Latest news with #Farid
NBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
The internet thinks this video from Gaza is AI. Here's how we proved it isn't
New video posted to social media from southern Gaza became the center of a heated internet debate about whether it was generated using artificial intelligence. The video, which started circulating Tuesday, shows a person in a camouflage-print face covering and baseball cap making a heart sign and a 'shaka' sign with their hands in front of a large crowd of Palestinians gathered along rows of fences, waiting for food aid at the Tal as Sultan distribution site in Rafah. A combined analysis from NBC News and Get Real Security, a cybersecurity company that specializes in detecting generative AI, found no evidence of AI generation or manipulation in the video. NBC News geolocated the video to inside the Tal as Sultan aid distribution site, recently constructed by Israel's civilian policy unit — the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) — in partnership with the Gazan Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The chief spokesperson for the GHF confirmed with NBC News that this video was originally distributed by their team but could not confirm the identity of the person in the video. 'Any claim that our documentation is fake or generated by AI is false and irresponsible,' the foundation said in a statement. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs and drone footage taken by the Israeli military show the same row of light poles and lines of fencing in the video. Additional collapsed structures and foliage rise behind and between the poles across a dirt lot in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea. Shortly after the video was posted to X, users began fighting in the comments about its authenticity. 'This video is AI generated,' one user wrote. 'Nothing can be believed because it could just as easily have been AI generated.' 'I am not seeing any obvious signs that this video is AI-generated,' Hany Farid, co-founder of Get Real Security and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, told NBC News. 'We see strong continuity in features as the camera pans back and forth, something that generative AI struggles with,' Farid said, noting specific details like the crisp 'Ray Ban' logo on the side of the sunglasses worn by the person sporting the baseball cap, as well as the consistency of the shadows made by various objects in the video. Farid noted that the audio track appears to be consistent with what's shown in the video itself — down to the sound of the wind and someone saying in English, 'Isn't that crazy? Look at that.' A reverse image search revealed that the person making gestures to the crowd was wearing a pair of Oakley S.I. gloves, which have been seen worn by U.S. contractors in Gaza as recently as January.
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Deep dive into water safety
Hosts Farid and Aida with guest Wong (right) discussing the topic of water safety during the podcast episode. THINKING about water safety in our fast-developing, flood-prone cities? Wondering what really makes a swim teacher qualified, and what could happen if they aren't? In Episode 9 of the Life & The City podcast, hosts Aida Ahmad and Farid Wahab make waves with a conversation on aquatic education and safety. Joining them is Wong Foong Inn, founder of Swimming Teachers Association of Malaysia (STAM) and Aquatic Star Academy. Together, they do a deep dive into the often overlooked responsibilities of swim instructors, from the legal duty of care to the need for certification in a highly unregulated landscape. Wong also shares the emotional journey that drove her to champion water safety for everyone and how STAM is setting the standards by emphasising the need to obtain certifications in CPR and live-saving techniques. Also discussed is Malaysia's drowning statistics and why water literacy is a public health issue and not just a personal skill. From policy reform to parental advice, this episode is a must-listen for educators, parents and anyone who has ever stepped near a swimming pool. The Life & The City podcast series airs fortnightly, spot- lighting issues that matter to urbanites. Catch the full episode on or
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Police arrest 58 in Puchong entertainment outlet raid
KUALA LUMPUR: The police have arrested 58 individuals, including 39 foreign women, during a police raid at an entertainment outlet in Bandar Puchong Jaya early today. Serdang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Muhamad Farid Ahmad said the 12.45am operation was conducted by the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department. He said those detained comprised 18 local men, one local woman, and 39 foreign women. "A police report has been lodged, and investigations are being carried out under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for employing one or more persons who are non-citizens or non-permit holders without a valid pass. "Investigations are also being conducted under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for violating the conditions of a pass, permit, or border pass," he said in a statement today. Farid said if convicted under Section 55B, offenders face a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both, for each worker employed. For employing more than five illegal workers, the punishment includes a mandatory jail term of between six months and five years, along with up to six strokes of the cane. Meanwhile, a violation of Regulation 39(b) carries a penalty of up to RM1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both. "Out of the 58 arrested, 18 individuals tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine," he said. They are being investigated under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug use, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or up to two years' imprisonment, along with a police supervision order of up to three years upon conviction. Farid urged the public to relay any information about the case to the Serdang district police headquarters at 03-8074 2222 or by visiting the nearest police station. From: Luqman
Daily News Egypt
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
16 FinTech firms licensed, leading digital transformation in non-banking sector: Egypt's FRA
Sixteen companies have obtained financial technology (FinTech) licences from Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) and are spearheading digital transformation efforts in the non-banking sector, its chairperson Mohamed Farid said on Monday. Four companies currently offer outsourcing services and are registered with the authority, with new entrants anticipated, Farid stated. Speaking at the fourth edition of Caisec25, an information security and cybersecurity conference and exhibition in Cairo, Farid said that approximately 110 institutions and entities currently comply with the FRA's cybersecurity requirements. He noted, however, that the total number of companies and institutions under the FRA's supervision across various activities and markets exceeds 3,500. Farid added that four companies currently provide outsourcing services, with significant potential for this number to grow into the dozens. 'These companies are listed in a special FRA registry and conduct electronic identification, verification, and authentication; electronic customer identification; electronic contracting for non-banking financial products; and electronic registration, storage, and retrieval from digital records,' he detailed. In his conference address, Farid outlined the FRA's ongoing efforts to foster a secure and stable environment that strengthens the non-banking financial sector's contribution to the national economy. This is part of its continuous endeavour to implement all necessary measures and policies to protect customer data and ensure market stability. 'The Authority, as the regulator of the non-banking financial sector—which encompasses the capital market, insurance activities, and non-banking financing activities—places significant importance on cybersecurity,' Farid stated. 'This involves developing policies and systems to protect customer data, thereby ensuring market stability, a key role for any financial sector regulator.' He emphasised that the FRA is working to create a secure data environment and stable markets for non-banking financial institutions, aiming to bolster the non-banking financial sector's role in the national economy. Farid added that the regulatory framework established by the FRA primarily recognises that 'cyberattacks and database breaches have become the new battleground.' Therefore, enhancing cybersecurity measures is crucial, 'especially given the accelerating pace of digital transformation across all sectors, which, while creating new opportunities, also generates increased cyber threats,' he said. He explained that this 'necessitates swift action to develop policies and operational systems that strengthen FinTech governance and ensure non-banking financial institutions utilise these technologies in a manner that promotes market stability.' The FRA chairperson noted the 'rapid and revolutionary pace of development in artificial intelligence (AI),' stressing the importance of enhancing the recovery capabilities of institutions and markets, particularly as development inherently involves risks. He advocated for increased preparedness to ensure 'a resilient non-banking financial sector capable of leveraging technological advancements and managing associated risks more efficiently and effectively.' Farid also highlighted that 'technological capability development must go hand-in-hand with enhancing human resource efficiency to achieve desired objectives and bridge information gaps.' He explained that 'the human element remains paramount in corporate business models,' and consequently, 'specialists in electronic and cybersecurity technologies and innovations must focus on providing extensive, varied, and continuous training for personnel.' The FRA chairperson affirmed that such training has become essential following the recent acceleration in the digitisation of non-banking financial transactions. This acceleration was spurred by the FRA's issuance of a package of executive decisions to implement Law No. 5 of 2022, which provides the regulatory and legislative framework for organising and promoting the use of technology in non-banking financial activities and services. He continued: 'The Financial Regulatory Authority issued Decision No. 139 of 2023 concerning the technological equipment, infrastructure, information systems, and protection and security measures necessary for using FinTech to conduct non-banking financial activities. This was followed by Decision No. 140 of 2023, regarding digital identity, digital contracts, digital registries, and the scope of FinTech use in non-banking financial activities, along with compliance requirements. This latter decision is considered the first regulatory directive from financial sector supervisory bodies to detail requirements for electronic customer identification. Furthermore, Decision No. 141 of 2023 pertains to the outsourcing registry for FinTech in non-banking financial activities, specifying companies authorised to provide electronic customer identification and contract record services to financial firms in the sector.'
Daily News Egypt
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
FRA to propose bylaw amendments enabling digital arbitration: Farid
Mohamed Farid, Chairperson of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), delivered the keynote address at the inaugural 'Egyptian Arbitration Day,' organized by the Egyptian Center for Voluntary Arbitration and Non-Banking Financial Dispute Resolution under the theme 'Bridging Business with Solutions and Facilitation.' In his remarks, Farid underscored the Center's pivotal role in fostering a culture of arbitration and expanding the use of mediation to resolve disputes in Egypt's non-banking financial sector. He praised the Center's diverse roster of seasoned arbitrators and its broad suite of services, highlighting its growing importance in enhancing market trust. Farid announced that the FRA will soon propose amendments to the Center's bylaws—subject to approval by the Prime Minister—to formally introduce frameworks supporting digital arbitration. These reforms aim to streamline the dispute resolution process through secure electronic platforms, improving speed and accessibility while preserving confidentiality. He emphasized that voluntary mediation and rapid dispute resolution are essential to building trust in non-banking financial markets, and are instrumental in fostering market stability and sustainable growth. Established by Presidential Decree No. 335 of 2019, in accordance with Article 10 of Law No. 10 of 2009 governing non-banking financial markets and instruments, the Center is recognized as a pioneering institution in Egypt and the broader Middle East. It offers confidential, efficient, and expert-led dispute resolution, reflecting the Egyptian state's commitment to legislative stability, legal clarity, and protection for all financial actors. Farid also highlighted recent positive trends in the non-banking financial services sector, including growth in financing volumes, increased market participation, and proactive regulatory initiatives. These include updates to derivatives market regulations and the launch of Egypt's first voluntary carbon credit market—developments that further underscore the need for a modern arbitration mechanism to manage emerging types of disputes. He concluded by noting that a fast, efficient, and specialized arbitration system enhances investor confidence, supports Egypt's investment climate, and contributes to sustainable economic development. From his side, Minister of Justice Adnan Fanjari affirmed the state's commitment to creating a robust and adaptive legal framework that supports investment, aligns with market dynamics, and ensures timely justice. Marian Kaldas, Executive Director of the Egyptian Center for Voluntary Arbitration, highlighted the significance of organizing the first Egyptian Arbitration Day. She described it as part of the Center's broader strategy to raise awareness about alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and promote financial literacy. Kaldas expressed confidence in Egypt's potential to become a regional hub for arbitration and dispute resolution, not only in the non-banking sector but across the wider financial landscape. She also emphasized the importance of expanding public understanding of amicable settlement tools and empowering individuals through legal education and the adoption of international best practices. She concluded by calling the event a successful first step toward advancing voluntary arbitration as a fair, efficient, and accessible path to justice in Egypt.
