Macron hails Anwar's visit to France as successful
He said this was achieved through Anwar's high-level meetings with his French counterpart, François Bayrou, and other key officials, his speech at Sorbonne University, Paris, as well as his exchanges with civil society leaders and meetings with French businesses.
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
AI deepfakes of PM, tycoons used in scams
KUALA LUMPUR: Scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create hyper-realistic videos featuring politicians, business moguls, and celebrities. These videos are used to lure unsuspecting people into fraudulent investment schemes. MCA's Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said today that RM2.11 billion was lost to these scams last year. A total of 13,956 cases were reported. These AI-generated deepfake videos often depict influential figures — including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, tycoon Tan Sri Robert Kuok, former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes — promoting fake investment and get-rich-quick schemes. "The AI-generated videos look so real that people can't tell the difference. Anyone watching would think it is the prime minister himself asking the public to invest, unaware that it's an AI-generated fake." Chong said this at Wisma MCA. He said 85 per cent of victims were convinced to invest after watching fake promotional videos featuring seemingly genuine endorsements from public figures. "If not for the Tamil accent in one of the videos, I too might have believed it was real," he said. This, he added, highlights just how convincing the content can be. "These videos have become rampant over the past four to five months, spreading through Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram — making them easily accessible." He said that while authorities such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are removing flagged content, scammers continue to stay one step ahead. "They're smarter. The moment one video is taken down, they generate a new one and continue to deceive people." To illustrate how easily victims are ensnared, he and several MCA members conducted a simple sting operation. They pooled RM1,100 and responded to a link beneath one of the scam videos. "Within minutes, a scammer contacted our team member to explain the 'investment' and its returns. "He played along and invested RM1,100. He was promised a return of RM5,000 the following week. 'The next day, they demanded another US$250 as a processing fee. At that point, we confirmed it was a scam and stopped engaging." While it is difficult to prevent scammers from using technology in increasingly creative ways, he said public awareness remains the strongest defence. "We must flag and tag such videos as fake whenever they appear on our feed. "This way, the next person who sees it might think twice before falling for the scam." He said social media platforms should strengthen detection mechanisms and called on authorities to tighten legislation against the misuse of AI-generated media.
Malaysia Sun
3 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Macron reveals topics he discussed with Putin
The French leader said he raised concerns over Iran, and saw no progress on Ukraine French President Emmanuel Macron said his first phone conversation in nearly three years with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin focused mostly on nuclear non-proliferation, following a series of Israeli and US strikes against Iran. Macron told journalists that the call centered on Iran's nuclear program and the need to preserve the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), according to avideobroadcast by BFMTV on Friday. "I called him first on the Iranian issue and the necessity of maintaining the non-proliferation treaty," Macron explained. "It was very important to reach an agreement, because France also bears responsibility for ensuring stability." The French president described the conversation as "important for France," noting that both nations, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, share obligations under the NPT. Following a series of Israeli and US bombings of its nuclear and other strategic sites, Tehran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing it of failing to condemn the attacks on facilities under its supervision. Iran also claimed the UN agency colluded with its adversaries, alleging it had passed the identities of nuclear scientists to Israel, several of whom were later assassinated. According to the Kremlin's readout of the July 1 call, both Putin and Macron emphasized the need to respect Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy while fulfilling its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. Moscow and Paris also agreed to continue diplomatic engagement to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. Macron also said he could not report any "progress" on Ukraine in his discussion with Putin, echoing sentiments expressed by US President Donald Trump following his own call with the Russian leader on Thursday. READ MORE: No progress made in Putin call Trump "We shared our disagreements," Macron said, insisting that "there needs to be a ceasefire first, followed by the resumption of negotiations." He added that Western sanctions, including those already imposed by the EU and new ones proposed by the US Congress, were essential to applying pressure. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin reiterated Russia's view that the Ukraine conflict stems from years of Western disregard for its security concerns. The Russian president maintained that any settlement must be "comprehensive and long-term," address the "root causes" of the crisis, and take into account what Moscow describes as the "new territorial realities." Russia and Ukraine resumed Türkiye-hosted talks earlier this year after nearly three years without direct diplomatic contact, following Kiev's withdrawal of its demand for an unconditional ceasefire as a precondition for negotiations. Macron's outreach comes amid a shift in his stance on the conflict. While previously advocating the deployment of French and other NATO troops to Ukraine, the French president has more recently proposed that the EU begin considering a broader dialogue on regional security that includes Russia as part of a potential peace framework. (
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia, France reaffirm call for Gaza ceasefire
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and French President Emmanuel Macron at the press conference held outside the Elysee Palace in Paris. (Bernama pic) PARIS : Malaysia and France on Friday reaffirmed their stand for a ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to get through. The call was made by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a press conference at the Elysee Palace here. Macron said both he and Anwar agreed that a permanent ceasefire must take place in Gaza, adding that the release of hostages must also be implemented. He said a two-state solution is the best way to resolve the issue of Palestine-Israel. 'We are working with several parties, among them Saudi (Arabia), towards this. For now, Israel must allow for aid to reach Gaza,' he said. At the press conference held before their bilateral meeting, Anwar praised Macron for his passion to try and resolve the conflict in Gaza. 'Of course, we have condemned the continued bombings and atrocities inflicted upon civilians, women and children. And it's a shame that the international community is not able to resolve this,' he said. 'So, your initiative was supported by us. No question about peace, and if it takes two sides to secure peace, I agree with you. That's why we have also committed to the two-state solution.' Anwar said Malaysia also condemns the Israeli aggression on Iran and will continue to support France's efforts to bring peace in the Middle East. 'I don't think we can deny the issue of the use of nuclear for peaceful means. Nuclear non-proliferation, proliferation, or even power, cannot be seen to be selective,' he said. 'If you say no to Iran, (and) you say yes to Israel, we have a problem; try and resolve that. But I agree with you, we must impress upon Iran to use this for peaceful methods and peaceful means and allow for inspection, which they have given a commitment.' Macron said Iran must unequivocally reaffirm its support for the Non-Proliferation Treaty and withdraw its law limiting cooperation with the IAEA. He said Iran must also agree to a deal that will lead to the end of uranium enrichment in Iran, while allowing the country to benefit from the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 'This has been the focus of my discussions with the Iranian president, as well as with Russian President Vladimir Putin and, just yesterday, with American President Donald Trump. I will continue talks in the coming days with other members of the Security Council. 'We also want an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. 'We condemn just as firmly the attacks on civilian populations. This war of aggression launched by Russia has consequences far beyond Europe. We are now seeing this with the deployment of North Korean soldiers on European soil,' he said.
