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Yomiuri Shimbun
13 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
TOEIC Cheating: Significant Impact on Admission Process, Employment
Suspicions have emerged that cheating has been rampant on the TOEIC English proficiency test. The test results are used for entrance exams and employment; test administrators must make every effort to prevent cheating. The Institute for International Business Communication, which administers TOEIC, has announced that 803 test takers are suspected of cheating over a two-year period through June this year. The results of all the test takers in question have been invalidated, the institute said. The incident unfolded when the Metropolitan Police Department arrested a Chinese graduate student at Kyoto University in May for entering an exam venue using someone else's name. The man had taken the exam in March using a false name and scored 945 out of 990 points, demonstrating exceptional English proficiency. At the time of his arrest, he was found to be wearing a small microphone inside his mask and in possession of three smartphones and a pair of smart glasses, an electronic device resembling eyeglasses. The institute had been in consultation with the MPD, telling the police, 'There was a person mumbling in Chinese during the exam.' The man is suspected of providing answers to other examinees through the microphone and other methods. It is essential to clarify the full details of the incident, including whether there were intermediaries who facilitated the cheating. The 803 individuals in question gave addresses identical or nearly identical to that of the arrested man when applying for the exam. It is highly likely that the routine of choosing exam venues based on residential addresses was exploited. The institute checked the identities of test takers during the exam but did not verify their addresses. While the cheating is utterly unacceptable, there may also have been lapses in oversight by the institute, which sent out multiple test vouchers to a single address. TOEIC scores are not merely an indicator of one's English proficiency. They are used to exempt candidates from English exams in university and graduate school admissions, or to determine whether someone passes or fails the admission process. TOEIC is also being used to a greater extent in corporate hiring and has become a criteria for promotion, so the importance of the proficiency test is increasing. More young people in China are believed to be aiming to study or work in Japan, and posts offering to assist with cheating for a fee are circulating on social media. If such misconduct continues, it could erode trust in the test. The impact of this on university admissions and corporate hiring cannot be taken lightly. The institute will revise its procedures to assign different test venues to applicants with the same address. It said it will also check before the test whether people's glasses have a camera function and whether electronic devices are turned off. Organized proxy test-taking by Vietnamese nationals was also uncovered in Japanese language exams required for obtaining the 'specific skilled work' residence status. Even if someone passes an exam through cheating, it is that person who will struggle at their educational institution or workplace due to insufficient ability. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 22, 2025)
New York Post
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Grief-stricken mother of slain congressional intern received surprise letter from Trump: ‘Made me feel so good'
The mother of a 21-year-old congressional intern who was gunned down in Washington, DC last month expressed her gratitude recently after receiving an unexpected and heartfelt letter about her son from President Trump. 'It just made me feel so good,' Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym said of the note from Trump. 'People call [Trump] a monster, but he's not. He's such a human. He is so kind to kids.' 'I just couldn't believe that he did this.' Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym's son, Eric, was shot and killed in Washington, DC, last month. Courtesy of Tamara Jachym Tarpinian-Jachym's son, Eric, was shot alongside two other victims on June 30, about a mile from the White House, when multiple suspects emerged from a vehicle and opened fire, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Eric, who police said was not the intended target, was unconscious when authorities arrived and died in the hospital the following day. Eric, a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Isenberg School of Management, was in the nation's capital interning for Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) when he was murdered. 'He loved his job, he loved everybody there. He liked people on both sides of the aisle, and he worked with kids who were Democrats and Republicans,' Tarpinian-Jachym said during an interview on the Howie Carr Show on Friday, according to the Boston Herald. She added that Trump's letter 'just drove it home.' In the July 17 note to the slain intern's mom, the president wrote that he and first lady Melania Trump were 'devastated by the senseless act of violence' and 'heartbroken' for her entire family. 'While we may never fully understand the impact that Eric has had during his meaningful life, we know he will be remembered for his kindness, faithfulness, and devotion to your family and his many friends,' Trump wrote. 'He will also be remembered for his commitment to our country. I know how proud Congressman Estes was to have Eric represent his office, the people of Kansas' Fourth Congressional District, and our Nation.' 'Eric will be held in my heart, and I promise to never forget or forgive the terrible act that took him from us,' the president continued. 'Please know that my Administration will not stop fighting to clean up our streets and ensure law and order.' 'May God hold Eric in His eternal love and care and provide you and your other incredible children, Angela and Jeremy, with abiding peace and unending strength.' Eric Tarpinian-Jachym's mother said the letter from Trump was a pleasant surprise. Massachusetts Republican Party The letter was read aloud by Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Carnevale during Eric's funeral on Thursday – and is part of an outpouring of support Tarpinian-Jachym has received from Republicans in the aftermath of the tragedy, according to the Boston Herald. His mom indicated that she heard from Trump before several prominent Massachusetts Democrats, including Gov. Maura Healey. 'The people in Massachusetts showed their true colors,' Tamara said. Healey's office told the Boston Herald that the governor connected with Eric's family on Saturday, but provided no further details about the interaction. DC police have yet to arrest a suspect in connection with Eric's murder.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mom of congressional intern murdered in DC warns parents it could happen to their kids
The mother of a congressional intern who was killed in Washington, D.C., pleaded with police to find the people who killed her son, warning other parents it could happen to their kids. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was shot June 30 at around 10:28 p.m., according to police, and passed away on July 1. The Metropolitan Police Department said the shooting happened on the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest. A 16-year-old male and adult female were both shot but survived. No suspects are in custody, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. According to investigators, several individuals exited a vehicle and began firing shots at a group of people, which included Tarpinian-Jachym. Tarpinian-Jachym wasn't the intended target of the shooting, they added. Fbi Joins Manhunt After Congressional Student Intern Shot Dead In Dc Tamara Jachym, Eric's mother, told Fox News Digital in an interview that police need to arrest the individuals responsible because "they will do it again." Read On The Fox News App "This is a serious crime. A mile from the White House. This isn't a joke. And then it happened again this weekend," Jachym said, referring to a shooting in Washington, D.C., on 4th of July weekend that left 3-year-old Honesty Cheadle dead. "You know, the mayor has to get serious with this." "I think Eric felt safe. It was early at night. He was in a decent area and this happened. And it's a shame. And you know, Eric was the 85th victim and now we have an 86," she added, referring to the number of homicides in Washington, D.C., at the time. So far in 2025, 91 people have been killed in Washington, D.C. Congressional Intern Killed In Washington, D.c. Shooting, Police Offer Reward For Multiple Suspects Jachym described her son as a "very kind, sweet, compassionate young man." "He was kind to everybody. He loved the animals. He loved to fish," she said. "He was just a really special boy. He really loved DC, loved to walk around the streets. He loved to walk to the Wharf and he liked to go out to eat. And he loved the people in D.C." The University of Massachusetts Amherst student was an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., according to a statement from his office. He was set to return for his senior year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he majored in finance and minored in political science. "I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said in a statement. "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time." In a statement to Fox News Digital, an FBI spokesperson said the agency is assisting the Metropolitan Police Department in the investigation. "We are aware of the incident and are assisting our law enforcement partners," the spokesperson said. The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department are offering a $40,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction, and are encouraged to contact (202) article source: Mom of congressional intern murdered in DC warns parents it could happen to their kids
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Mom of congressional intern murdered in DC warns parents it could happen to their kids
The mother of a congressional intern who was killed in Washington, D.C., pleaded with police to find the people who killed her son, warning other parents it could happen to their kids. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was shot June 30 at around 10:28 p.m., according to police, and passed away on July 1. The Metropolitan Police Department said the shooting happened on the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest. A 16-year-old male and adult female were both shot but survived. No suspects are in custody, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. According to investigators, several individuals exited a vehicle and began firing shots at a group of people, which included Tarpinian-Jachym. Tarpinian-Jachym wasn't the intended target of the shooting, they added. Tamara Jachym, Eric's mother, told Fox News Digital in an interview that police need to arrest the individuals responsible because "they will do it again." "This is a serious crime. A mile from the White House. This isn't a joke. And then it happened again this weekend," Jachym said, referring to a shooting in Washington, D.C., on 4th of July weekend that left 3-year-old Honesty Cheadle dead. "You know, the mayor has to get serious with this." "I think Eric felt safe. It was early at night. He was in a decent area and this happened. And it's a shame. And you know, Eric was the 85th victim and now we have an 86," she added, referring to the number of homicides in Washington, D.C., at the time. So far in 2025, 91 people have been killed in Washington, D.C. Jachym described her son as a "very kind, sweet, compassionate young man." "He was kind to everybody. He loved the animals. He loved to fish," she said. "He was just a really special boy. He really loved DC, loved to walk around the streets. He loved to walk to the Wharf and he liked to go out to eat. And he loved the people in D.C." The University of Massachusetts Amherst student was an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., according to a statement from his office. He was set to return for his senior year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he majored in finance and minored in political science. "I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said in a statement. "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time." In a statement to Fox News Digital, an FBI spokesperson said the agency is assisting the Metropolitan Police Department in the investigation. "We are aware of the incident and are assisting our law enforcement partners," the spokesperson said. The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department are offering a $40,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction, and are encouraged to contact (202) 727-9099.
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Japanese actress Nagiko Tono found dead in her Tokyo apartment
Nagiko Tono in June 2013. - Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun file TOKYO: Actress Nagiko Tono has died, it was learned Thursday (July 17) from the Sugamo Police Station of the Metropolitan Police Department. She was 45. On Thursday, DNA analysis revealed that a body found in Tono's apartment in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, on July 3 was hers. Because there were no external injuries and no signs of vandalism inside the apartment, the police believe no foul play was involved. The cause of death is unknown. After working as a child actress, Tono was cast as the heroine in NHK's 1999 drama 'Suzuran.' After that, she continued to appear in two-hour dramas and variety shows. She also appeared in movies and on stage. - The Yomiuri Shimbun
