Latest news with #Hector
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Edisi Siasat blocked by court order: Lawyer insists Comms Minister spell out crimes of whistleblower site
IN George Orwell's satire, Animal Farm, one tyrannical regime is toppled by a popular revolt, only for it to be replaced by one that is infinitely worse. This was seemingly the point that lawyer and human rights activist Charles Hector was making with regard to whistleblowers. He was referring to the action taken against whistleblower sites – Edisi Siasat – whose Telegram channel has been blocked and can no longer be viewed by its 1.18 million followers. Editor's Note: Apart from Edisi Siasat, another well-known Telegram channel, Edisi Khas, is also facing similar wrath from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for allegedly spreading content that could harm public order and erode trust in national institutions. Hector very pointedly asked what laws did this site break? The anti-death penalty proponent demanded that Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and the MCMC to immediately inform Malaysians as to what is happening in detail. This is to avoid confusion. The legal eagle outlined several pertinent queries: 'What was the alleged crime committed by Edisi Siasat? What post? How was it harmful? Was it fake? Which law exactly did it violate?' he enquired, wondering if it fell afoul of the broadly worded Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which many citizens have called to be repealed. Hector further drew comparisons of Edisi Siasat with that of the restrictions placed on Sarawak Report by Datuk Seri Najib's administration. The latter website had been instrumental in revealing damning details on the 1MDB scandal and drawing public attention to it. In 2015, the Sarawak Report was blocked in Malaysia with authorities having issued an arrest warrant for its editor/founder Clare Rewcastle Brown for 'threatening parliamentary democracy.' Pre-0emptive measure With a number of cases against officials from the previous administration on-going, perhaps there is a fear among Madani officials that they, too. would be subject to such scrutiny should Pakatan Harapan (PH) fall at the next elections. Hence, they are safeguarding themselves by taking the necessary pre-emptive measures, according to the outspoken lawyer. This includes the dubious blocking of sites and abuse of authority. 'Remember that public officers are responsible to Malaysians and not just the current PM and government,' he reminded civil servants of their duty. 'The fact that (past) PMs and ministers do commit crime and sometimes abuse their power is already clear. Even now, there are pending investigations and on-going trials against past government PMs, ministers, etc. 'After GE16 –if and when PMX Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's's Madani government is ousted – it is possible we will see cases being commenced against ministers of this current government.' – June 20, 2025
Scoop
3 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
High Hopes For Whales Ahoy, This Long Weekend
Whale lovers are hoping for fine weather and lots of marine activity for this weekend's Countrywide Whale and Dolphin Count. This is New Zealand's sixth annual citizen science cetacean census, held at the same time every year during 'peak whale' when giant humpback and southern right whales are forging along the country's coasts on an epic migration from the Antarctic to the tropics. The Countrywide Whale and Dolphin Count extends across Matariki weekend, from Friday to Sunday 20-22 June. People around the country are taking to high points to survey the sea and record efforts and sightings. Previous events have seen people in over 100 locations, with sightings including orca, humpbacks, rare beaked whales and Hector's dolphins. The pod poll is run through the Facebook group Whale and Dolphin Watch - Cetacean Spotting NZ, which celebrates New Zealand's whale and dolphin diversity, among the richest in the world. The whale and dolphin count contributes both a snapshot of the same time every year and information about the marine mammals close to shore across time. Last year, 19 humpback whale and seven southern right whale reports were submitted over the course of the weekend. Hector's dolphins were sighted in many places on the South Island's east coast, and there were orca, bottlenose, dusky and common dolphins elsewhere. Anyone can take part. Cetacean spotters are encouraged to choose a survey site ideally at a high location to see as far out to sea as possible. Bundle up warm, and a pair of binoculars helps but aren't essential. Organiser Christine Rose, says 'we cannot guarantee that people will see whales and dolphins. But whales and dolphins can be detected by water disturbance or splashes, blows or spouts, bodies or fins at the surface, the sudden emergence of dark fins sticking out of the water. Sometimes a whale will leap out of the water (breach) or slap its tail.' 'This event is a good reason to get out into the fresh air and be present in nature, with a keen anticipation of the majestic animals we share the earth's oceans with.' People can report sightings to Whale and Dolphin Watch - Cetacean Spotting NZ:
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Hector Pieterson's sister calls on today's youth to find a cause
What has changed in education since 1976? Hector Pieterson's sister Antoinette Sithole arrives at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, 16 June 2025, to give a lecture on her brotherwho was shot dead by the apartheid police on 16 June 1976. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen Antoinette Sithole, sister of June 1976 uprising shooting victim, schoolboy Hector Pieterson, says her generation is sad to see the behaviour of today's youth. They take weapons to school, attack their teachers and fellow pupils, and abuse drugs on the school premises, she noted. 'To me, the meaning of Youth Day is how to tackle your own problems. As youth, you should be out there writing placards to say 'we are tired of gender-based violence'. As parents, we will support you. 'Make a bold statement. You will be supported by billions out there in the world,' she said. Sithole said she had long ago decided to forgive the killers of her brother, Hector. 'I am on the side of those who say it's best that I don't know the person who killed my brother, because I want everything in my life to be positive,' Sithole said. Sithole was addressing an audience that included youths from different cultural backgrounds and political activists to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the police killings of pupils protesting against Afrikaans being used as a medium of instruction in black schools. She will be 66 on 28 June. What are today's youth fighting for? Another panel speaker at the event, Dr Tshepo Moloi, head of the department of history at the University of Johannesburg, related the plan to organise the 1976 uprising under the auspices of the South African Students Movement linked to the Black Consciousness Movement. Moloi made a comparison between the youth of 1976 and today's youth, saying the former were activists while questions linger about the influence today's youth have on change. However, a guest, Esinako Ndabeni, noted that the #FeesMustFall student activists played a significant role in bringing about change in the education system. Remembering Hector Sithole remembers her younger brother, Hector, as a shy but naughty little boy who once got her into trouble with train security guards. Sithole went on the train with her brother frequently, but he would ask her not to buy their weekly train tickets to school and instead to keep the money. They managed to get free rides a few times, but on the third day, she was caught by the security guards while trying to escape. Hector had already escaped and was waiting for his sister, laughing and dancing. The guards accused her of teaching her brother not to pay for tickets. Although she managed to convince the security guards to let her go, she gave her little brother a tongue lashing and vowed never to try to wangle a free train ride again. Hector, who was close to their mother, loved kung fu movies, and his hero was Bruce Lee, whose films he would watch repeatedly every weekend. 'Hector was very humble and not talkative. I know that comrades see Hector as a struggle hero, but I don't share that view. 'To me he was just my brother. He shouldn't have been there in the first place. 'He was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was shot by the police,' Sithole said. Still taught in Afrikaans She said the 1976 generation opposed Afrikaans because it was the language of the oppressor. 'We hated Afrikaans because the owner of that language was our oppressor. We felt we were oppressed by the Afrikaners. Now we have to be instructed in their language. No way,' she said. On the 49th anniversary of the 1976 uprising in which scores of pupils were killed by police and hundreds injured, Sithole said it was shocking that pupils today still have to pass Afrikaans to proceed to the next grade. She believed the language should have been taken out of the syllabus by the democratic government and replaced with a language from other African countries. 'We thought our education would be the best after all that happened. 'But I am not a politician, it's not for me to tell them what to do,' she said. Sithole, who was 16 and doing form 3 (now grade 10) at Phefeni Senior Secondary in Orlando when the 1976 student uprisings occurred, related how she found her 13-year-old brother on the other side of the pavement while police were shooting. He came to her side, but when the police fired more shots, the boy disappeared in the crowd and they were separated. Later she saw student Mbuyisa Makhubo, then 18, carrying her limp brother's body running past her. She followed him and asked who he was and where he was taking her brother, but Makhubo kept running and put Hector in a journalist's car. They took him to the clinic, but he was already dead.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Our Times' movie review: All hail women in this time-hopping romance
Our Times is a Mexican romance-drama with a hint of sci-fi. The movie revolves around Nora, played by singer and regular Latin Grammy Awards host Lucero, who is shown to be the brains behind building a time machine along with her husband Hector, played by Benny Ibarra. Hector sees her as a loving partner, whereas the staff at the National Autonomous University of Mexico sees her more as Hector's assistant. They try for extra funds for their project, and invite the University's dean for a meal. The dean likes the dinner prepared by Nora, but doesn't pay heed to her scientific opinions. After Nora realises how to make the time machine work, the physicist duo travel in time from 1966 to 2025, and face the wonders of the 21st century. The catch is to keep their scientific breakthrough hidden from the world. Nora and Hector learn about new technologies in 2025, try on the latest fashion and even experience wokeism while trying to figure out a way back to the present. Hector finds it hard to adapt to a world full of women with equal rights whereas Nora enjoys the experiences and continues to project her brilliance. By travelling in time, one could imagine that the main character had a complete shift to a multicultural social development. The movie was shot in Mexico City and one can appreciate the production design depicting the city in the 1960s. In 2025, Hector feels as though others see him as Nora's assistant and tries to prove his worth. At a conclave where Nora is the guest of honour on International Women's Day, he cuts into her speech with his 'mansplaining' inputs. His speech doesn't get an applause, but the audience are appalled by his opinions which come out as offensive to women. When the plot is focused on feminism, it reflects the power of women in today's world, in stark contrast to the 60s. Nora finds her voice and is able to accept the progressive mindsets that validate women. She gets to know what patriarchy means and reexamines the old ways. She realises that gender roles have undergone a change and women are able to express themselves and be free. What happens to their character arc, was the most expected. The husband leaves Nora in the future and goes back in time to set her free. He writes a letter saying she is creating her own success and is destined for greater things. The movie ends on a different note though, after she lives a life full of achievements. Their wrinkled faces reminded me of the 90-year-old character in the film Kapoor & Sons, where Rishi Kapoor underwent extensive make-up and looked like someone whose face got swelled up due from a food allergy. To call Our Times a sci-fi film wouldn't do justice to other sci-fi films, as the plot doesn't quite convince the audience. What the film lacks in screenplay, editing, scene continuity, chemistry as well as music, it makes up with its messaging. Our Times is currently streaming on Netflix
Eyewitness News
12-06-2025
- Eyewitness News
SANDF says it's committed to cooperating with Hawks' probe into SAS Manthatisi incident
CAPE TOWN - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said it was committed to cooperating with the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigations related to the SAS Manthatisi submarine incident. Lieutenant-Commander Gillian Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mokwapa Mojela, died after being swept off the submarine during a training drill in stormy sea conditions in September 2023. Hector's widower, Commander Romero Hector, who is also a SA Navy officer, is still looking for answers, while the Hawks have confirmed that an investigation into the incident was underway. SA Navy Commander Romero Hector, whose wife, Lieutenant-Commander Gillian Hector, perished during the incident, said that he approached his superiors for full disclosure after suspecting negligence but was met with red tape. Hector said he feels vindicated after the Hawks confirmed they were investigating the incident. "I would like to see the Hawks fully execute their criminal investigation, as well as me pursuing my civil case against them." SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala said that the SA Navy's legal team was committed to cooperating with the Hawks. "The SA Navy is in contact with the complainant, Commander Hector, and his legal representatives regarding their requests and concerns." Prince also rejected the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s claim that the SANDF was refusing to release a report on the incident, saying once legal procedures were completed, a response would be made public.
