Latest news with #Science
The Sun
an hour ago
- Business
- The Sun
SC adds 59 entities to investor alert list in Q1
KUANTAN: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) added 59 names to its Investor Alert List in the first quarter (1Q) of this year, said chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi. He said this move is part of ongoing efforts to combat the increasingly rampant scams, alongside blocking fraudulent websites and social media pages. 'In 2024, we added 273 names to the Alert List, and in the 1Q this year, we added another 59,' he said during his opening remarks at the launch of the Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 programme. The event was officiated by Pahang Investment, Industrial Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Mohamad Najib. Mohammad Faiz added that the SC also collaborates closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block these deceptive sites. 'Last year, we blocked 153 websites and 261 social media pages. In the 1Q, we blocked 29 websites and 91 social media pages. These numbers show how much illicit activity we are fighting daily,' he said. As of May 2025, he said, the SC had received 1,218 complaints and enquiries about scams. Mohammad Faiz also reminded the public to be cautious of scams that claim to be Shariah‑compliant, using religious sentiment to gain trust. Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 is a three‑day programme starting today, bringing together government officials, capital market industry players, and regulators under one roof as part of the SC's investor outreach initiative. More than 40 exhibitors are participating in the event, themed 'Bijak Labur, Hidup Makmur'.
The Sun
an hour ago
- Business
- The Sun
SC adds 59 scam names to alert list in Q1 2025
KUANTAN: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) added 59 names to its Investor Alert List in the first quarter (1Q) of this year, said chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi. He said this move is part of ongoing efforts to combat the increasingly rampant scams, alongside blocking fraudulent websites and social media pages. 'In 2024, we added 273 names to the Alert List, and in the 1Q this year, we added another 59,' he said during his opening remarks at the launch of the Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 programme. The event was officiated by Pahang Investment, Industrial Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Mohamad Najib. Mohammad Faiz added that the SC also collaborates closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block these deceptive sites. 'Last year, we blocked 153 websites and 261 social media pages. In the 1Q, we blocked 29 websites and 91 social media pages. These numbers show how much illicit activity we are fighting daily,' he said. As of May 2025, he said, the SC had received 1,218 complaints and enquiries about scams. Mohammad Faiz also reminded the public to be cautious of scams that claim to be Shariah‑compliant, using religious sentiment to gain trust. Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 is a three‑day programme starting today, bringing together government officials, capital market industry players, and regulators under one roof as part of the SC's investor outreach initiative. More than 40 exhibitors are participating in the event, themed 'Bijak Labur, Hidup Makmur'.
Daily Express
4 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Fresh approaches needed to reignite interest in medicine, says expert
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Once regarded the pinnacle of academic achievement, pursuing a career in medicine is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path. Kuala Lumpur: There was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths; when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies. Many parents were once willing to spend large sums to send their children abroad to study medicine after failing to secure places in local universities. Times, however, have changed, and the field is now increasingly being overlooked. Advertisement Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A SPM students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over students' declining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector. This decline in interest is acknowledged by Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, who notes that today's youths are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from that of previous generations. 'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path,' she told Bernama. 'This especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence.' Advertisement Further discouraging high-achieving students from a career in medicine are the social media narratives that highlight hardships, long working hours, and perceived lack of fair compensation. 'This trend reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' Norsham added. She pointed out that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system – such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads, and toxic work cultures, including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support – have become red flags for young people. At the same time, social media glamourises other careers as being more flexible, expressive, and less stressful. Norsham also believes the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Every medical decision carries inherent risk, and as such, 'every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability', she said. Restoring true purpose To reignite interest in the profession, Norsham suggests regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of its true value: the nobility of saving lives. She believes a more holistic approach is needed, starting with restoring joy to the learning process. 'The younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice – they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change.' Norsham also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession. 'If they see that being a doctor isn't a burden but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. But this requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine, so we can present a more convincing narrative to students.' Relatedly, she believes medical curriculums today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field. 'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification, and story- or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotion, which is vital for sustaining student interest,' she said. 'Let's restore the core strength of this profession: the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation, and work environment.'
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ted Cruz Trolls 'Fact-Free' Tucker Carlson With 'Objective Fact'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After the heated and combative interview between Republican Senator Ted Cruz and right-wing media host Tucker Carlson went viral online, Cruz accused the conservative commentator of being "utterly fact-free" in his views on Iran and U.S. foreign policy. Why It Matters Cruz's clash with Carlson took place during a two-hour interview that Carlson later posted on X, where the former Fox News host challenged Cruz over his support for regime change in Iran. The two debated a range of issues, focusing on U.S. involvement in Iran and Carlson's claim that Cruz prioritizes Israel too heavily in his foreign policy. Their exchange came amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, which were sparked when Israel launched airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military targets, killing several senior scientists and officers. Iran quickly retaliated, most recently hitting a major Israeli hospital in a strike the Israeli government said crossed a "red line." Senator Ted Cruz, chairman Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, leads the committee's questioning of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Chair and CEO Lisa Su, CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator and Microsoft... Senator Ted Cruz, chairman Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, leads the committee's questioning of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Chair and CEO Lisa Su, CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator and Microsoft Corporation President and Vice Chair Brad Smith in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. More Photo byWhat To Know In a post on X on Thursday, responding to commentator Matt Walsh's commentary about the interview, Cruz wrote, "I agree that it was interesting. But it would have more so had Tucker not been utterly fact-free." "'I've never heard of Iran trying to kill [President Donald Trump]!' [high-pitched laughter]," Cruz wrote, mocking the former Fox News host. The Texas senator then brought up a Department of Justice indictment, writing that "it's an objective fact." The indictment charges Farhad Shakeri, an Iranian operative, with plotting to assassinate Trump. 1/x @MattWalshBlog I agree that it was interesting. But it would have more so had Tucker not been utterly fact-free. 'I've never heard of Iran trying to kill Trump!' [high-pitched laughter] It's an objective fact. Here's the DOJ indictment: — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 19, 2025 During the interview, Carlson pressed Cruz on fundamental knowledge of Iran, beginning with a question about the country's population. When Cruz said he didn't know, Carlson replied, "You don't know the population of the country you seek to topple?" The former Fox News host posted the clip online and it quickly went viral, drawing tens of millions of views and sparking widespread debate among those on both sides of the political aisle. Cruz defended his record and turned the conversation toward the threat posed by Iran, citing the DOJ's indictment of Farhad Shakeri. "You're the one who claims they're not trying to murder Donald Trump," Cruz told Carlson, referencing the alleged plot. "You're the one who can't figure out if it was a good idea to kill General Soleimani and you said it was bad," Cruz added. Carlson countered that Cruz was downplaying the implications of advocating for military action without understanding the country in question. "You're a senator who's calling for an overthrow of the government and you don't know anything about the country," Carlson said. In a follow-up exchange, Cruz said the U.S. is currently helping Israel conduct strikes on Iranian targets. "We are carrying out military strikes today," he said. Carlson interrupted to point out that Israel was leading the campaign, to which Cruz replied, "With our help. I said 'we'—Israel is leading but we're supporting them." When Carlson asked if Cruz knew Iran's population, the senator replied that he didn't "sit around memorizing population tables," prompting Carlson to say: "You don't know the population of the country you seek to topple?" Carlson's rhetoric toward Trump has been increasingly critical, with the longtime supporter—who headlined large rallies with the Republican during the 2024 campaign—this week suggesting that the president was breaking his pledge to keep the United States out of foreign entanglements. Trump clapped back at Carlson on social media, calling him "kooky." During an event at the White House later Wednesday, Trump said that Carlson had "called and apologized" for criticizing him, saying Carlson "is a nice guy." What People Are Saying Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday night: "Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, 'IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'" Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to Donald Trump, said on his show, "The War Room": "Come on, man. We have to have an adult conversation. We're not going to let the shills at Fox—the same exact crowd that said the same thing about the Iraq War—force the President of the United States into a corner. He needs a range of options." Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, commented on his weekly podcast: "You've got Tucker Carlson going, 'Why are we going to war with Iran again?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, you tell him, brother!' That's how f---ing upside down we are right now." What Happens Next White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will make a decision on whether or not to have the United States join Israel's war with Iran "within the next two weeks."
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Science
- The Independent
Charging for plastic shopping bags can actually lead to cleaner beaches, study shows
Plastic bag bans and fees are actually working to help decrease litter along shorelines, researchers reveal. Local laws enforcing bans or fees for plastic shopping bags are associated with a 25 to 47 percent decrease in plastic bag litter found during shoreline cleanups, according to a new study in the peer-reviewed journal Science. The researchers found a decrease in plastic bags along all bodies of water, but the evidence suggests plastic bag regulations have the largest effect along lakes. The study also shows that some plastic bag regulations are more effective than others. Full bans and fees are more effective than partial bans, likely because of exemptions for thicker plastic bags, the authors wrote. Anna Papp, one of the authors and an environmental economist and postdoctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told The New York Times the study shows plastic bag litter reliably decreases when local lawmakers implement regulations. 'This is not a once-in-time snapshot of plastic litter, but really is something that keeps happening again and again,' Papp said. Environmental scientist Dr. Zoie Diana told the Times the study shows that this decrease in plastic bag litter 'wouldn't have happened policies are working.' Plastic bag bans and fees are growing in popularity. More than 100 countries regulate the bags, and 175 countries are in talks to create the first-ever global plastics treaty, according to the study. In the U.S., at least 11 states have banned plastic bags altogether, and more than 200 counties have implemented bans or regulations. Dr. Erin Murphy, manager of Ocean Plastics Research for the Ocean Conservancy, told CNN that plastic bags are more dangerous to marine life than other types of litter. That's because they're lightweight and can be blown into the environment more easily, Murphy noted. Plastic bags can also kill animals that eat them or become entangled in them. 'They're hard to recycle, they're single-use, and they're lightweight, and so they blow very easily in the wind,' she told CNN. 'Even if we're trying to properly manage them, it's easy for them to escape waste management systems and get into the environment.'
