Latest news with #Malak
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Speech a reflection on racism in NZ
A Dunedin teenager's poignant reflection on the Christchurch terror attacks has earned her a spot at a national final for a speechmaking competition. Queen's High School student Malak Tamimi, 15, placed second at the Rakaia to Milton regional finals for Lions Young Speechmaker Contest for a speech she made on racism. Ashburton College student Jake Parsons, sponsored by Ashburton County Lions, won the competition. Malak, who was sponsored by the Taieri Lions Club, said being recognised at the competition made her feel she had a voice. ''I felt like I was actually seen.'' Dunedin Host Lions Young Speechmaker Contest winner Malak Tamimi. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Her speech was about how racism feels in the Western world, which she felt was a ''forgotten-about topic''. ''For the longest time, I didn't write about racism because I thought it was only in legends and movies, but then I realised it is not just in verbal or explicit things. ''It is often the backhanded comments and things you don't think would be called racism.'' Malak felt racism was experienced less in New Zealand, but was present nonetheless. She said her speech was emotional because of her mention of the Christchurch mosque shootings of March 15, 2019. As a young Muslim girl at the time, she did not know exactly what had happened, but she could see how it was affecting the people around her. ''I didn't know the severity of it, but I knew what happened was bad and that it would be bad for a long time. ''As I said in my speech, we were afraid and we are afraid.'' There were 11 contestants in the competition from Ashburton to Milton. Both Jake and Malak have qualified to go to the New Zealand final of the competition to be held in New Plymouth on August 2.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Winning speech a reflection on racism in New Zealand
A Dunedin teenager's poignant reflection on the Christchurch terror attacks has won her a speechmaking competition. Queen's High School student Malak Tamimi, 15, won the Dunedin Host Lions Young Speechmaker Contest for a speech she made on racism. Malak said winning the competition made her feel she had a voice. "I felt like I was actually seen." Her speech was about how racism feels in the Western world, which she felt was a "forgotten-about topic". "For the longest time, I didn't write about racism because I thought it was only in legends and movies, but then I realised it is not just in verbal or explicit things. Dunedin Host Lions Young Speechmaker Contest winner Malak Tamimi. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH "It is often the backhanded comments and things you don't think would be called racism." Malak felt racism was experienced less in New Zealand, but was present nonetheless. She said her speech was emotional because of her mention of the Christchurch mosque shootings of March 15, 2019. As a young Muslim girl at the time, she did not know exactly what had happened, but she could see how it was affecting the people around her. "I didn't know the severity of it, but I knew what happened was bad and that it would be bad for a long time." "As I said in my speech, we were afraid and we are afraid."
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab activist leading protest against land pooling booked in dispute over plot, alleges political vendetta
The Jagraon police in Punjab's Ludhiana district Tuesday booked Didar Singh Malak, who is spearheading an agitation against the state government's contentious land pooling policy, in a 4-month-old complaint. The move triggered allegations of political vendetta as farmer unions intensify their opposition to the policy. According to Malak, who has been booked for criminal intimidation and mischief, the complaint pertains to a private dispute over a pathway to a plot in Jagraon.'The complaint is more than 4 months old. I live in the village but own a plot, which I purchased long ago, in the centre of the city in a private colony. The complainant bought the adjacent plot after me. If there is any issue with the pathway, he should resolve it with the property dealer, not me,' Malak told The Indian Express. Malak questioned the timing of the FIR, alleging that it was aimed at intimidating him into withdrawing from the ongoing agitation. 'It is no coincidence that police chose to act now, when I am leading a major protest against land pooling. We held multiple meetings in June and on July 7, organised a massive rally in Jagraon, announcing that we will not give an inch of our land to the government. On July 20, we will burn effigies of the Punjab government, and many villages are now joining us. I am being threatened to stay silent, but I will continue the agitation, come what may,' he said. Varinder Singh, Station House Officer, Jagraon city 1, said, 'A three-member SIT was formed to inquire into the complaint and as per its report, the FIR was lodged. This has nothing to do with his land pooling agitation. It is just a coincidence that the report came just now.' The land pooling policy, aimed at acquiring more than 40,000 acres of farmland for housing purposes, seeks to curb the proliferation of illegal colonies and halt haphazard urban growth, while ensuring that landowners remain stakeholders in the development, according to the government. Critics of the policy say that it lacks safeguards for compensation and resettlement. Meanwhile, the farmers' opposition to the land pooling scheme is gaining momentum across Punjab. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) Punjab unit announced a series of statewide protests under the banner 'Save Land, Water, and Punjab'. 'In our meeting Sunday at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh, we decided to launch programs to oppose this forcible land pooling,' said Harinder Singh Lakhowal, a member of the SKM's national coordination committee. He asked, 'If the scheme is voluntary, why is the government upset when farmers pass resolutions refusing to give up their land?' SKM leaders announced a large farmers' rally on August 24 at Mullanpur Mandi, Ludhiana. Before that, a meeting will be held on July 18 in Chandigarh with various political parties to seek their stand on the issue. On July 30, tractor and flag marches are planned in villages affected by the policy. Balbir Singh Rajewal, president of BKU (Rajewal) and SKM committee member, said, 'It was unanimously decided that the notification to forcibly acquire farmers' land under the land pooling scheme must be immediately withdrawn. Farmers and the common people will suffer devastating consequences. Even after 20 years, lands acquired under earlier pooling projects remain undeveloped — we question the Punjab government's credibility.' The issue is now gaining political traction as well. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has already staged protests in Ludhiana and plans further protests this month, while the Bharatiya Janata Party has submitted a memorandum to the Punjab Governor, along with villagers from 34 affected villages, demanding a rollback. As the standoff escalates, farmers say they will not back down until their lands are protected and the government withdraws what they describe as a 'forcible acquisition' policy.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VoIP-Pal Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google, Apple, and Samsung
Chairman and CEO Emil Malak Affirms Commitment to Antitrust Path Forward, Citing Alleged Market Exclusion and Suppression of Standalone Wi-Fi Calling Newly published article on CEOCFO Magazine WACO, Texas, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. (OTCQB: VPLM), announces the filing of a new federal antitrust lawsuit against Google, Apple, and Samsung. The complaint also names AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what VoIP-Pal alleges is a coordinated effort to suppress lawful competition in standalone Wi-Fi Calling. This marks the company's third significant legal action addressing what it contends is a long-standing structure of exclusion and control over mobile voice infrastructure. In a message to shareholders, Chairman and CEO Emil Malak issued the following statement: 'Today, I write to you not just as the Chairman and CEO of VoIP-Pal, but as a fellow believer in justice, perseverance, and the power of innovation to overcome even the most entrenched opposition. We have now filed a third significant antitrust complaint—this time against Google, Apple, and Samsung. In addition, we have named AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what we allege is a coordinated effort to suppress Standalone Wi-Fi Calling—the central breach underlying all three of our complaints. Let me be clear: this is no longer just about patents. It is about structural exclusion, denial of access, and the suppression of lawful competition.' Mr. Malak reaffirmed VoIP-Pal's legal shift from patent enforcement to broader statutory actions under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, Telecommunications Act of 1996, and civil RICO statute. He noted the company's longstanding role in developing patented routing and Wi-Fi Calling infrastructure, and stated that dominant gatekeepers have allegedly blocked fair market access to the technologies VoIP-Pal pioneered. 'We are no longer merely asserting patent rights,' Malak continued. 'We are challenging what we believe is the abuse of market dominance and exclusion of competition. Since 2005, VoIP-Pal has developed and validated key technologies intended to empower consumers to access affordable, independent voice services over Wi-Fi. According to our complaint, we have been locked out of the infrastructure and denied integration.' VoIP-Pal's class action complaint seeks to represent approximately 373 million U.S. mobile subscribers whom it alleges were harmed by exclusionary practices that prevent access to non-carrier Wi-Fi-based calling. The company contends that consumers have been systematically denied alternatives to bundled carrier plans, despite the availability of widespread Wi-Fi connectivity. 'We face overwhelming opposition,' Malak said, 'but we believe the law and the facts are on our side.' VoIP-Pal believes that the allegations raised in its filings warrant close examination by federal and state regulators, including Attorneys General, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission. 'VoIP-Pal believes that federal and state regulators may find cause to examine the systemic barriers described in our filings and encourages careful review of the allegations.' Malak concluded: 'We remain open to constructive engagement with all parties. While we are fully prepared to litigate these claims through trial if necessary, we will always consider resolution paths that uphold the integrity of our innovations and ensure fair competition. Until such opportunities arise, we will continue to advance this case with confidence and resolve.' An article detailing the newly filed antitrust complaint was published by . Read the full article here. About Inc. ('VoIP-Pal') is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM) headquartered in Waco, TX. The company owns a portfolio of patents related to Voice-over-Internet Protocol ('VoIP') technology that it is actively seeking to monetize. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements as defined under securities laws. These statements reflect management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Litigation outcomes and settlement discussions are unpredictable, and there is no assurance of favorable resolution. For Further InformationCorporate Website: Inquiries: IR@ Contact: Rich Inza, (954) 495-4600Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VoIP-Pal Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google, Apple, and Samsung
Chairman and CEO Emil Malak Affirms Commitment to Antitrust Path Forward, Citing Alleged Market Exclusion and Suppression of Standalone Wi-Fi Calling Newly published article on CEOCFO Magazine WACO, Texas, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. (OTCQB: VPLM), announces the filing of a new federal antitrust lawsuit against Google, Apple, and Samsung. The complaint also names AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what VoIP-Pal alleges is a coordinated effort to suppress lawful competition in standalone Wi-Fi Calling. This marks the company's third significant legal action addressing what it contends is a long-standing structure of exclusion and control over mobile voice infrastructure. In a message to shareholders, Chairman and CEO Emil Malak issued the following statement: 'Today, I write to you not just as the Chairman and CEO of VoIP-Pal, but as a fellow believer in justice, perseverance, and the power of innovation to overcome even the most entrenched opposition. We have now filed a third significant antitrust complaint—this time against Google, Apple, and Samsung. In addition, we have named AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile as co-conspirators in what we allege is a coordinated effort to suppress Standalone Wi-Fi Calling—the central breach underlying all three of our complaints. Let me be clear: this is no longer just about patents. It is about structural exclusion, denial of access, and the suppression of lawful competition.' Mr. Malak reaffirmed VoIP-Pal's legal shift from patent enforcement to broader statutory actions under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, Telecommunications Act of 1996, and civil RICO statute. He noted the company's longstanding role in developing patented routing and Wi-Fi Calling infrastructure, and stated that dominant gatekeepers have allegedly blocked fair market access to the technologies VoIP-Pal pioneered. 'We are no longer merely asserting patent rights,' Malak continued. 'We are challenging what we believe is the abuse of market dominance and exclusion of competition. Since 2005, VoIP-Pal has developed and validated key technologies intended to empower consumers to access affordable, independent voice services over Wi-Fi. According to our complaint, we have been locked out of the infrastructure and denied integration.' VoIP-Pal's class action complaint seeks to represent approximately 373 million U.S. mobile subscribers whom it alleges were harmed by exclusionary practices that prevent access to non-carrier Wi-Fi-based calling. The company contends that consumers have been systematically denied alternatives to bundled carrier plans, despite the availability of widespread Wi-Fi connectivity. 'We face overwhelming opposition,' Malak said, 'but we believe the law and the facts are on our side.' VoIP-Pal believes that the allegations raised in its filings warrant close examination by federal and state regulators, including Attorneys General, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission. 'VoIP-Pal believes that federal and state regulators may find cause to examine the systemic barriers described in our filings and encourages careful review of the allegations.' Malak concluded: 'We remain open to constructive engagement with all parties. While we are fully prepared to litigate these claims through trial if necessary, we will always consider resolution paths that uphold the integrity of our innovations and ensure fair competition. Until such opportunities arise, we will continue to advance this case with confidence and resolve.' An article detailing the newly filed antitrust complaint was published by . Read the full article here. About Inc. ('VoIP-Pal') is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM) headquartered in Waco, TX. The company owns a portfolio of patents related to Voice-over-Internet Protocol ('VoIP') technology that it is actively seeking to monetize. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements as defined under securities laws. These statements reflect management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Litigation outcomes and settlement discussions are unpredictable, and there is no assurance of favorable resolution. For Further InformationCorporate Website: Inquiries: IR@ Contact: Rich Inza, (954) 495-4600Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
