Latest news with #STOP
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
US to start ‘aggressively' revoking visas for Chinese students, Rubio says
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the United States will start 'aggressively' revoking visas issued to Chinese students, and will 'enhance scrutiny' of applications from mainland China and Hong Kong. 'Under President [Donald] Trump's leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,' he said in a statement. 'We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong,' the statement added. China has continued to send a substantial number of students into the US, second only to India as the top source of international students, even as students and academics from the country have faced increasing scrutiny by the US government. More than 277,000 Chinese citizens accounted for nearly 25 per cent of all international students in the country, according to last year's Open Doors report, sponsored by the US Department of State. Senator Ashley Moody, the Florida Republican who replaced Rubio in Congress after he was nominated by Trump to helm the State Department, lauded Wednesday's announcement. Moody, who introduced a bill proposing to ban all Chinese students in the US accused American universities of 'importing espionage'. 'The US is no longer in the business of importing espionage,' she said in a post on X. 'Now, it's time for Congress to act and pass my STOP CCP Visas Act. We no longer have a choice: As long as the CCP has laws forcing Chinese students to gather intelligence on their behalf, we cannot grant them student visas.' The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), which bills itself as non-partisan but whose members are Democrats, issued a statement condemning Rubio's announcement. 'The wholesale revocation of student visas based on national origin – and without an investigation – is xenophobic and wrong,' it said. 'Turning these students away – many of whom simply wish to learn in a free and democratic society – is not just shortsighted but a betrayal of our values.' The State Department's move on Wednesday followed a series of actions aimed more broadly at restricting international students to address alleged threats to national security. On Tuesday, Rubio reportedly sent a diplomatic cable to America's embassies and consulates worldwide to stop scheduling student visa interviews as Trump's administration considers more expansive vetting of the social media profiles of applicants. That development came just days after the Department of Homeland Security sought to block Harvard University from enrolling foreign students due to what it described as noncompliance with its request to provide records of their activities on campus. The move was halted by a federal judge on Friday after Harvard sued the administration. In an ironic twist, Rubio's announcement came out just as China's top envoy to the US was striking an optimistic tone about people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, despite intensifying competition and suspicion that has defined the bilateral relationship in recent years. In an event at his embassy on Wednesday evening, Ambassador Xie Feng highlighted his country's push to advance its technological capabilities and lure top talent during an event highlighting the scientific and cultural experiences of American citizens on the mainland. 'It is people-to-people ties that invigorate China-US relations', he said emphatically, adding that the 'future of this relationship ultimately depends on the two peoples.' 'We warmly welcome all American friends to travel in China, shop in China, succeed in China and take part in Chinese modernisation. Come and see the country with your own eyes,' Xie urged his audience. Citing collaborative work to promote folic acid supplements that 'helped millions of newborns' and joint efforts that helped African countries curb the spread of Ebola, Xie insisted that China's 'pursuit of innovation is not to oppose or outcompete anyone, but for better lives for its own people and greater development of humanity'. 'China and the United States each have strengths in science and technology,' he added. 'The right path forward is mutual learning and cooperation for sheer success.' Additional reporting by Bochen Han
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gotcha! NYPD drones spot subway surfer and man at crime scene, but privacy an issue
One video shows a man riding a subway car; another a man collecting shell cases on a rooftop. Both videos, recorded by an NYPD drone, demonstrate they can be a boon to law enforcement. police say. 'The NYPD's use of drones as a strategic, emergency response saves lives on our subway system and streets,' the department said in a statement, 'allows for an immediate deployment to dangerous situations, and, ultimately, protects everyday New Yorkers. Critics of the emerging technology, though, have been less than enthusiastic, calling drones more of a novelty than a way to improve public safety. They worry that the department does not care enough about the privacy concerns that have been publicly raised. Albert Fox Cahn, who heads the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), acknowledged drones can be effective in certain situations — such as water rescues. But he said there are already enough cameras to record subway surfers and that taxpayer money should be spent on other measures. 'Drones can respond to tragedies but they can't keep us safe,' Cahn said. 'Drones are gimmicks. Gimmicks can pay off on occasion but it's not a smart way to invest our tax dollars when you're talking about something that is helpful just sometimes and is ripe for abuse.' The NYPD last month announced it was stepping up its use of drones with a five precinct pilot program in which the electronic devices would be sent out, along with patrol officers, on certain 911 calls, with the department noting a drone can often get to a scene before officers in a police cruiser. The department also said that drones this year have helped nab 31 subway surfers through April. In a video obtained by the Daily News, a drone on the afternoon of April 2 spotted Isaiah Thompson, 29, as he rode outside the last car on the J train in Williamsburg. The drone zooms in on Thompson, who does not appear to realize he is being watched. The video later shows him crossing the tracks at the Hewes St. station. When he gets to the other side of the tracks a plainclothes officer leads him onto the platform, where he is arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and trespass. Thompson's case is pending; his lawyer did not respond to request for comment. In the other video, an NYPD drone on the evening of April 12 was dispatched to a ShotSpotter alert in the Bronx, by E. 18th St. near Marion Ave., police said. With officers on patrol not yet on scene, the drone zooms in on Lawrence Taylor, 23, atop an apartment building roof, pacing back and forth and picking items up off the ground. The video shows Taylor a short time later leaving the building and, as he is about to cross the street, put his arms up at the sight of a police cruiser that is now on scene. Officers are seen getting out, moving Taylor to the ground and arresting him. Taylor, no relation to the NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, was charged with tampering with evidence — eight 9mm shell casings he had hid in his right shoe, according to a court criminal complaint. Police said any shell casings that are recovered are analyzed to see if they can be linked to any other shootings. Cary (cq) London, Taylor's lawyer, predicted the case would be dismissed, saying 'there was no attempt to tamper or conceal evidence.' London also said that while technology 'can be a helpful tooli n public safety we must ensure it doesn't come at the expense of privacy rights or lead to over-policing in communities already subject to disproportionate surveillance.' The NYPD said it is aware of such concerns and that it 'has worked with good government groups to address privacy concerns and looks forward to our continued collaboration in keeping our city safe.' Last May, the NYPD inspector general in a report said the police department was still not fully compliant with the terms of the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act. The NYPD said that two months ago it accepted all 10 of the recommendation made by monitor so that it could comply with the POST Act.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gotcha! NYPD drones spot subway surfer and man at crime scene, but privacy an issue
One video shows a man riding a subway car; another a man collecting shell cases on a rooftop. Both videos, recorded by an NYPD drone, demonstrate they can be a boon to law enforcement. police say. 'The NYPD's use of drones as a strategic, emergency response saves lives on our subway system and streets,' the department said in a statement, 'allows for an immediate deployment to dangerous situations, and, ultimately, protects everyday New Yorkers. Critics of the emerging technology, though, have been less than enthusiastic, calling drones more of a novelty than a way to improve public safety. They worry that the department does not care enough about the privacy concerns that have been publicly raised. Albert Fox Cahn, who heads the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), acknowledged drones can be effective in certain situations — such as water rescues. But he said there are already enough cameras to record subway surfers and that taxpayer money should be spent on other measures. 'Drones can respond to tragedies but they can't keep us safe,' Cahn said. 'Drones are gimmicks. Gimmicks can pay off on occasion but it's not a smart way to invest our tax dollars when you're talking about something that is helpful just sometimes and is ripe for abuse.' The NYPD last month announced it was stepping up its use of drones with a five precinct pilot program in which the electronic devices would be sent out, along with patrol officers, on certain 911 calls, with the department noting a drone can often get to a scene before officers in a police cruiser. The department also said that drones this year have helped nab 31 subway surfers through April. In a video obtained by the Daily News, a drone on the afternoon of April 2 spotted Isaiah Thompson, 29, as he rode outside the last car on the J train in Williamsburg. The drone zooms in on Thompson, who does not appear to realize he is being watched. The video later shows him crossing the tracks at the Hewes St. station. When he gets to the other side of the tracks a plainclothes officer leads him onto the platform, where he is arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and trespass. Thompson's case is pending; his lawyer did not respond to request for comment. In the other video, an NYPD drone on the evening of April 12 was dispatched to a ShotSpotter alert in the Bronx, by E. 18th St. near Marion Ave., police said. With officers on patrol not yet on scene, the drone zooms in on Lawrence Taylor, 23, atop an apartment building roof, pacing back and forth and picking items up off the ground. The video shows Taylor a short time later leaving the building and, as he is about to cross the street, put his arms up at the sight of a police cruiser that is now on scene. Officers are seen getting out, moving Taylor to the ground and arresting him. Taylor, no relation to the NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, was charged with tampering with evidence — eight 9mm shell casings he had hid in his right shoe, according to a court criminal complaint. Police said any shell casings that are recovered are analyzed to see if they can be linked to any other shootings. Cary (cq) London, Taylor's lawyer, predicted the case would be dismissed, saying 'there was no attempt to tamper or conceal evidence.' London also said that while technology 'can be a helpful tooli n public safety we must ensure it doesn't come at the expense of privacy rights or lead to over-policing in communities already subject to disproportionate surveillance.' The NYPD said it is aware of such concerns and that it 'has worked with good government groups to address privacy concerns and looks forward to our continued collaboration in keeping our city safe.' Last May, the NYPD inspector general in a report said the police department was still not fully compliant with the terms of the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act. The NYPD said that two months ago it accepted all 10 of the recommendation made by monitor so that it could comply with the POST Act.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dunbar Foundation trying to recover from misuse of funds investigation
FAIRMONT — Dunbar Foundation Board Secretary Howard Brooks envisions a bright future for the Dunbar School as a future community resource. First, however, it needs to settle the mess left behind from an investigation into the alleged misuse of COVID-19 pandemic funds. 'Dunbar is a historical landmark, and it's been in dire need of repairs for quite some time,' Brooks said. 'If you recall, they had the Dunbar STOP Foundation that was still there. With all that going on, we've formed a new board and are trying to get Dunbar School back on track again and used for the heritage we intend on to be used for.' Brooks spoke during the open comment section of the Marion County Commission meeting on Wednesday. He gave commissioners notice that the Dunbar Foundation was seeking funds to support the preservation of what Brooks called a most precious historical landmark. Commissioners only consider distribution of funds after a request is put on the agenda. Brooks said the plan is to refurbish the school into a space that hosts community programming, such as workforce training, and into a museum that preserves Fairmont's Black history. However, after being closed for roughly two decades, Brooks said the building is suffering heavy disrepair. Before work to refurbish the interior of the building can begin, the crumbling roof needs to be repaired. Refurbishing the Dunbar School could cost over $500,000, Brooks said. He estimates the roof may cost $50,000 to repair. However, an investigation into federal COVID-19 funds previously managed by Romelia Hodges, former executive, by the U.S. Department of Justice is bottlenecking funds the foundation can access. The DOJ and West Virginia Department of Health's Office of Inspector General accused the STOP program, which Hodges led, of using grant funds for nepotism, excessive executive salaries and bonuses, ATM withdrawals, luxury vehicle rentals, travel and food, according to court documents. Last year, a federal judge ordered the organization to hand over documents related to the case. Brooks said there's still funding left over from when Hodges ran the program. However, while the case remains unresolved, the funds are out of reach for the Dunbar Foundation. With all the cuts to agencies that give federal grant funding for community projects, Brooks said the funding situation is unclear. However, the Foundation is taking steps to begin moving forward again. Brooks said they revamped the board last summer. The Foundation is also looking at the local community for help, asking for whatever funds the County Commission can provide, as well as considering donations from different organizations and businesses such as Lowe's or Ace Hardware. All this effort is worth it because Dunbar School is a vital piece of Fairmont's history that ties back to the City's segregation era. Preserving that history is important, he said. The Dunbar Foundation is also planning to partner with the Marion County Historical Society and Museum on the restoration. 'It's a part of the history, especially for the African-American people that are here, and not just for us, but for anybody what wants to know about the history of Marion County,' Brooks said. County Commission President Ernie VanGilder threw out one idea for how the Foundation could make a little headway on the planned revitlaization. He said when he still owned V&W Electric, they ordered an electrical panel for the Marion County Board of Education but the panel was never utilized. He suggested approaching the new owners of V&W Electric to see if they'd be willing to donate the expensive piece of equipment to the Foundation. In other business: County Commissioners also approved $500,000 in funding to the North Central West Virginia Airport's Apron Project. The airport sought funds from Harrison County, Marion County and Bridgeport, with the funding dependent on participation from all three entities. 'It was certainly a group effort,' VanGilder said. He added the new airport terminal is nearing completion and should open later this year. Finally, Commissioners tabled a request from Grant Town Emergency Medical Services Inc.. The organization sought funding for new equipment, but Commissioner Bobby DeVaul asked that the item be tabled in order to gather more information about the request. VanGilder said the commission didn't have enough time to review the cost of the item that Grant Town EMS wanted. The next meeting is scheduled for May 14.
