooms in rural Xinjiang
Memetyimin (left) gives a class at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township on April 23, 2025. – Xinhua URUMQI (May 30): Stars seemed within arm's reach on the Pamir Plateau. Alimbubi Musahun shifted her gaze from the enchanting night sky to the path outside her home, awaiting a special guest. Her living room, set with naan bread and hot tea, stood ready in Kirgiz tradition. Soon, she saw her guest, young teacher Gao Shuxian, approaching alongside Alimbubi's daughter, Dilzada Wurozali, and her schoolmates. Alimbubi greeted the teacher with a warm hug and welcomed her inside. The Kirgiz herder's family cherished Gao's monthly home visits. Alimbubi served Gao a big bowl of homemade yogurt, knowing the 23-year-old woman, who had left home some 3,000 km away, struggled with mutton or beef but adored yogurt. Two years ago, Gao traveled all the way from her hometown in north China's Shanxi Province to become a math teacher at the primary school of Sheyit Village situated in the around 2,000-meter-high Karajol Township under Artux City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Located just 47 km from the border, Sheyit Primary School is a remote village school that primarily works with children from the Kirgiz ethnic community. Under the 'Go West' programme, a voluntary service programme in China's less-developed western region, Gao and other 22 college graduates now teach here. Volunteer teacher Yan Zefeng gives a class at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township on April 23, 2025. – Xinhua photo Hailing from across the country, their Mandarin accents may slightly differ, but they are all united by a single purpose – to light up the path of knowledge for around 300 children. 'Most of their parents are herders or patrollers, so they rarely have time to care for their families,' Gao said. 'That's why these children love school so much. Some of them even come to study on weekends. I'm always surrounded by curious students with endless questions.' 'When motivated students meet dedicated teachers, academic improvement is only a matter of time,' said Jin Wenbin, the school Party chief, adding that the school has finally shed its long-standing position as the lowest-performing in Artux City. Early this year, the school ranked among the top 15 in the city. Since 2023, it has consistently produced graduates who excelled in regional standardised exams, earning admission to Xinjiang's top middle schools under a funded initiative. Alimbubi and her husband hoped that their daughter Dilzada could earn a place in this initiative so that she could build a brighter future through education. Gao assured Alimbubi that her daughter was doing well in school, like her elder son, who had already gained admission to Artux's top middle school. 'I want to give these children a helping hand,' said Gao, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. 'When a mother tells me, 'Miss Gao, we trust you with our child,' I just… I couldn't hold back anymore.' 'We feel completely at ease leaving our children with the teachers. They've become like family to us,' said Alimbubi. In recent years, Xinjiang has continuously increased investment in education. Three years of preschool education and nine years of compulsory education are free across the region's vast rural areas. However, access to quality education still seemed out of reach in remote villages like Sheyit. Efforts like the 'Go West' programme are channeling talent and resources to bolster rural education. Gao and her colleagues are working to narrow the knowledge gap, broaden students' horizons, and inspire them to chase their dreams. In a class, Gao presented the AI-generated career portraits tailor-made for each student. When asked 'what do you want to do when you grow up?', children chimed in, 'I want to visit our teacher's hometown!' 'I'm going to travel around the world!' 'I want to be a teacher, too!' Students have a meal at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township on April 23, 2025. – Xinhua photo 'Most kids here have only been to Artux, just two hours' drive away. But if I ask about their dream trip, they'll say, 'Shanxi! That's where you're from!'' Gao's eyes gleamed with emotion as she said. Outside Gao's classroom, her colleague Wang Junwen opened a new window to the world for his students – with rhythms and melodies. As the first-ever music teacher of the school, Wang introduced the children to musical instruments beyond the komuz, a traditional Kirgiz string instrument, and established a drum and bugle corps. He plans to launch a school choir, and even teach children to play piano when they can get one. A year on the plateau has left his cheeks crimson and raw, yet he's now fully adapted to the harsh climate. 'When I first arrived, these children didn't even know do-re-mi, so I started teaching them from the very basics,' said the 23-year-old from east China's Jiangxi Province. 'Now listen to how beautifully they sing!' On the opposite end of the playground, math teacher Memetyimin Khudiret just finished his class and played basketball with the children. Unlike other volunteers, he is a native of Xinjiang. Born and raised in a small village in Shufu County, Kashgar Prefecture, southern Xinjiang, the 25-year-old was also a student who benefited from the 'Go West' programme. Inspired by his volunteer teachers and peers, he has a profound understanding of how education can transform a person's destiny. 'If my teachers were willing to come all the way to Xinjiang, why shouldn't I go to even more remote villages and pastures to help our local children?' said Memetyimin. 'This is where I found my life's purpose. When I see my students growing through my lessons, their progress becomes my reward. And in these moments, I discover the true meaning of my existence,' he added. Gao Shuxian (centre) talks with a student's mother during a home visit in Karajol Township on April 23, 2025. – Xinhua photo Currently, a total of 1,085 volunteers under the 'Go West' programme are teaching at 61 schools in the mountainous prefecture of Kizilsu. Nationwide, over 540,000 college graduates and postgraduates have engaged in voluntary service of various sectors in more than 2,000 county-level areas since the program was launched in 2003, according to the Communist Youth League of China. When the students at Sheyit were asked about their teachers, they eagerly responded, comparing them to the sun and the moon, and describing them as strict yet kind and warm. 'Be like the sun – rise and fall without losing your light!' Gao wrote on social media. 'I'm teaching my students these very lessons, just as my teacher once taught me. I'm extending a helping hand to pull these children toward brighter futures.' – Xinhua A volunteer teacher (centre) runs with students in the morning at the primary school of Sheyit Village in Karajol Township on April 24, 2025. – Xinhua photo China educators schools teachers Xinhua
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Chinese expert shuts down General Bakshi in live TV debate over Pakistan-China ties
Victor Gao, Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization, delivered a stinging rebuke to retired Indian General G.D. Bakshi during a heated live television debate that quickly spiraled beyond routine foreign policy discourse. The fireworks started when General Bakshi accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists and questioned the durability of Sino-Pak relations. Gao fired back without hesitation: 'General Bakshi, you need to study history,' he said coldly, drawing an audible gasp from the panel. 'No power in the world can break the China-Pakistan friendship,' Gao continued, invoking decades of diplomatic, military, and economic ties between Beijing and Islamabad. He dismantled Bakshi's claims with sharp historical references, turning the debate into a one-sided lesson that left the retired general visibly rattled and scrambling to pivot. The turning point came when Gao dismissed Bakshi's inflammatory remarks as "aggression and irresponsibility, not diplomacy," urging a focus on dialogue and evidence over blanket accusations and calls to action. Highlighting joint military ventures like the JF-17 fighter jet and deep-rooted defense collaborations, Gao described the China-Pakistan partnership as 'rock-solid and forged in strategic trust,' emphasizing that their alliance isn't born of fleeting interest but is deeply institutionalised. Bakshi, a regular on Indian news channels known for his jingoistic tirades, appeared unprepared for such a frontal intellectual assault. As he attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere, Gao calmly held ground, commanding the room — and the narrative.
