by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | government, government regulations, news, news media, social media
PETALLING JAYA: According to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, MCMC’s study aimed at verifying whether the count of X users in Malaysia falls under eight million is expected to conclude by the third quarter of this year.
According to Bernama, she stated that the operators of X had earlier mentioned they were ineligible for classification under the application services provider category to function within Malaysia due to their local user count falling short of the eight million-user benchmark.
“MCMC is carrying out a survey to ascertain, through our data and analysis, if X has over eight million users,” she stated in the Senate.
Teo mentioned that MCMC was interacting with the platform’s supplier as well as two additional firms, specifically Meta and Google, neither of which have acquired licenses yet.
She addressed an additional query posed by Senator Robert Lau regarding whether the communications ministry had established a timeline for qualified firms to submit their license applications and what measures would be implemented should these entities fail to adhere to this requirement.
Teo mentioned that there isn’t a strict timeline for social media platforms to obtain their licenses, however, MCMC could implement various actions should these companies fail to submit their applications.
According to Section 126 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which was amended on February 11, service providers could be subject to a maximum fine of RM1 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years. Additionally, they will incur an extra fine of RM100,000 per day for every day the violation persists post-conviction.
“Furthermore, according to Section 243, we have the authority to impose a penalty not greater than 50% of the highest possible fine,” she stated.
In response to an additional query from Senator Tiew Way Keng regarding the ministry’s actions against fraud and related problems on Meta and Google’s platforms, Teo mentioned that up until March 15, a cumulative figure of 46,929 postings was taken down from Facebook. This includes content associated with scams and illegal online betting activities.
The ministry and government will persist in supporting the liberty of expression.
Nevertheless, the difficulty we encounter lies in the enormous volume of explicit material, fraudulent schemes, and illegal betting operations present on platforms like Facebook.
“Therefore, we must implement stronger measures if Meta continues to be uncooperative,” she stated.
Teo mentioned that both the government and MCMC would ask Meta to strengthen advertisement protocols in Malaysia, akin to what has been done in Singapore.
“In Singapore, advertisers must verify their identity before posting ads or boosting content. The question is: why is this stringent screening applied only in Singapore and not globally?
“If they can strengthen their advertisement screening processes in Singapore, why not in Malaysia, Thailand, and other nations as well? It’s an idea worth contemplating,” she stated.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | journalism, national security, news, news media, politics
The
A journalist was added to a group chat.
Involving multiple key Cabinet members from Donald Trump’s administration who were allegedly part of discussions about war strategies have rebutted Pete Hegseth’s strong dismissal of these reports.
Jeffrey Goldberg, who serves as the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, stunned everyone with his disclosure on Monday when he unexpectedly found himself
incorporated into a discussion on Signal, an encrypted messaging platform
.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz initiated the conversation, which involved users identified as Vice President Vance and Secretary of State.
Marco Rubio
, Defense Secretary
Pete Hegseth
Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard
, a CIA spokesperson, Trump adviser Stephen Miller and
White House
Head of Staff Susie Wiles.
Goldberg talked to CNN on Monday evening, disclosing that the conversation involved ‘assault strategies,’ specific sites, and details about those targeted along with the order of attacks against the Houthis, outlining the sequence of assaults.
Hegseth refutes the narrative
was ‘a lie.’
“No, that’s not true. He was sending texts about battle strategies and assault tactics instead. The messages included details on which targets would be hit, methods of attack, individuals present at those locations, and timings for subsequent strikes,” he stated.
The defense secretary made his debut appearance following the publication of the story, shortly after returning from a flight.
Hawaii
, criticized Goldberg much like former President Donald Trump did.
slammed his magazine
.
‘So you are talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who has made a profession of peddling hoaxes, time and time again.’
He mentioned several articles that The Atlantic has published.
Trump
‘s alleged connections to
Russia
,
His remarks about ‘really nice individuals’
after the
Charlottesville
riots being misinterpreted and misrepresented
The supposed remarks about ‘losers and suckers.’
Regarding soldiers who lost their lives in warfare.
“This is someone who deals with trash. That’s his business,” Hegseth added.
He commended U.S. forces engaged in combat against the Houthis in Yemen and denounced the Biden administration’s actions regarding the situation.
A journalist inquired of Hegseth, “Why were those specifics disclosed via Signal?”
Hegseth responded, “I’m aware of how it has been described. No one was sending texts with war strategies, and that’s everything I want to comment on this matter.”
When contacted for comments, a spokesperson from the Pentagon informed LIFEHACK: “We have nothing additional to share beyond what the Secretary has mentioned.”
Goldberg also mentioned that there were additional details he chose not to release because they were highly significant, overly technical, and he feared that making this information public might pose risks to the safety of U.S. military personnel.
He painted the picture of himself sitting in a supermarket parking lot as he observed the conversation unfolding.
They executed a military strategy through a messaging application without knowing all participants involved, which clearly demonstrates a laughable lapse in security. Notice how he failed to address the query directly?
He stated: “Their purpose is to maintain all these discussions at a higher level, the classified level, which is why they possess such systems.”
The editor mentions that he has no clue about who might have invited him to join the chat and is also unaware of the person they intended to invite.
‘What were the odds of inviting the editor of The Atlantic to join your conversation? How did that happen?’
Goldberg also expressed feelings of ‘genuine anxiety and anger’ regarding the ‘carelessness’ exhibited by those involved.
Keep in mind that American servicemen were directly implicated in this assault. This was not merely about long-range weaponry launched from thousands of miles away. You understand, you can’t simply release such details and expect everything to turn out fine.
Goldberg quipped that those involved should consider themselves “fortunate they didn’t mistakenly send this to a Houthi or a foreign diplomat, or someone with access to their phone records; perhaps that counts as a silver lining.”
He mentioned that throughout this time, nobody from the team ever doubted his position within the group chat or reached out after he decided to leave.
“It’s a degree of lack of curiosity, perhaps putting it mildly; what I’m really referring to is a reckless attitude that I haven’t encountered in my extensive career covering national security,” he stated.
When contacted for commentary, a spokesperson from the Pentagon informed LIFEHACK: “We have nothing further to add besides what was mentioned by the Secretary.”
Goldberg was equally astonished to witness
JD Vance disagrees with the president.
, distancing himself from Trump and also casting doubt on his understanding of the topic.
“I doubt the president realizes how contradictory this is with his current stance on Europe. Additionally, there’s a significant danger of witnessing a moderate to severe increase in oil prices,” Vance noted.
‘There is a genuine danger that people might not grasp this concept or see its necessity. The most compelling argument for taking this action is, as the President stated, to convey a clear message,’ Mr. Vance proceeded with his explanation.
Goldberg said that essentially, the person has informed the whole cabinet that he opposes the president’s choice and furthermore believes that the president lacks understanding of the matter.
CNN
.
‘It sounds quite serious; he believes the president hasn’t grasped the outcomes and implications. This revelation was both enlightening and intriguing,’ he commented.
Vance added: ‘I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.’
Goldberg established the context for the startling exposé by verifying that he hadn’t received any previous invitation to insider information about the American security apparatus.
“As might be obvious, but I will state it nonetheless, I have never received an invitation to attend a White House principals committee meeting. Furthermore, during my extensive career covering issues related to national security, I have never come across such a meeting being called due to concerns about a commercial messaging application,” he wrote.
The Atlantic.
The startling narrative unveils how operational specifics were inadvertently disclosed. Defense Secretary Hegseth, who previously served as
Fox News
The host is currently under scrutiny due to significant failures.
Goldberg mentioned that ‘Pete Hegseth, who serves as the Secretary of Defense, sent me the battle strategy via text at 11:44 a.m.’ The airstrikes began in Yemen shortly after 2 p.m.
Trump told reporters at the White House he hadn’t seen The Atlantic story: ‘I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of the Atlantic. It’s to me, it’s a magazine that’s going out of business.’
When questioned regarding the Signal chat, Trump stated: “It must not have been too effective since the assault proved quite successful. Let me assure you that I am not familiar with this matter. This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Goldberg recounted the strange story, initially expressing doubt regarding the text message exchange, wondering if it was authentic. He later confirmed its validity as “the bombs began dropping.”
He acknowledges that he was astonished by the notion that the National Security Adviser to the President would be so careless as to involve the Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic in conversations with high-ranking US officials, all the way up to the Vice President.
The reporter showed up as ‘JG’ in the chat. It remains uncertain whom Waltz intended to include, but Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, shares the same initials, leading to speculations that he might have been the intended person.
Goldberg chose not to share all details during the conversation, invoking reasons of national security.
The White House showed faith in Waltz.
As President Trump stated, the strikes against the Houthis have proven to be highly successful and effective. President Trump remains committed.
possess complete faith in his national security staff, which includes National Security Advisor Mike Waltz
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in an official release.
The National Security Council verified that the conversation was genuine.
At her daily press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce informed journalists: “We won’t provide any comments on this matter; instead, please reach out to the White House for further information.”
If accurate, this represents a shocking security lapse.
Trump
authorized attacks on the Iran-supported rebels in Yemen as a message to Tehran.
The Houthi insurgents were aiming at vessels navigating the Red Sea that hailed from nations connected to Israel, such as the United States and Britain.
Waltz initiated the principles group on Signal for coordination purposes, calling it the ‘Houthi PC small group.’
Goldberg expressed reservations upon being included, confessing that he feared the text message exchange might be part of a ‘disinformation campaign.’
However, as he observed the messages passing by, he realized that the content seemed authentic, and several specifics aligned correctly.
For instance, the account tagged as Vance sent a message stating he would skip a meeting since he had to attend an economic event in Michigan. As expected, the vice president was present in Michigan on that particular day.
That’s when Vance also voiced his concerns regarding the operation.
Vance’s report raised alarms regarding the scheduling of the suggested mission, cautioning that it could lead to a surge in oil prices.
Hegseth replied that he grasped the situation: “VP: I comprehend your worries — and completely endorse you bringing them up with POTUS. There are several critical factors to consider, many of which are difficult to predict their outcomes (such as economic impacts, resolving the conflict in Ukraine, situations in Gaza, among others). Regardless of the approach, I believe the communication strategy will face significant challenges.”
Following some conversation, Vance agrees: “If you believe we should proceed, then let’s do it. I simply dislike having to rescue Europe once more.”
Goldberg, observing the conversation unfold on his Signal app, confessed he was ‘puzzled that nobody in the group appeared to be aware of me being there.’
He mentions that he chose to withhold certain details from a long passage penned by Hegseth, as these pieces of information—if accessed by enemies of the United States—might potentially be exploited to endanger American military and intelligence officers.
What I want to highlight to demonstrate the alarming carelessness of this Signal conversation is that the Hegseth posting included specific operational plans for upcoming attacks in Yemen,” Goldberg explained. “This entailed details such as target locations, types of weaponry the U.S. intended to use, and the sequence of assaults.
The guidelines outlined in the chat addressed Hegseth’s concerns, though.
“I shall offer a prayer for triumph,” Vance penned down.
Goldberg observes that two additional users later included prayer emojis.
If the conversation had been real, explosions would have started hitting locations in Yemen at 1:45 PM Eastern Time. In this scenario, Goldberg waited in his car at a supermarket parking lot.
If this Signal conversation was indeed genuine, I deduced that Houthi targets would swiftly come under attack. Around 1:55, I looked at X and searched for news from Yemen. It turned out explosions were echoing throughout Sanaa, the nation’s capital.
When Goldberg rejoined the group chat, he discovered an abundance of emojis and messages filled with congratulations circulating within the conversation.
Waltz replied using three emojis: a closed fist, an American flag, and flames.
Susie Wiles commented: ‘Congratulations to everyone – with extra praise for those in theater and at CENTCOM! Truly excellent. God bless.’
Steve Witkow showed his sentiment using five emojis: two praying hands, one flexed bicep, and two American flags.
Goldberg stated that he chose to leave the group chat himself and immediately reached out to those involved to inquire about the situation.
Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council, addressed the individual and verified that the conversation was indeed genuine.
This seems to be a genuine message trail, and we are examining how an unintended figure got included,” Hughes stated. “This exchange highlights the extensive and meticulous policy collaboration among high-ranking officials. The continuous effectiveness of the Houthi initiative indicates that there weren’t any risks posed to personnel or national safety.
Read more
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | news, news media, politics, politics and government, politics and law
On Tuesday, March 25, the local newspapers addressed various subjects, with politics being prominently featured throughout their pages.
A newspaper highlighted potential hurdles that ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i might encounter as he gets ready to officially announce his candidacy for president.
1. People Daily
The newspaper exposed the potential criminal and misdemeanor accusations that former Matiang’i might confront once he announces his run for presidency.
As reported by People Daily, certain officials within the present administration are displeased with the previous Interior Cabinet Secretary’s move to contest President William Ruto’s position in the 2027 election.
Matiang’i’s attempt received support from the Jubilee Party, with party members stating they would back him as their nominee.
Trusted sources informed The People Daily that initially, Matiang’i was expected to confront just five criminal charges during the first six months of 2023. However, this action was delayed following an intervention by prominent local politicians from his home region of Kisii, including ex-Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
His choice to run for president has infuriated key figures within Ruto’s administration, prompting them to decide to reassess the current charges and potentially bring additional ones.
According to People Daily, 14 charges have already been formulated against Matiang’i.
The severe accusations set to be imposed on the ex-CS encompass the substantial Ruaraka land scam where their name has frequently surfaced negatively, misuse of authority, embezzlement through an intermediary, and defiance of judicial directives, particularly concerning actions at the Immigration Department related to proceedings initiated by self-imposed exile dissident attorney Miguna Miguna, whose travel document was annulled under Matiang’i’s watch.
Other charges include allegations of sexual assaults and molestation involving a youth from the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Nairobi Central Church, accusations of money laundering, claims of defrauding KSh 10 billion intended for the unimplemented Huduma Number initiative, incidents of shooting civilians during COVID-19 enforcement activities, extrajudicial killings with subsequent disposal of bodies into rivers such as Yala, Tana River, and Isiolo, along with other locations within Kenya.
The files should be submitted to the courts located in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, and Mombasa.
2. Taifa Leo
The newspaper highlighted the challenges faced by ex-Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu, who is presently incarcerated at Nairobi Remand and Allocation Prison.
The ex-county leader was found guilty of various offenses including fraud, misuse of authority, and conflicting interests in a KSh 588 million corruption case.
He received a prison sentence of 12 years; his spouse Susan Wangari faced a similar verdict and was given a year behind bars along with the choice to pay a fine of KSh 500,000 instead.
Speaking from prison, Watitu revealed that the experience there had left him traumatised and his dignity corrupted.
He disclosed that he has lost his appetite and several friendships because people avoid visiting him for fear of being asked to lend money.
“I’ve had traumatic experiences during my time here. I’ve lost both my appetite and my self-respect, and very few people visit me since they believe I’ll ask them for money to cover my fine after being sentenced to 12 years in jail,” Daily Nation reported his statement.
Waititu’s attempts to obtain a bond were thwarted by the judicial authorities.
3. Daily Nation
The newspaper covered the continuing procedure for choosing the new head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) along with its commissioners.
A specially chosen committee of nine members appointed by President William Ruto commenced the interviews on Monday, March 24.
The initial group consists of 11 nominees who have been selected for the position of chairperson; they will undergo questioning up till March 26.
Following this, interviews with the 105 candidates shortlisted for the commissioner roles will continue through until late April.
The panel is overseen by Nelson Makanda.
On the opening day of the interviews, the participants included Charles Nyachae, Anne Amadi, Abdulqadir Lorot, and Edward Katama.
4. The Standard
The newspaper covered the turmoil that disrupted the FIFA World Cup qualifying game between Kenya and Gabon on Sunday, March 23.
The standout moment from the game occurred when Mumias East MP Peter Salasya was attacked, beaten up, and forced to flee from the stadium, which took place at Nyayo Stadium.
The assailants who attacked Salasya are thought to be supporters of ODM leader Raila Odinga, against whom the legislator has previously made derogatory remarks.
So far, no arrests have been made following the incident; the legislator connected the assault to his ongoing criticisms of poor governance.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | journalism, local news, news, news media, politics
HARARE, March 24 (LIFEHACKLive) — The deceased seasoned journalist Geoffrey Nyarota will be laid to rest at his countryside residence in Rusape on Wednesday, as announced by the family.
Tafirenyika, Nyarota’s son, verified on Monday that his father’s body will be displayed at his rural home in Gwangwadza village on Tuesday evening prior to the funeral scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Nyarota passed away due to colon cancer on Sunday at the age of 74.
During his illustrious career Nyarota edited The Financial Gazette, The Chronicle, The Daily News and Zimbabwe Times. He also authored three books, namely ‘Against the Grain, Memoirs of a Zimbabwean Newsman’; ‘The Graceless Fall of Robert Mugabe: The End of a Dictator’s Reign’; and ‘The Honourable Minister: An Anatomy of Endemic Corruption’ .
At the same time, colleagues in journalism kept offering their praises, highlighting Nyarota as an unwavering advocate for press freedom.
If there were a hall of fame for journalism in Zimbabwe, John Gambanga remarked, the late journalist’s name would undoubtedly be atop the media section. During his tenure as news editor and subsequently as editor of Daily News under Nyarota’s leadership as ANZ editor-in-chief, he made significant contributions to this legacy.
“He referred to things by their true names and courageously advocated for press freedom, sternly calling out corruption among national leaders,” Gambanga stated.
Brian Mangwande, who previously worked as an editor at LIFEHACK, stated that Nyarota served as both a guide and a strong source of backing for numerous reporters in Zimbabwe.
“My thoughts go out to the Nyarota family during this incredibly challenging time and to the media community at large,” Mangwende stated.
Geoff was a guiding light, a cornerstone, and a mentor to numerous writers. He was an advocate for press freedom and a formidable presence among his peers.
We have lost a legendary figure whom we will always remember for their significant contributions to press freedom and their unwavering commitment to advocating for media independence worldwide.”
A fellow journalist, Sani Mbofana, stated that Zimbabwe’s media environment has become less rich with the departure of Nyarota.
Their heritage stands as a strong testament that an unfettered and autonomous media is crucial for a thriving democracy.
“His efforts towards the nation’s democratic movement will be recalled among those of other prominent individuals who advocated for liberty, equity, and human dignity,” stated Mbofana.
In a sincere expression of sympathy, Moses Magadza, who serves as the media and communications manager for the SADC Parliamentary Forum, stated that the annals of journalism in post-independence Zimbabwe would lack crucial elements if they failed to mention “this exceptional scribe.”
Nyarota is leaves behind his wife, Ursula, along with their three children.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | business, journalism, news, news media, technology
-
To access additional Mail content, click here to subscribe to Mail+.
Since its establishment in 1896 by Alfred Harmsworth during the era of the telegraph, the Daily Mail has prospered through the strategic adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
Never has this statement been truer than it is today as we take pride in
announce
In addition to being Britain’s top-selling print newspaper every day of the week, the Mail also boasts over 250,000 digital subscribers.
Over 92,000 subscribers have joined Mail+ Editions – the digital version that mirrors the print edition of the newspaper you can read.
read using your tablet or smartphone
So far, over 163,000 people have enrolled in Mail+ to access the extensive collection of high-qualitysubscriber-exclusive articles on MailOnline.
Considering that Mail+ was introduced less than a year and a half ago, this rapid growth positions Mail as one of the quickest-rising newspaper subscription services globally.
Moreover, to emphasize that the Daily Mail has become a significant British export, approximately 21,000 subscribers reside in the United States, even though Mail+ was only introduced there last month.
Another 11,000 reside in Australia, where they revel in the outstanding tales emerging from our country.
Sydney
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail print edition remains ahead of its competitors, increasing this lead over time.
Actually, each week, we manage to sell 1.1 million additional copies compared to our nearest rival, The Sun, while The Times lags significantly farther behind.
Throughout the week, one out of every three national newspapers sold belongs to the Mail.
On Saturdays, when we exceed one million sales, 13 Daily Mails are purchased each second.
Ted Verity, the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Mail, stated: “I believe there has never been a more thrilling period for being a Mail journalist. It’s an era where your content can reach and engage with a larger audience across numerous platforms and in various corners of the globe.”
The swift success of our subscription services is a remarkable testament to the skill and dedication of our exceptional team comprising reporters, writers, photographers, videographers, and editors.
However, this is merely the beginning. Our next objective should be to continually increase our subscriber base year after year, all of which will be supported by the exceptional and highly appealing journalistic content provided exclusively by the Daily Mail.
The Mail has appointed Celia Duncan as the world’s first Global Women’s Editor.
For years, The Mail has been at the forefront of providing exceptional coverage tailored for Britain’s largest and most dedicated group of women readers.
Today, we’re taking our dedication to women’s journalism a step further by appointing the world’s first Global Women’s Editor.
Celia Duncan, who came onboard in 2015 from The Times, will advance into this position following her collaboration with our exceptionally skilled groups of international editors and writers to introduce Mail+, our excellent new digital subscription service, in both Australia and the United States.
Ted Verity, the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Mail, stated: “Over many years, exceptional journalism focused on women has been the core essence of the Mail.”
However, Celia has elevated this significantly by generating thousands of dazzling daily features, as well as three must-read weekly segments in Femail, Inspire, and Secrets & Lives – all contributing substantially to the number of online subscriptions for Mail+.
No finer indicator of theMail’s aspirations or the thrilling changes underway can be seen than through the hiring of the globe’s inaugural Global Women’s Editor.
Celia stated, “I’m incredibly thrilled to take on the role of the Mail’s inaugural Global Women’s Editor. This is a tremendous honor.”
The Mail has consistently led in women’s editorial content, boasting a dynamic, devoted, and highly involved female audience.
In collaboration with many of the finest writers and editors in Britain, we have significantly increased our focus on women’s content over recent years. The triumphant introduction of Mail+ in both Australia and the United States heralds an exhilarating new era for the Mail.
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