Latest news with #DanielGoldman
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House border czar suggests ICE can detain people based on ‘physical appearance'
Nearly six months into his tenure as the White House's 'border czar,' Tom Homan has made a great many controversial public comments, about everything from due process to prosecuting news organizations to his curious focus on Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. But we're often reminded that his rhetorical record is still growing. In his latest Fox News appearance, Homan said: 'Look, people need to understand, ICE officers and Border Patrol don't need probable cause to walk up to somebody, briefly detain them, and question them. They just need totality of the circumstances, right? They just go through the observation, get our typical facts — based on the location, the occupation, their physical appearance, their actions.' NBC News reported earlier this year about concerns related to racial profiling as part of the Trump's administration immigration raids, and hearing the White House border czar talk about ICE agents being able to detain people based on 'their physical appearance' will likely make those concerns worse. What's more, Homan's on-air comments sparked quick pushback from Capitol Hill. Rep. Daniel Goldman said via Bluesky that the border czar's assessment was "patently false." The New York Democrat added, "DHS has authority to question and search people coming into the country at points of entry. But ICE may not detain and question anyone without reasonable suspicion — and certainly not based on their physical appearance alone. This lawlessness must stop." Complicating matters, this was not Homan's only notable quote from the last 24 hours. He also spoke with Politico and talked up the idea of reaching new agreements on third-party deportations. 'When you've got countries that won't take their nationals back, and they can't stay here, we find another country willing to accept them,' Homan said. As part of the same interview, Politico noted the recent Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for eight men to be deported to South Sudan. The border czar said he was unsure of the status of the eight men — or whether they are detained there — saying that they are no longer in U.S. custody. 'They're living in Sudan. And will they stay in Sudan? I don't know,' he said. 'When we sign these agreements with all these countries, we make arrangements to make sure these countries are receiving these people and there's opportunities for these people. But I can't tell if we remove somebody to Sudan — they can stay there a week and leave. I don't know.' This report has been updated with Rep. Goldman's reaction to Homan's comments. This article was originally published on
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Trump's 'Shylock' comment draws outcry from Jewish groups
US President Donald Trump has drawn criticism from Jewish groups after he used an antisemitic term at a described some bankers as "Shylocks" at the event in Iowa. He said afterwards he did not realise it was considered offensive. Shylock is a ruthless Jewish money lender in Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish anti-discrimination monitor, said the president's use of the slur was "very troubling".Former US President Joe Biden used the word Shylock while he was vice-president, later acknowledging it was inappropriate. At Thursday's rally in Des Moines, Trump was celebrating the passage of his budget bill through Congress this week."Think of that: No death tax," he said. "No estate tax. No going to the banks and borrowing from, in some cases, a fine banker - and in some cases, Shylocks and bad people."As the Republican president returned on Air Force One to Washington DC after the rally, he was asked by reporters about his use of the term. He said he was not aware it was seen as antisemitic."No, I've never heard it that way," the president said. "To me, Shylock is somebody that, say, a money lender at high rates."I've never heard it that way. You view it differently than me. I've never heard that."Congressman Daniel Goldman, a New York Democrat, called Trump's remarks "blatant and vile antisemitism, and Trump knows exactly what he's doing".The ADL said in a post on X: "The term 'Shylock' evokes a centuries-old antisemitic trope about Jews and greed that is extremely offensive and dangerous."President Trump's use of the term is very troubling and irresponsible." Amy Spitalnick, head of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said on X the remark was "deeply dangerous"."Shylock is among the most quintessential antisemitic stereotypes," she said. "This is not an accident."It follows years in which Trump has normalized antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories."Trump's allies have previously brushed off any suggestion that he is antisemitic, pointing out his staunch support for Israel and that close advisers of his, including Stephen Miller and Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are president's administration has launched a campaign to weed out antisemitism on college campuses, withholding federal funding from some institutions, such as Harvard, and taking steps to deport pro-Palestinian activists who are in the US on student Biden, a Democrat, used the term Shylock in 2014 when addressing a legal group."People would come up to him and talk about what was happening to them at home in terms of foreclosures," he said, referring to his son's experiences serving in Iraq, "in terms of bad loans that were being - I mean, these Shylocks who took advantage of these women and men while overseas."Following uproar, Biden said "it was a poor choice of words".
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Sparks Fury After Casually Dropping Antisemitic Slur
President Donald Trump on Thursday referred to 'shylocks' while speaking negatively about certain bankers, swiftly drawing accusations of antisemitism. 'No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing from—in some cases a fine banker, and in some cases shylocks and bad people," Trump told supporters in Des Moines, Iowa, while celebrating his freshly-passed spending package. The term is widely viewed as antisemitic. It originates from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, in which Shylock is a Jewish moneylender portrayed through harmful stereotypes as greedy and vindictive. While it has historically been used to describe predatory lenders or loan sharks, it came to be regarded as a slur that plays on antisemitic tropes. 'Shylock is among the most quintessential antisemitic stereotypes,' Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said of Trump's comment. 'This is not an accident. It follows years in which Trump has normalized antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories—and it's deeply dangerous.' Rep. Daniel Goldman of New York, a Democrat, called it 'blatant and vile antisemitism.' Another Democrat, Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, called on the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent watchdog on antisemitism, to respond. 'If @ADL cannot condemn this, they should pack it up. They will have ZERO credibility,' he wrote. The group has faced accusations of selectively responding to antisemitic rhetoric, especially after its muted response to Elon Musk's raised-arm salute in January. The White House and ADL did not immediately return requests for comment. In 2014, then-Vice President Joe Biden faced backlash for referring to 'shylocks' to describe exploitative lenders. At the time, the ADL's leader called the term 'offensive.' Biden later apologized, saying it was a 'poor choice of words.' Trump, who has positioned himself as a strong ally of Israel, has long faced criticism for invoking Jewish tropes. Last year, he suggested that if he lost the election, Jews would be to blame. During his first term, he accused Jews who support Democrats of 'great disloyalty.' He visited Des Moines on Thursday to kick off the 'America250″ event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds to commemorate 250 years of the country's independence.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Accused Of 'Blatant And Vile Anti-Semitism' With 'Deeply Dangerous' Trope
President Donald Trump drew fierce criticism and was accused of anti-Semitism for a comment he made during a speech celebrating the passing in Congress of his so-called 'Big, Beautiful Bill' on Thursday. Trump was boasting to supporters in Des Moines, Iowa, about how they would now benefit from various parts of his signature, controversial taxation and spending bill when he said: 'No death tax. No estate tax. No going through the banks and borrowing from, in some cases a fine banker, and in some cases, Shylocks and bad people.' TRUMP: No estate tax, no going through the banks and borrowing from—in some cases a fine banker— and in some cases a shylocks and bad people. — Acyn (@Acyn) July 4, 2025 The term 'Shylock,' a reference to the name of the Jewish moneylender in William Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice,' is now considered to be an anti-Semitic slur, playing as it does on anti-Semitic stereotypes. Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.) led the criticism of the president on social media. The congressman accused Trump of 'blatant and vile antisemitism' and claimed the president 'knows exactly what he's doing.' This is blatant and vile antisemitism, and Trump knows exactly what he's doing. Anyone who truly opposes antisemitism calls it out wherever it occurs — on both extremes — as I do. Where is @EliseStefanik and the GOP now that antisemitism is coming from Trump? — Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) July 4, 2025 'Shylock is among the most quintessential antisemitic stereotypes,' added Amy Spitalnick, of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. 'This is not an accident' by Trump and is 'deeply dangerous,' she added. Shylock is among the most quintessential antisemitic stereotypes. This is not an accident. It follows years in which Trump has normalized antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories — and it's deeply dangerous. — Amy Spitalnick (@amyspitalnick) July 4, 2025 Trump was reportedly confronted over his use of the term when flying back to the White House on board Air Force One. 'I've never heard it that way,' the president reportedly said. 'The meaning of Shylock is somebody that's a money lender at high rates. You view it differently. I've never heard that.' A 'Shylock' comes from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice—a Jewish moneylender who demands a 'pound of flesh.' The term later became a slur for a greedy or ruthless lender. ⚠️ It's widely seen as antisemitic and offensive today. — Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) July 4, 2025 Repugnant. — OB (@OhBe_Won) July 4, 2025 Shylock is an antisemitic trope. — Dr. Brian Goldman (@NightShiftMD) July 4, 2025 The bigotry just slips out sometimes... — Lib Dunk (@libdunkmedia) July 4, 2025 Trump has those old slurs ready to go — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 4, 2025 Maybe instead of going after universities for allegedly not doing enough to fight anti-semitism the president should police his own words and actions. — Pam Fessler (@pamelafessler) July 4, 2025 A disgusting antisemitic smear from a president who dines with Holocaust deniers and called Neo Nazis 'fine people.'Said at a time when antisemitism is rising around the world. — Andrew Bates (@AndrewBatesNC) July 4, 2025 This is an antisemitic slur. An old one — Jennifer Mascia (@JenniferMascia) July 4, 2025 He's busting out the 40s antisemitism — evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) July 4, 2025 So slurs are what's making America great again? — Melissa Nold, Esq. (@savage_esquire) July 4, 2025 Today, at a rally in Iowa, Trump said this:"No death tax, no estate tax, no going to the banks and borrowing from, in some cases, a fine banker. And in some cases, shylocks and bad people."For those unaware, "shylock" is an antisemitic comes from Shakespeare's The… — Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) July 4, 2025 Marjorie Taylor Greene Rolls Out Gun Giveaway With Trigger-Happy MAGA Rant Biden Casually Drops Bombshell About Who's Still Seeking His Advice, And Trump Will Hate It Big, Blundering Typo Kicked Off Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Meeting With GOP Rep
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Centipede-inspired robots promise cheaper weed control for vineyards, blueberry farms
A giant robotic centipede could soon crawl out of the lab and into vineyards and blueberry farms in the United States. Inspired by nature's long, slender, and wiggly movers, Ground Control Robotics (GCR), an Atlanta-based startup, has developed a robotic centipede designed specifically for tough agricultural terrain. Built with a simple design, the robot consists of a sensor-equipped head followed by several identical segments connected by cables, each powered by a couple of motors that move its legs. While this setup technically offers many degrees of freedom, it achieves impressive performance through relatively straightforward control methods. 'Centipede robots, like snake robots, essentially move like swimmers,' explains Daniel Goldman, director of CRAB (Complex Rheology and Biomechanics) Lab at Georgia Institute of Technology, told IEEE Spectrum. But the addition of legs lets these robots navigate a wider variety of environments. Their unique cable-driven legs generate a fluid-like thrust mimicking the motion of real arthropods, allowing these 'robophysical' models to 'swim' through uneven ground without getting stuck or damaging crops. By carefully coordinating the lifting and lowering of legs, the robot can help it push off surfaces and maintain steady, reliable motion. 'We developed a new mechanism that shifts actuation from the robot's centerline out to the sides via cables,' Goldman said. 'When tuned correctly, the robot transforms from rigid to flexible in one direction, and that's when the magic happens — it can swim through complex terrain effortlessly, all without any brain power.' Unlike traditional robots, these multi-legged machines navigate complex environments with surprising ease. The initial focus is on automating weed control and crop monitoring in perennial farms where traditional machinery struggles. Manual weeding in such fields can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per acre, with labor shortages only making it harder. According to GCR, no automated solutions currently exist for weed control around tangled, bushy, or vine-like crops such as blueberries, strawberries, or grapes. The company believes their robotic centipedes could be the game-changing alternative. 'We want to send the robot as close to the crops as possible,' Goldman said. 'And we don't want a bigger, clunkier machine to destroy those fields.' GCR anticipates that its robotic centipedes will be significantly more affordable than conventional agricultural robots, with projected costs in the thousand-dollar range. This cost efficiency stems from the relatively inexpensive leg modules and the reliance on mechanical intelligence rather than complex sensors or computational systems. The company envisions deploying a decentralized swarm of these robots capable of operating autonomously in fields around the clock. In the initial phase, the robots will focus on scouting and monitoring, which already provides substantial value to farmers. The bug-like robot can deliver herbicide directly to the weed as well as remove it mechanically. Ground Control Robotics Over time, GCR aims to equip the robots with active weed-removal mechanisms—potentially including specialized grippers or even laser-based solutions—offering a scalable, low-cost alternative to existing methods. Ground Control Robotics is currently collaborating with a blueberry grower and a vineyard owner in Georgia to conduct pilot programs. These trials will help refine the robot's navigation and sensing capabilities before broader deployment. The company is also exploring potential applications beyond agriculture. Future use cases could include disaster relief operations and even military deployments. However, as Daniel Goldman notes, different environments may necessitate alternative limb configurations or the capability for the limbs to retract entirely, depending on specific operational demands.
