Pentagon Sends Marine Expeditionary Unit To Middle East, Oil Spikes On Ground War Fears

Pentagon Sends Marine Expeditionary Unit To Middle East, Oil Spikes On Ground War Fears

by Tyler Durden
Saturday, Mar 14, 2026 - 02:05 AM


Summary:

• Iran reportedly approves Indian government sending two liquefied petroleum tankers through Hormuz
• Japan-based USS Tripoli and its attached Marines headed toward Middle East
• WSJ says Pentagon sends Marine expeditionary unit to Middle East. Oil jumps higher
• Pentagon has just confirms two additional deaths in Thursday's downing of a KC-135 refueling tanker aircraft over Western Iraq: all six US crewmembers are deceased.
• Trump and the Pentagon claim the US and Israel are "totally destroying" Iran as the war enters day 14, with Trump warning Tehran to "watch what happens" and "I am killing them" and "what a great honor it is to"
• Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly alive but wounded, "damaged," and "disfigured"
• France and Italy open talks with Iran in hope of securing safe Hormuz Strait passage, FT reporting
• Hegseth briefing: US and Israel have hit more than 15,000 enemy targets since conflict began
• Several senior Iranian officials have been openly marching through the streets of Tehran today even amid smoke from US-Israeli bombing lingers in background.
• CENTCOM: four of six crew members aboard a US refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq have died. Active search and rescue operation underway
• Strategic risks remain high as Iran reportedly begins laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, though oil eased slightly after India said one tanker successfully exited the strait.

* * *

Update(1105ET): Are we really doing this (again)? The WSJ is reporting a breaking bombshell which suggests US ground forces could be introduced, or else this could also be about securing other areas of the Gulf region:


The Pentagon is moving a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East, as Iran steps up its attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, according to two U.S. officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from U.S. Central Command, responsible for American forces in the Middle East, for the expeditionary unit, typically consisting of up to 2,500 Marines, the officials said.

A follow-up update by WSJ appears to offer confirmation:


Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from U.S. Central Command, responsible for American forces in the Middle East, for an element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines, the officials said.

The Japan-based USS Tripoli and its attached Marines are now headed for the Middle East, two of the officials said. Marines are already in the Middle East supporting the Iran operation, the officials said.

The headline was enough to cause oil to immediately jump higher:




President Trump and the Pentagon have claimed that the US and Israel are "totally destroying" Iran as the war enters day 14. Trump warned Iran to "watch what happens" in a social media post, claiming the United States is "totally destroying" the country militarily and economically as the conflict enters its second week.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: "We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise, yet, if you read the Failing New York Times, you would incorrectly think that we are not winning. Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth."

via AFP


He continued: "We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today. They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!"

War Secretary Pete Hegseth meanwhile claimed Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and disfigured. According to Reuters, Trump said he believes Khamenei is alive but "damaged." He also spent a lot of time complaining about media coverage: "This is always what they do, hold the strait hostage. CNN doesn't think we thought of that? It's a fundamentally unserious report," Hegseth said. "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better." Doubling down...


Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. and Israel have hit more than 15,000 enemy targets since the Iran conflict began and that the regime’s new supreme leader is likely wounded, as he doubled down on the war’s impact on Iranian military capabilities.

Mojtaba Khamenei - whose father, Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the war after strikes by the United States and Israel - has not appeared publicly since being selected by a clerical assembly. His first comments were read on state television.

On the ground in Tehran, thousands gathered in Enqelab Square in a show of defiance as fighter jets roared overhead and multiple explosions shook the capital. Additional blasts were reported in the nearby city of Karaj.

According to Dropsite News journalist Jeremy Scahill:


War Secretary Pete Hegseth just claimed that Iranian leaders have gone underground and are hiding, saying "that's what rats do." Meanwhile, several senior Iranian officials have been openly marching through the streets of Tehran today even as US-Israeli bombing continues.


Oil prices edged lower after India said one of its tankers had exited the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes some shipping may resume. But CNN reports the Pentagon and the National Security Council significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to shut the strait during planning for the operation.

On the battlefield, Israel said it launched a new "extensive wave" of strikes on Tehran while issuing evacuation orders, as attacks also intensified around Beirut. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that 11 Iranian cluster missiles penetrated Israeli defenses, with one dispersing about 70 bomblets over central Israel.


In Oman, two people were killed after a drone was shot down in Sohar province, according to state media. Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted eight more drones over the kingdom, including near Riyadh.

United States Central Command said four of six crew members aboard a US refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq have died. It has an active search and rescue operation underway

NATO also confirmed it intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey the third such alleged interception since the war began. "NATO remains vigilant and stands firm in its defense of all allies," NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.

Ongoing evidence of severe damage in the heart of Tel Aviv and elsewhere in Israel:


As for the Lebanon front, during a visit to Beirut, Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hezbollah to "stop the war." He said "My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war and… allow Lebanon to become a country independent… where its authorities have the monopoly on use of force." He added: "This is no longer the time of armed groups… This is the time of strong states."

According to the Wall Street Journal, Israeli officials now believe Iran's ruling system is unlikely to collapse soon, despite heavy strikes. US intel reports even before Trump ordered the war had forecast as much. Separately, the New York Times reported that Iran has begun laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz using thousands of small naval vessels.


As for European involvement, an Iranian Shahed drone strike in Iraq’s Erbil killed a French soldier, 42-year-old Arnaud Frion, and wounded several others, according to French military officials. Germany also signaled it will not join naval protection efforts in the Strait of Hormuz. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a visit to Norway: "Germany is not part of this war and we do not want to become part of it."

Why bah-kut-teh and rice wine may be good for you!

Sleep, pig trotters, wine: how an ‘old baby’ in China has been hospital-free for 50 years


‘Cheerful’ centenarian with sharp eyesight, nimble hands still mend shoes and socks; values family harmony above all else



Zoey Zhang
Published: 9:00am, 13 Mar 2026

Updated: 4:26pm, 13 Mar 2026



A 102-year-old woman from eastern China has won hearts online with her optimistic attitude and unique lifestyle.

Jin Baoling, a centenarian from a rural area in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, is frequently visited by her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

Known for her longevity and cheerful personality, fellow villagers affectionately call her “Old Baby.”


According to the Taizhou Evening News, Jin is mentally sharp and physically healthy, having not visited a hospital in the past 50 years.

Centenarian Jin Baoling tucks into one of the dishes she loves which have helped her live a long life. Photo: Douyin


She wakes up around 9am, washes up, and enjoys the sunshine in her garden. By 7pm, she is in bed, after taking naps throughout the day.

Jin’s son, Hu Huamei, says that she can sleep up to 15 hours a day.

Jin is also particular about her diet.

Her breakfast includes dumplings, buns, or wontons, and lunch and dinner usually consist of noodles or rice, each served in a large bowl.

Meat is a must for her, especially pig trotters, which she consumes daily, about half a pound or two to three pieces per meal.

Pig trotters are a popular Chinese delicacy rich in collagen, believed to benefit skin health and often used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Hand of friendship: Jin gets some comfort from a woman by her side. Photo: Douyin


In addition to her main meals, Jin enjoys snacks like cakes, bread and tea made with brown sugar and red dates.


She also eats three oranges and two eggs daily.

Despite her love for food, she is very picky and seldom eats vegetables.

Jin also drinks alcohol with every meal. Her home is stocked with jars of rice wine steeped with red dates, longan, lychee and yumberries, all prepared just for her.

Jin waits for her bowl of hot food to cool down a little before tucking in. Photo: Douyin


Although her leg joints are not very flexible and she needs help walking, Jin’s eyesight remains sharp and her hands are nimble. She often mends socks and repairs shoe soles.

Her son attributes her good health to her open, optimistic attitude.

“She has never argued with anyone and she forgets about troubles as soon as they arise,” said Hu.

He also told the media that his mother, a simple rural housewife, values family harmony above all else. Her greatest wish is for her family to live in peace and happiness.

An elderly woman in China takes refuge under an umbrella during inclement weather. Photo: Xinhua


Jin’s story has inspired many on mainland social media.

One online observer wrote: “The best longevity medicine is living in a way that makes you feel most comfortable, with a heart that does not dwell on things or overthink.”


“Grandma Jin’s incredibly long sleep time and high-quality rest surpass almost all young people,” said another.

A third netizen said: “I am so happy to see a centenarian living life on her own terms with unconventional health habits. My grandfather is 94 years old, loves drinking, staying up late and often sings and plays chess.”

***

My maternal Granddad also loved pig's trotters (which he would personally cooked in a clay-pot with garlic and soya sauce, and rice wine as well. He lived to a ripe old age despite his lame leg (injured in an accident).

Proof that bah-kut-teh, especially the trotters, are damn good lah. And don't forget the rice wine. Yum Yum! 😂😂😂👍👍👍💝💝💝

Who's the most powerful man in Malaysia?

Who's the most powerful man in Malaysia?

Mariam Mokhtar
Published: Mar 13, 2026 12:00 PM
Updated: 3:00 PM



COMMENT | Who is arguably the most powerful man in Malaysia today? Certainly not the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and not even Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Observers argue it is Azam Baki, the MACC chief commissioner, whose position gives him enormous influence over enforcement, allowing rules to be applied selectively.

While the bogeyman of the so-called “corporate mafia” - the network of business actors and officials whose actions are widely feared but largely invisible - keeps politicians, bureaucrats, and companies cautious, ensuring compliance without full exposure.

The anti-corruption agency is now helping the powerful instead of holding them accountable.

The MACC is the country’s principal anti-corruption body, responsible for investigating everyone else. When its chief comes under scrutiny, a contradiction arises: who investigates the investigator?

Possible mechanisms include the Attorney-General’s Chambers under Dusuki Mokhtar, the Chief Secretary of the Public Service Department under Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, parliamentary oversight committees, or a royal commission of inquiry.

Disappointingly, the government has chosen to treat this as a civil service disciplinary matter, leaving the chief secretary to decide the next steps. This cautious move preserves institutional appearance and avoids fully confronting the legal and ethical implications.

Minister Fahmi Fadzil's reluctance to disclose further details of the investigation is unacceptable. How is this a disciplinary issue and not a criminal corruption investigation? This hesitancy has arisen because the investigator is being investigated.

The Madani administration brands itself as a reformist government, and the prime minister knows that the Azam issue functions as a political trap: An aggressive investigation could expose weaknesses within the MACC, undermine the agency’s credibility, and give opposition groups leverage to claim systemic corruption.

On the other hand, to delay or dilute the investigation, reinforces public perceptions of insider protection much like a members-only club, eroding trust and making the GE14 reform promises look hollow.

Paradox

Unsurprisingly, the political instinct has been to delay, redirect, or diffuse pressure. Successive governments tend to use this classic tactic to avoid immediate accountability.

Allegations reported by Bloomberg describe a network of business figures allegedly colluding with enforcement officers to manipulate companies. Politically, this reframes the story from “Did the MACC chief break rules?” to “Is there a broader corporate conspiracy?”

While the narrative appears to show decisive action against systemic corruption, it also diffuses pressure on Azam personally. Talking about a bigger corruption investigation makes the government look active, but also reduces the pressure to answer the specific questions about Azam.

Here lies the paradox: the MACC is simultaneously accused of selectively undermining certain businesses while protecting others, yet the perceived threat of the ‘corporate mafia’ functions as a bogeyman.

Companies and officials not directly involved behave cautiously, fearing scrutiny, which reinforces elite control and maintains the appearance of oversight. In other words, the elites stay protected, and the rest walk on eggshells. It may look like oversight is working, even if it’s just a show.

Cast our minds back to the 2018 general election, which ended decades of uninterrupted Umno-Baru rule. Today, the ruling coalition still includes Umno-Baru elements, with many leaders retaining their Umno-Baru DNA despite belonging to other parties.

Reformers must juggle power-sharing and institutional integrity. In doing so, they hesitate to pursue major investigations that might rock elite networks. Coalition politics and influential officials often undermine well-intentioned reforms.

Ask any Malaysian, and they will say that they expect the rule of law, independent institutions and anti-corruption enforcement in the country. Delays in the Azam investigation feed perceptions of double standards, institutional protection, political survival and selfish self-interests overriding reform.

Trust in governance, both on the domestic and international fronts, depends on visible, credible enforcement, especially at the top. Not listening to the rakyat is why public frustration is growing.

Stakes are high

The core paradox boils down to this: systems versus powerful individuals. Investigating systemic corruption, such as the alleged corporate mafia, is politically easier than investigating the head of the MACC.

Selective enforcement, structural protection, and coalition politics converge to create an environment where the most powerful man in Malaysia can operate with relative impunity, while ordinary citizens and businesses face the bogeyman of systemic oversight.

The stakes are high, and a transparent, high-profile investigation would:

• Reassert MACC independence and restore domestic credibility,

• Boost investor confidence by signalling fair enforcement and a level playing field,

• Strengthen the reformist image of the Madani administration ahead of GE16, and

• Ensure governance is predictable, transparent, and resilient.

Failing to act decisively risks entrenching cynicism, undermining public trust, and sending the wrong signal internationally: that Malaysia tolerates selective enforcement at the top while expecting compliance from everyone else.

A rigorous, transparent investigation into Azam and a full probe of the MACC would carry substantial benefits. Public trust would be restored. Institutional independence would be strengthened, and show that the MACC is not a political tool. Investor confidence would be enhanced.

Perhaps, more importantly for the leaders of the Madani administration, whose reputations are declining, they would gain political advantage ahead of GE16.

Decisive action would signal courage and principle, strengthen the coalition’s reformist image, and counter perceptions that parties such as DAP are passive or disengaged.

For Anwar, the choice is stark: Inaction? Or act decisively to uphold transparency and the rule of law?

For the nation, the implications, political, economic, and reputational, could not be higher. Malaysians will not tolerate the most powerful man in Malaysia remaining beyond meaningful accountability.

Editor's note: Amid allegations that its officers are entangled in a “corporate mafia” scheme, the MACC on Feb 24 issued a second firm denial and dismissed the claims as baseless.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, X.

OPINION | If Zamri Vinoth Drives a Jaguar, Maybe We’ve Been Choosing the Wrong Careers

OPINION | If Zamri Vinoth Drives a Jaguar, Maybe We’ve Been Choosing the Wrong Careers


13 Mar 2026 • 5:00 PM MYT



Fa Abdul
FA ABDUL is a former columnist of Malaysiakini & Free Malaysia Today (FMT)

Photo credit: Kosmo!


Recently, my fellow Newswav opinion columnist TheRealNehruism wrote about a viral incident in Bukit Mertajam where controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth was confronted by two motorcyclists.


However, the writer seemed fascinated - not by the chaos - but by something else entirely: the fact that the preacher was driving a Jaguar.


Every time a preacher drives a luxury car, society reacts as if the laws of physics have been violated.


“A preacher… in a Jaguar???”


Yes. A Jaguar. Four wheels, leather seats, probably very nice air-conditioning. Not exactly the Ark of the Covenant.


Personally, I don’t see the problem.


We live in a country where motivational speakers charge thousands per talk, influencers earn money from skincare routines, and TikTokers get sponsorships for reviewing nasi lemak. But the moment a man earns a living saving souls, suddenly everyone becomes the guardian of poverty and humility.


Why the double standard?


If anything, preaching might be one of the most stable industries left in the modern economy.


Think about it.


Accountants? AI might replace them. Graphic designers? AI is already replacing them. Software engineers? Even they are starting to sweat.


But religion?


People have been worrying about the afterlife for thousands of years. Demand has been remarkably consistent.


In fact, if you look at it from a purely economic perspective, preaching is an excellent business model.



The product is invisible. The rewards are eternal. Customer satisfaction cannot be verified until death.


Honestly, Harvard Business School should study this.


So when a preacher pulls up in a Jaguar, maybe instead of judging him, we should admire his entrepreneurial spirit. After all, saving souls is no small task.


You have to manage followers, deliver weekly content, maintain a strong personal brand, and constantly compete with other spiritual influencers in the marketplace of faith.


That takes skill. And skill deserves compensation.



The Jaguar Advantage


Let’s also remember that luxury cars can be very practical tools for outreach.


Imagine the impact when a potential convert sees a preacher step out of a Jaguar.


“Wow,” they might think. “This religion seems to be doing quite well.”


It’s basically marketing. Corporate executives call it brand positioning. Religious people call it blessings.


Either way, the message is clear: salvation apparently comes with excellent suspension and premium upholstery.


Of course, critics insist that religious figures should live modestly.


But that raises an uncomfortable question.


Why do we only expect religious people to reject wealth?


No one tells corporate lawyers to downgrade to a Perodua for moral consistency.


No one demands that motivational speakers deliver seminars from a second-hand Saga.


But a preacher buys a Jaguar and suddenly society acts like he has violated the Ten Commandments of Automotive Humility.


Perhaps it’s time to rethink our expectations.



Time to Reevaluate Our Choices


Maybe the real lesson here is not about outrage. Maybe the lesson is about career guidance.


For years we have been telling young people to become doctors, engineers, accountants, programmers. But looking at the current economy, maybe we’ve been giving them the wrong advice.


If you want job security, influence, and possibly a luxury car… maybe the real growth industry is saving souls.


And who knows? If things go well, you might not only secure rewards in the afterlife.


You might also get heated leather seats in this one.


Perhaps the real reason TheRealNehruism was so fixated on Zamri driving a Jag is because it made him wonder if he had chosen the wrong profession. Maybe instead of writing opinion pieces, he should have been writing sermons.


In fact, I myself am starting to wonder the same thing.


After years of writing articles and scripts, the most luxurious vehicle I have ever owned is a 16-year-old Myvi that wheezes slightly every time I start the engine.


Maybe we’ve all misunderstood the career advice we’ve been giving young people.


Study hard, become a doctor, an engineer, an accountant?


Perhaps the real message should be simpler.


If you want to save souls… that’s noble. But if you want to save souls and eventually upgrade to a Jaguar, apparently that’s possible too.


And frankly, if my Myvi breaks down one more time this year, I might just start working on my first sermon.

Next Penang CM: Stop the guessing game and focus on your work – Anthony Loke

Next Penang CM: Stop the guessing game and focus on your work – Anthony Loke


13 Mar 2026 • 9:29 AM MYT

From theVibes.com




DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has urged party members to stop speculations on who would be the next Penang chief minister as talk of the next general election looms.

The transport minister singled out deputy secretary-general Steven Sim Chee Keong, saying the Penang DAP chairman should stop name-dropping on who should rightfully be the next Chief Minister in a state regarded as the socialist party's main bastion.

Sim had reportedly cited two names - Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying and Tourism Malaysia Board deputy chairperson Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, as potential successors to Chow Kon Yeow, who is serving his final term as the top executive.

Lim is the youngest daughter of DAP founding member Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang and also a sister to DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng, who is the predecessor to Chow, whereas Yeoh was a senior party leader, who is also made the Penang Port Commission board chairman.

Loke, in his first public remarks on the contentious issue, said that the final decision would come from the high-powered central executive committee (CEC) and not individuals.

In an interview with Oriental Daily's podcast "Critical Landing." Loke pointed out that there will be a final decision made by the central leadership, rather than being proposed publicly by individuals or decided through external parties.

“I want to say publicly that Sim should no longer mention any names, should not discuss them, and should not speculate. It is not his place to speculate either. Although he is the state chairman, such an important position should be decided by the CEC," said Loke.

Sim is also considered one of the candidates for the post because he is now the state DAP chairman and one of the most visible ministers in the cabinet.

Sim was also moved from many ministries since he was made the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister in 2018, having served in Finance, Human Resources and now as the first non-Malay to head the Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Ministry.

"The selection of the leader will be made, but now is not the time to make a decision," said Loke.

He revealed that the party had indeed discussed the succession, but it was not yet time to make a final decision.

Furthermore, Chow remains in office, so DAP must fully support him in fulfilling his duties.

“There is still a Chief Minister in office, and we will definitely support Chow. Everyone must respect that Chow is still the Chief Minister."

He also stated that there will ultimately be "one name" to succeed Chow, but the DAP will only officially announce the candidate after the state legislative assembly is dissolved.

He added that voters do not want to see disputes arising from the selection of the chief minister, and hopes that party leaders will stop mentioning names and focus their energy on addressing livelihood issues that concern the people.

Political observers have concluded that DAP, through Pakatan Harapan (PH), has a tough challenge to defend their three - term hold on Penang because fellow component, PKR, has become weakened while Parti Amanah Nasional has not made major inroads.

PKR lost the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, which was held by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is the party president and his family since 1982.

DAP, meanwhile, has been riddled by rifts and differences over how it governs Penang, especially of late, over the quit rent rates. - March 13, 2026.

***

Lim Hui Ying as the next CM Penang???

😨😱😭

Penang’s LRT Mutiara Line to feature eight-minute cross-sea rail link between island and mainland

Penang’s LRT Mutiara Line to feature eight-minute cross-sea rail link between island and mainland



This file picture shows the Mutiara LRT Line construction project at the Bandar Sri Pinang project site in George Town, Penang, January 10, 2025. — Bernama pic

Friday, 13 Mar 2026 1:06 PM MYT


GEORGE TOWN, March 13 — Set to reshape the future of public transport in Penang, Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line aims to link the island’s busy corridors through a fast and efficient light rail network.

One of the project’s most striking features is its cross-sea link between Penang Island and the mainland, where the journey across the channel is expected to take only about eight minutes compared to about 82 minutes driving during peak hours.

LRT Mutiara Line project director Azmi Abd Rahman said the connection would significantly improve travel reliability for commuters, particularly those who travel daily between the mainland and the island for work.

“One key benefit is not only shorter travel time but also consistency. The journey across the channel is expected to take about eight minutes and the timing will be consistent, which helps commuters better plan their travel and work schedules,” he told Bernama at the Public Inspection booth in Komtar, recently.


He noted that the project would also benefit commuters from the island who wish to travel to other states by rail, as they could be connected to the Electric Train Service (ETS) at Penang Sentral and continue their journey to cities such as Kuala Lumpur.

On public reaction to the proposed sea-crossing bridge for the LRT line, Azmi said response has been highly encouraging, with more than 90 per cent of Public Inspection respondents supporting the project so far.

He noted that many people are excited about the development, as it would be the first such rail crossing in Malaysia and the bridge, with a main span height of about 62 metres (m) above sea level, would be clearly visible and could potentially become a new landmark for Penang.


“This crossing will be much more visible compared to existing infrastructure across the channel. We hope it will become another iconic structure for Penang and possibly a future tourist attraction,” he said.

Spanning approximately six kilometres, this cross-sea alignment connects Macallum station and Penang Sentral with the end-to-end journey expected to take about eight minutes.

LRT bridge’s published specifications show that it will be over 62m and will have two main navigation spans, each 450m in length which will create a two-way navigational corridor for large ships to pass below, and even Penang’s ferry passengers will get to pass below the bridge every time.

Meanwhile, Azmi said the Public Inspection exercise has been ongoing for about two weeks and has attracted strong participation from residents on both Penang Island and Seberang Perai.

“Feedback so far has been very positive and supportive. We have set up sites for Public Inspection in several locations including Komtar, Penang Sentral, KTM Butterworth station and a few other areas to collect public views,” he said.

Apart from fixed exhibition sites, he said the team is also organising mobile booths at public events to boost engagement, including during festivals such as Chap Goh Meh and the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Earlier, Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has announced a PI exercise to gather feedback on the Revised Railway Scheme for the LRT Mutiara Line extension.

The three-month PI from February 24 to May 24, 2026, will provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the extension of the alignment, station locations, and related project details.

The LRT Mutiara Line, which commenced construction in 2025 and is expected to begin operations in December 2031, will span approximately 29.67 kilometres with 20 stations and two provisional stations.

As the northern region’s first integrated metro system, it is designed to improve connectivity between Penang and the mainland, thus reducing road congestion and improving accessibility. — Bernama

Singapore's Hitlerjugend - The Why's by KTemoc

I published this post on 03 July 2005, slightly more than 20 years ago. I feel it may be worthwhile to re-publish it today for your perusal.

- kaytee 😂😂😂

Eight 15-year old Singapore students at a leadership camp named their team “Hitler” because they claimed they admired Hitler’s leadership qualities. They also considered him 'cool' and 'handsome'.

They are now required by the Singapore Education Minister to research on what Adolf Hitler had done.

The Minister stated that since they weren’t thinking or aware of the dark aspects of WWII history, rather than chew them up, he prefers that they present their research to their schools. A sensible approach, Minister.

BTW, 'Hitlerjugend' means Hitler Youth.

One writer to the Singapore news online, The Electric Newspaper, that broke the Team Hitler’s news, bemoaned that Singaporean teachers and students appeared either ignorant of or unconcerned about the evils of Adolf Hitler. He criticised their history teacher for making only one adverse comment on Hitler, that was restricted to the Nazi leader’s military error in invading Russia. He wondered why no mention was made of Hitler’s responsibility for millions of deaths in a world war, as well as the systematic murder of millions of innocent Jews.

I can provide the answer quite easily, though I must state beforehand that I support the Singaporean Minister's action - people should read up to be aware of what evil had walked on the surface of this Earth.

The fact of their ignorance, lack of concern or apathy towards Hitler and Nazi-ism is no different to the West’s ignorance, lack of concern or apathy towards the Japanese WWII atrocities and the provocative visits by the Japanese PM to the Yasukuni shrine to worship Japanese war criminals whose remains are housed there, war criminals not unlike the Nazi variety, who were responsible for the most barbaric form of atrocities against the Chinese, Korean and other Asian people during WWII.

rape of nanjing (nanking)

Whenever the Chinese and Korean people raised Cain over such visits or rightwing Japanese attempts at historical revisionism, western bloggers would without fail criticised the Chinese (but remain silent about the Koreans) for not letting go of the “past” and going over the top in their anger against what they see as a harmless visit to the shrine by Japan’s foremost politician.

rape of nanjing (nanking)

Several even defended the Japanese PM's visits with their ignorance and lack of understanding of what the Japanese had barbarically done during WWII. One stated that only Chinese aged 80 and above may have a genuine reason to be angry at the Japanese. Can anyone beat this asinine comment? Unbelievable as it may be, the answer is in fact yes. Another stupidly averred that the PM's visit to the Yasukuni shrine was a sincere demonstration of "peace".

rape of nanjing (nanking)

Those western bloggers, mainly Americans (most of whom are always trying to find something to criticise China anyway) would then attribute the whole uproar to either Chinese jealousy of the better-off Japanese (Koreans conveniently left out here or the entire argument would collapse like a house of cards) or a Chinese government manipulating the Chinese people’s outrage to divert attention from China’s domestic problems (again, Koreans omitted from the allegation).

rape of nanjing (nanking)

Not once have I read (admittedly I haven’t visited all western or American bloggers blogging on China and Japan, though I have read quite a few) any note of sympathy or understanding for the Chinese outrage, or revulsion and concern or anger at the Japanese PM's provocative visits or the sinister attempts at historical revisionism to obscure Japan’s evil past.

rape of nanjing (nanking)

So, why should that western writer wonder why Singaporeans, whose grandfathers had suffered untold miseries at the hands of the Japanese military, showed the same lack of awareness of Nazi-ism as westerners had shown towards the Japanese WWII evil?

rape of nanjing (nanking)

Court of Appeal allows Chegubard’s bid to obtain journalist’s statement in sedition case

Court of Appeal allows Chegubard’s bid to obtain journalist’s statement in sedition case



Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, faces a sedition charge at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court over alleged remarks linked to the Forest City casino issue in Johor. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

Friday, 13 Mar 2026 5:53 PM MYT


PUTRAJAYA, March 13 — The Court of Appeal today allowed an appeal by Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, to reinstate the Sessions Court order directing the prosecution to disclose a witness statement to him for use in his defence in a sedition case.

A three-man bench chaired by Datuk Azman Abdullah, sitting with Datuk Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz and Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid, set aside the decision of the High Court and reinstated the Sessions Court’s order for the prosecution to disclose a Bloomberg journalist’s statement recorded under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code to the defence.


Badrul Hisham, a political activist, is facing a charge at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court with making seditious remarks related to the casino project in Forest City in Johor.

According to the charge, he allegedly made the seditious publication in his Facebook account under the name “Che GuBard” at Mutiara Villa, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, at 6.30pm on April 26, 2024.


The charge was brought under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both if found guilty.


Last year, the Sessions Court allowed Badrul Hisham’s application for disclosure of the statement.

However, in January this year, the High Court overturned that order after allowing the prosecution’s revision application. Badrul Hisham subsequently filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal.


During the proceedings at the Court of Appeal today, Badrul Hisham’s lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali told the court that the trial at the Sessions Court is scheduled to resume on April 6.

He submitted that the charge faced by his client is linked to the journalist’s article and that the statement could be used in favour of the defence and may help to exonerate his client.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ng Siew Wee countered, saying that all information stated in the article are within Ram’s knowledge, and any facts necessary to clear Badrul Hisham can be put to Ram Anand during questioning at the trial.

Lawyer David Dev Peter held a watching brief for the Malaysian Bar. — Bernama

The $3 Billion Blind Spot: How Iran Systematically Dismantled America's Air Defense Network

From the FB page of:

Khai Beng Tan


odSpoestnr1al7140ii7ghif2h060gtgm11i92uucm47g19lh4m7it0i125u ·


The $3 Billion Blind Spot: How Iran Systematically Dismantled America's Air Defense Network

A Geopolitico Analysis of Operation True Promise

The opening days of direct Iranian-American military confrontation have fundamentally altered the strategic landscape of the Middle East. Through a meticulously planned campaign, Tehran has successfully destroyed or severely damaged approximately $2.5 billion worth of American military equipment across seven nations, with a singular focus on dismantling the United States' integrated air defense architecture.

What distinguishes Iran's retaliation is its strategic coherence. Rather than symbolic strikes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted America's most valuable and vulnerable assets: its long-range radar networks—the eyes of American power projection in the region.

The Strategic Architecture

The AN/FPS-132 "Pave Paw" early warning radar at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base represented the crown jewel of this architecture. Valued at $1.1 billion, this system provided ballistic missile detection across a 3,000-mile radius as the central nervous system for Gulf missile defense. Satellite imagery confirms its destruction.

This was not an isolated success. Four THAAD system radars—each valued at approximately $500 million—were destroyed in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The loss of these systems means American and allied forces have lost their most capable tools for detecting incoming threats, compressing response times from minutes to seconds.

Confirmed Losses by Nation

Qatar: Beyond the AN/FPS-132 radar at Al Udeid, the base has sustained multiple missile impacts, with Qatari defenses unable to intercept every incoming threat.

Kuwait: At Ali Al Salem Air Base, three F-15E Strike Eagles ($282 million) were lost in a friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses attempting to intercept Iranian drones. Satellite imagery confirms damage to over a dozen structures. At Camp Arifjan, six satellite communication radomes were destroyed, impacting US Central Command's coordination capabilities. An Iranian drone strike on a US command center near Shuaiba Port killed six American soldiers.

Bahrain: The US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama sustained approximately $200 million in damage. Verified footage shows drones striking the facility, destroying two satellite communications terminals and leveling several large buildings.

United Arab Emirates: At Al Dhafra Air Base, satellite imagery confirms significant damage to infrastructure and radar equipment. At Al-Ruwais, a THAAD AN/TPY-2 radar was destroyed inside its storage structures. The targeting of Jebel Ali Port demonstrates Iran's willingness to strike strategic logistics nodes.

Jordan: At Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, satellite imagery confirms the destruction of a THAAD system radar in the conflict's opening days.

Saudi Arabia: At Prince Sultan Air Base, a tent sheltering a THAAD radar system was badly charred with debris scattered nearby.

Diplomatic Targets: The US embassies in Riyadh and Kuwait City, along with the US Consulate in Dubai, were struck by drones—delivering a clear message that no American facility is beyond Tehran's reach.

The Human Cost

The Pentagon has confirmed seven US service members killed—six at Shuaiba Port in Kuwait and one at a base in Saudi Arabia. The IRGC claims its strikes caused up to 650 US casualties (killed and wounded) during the first two days alone, including 160 at Fifth Fleet headquarters. These figures cannot be independently verified.

The Replacement Nightmare: Years, Not Months

Beyond the immediate financial loss, the United States now faces a reconstruction challenge that defense officials acknowledge will require years to resolve .

The AN/FPS-132 radar destroyed in Qatar carries a production and delivery timeline of five to eight years. These systems are not mass-produced and stored in warehouses; each is built to order with custom components and extensive testing requirements . Even less complex systems like the AN/TPS-59 require approximately two years for replacement, at costs between $50 and $75 million per unit .

For the destroyed THAAD radars, the production reality is equally sobering. These are sole-source items manufactured by Raytheon, and bringing any alternative supplier online would require a 15-month qualification process before production could even begin . The Missile Defense Agency's own documentation acknowledges that Raytheon is "the only responsible source currently able to meet program milestones" for these systems .

Compounding these timelines is a critical supply chain vulnerability. Modern radar production depends on gallium, a material essential for advanced semiconductor and radar systems, of which 98% is produced in China . In an era of US-China technological competition, this dependence creates strategic uncertainty for rapid replenishment.

Even for newer systems like the LTAMDS radar (the Patriot replacement), current production capacity is limited to approximately 10-12 units annually, with each unit requiring 40 months on the production line . The Army is working to reduce this to 36 months, but the backlog from domestic and international orders means any replacement radar would join a queue years long.

What Iran has accomplished, therefore, extends beyond tactical victory. By destroying sensors that require half a decade or more to replace, Tehran has created a multi-year blind spot in American regional defense architecture. In network-centric warfare, the sensor is more valuable than the interceptor. Without sensors, there is no network. Without network, there is no integration. Without integration, there is no interception .

Strategic Implications: The Blindness Problem

The destruction of these radar systems creates what defense analysts describe as a "de facto blind spot" across the region. The affected radars will require months or years to replace.

For Israel, which relies on these forward-deployed American radars for early warning, the implications are severe. With the AN/FPS-132 offline and multiple THAAD radars destroyed, the integrated early warning network has been significantly degraded. Israeli defense forces now have compressed response windows, relying more heavily on local systems.

The Regional Crisis

Gulf Arab states hosting American forces now face an impossible dilemma: continue hosting and accept vulnerability to Iranian retaliation, or distance themselves from the United States and risk losing their security guarantee. The UAE has effectively acknowledged being "in a state of war." Saudi Arabia has warned Iran that continued attacks could trigger retaliation and potentially permit US offensive operations from its territory.

Conclusion

The opening exchanges have revealed important truths. Iran has demonstrated a sophisticated targeting capability, successfully striking high-value assets across seven countries while absorbing America's opening blows. The United States has discovered that its billion-dollar air defense architecture contains vulnerabilities that a determined adversary can exploit.

Each destroyed radar represents a degradation of America's ability to see incoming threats, coordinate allied responses, and project power across a region suddenly rendered more opaque. With replacement timelines stretching five to eight years for the most critical systems, this is not a temporary setback but a long-term degradation of American military posture in the Gulf .

What remains certain is that the era of American invulnerability in the Middle East has conclusively ended.

***

MAGA Podah, wakakaka 👎👎👎😂😂😂

Hegseth giving update on Iran war as US temporarily eases Russia oil sanctions

Hegseth giving update on Iran war as US temporarily eases Russia oil sanctions





Summary


US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is giving an update on the Iran war


The US says it will loosen sanctions on other countries buying Russian oil and petroleum loaded on vessels at sea, in a bid to curb price rises - what we know so far


Easing of sanctions - even if just for a month - is welcome news for the Kremlin, writes the BBC's Steve Rosenberg


The cost of oil rose to more than $100 a barrel on Thursday when three more cargo vessels were hit in the Gulf


In Tehran, footage analysed by BBC Verify shows an explosion near a pro-establishment rally, after Israel launched new strikes


President Donald Trump says the US is "totally destroying" the Iranian regime - and to "watch what happens" on Friday


Meanwhile, drones entering Saudi Arabian airspace are destroyed and authorities in Dubai say debris from an intercepted projectile hit a building


And four crew members on board a refuelling plane that went down over Iraq have died, the US military says - adding the incident was "not due to hostile fire or friendly fire"

***

The sheer hypocrisy of US "sanctions", where it can be lifted and reimposed at wankee convenience.

The hypocrisy of America and Israel lecturing others about peace

From the FB page of:

Kym Staton 


estroopSdn2i6g9u5lc62li71atu039h0h1umt1h0c5cc52h4thfgaclcl64 ·


America talks about ceasefires with Iran while standing on decades of pressure and punishment - a cracked throne of power built from sanctions, threats, and frozen wealth.

Sanctions are economic warfare - a slow tightening vise around a nation’s economy, a shadow blockade that suffocates ordinary lives while politicians call it policy.

For more than four decades Iran has faced one of the harshest sanctions regimes on earth, beginning in 1979 and expanding repeatedly to target its banking system, oil exports, and entire industries - a grinding machine of pressure turning diplomacy into a cage.

Those sanctions have crippled ordinary lives - cutting oil exports dramatically and stripping billions in revenue while inflation, unemployment, and shortages of medicine hit ordinary people hardest, a storm of invisible walls closing in around everyday families.

Sovereignty matters - and no nation should be bullied, economically strangled, or threatened simply for insisting on its right to determine its own path without foreign domination.

And yet after decades of economic siege, frozen assets, and relentless pressure, America suddenly speaks the language of peace - like a bully who spends years tightening the grip and then asks why the other side refuses to shake hands.

America and Israel lecturing others about peace while wielding sanctions and bombs is like an arsonist hosting a fire safety seminar - a glowing monument to geopolitical hypocrisy.

Sometimes I wonder how many families in Iran sit quietly tonight hoping that one day the powerful countries that have squeezed their economy for decades will stop calling it diplomacy and finally choose something that looks like dignity and peace.

Trump claims Iran is ‘about to surrender’ in call with G7 leaders, report says

Trump claims Iran is ‘about to surrender’ in call with G7 leaders, report says

Trump made the remarks as the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel entered its second week. — AFP pic

Friday, 13 Mar 2026 5:37 PM MYT


WASHINGTON, March 13 — US President Trump told G7 leaders in a virtual meeting on Wednesday that Iran is “about to surrender,” Axios reported today citing three officials from G7 countries briefed on the contents of the call.

According to the report, Trump told allies that he “got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all,” while boasting about the results of Operation “Epic Fury” on the G7 call Wednesday morning.

Trump said that “nobody knows who is the leader, so there is no one that can announce surrender,” Axios reported.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Trump today derided Iran’s leaders as “deranged scumbags” and said it was his great honour to kill them as the war in the Middle East approached the two-week mark with heavy exchanges of drone and missile strikes across the region. — Reuters

***

He disgusts with his brazen shameless LIES

Trump is signaling an exit from Iran war, but Israel may not be ready - analysis

Trump is signaling an exit from Iran war, but Israel may not be ready - analysis

Trump’s talk of a “complete” war soothed markets, but in Jerusalem, it raised fears he may declare victory too soon, pressuring Israel to stop before Iran and Hezbollah are fully degraded

US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Doral Miami in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 9, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)

ByHERB KEINON

MARCH 10, 2026 20:11

Updated: MARCH 10, 2026 20:16


In a CBS interview on Monday, US President Donald Trump said the war is “very complete, pretty much.”

The words had an immediate calming effect on markets. Oil prices, which had been hovering just above $100 a barrel amid fears of a prolonged conflict with Iran, dropped soon afterward. Stock markets around the world also rebounded.

Some analysts speculated that Trump’s remarks suggesting the war in Iran was nearing completion or, as he said later in the day, would end “very soon,” though not this week, were aimed primarily at steadying markets.

But in Jerusalem, where many officials believe the war should continue until Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities are even more severely degraded, and until Hezbollah’s military infrastructure is dismantled, the comments likely caused some unease. The concern is that Trump’s words were not merely rhetorical reassurance for investors but a signal of his strategic thinking.

Specifically, the fear is that the US president, wary of the economic costs of a prolonged conflict, might seek to halt the campaign before Israel believes the job is done.

People attend a gathering to support Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 9, 2026. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

That possibility would echo what happened during the 12-day war with Iran last June, when the US joined Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities. After several days of attacks, Trump agreed to a ceasefire and pressed Israel to scale back a planned retaliatory strike after Iran violated it. Israel ultimately limited its response to destroying a single radar installation near Tehran.

Yet an even clearer precedent may lie in Trump’s campaign against the Houthis in Yemen last year.

In mid-March 2025, the US launched a major air and naval operation aimed at forcing the Houthis to stop attacks on international shipping. That campaign began with heady rhetoric and promises to restore deterrence in the Red Sea.

After roughly seven weeks of strikes costing about $1 billion, involving lost drones and at least two jets that fell from aircraft carriers, US officials concluded the campaign was not producing decisive results. The Houthis had moved assets underground and continued firing at US vessels and at Israel.

On May 6, 2025, two days after a Houthi ballistic missile struck near Ben-Gurion Airport, Trump abruptly announced that US strikes were “over, effective immediately.” The announcement followed an Oman-brokered arrangement under which the Houthis halted attacks on US ships but continued targeting Israel and other Red Sea shipping.

Publicly, Trump framed the outcome as a success. The Houthis, he said, had “surrendered” and now “just want peace.” The reality proved different: their broader military capabilities remained intact, and their campaign against Israel continued.

The episode raised an uncomfortable question at the time for Israel: whether a pattern was emerging in Trump’s use of military force.
Trump's war strategy: Quick entrance, quick exit

The pattern, critics argue, is one of rapid escalation followed by an equally rapid declaration of success once limited gains can be claimed. Massive force is applied early, expectations are set high, and then, if the campaign proves costly or inconclusive, the objective is quietly redefined, and victory declared.

Supporters of Yemen's Houthi terror group watch a speech by the movement's leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi displayed on a big screen in Sanaa, Yemen July 6, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)


The Houthis episode illustrated this dynamic. Trump appeared to impose what amounted to roughly a 30-day expectation for results. When the campaign did not quickly produce decisive outcomes, skepticism about the costs and risks grew. The administration then pivoted to a ceasefire and a victory narrative rather than acknowledging a stalemate.

The question now is whether the same dynamic could unfold with Iran.

Trump’s recent language suggests a shift from escalation toward exit. By describing the war as essentially “complete,” he is beginning to frame the conflict as one in which the key objectives have already been achieved.

In a press conference on Monday, he said it is possible to call the operation “a tremendous success right now,” but added that “we are going to go further.” Already in the first three days, he said, “we wiped out a big navy, a very powerful navy.”

He said that in addition to having no navy, Iran is now also without airports, anti-aircraft equipment, radar, telecommunications, or leadership. “It’s all gone,” he said in terms that he could very well use to call it a victory and end the campaign whenever he wants.

The Houthis precedent suggests he may be willing to halt operations when the economic or political costs of continuing begin to rise. At that point, the moment can be retroactively defined as victory.

Some analysts have speculated that domestic political considerations, particularly the midterm elections in November, may influence such calculations. That explanation, however, may be overstated. November is still months away, and economic shocks today, such as a spike in gasoline prices, will not necessarily determine voting patterns many months later, especially since prices would likely drop once the war ends.

The more immediate factor may be Trump’s longstanding preference for quick, decisive campaigns that avoid prolonged military entanglements.

Yet Iran presents a far more complex challenge than the Houthis.

Against the Houthis, Trump could end a relatively contained campaign and accept a narrow ceasefire. With Iran, however, he has attached far more ambitious goals to the conflict, speaking at times about “unconditional surrender,” regime collapse, and even being the one to approve of Iran’s future leadership.

Such rhetoric raises the political stakes. Declaring victory prematurely would be far more controversial.

But it would not be unprecedented. Trump has already laid the rhetorical groundwork, portraying the destruction of Iran’s navy and air force as defining achievements, milestones that could easily be presented as proof that the campaign has accomplished its mission.

Can Israel continue war against Iran without US cooperation?

If that moment arrives, Israel could face a difficult strategic dilemma.

Does it halt its own operations in tandem with Washington, even if it believes the threat has not been sufficiently reduced? Or does it continue the fight without US participation, and potentially without US political cover?

The events of June offered a preview. When Trump decided to halt the earlier round of strikes, he made clear that Israel was expected to follow suit.

Should history repeat itself, Israel may once again find that the real ceiling on this war is set not by the risks posed by Iran’s remaining capabilities, but by Washington’s endurance.

***

Without its idiotic wankee macai, shailoks can't fight Iran alone