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The Star
13 hours ago
- General
- The Star
How to outsmart fake news
HAVE you ever stumbled upon an article or video claiming that Jackie Chan died while performing one of his stunts, only to realise how absurd it sounds? Death hoaxes like these have been around even before the Internet, yet somehow, people still fall for them. Why is it so difficult to separate fact from fiction? Have we stopped to consider the impact of spreading misinformation? And shouldn't schools be doing a better job of improving students' media literacy skills? Distinguishing fake news from the real deal isn't as tough as it seems. A simple trick is to check the publication date. Social media loves resurrecting old posts, which can easily mislead readers into believing outdated stories. Remember during the movement control order, when videos about the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) were shared like wildfire, with people thinking they were related to Covid-19 – all because no one bothered checking the date? The consequences were far-reaching. As these outdated videos spread, many people believed they were seeing real-time information, causing widespread panic. The more those false claims were shared, the harder it became to reassure people, leading to increased fear, unnecessary precautions, and even hoarding behaviour. If we had just paused for a moment to check the date, much of the confusion and panic could have been avoided. Ignoring these simple details allows misinformation to fester and spread, only worsening the situation. Isabel: In an age where information moves at lightning speed, it's our job to be smarter about what we consume. Another way to protect yourself is by carefully evaluating the source of the information. Fake news often comes from anonymous authors or websites that don't prioritise fact-checking. Relying on just one source can be risky, as many of these sites skip crucial verification steps. Reputable news outlets feature credible authors and sources, so it's essential to know who's behind the information before you believe it. A good example of this occurred after the tragic Boeing 737 Max crash in 2019. In the aftermath, social media was flooded with sensational posts claiming that every Boeing 737 Max was dangerously flawed and secretly being grounded to avoid a public disaster. These stories spread quickly, causing panic among travellers. While the aircraft did have flaws, many of the claims circulating were grossly exaggerated or entirely fabricated. One particularly alarming post suggested that airlines were continuing to fly the planes without proper safety measures, despite clear warnings. But a quick dive into reputable sources debunked these rumours, showing that the issue had been thoroughly addressed by aviation authorities. This serves as a stark reminder of how easily misinformation can spiral out of control, causing unnecessary fear and confusion. So, before you share that headline, stop and ask yourself: Who's behind this? Are they a credible source, or just looking for clicks? With the speed at which misinformation spreads these days, it's more important than ever to approach everything we read with caution. If an article is packed with sensational language or dramatic tones, it's a massive red flag. Genuine news tends to be neutral and based on facts. And then there's confirmation bias – the sneaky habit we all have of believing stories that match our own views. Fake news is particularly good at exploiting this. I once stumbled upon a headline that seemed to echo everything I already believed. I was just about to share it, but something made me pause and look into it further. It turned out that the whole thing was a distortion of the facts. It's why we all need to stay alert, question what we read, and make sure we're not unknowingly feeding the fire of misinformation. In an age where information moves at lightning speed, it's our job to be smarter about what we consume. Misinformation isn't just about looking foolish – it can cause panic, tear communities apart, and even impact real-world decisions. So, the next time something catches your eye, pause and ask: Is this too wild to be true? Who's behind it, and what's their agenda? In a world of viral headlines and posts, taking a moment to verify can make all the difference. By being thoughtful and questioning what we read, we can help create a world where truth wins and misinformation takes a back seat. The truth doesn't need to be shouted – it just needs us to pay attention. Isabel, 14, a student in Johor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities. 1 Look in today's newspaper for a news story. Write six sentences about it – three containing facts and three containing fiction. Then, have your partner separate the facts from the fiction. 2 Create a poster with key tips for spotting fake news. You may include the tips shared by Isabel in her article or come up with your own. Be as creative as possible! When you're done, pin your poster on the classroom noticeboard. The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Boeing to pay $1.1B, avoid prosecution in DOJ deal over deadly 737 Max crashes
Boeing will shell out more than $1 billion but avoided prosecution over two crashes involving its 737 Max planes that killed 346 people, the Justice Department said Friday The non-prosecution agreement allows the aerospace giant to avoid being branded a convicted felon and was harshly criticized by many families who lost relatives in the crashes and had pressed prosecutors to take the Boeing the planemaker to trial. 3 A pile of debris at the crash site of an Ethiopian Airlines-operated 737 Max. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement A lawyer for family members and two US senators had urged the Justice Department not to abandon its prosecution, but the government quickly rejected the requests. 'This kind of non-prosecution deal is unprecedented and obviously wrong for the deadliest corporate crime in US history. My families will object and hope to convince the court to reject it,' said Paul Cassell, a lawyer representing many of the families. Boeing agreed to pay an additional $444.5 million into a crash victims' fund that would be divided evenly per crash victim on top of an additional $243.6 million fine. Advertisement The Justice Department expects to file the written agreement with Boeing by the end of next week. Boeing will no longer face oversight by an independent monitor under the agreement. Boeing will pay in total over $1.1 billion including the fine and compensation to families and over $455 million to strengthen the company's compliance, safety, and quality programs, the Justice Department said. 'Boeing must continue to improve the effectiveness of its anti-fraud compliance and ethics program and retain an independent compliance consultant,' the department said Friday. 'We are confident that this resolution is the most just outcome with practical benefits.' Boeing did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. Advertisement Its stock ticked down 0.5% Friday. The planemaker and major military contractor had been scheduled to face trial on June 23 over a Lion Air flight that crashed in October 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines flight that went down just a few months later. Its popular 737 Max was grounded worldwide for nearly two years and the company suffered severe reputation damage, losing nearly $12 billion last year. Boeing — which recently clinched a $20 billion contract with the White House to build fighter jets — had reached previous settlements with the US government that have fallen through. Advertisement In 2021, it agreed to pay a $2.51 billion fine to avoid prosecution. That fine included a $243.6 million criminal penalty, a $500 million fund for the victims' family members and $1.77 billion for its airline customers. 3 Family members hold photographs of Boeing 737 Max crash victims. REUTERS That settlement was due to expire last year, but just two days after the deadline, a door panel blew out on a 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines, intensifying scrutiny on the already tarnished company. An investigation found the plane had left Boeing's factory without having key bolts installed to hold the door panel in place. US prosecutors argued that Boeing had violated the terms of its 2021 settlement by failing to enforce a compliance and ethics program to catch violations of fraud laws. The government had accused Boeing of concealing information about the use of a flight-control system on the Max planes that was later implicated in the 2018 crashes. 3 Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg testifying before the Senate in April. Getty Images A former Boeing pilot, Mark Forkner, told the FAA to delete the MCAS flight-control system from manuals – then bragged in a separate email about 'jedi-mind tricking' regulators, according to a government investigation. Advertisement Last July, Boeing reached a new settlement agreement that included pleading guilty to the criminal fraud charge. It would have paid a fine of up to $487.2 million under that deal. But that settlement was rejected by a federal judge over concerns about the Justice Department's DEI standards for hiring a government-appointed monitor to oversee the company. Family members of the crash victims had slammed these previous agreements as 'sweetheart deals.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing reaches deal to avoid criminal charges over deadly 737 Max crashes
The Justice Department is dropping its criminal case against Boeing. It's a major win for the embattled planemaker. The case stems from two Boeing 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. The Justice Department on Friday said it had reached a deal with Boeing that would allow the planemaker to avoid criminal charges stemming from two 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people and upended the planemaker's business for years. Boeing will instead invest more than $1 billion in strengthening its compliance, safety, and quality programs in exchange for the Justice Department dropping the case. The deal is not yet finalized and will be submitted to the court soon, the department said in a court filing. Crucially, the lack of being labeled as a felon could help it continue winning lucrative defense contracts without a waiver from the Pentagon. Boeing declined to comment. Boeing originally agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration and pay a $243.6 million fine, but that deal was thrown out by the judge in December. A jury trial was scheduled to begin in June. The families of some victims have long opposed any outcome that did not result in a trial. "This isn't justice. It's a backroom deal dressed up as a legal proceeding, and it sends a dangerous message: in America, the rich and powerful can buy their way out of accountability," the victims said via a lawyer when reports first surfaced earlier in May that a deal was in the works. It's yet another piece of good news for the beleaguered planemaker following the 737 Max crashes, a midair door-plug blowout, and other quality control headaches that have plagued its production line in recent years. In 2025, the company won a lucrative defense contract for the F-47 fighter plane and has seen an influx of orders for its 787 Dreamliner and yet-to-be-certified 777X. Shares are up more than 17% year-to-date, outpacing the broader market. Read the original article on Business Insider
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SCAT launches direct Incheon–Shymkent flights
Kazakhstan's SCAT Airlines launched direct flights between Incheon and Shymkent, the third-largest city of the Central Asian nation, Thursday. At the launch ceremony, the Kazakh Embassy in Seoul said that the new route will operate twice a week using Boeing 737 Max aircraft, alongside 13 existing weekly flights between Kazakhstan and Korea. Speaking in an interview with The Korea Herald, SCAT Korea President Ahn Byung-chul expressed optimism in the regional impact of the new route. 'Central Asia is emerging as an increasingly important region. The direct Incheon–Shymkent flight will connect more people in both countries,' Kim told The Korea Herald, vowing that SCAT will ensure smooth service for partners and guests from abroad. Interacting with The Korea Herald, Cho Hyun-min, a representative from Hana Tour who works with the Europe, Middle East and Africa aviation supply team, welcomed the Incheon-Shymkent route. 'We are seeing a large number of customers traveling to the Caucasus region via Almaty and Astana,' Cho told The Korea Herald, referring to the two larger cities in Kazakhstan . 'If SCAT Airlines increases its capacity, it will greatly enhance our product offerings,' the Hana Tour representative added. 'With the Incheon–Shymkent service, Kazakhstan and Korea will now be connected by a total of 15 direct flights per week,' the embassy said, sharing a press release with The Korea Herald. Shymkent is a metropolis in southern Kazakhstan of around 1.2 million people and has opened a new airport capable of serving up to 2 million passengers annually, according to embassy. 'Kazakhstan has a 30-day visa-free regime for Korean citizens,' said Kazakh Ambassador to Korea Nurgali Arystanov, urging travel agencies and tour operators to develop accessible and competitive tour packages. 'Our (Kazakh-Korean) travel and tourism exchanges have seen 12 percent growth recently,' Arystanov noted, citing Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and former Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol meeting last year as a breakthrough. The visit marked the first by a South Korean president in five years, concluding with a joint statement and an agreement to establish a critical minerals supply chain, with Kazakhstan offering rich resources such as uranium, chrome, titanium, and bismuth, which are for Korea's battery and electric vehicles industries. 'With this new route, I'm confident more Korean companies will establish a presence in Shymkent.' 'SCAT now carries over 2 million passengers annually, and this route reflects our growing commitment to the Korean market,' said Andrey Tsygankov, a SCAT representative in Korea.
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Families of 737 Max Crash Victims Urge US to Prosecute Boeing
Family members of people killed in two fatal crashes of Boeing Co. 's 737 Max jets are urging the US Justice Department to reject a possible deal that would allow the planemaker to avoid a criminal charge. In a letter sent to the department Thursday and seen by Bloomberg, an attorney for the families described the proposed nonprosecution agreement the government is discussing with Boeing as 'a remarkably bad and unprecedented resolution' of the long-running legal case and said it would be a 'miscarriage of justice.' A criminal trial is set to start June 23 in Texas.
