Don’t risk your life: FT mufti tells Muslims to hold off umrah as Middle East heats up

 

Don’t risk your life: FT mufti tells Muslims to hold off umrah as Middle East heats up



Federal Territories Mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil advised Muslims in Malaysia to delay their visit to the UAE for their umrah while the Gulf region is unstable. — Saudi Ministry of Media/Handout via Reuters

Saturday, 14 Mar 2026 3:02 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 — Muslims have been advised to delay travel to parts of West Asia affected by the ongoing security instability until it is safe to do so.

Federal Territories Mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil said the advice aligns with the syariah principle of preserving life (hifz al-nafs) when safety cannot be guaranteed.

He emphasised that every decision made by authorities must prioritise the welfare and safety of the people.

“Therefore, if the authorities determine that travel to the Holy Land remains safe and under control, Muslims may continue performing umrah or haj as usual.


“Conversely, if the situation is deemed unsafe, postponing travel is in line with the syariah principle of protecting life (hifz al-nafs),” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Fauwaz also urged Muslims in the country to remain vigilant and follow official information, particularly from the Foreign Ministry, which monitors international security developments and issues travel advisories for Malaysians.

He said a reassessment of the istita’ah (capability) requirements, which include the guarantee of safety for life and property, has become urgent in light of the ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran.


“Thus, if travel is unsafe or poses a threat to life, the conditions for being capable of performing the pilgrimage are considered not met,” he said.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had advised Malaysians to temporarily postpone plans to perform umrah due to the continuing unstable security situation in West Asia. — Bernama

After ‘Ubah’: Chinese electorate faces political dilemma, says ex-MCA veep

After ‘Ubah’: Chinese electorate faces political dilemma, says ex-MCA veep


The former MCA vice president said the Chinese electorate had overwhelmingly shifted its political support over the past decade, with more than 90 per cent abandoning MCA in favour of DAP

Updated 2 hours ago

Published on 14 Mar 2026 1:23PM

Voters must move beyond slogans and confront the gap between expectations and political realities, said Ti - March 14, 2026


by Alfian Z.M. Tahir


MALAYSIAN Chinese voters are facing a growing political dilemma in the aftermath of the ‘Ubah’ movement that once promised sweeping reforms to the country’s governance, Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said.

The former MCA vice president said the Chinese electorate had overwhelmingly shifted its political support over the past decade, with more than 90 per cent abandoning MCA in favour of DAP.

The shift was largely driven by the rallying cry of ‘Ubah’ — Malay for “change” — which generated strong expectations that a change in government would bring cleaner governance, fairer institutions, and a political culture less defined by race and patronage.

“The Chinese electorate embraced this message enthusiastically, especially in urban constituencies where support for change reached overwhelming levels,” Ti said.

However, he argued that the realities of governing have proven more complex than the slogans that once fueled the movement.


Expectations meet political reality

According to Ti, the excitement surrounding the reformist narrative began to fade as coalition politics, policy compromises, and political realignments became unavoidable within Malaysia’s multiethnic political system.

“Some voters now struggle to reconcile the ideals promoted during the 'Ubah' era with what they perceive as pragmatic political compromises,” he added.

Ti also pointed to gestures by some DAP leaders aimed at engaging the Malay electorate, noting that these efforts have sometimes been interpreted as attempts to appease concerns among segments of the Malay community who remain wary of the party’s stance on certain Malay- and Islam-centric policies.

Among the examples cited were DAP ministers adopting traditional Malay attire during official events — gestures Ti said were intended to signal inclusivity.


The rise of “Ah Q” rationalisations

Ti said the political dilemma has led to what he described as “Ah Q justifications,” borrowing from the fictional character created by Chinese writer Lu Xun in The True Story of Ah Q. The character is known for psychologically reframing defeats as victories.

In Ti’s view, similar rationalisations have appeared in public discourse when addressing issues affecting the Chinese community.

He cited concerns among pig farmers in Selangor who fear policy changes could threaten their industry.

Ti said remarks by Transport Minister Anthony Loke — suggesting that people could still enjoy roast pork — appeared to shift attention away from the underlying economic concerns of farmers.

In another example, Ti referred to statements by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim emphasising that Penang remains open for the celebration of Chinese culture.

While such remarks may be intended to reassure, Ti argued they also raise questions about whether cultural expression is becoming more constrained elsewhere.

“If cultural space narrows in many places, saying it remains open in one state begins to sound less like reassurance and more like quiet resignation,” he said.


Call for political maturity

Despite his criticism, Ti said the aspirations that drove the ‘Ubah’ movement — including cleaner governance and stronger institutions — remain valid.

However, he argued that voters must move beyond slogans and confront the gap between expectations and political realities.

“The deeper question facing the Chinese electorate is not merely loyalty to any particular party,” he said.

“It is whether political maturity allows voters to reassess and make a change even after ‘Ubah’.” – March 14, 2026

Zamri denies fleeing to Thailand, says willing to meet IGP

Zamri denies fleeing to Thailand, says willing to meet IGP


Published: Mar 14, 2026 3:20 PM
Updated: 6:29 PM


Controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth, who police previously said had fled to Thailand, has denied “running away”, insisting that he will personally meet Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Ismail if necessary.

In a Facebook post today, Zamri (above) also questioned why police were seeking to press charges against him for allegedly disturbing public peace and issuing seditious statements, asserting that he had committed no offence.

Instead, he claimed that several other figures, including DAP MP RSN Rayer, activist Arun Dorasamy, and Urimai interim deputy chairperson David Marshall, were the ones who have been “inciting” the public.

“Why would I run? I have said many times that if you want to catch me, also catch Rayer. If you want to charge me, charge them too!

“I will meet the IGP myself if there is a need to, InsyaAllah…I have not run away and there is no need for me to run away!” Zamri declared.

His Facebook page, which was initially accessible, now appears to have been restricted, with screenshots of his post now making the rounds on social media.

Malaysiakini has contacted the MCMC and Zamri for clarification on the matter.


‘Not a level playing field’

In a separate Facebook post, lawyer Aidil Khalid claimed that Zamri’s page was “shut down” so the public is only allowed to hear “one side of the story”.

“We are not playing on a level field…accusations are made, claiming that Zamri has fled to Thailand, but he frequently travels back and forth to Thailand because he has business between the two countries,” he claimed.

He also referenced an incident where Zamri was allegedly attacked by two unidentified men on a motorcycle and four others on foot, with Zamri accusing the alleged assailants of acting due to “incitement and a false police report” against him by Rayer.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail

Yesterday, Khalid said Malaysian authorities are working with their Thai counterparts to track down and repatriate Zamri, as well as self-proclaimed land activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak.

Zamri is facing two charges - one in connection with his alleged involvement in a Feb 7 gathering in Kuala Lumpur, and the other over supposedly incendiary statements directed at the Indian community.

The first charge is framed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code on statements constituting public mischief, which carries imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.

The second charge relates to Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, which criminalises acts or statements with “seditious tendencies”. It carries a maximum prison time of three years, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both.

Khalid added that Tamim is expected to face a charge under Section 295 of the Penal Code on the defilement of a sacred object with the intent to wound religious feelings.

Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak allegedly desecrating a site of worship


If found guilty, an offender is liable to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.


‘Explain charges on Tamim’

In a Facebook post early this morning, lawyer Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said the decision to charge Tamim should be “carefully reassessed” based on the principles of justice, transparency, and public interest to avoid a perception of a rushed or “influenced” prosecution.

Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar

The Malaysian Muslim Lawyers' Association adviser added that if there are elements of inconsistency in prosecutorial action, different treatment of similar cases, or a failure to consider the “full factual circumstances”, such situations can cause questions on whether the legal process is being used “selectively”.

“I believe the decision to charge Tamim should be explained to the public in greater detail, so that there is no doubt that the action was not taken hastily, selectively, or influenced by considerations inconsistent with the principles of justice,” he said.

Expressing similar sentiments, Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin said if Zainul as a “prominent legal practitioner” finds the prosecution of Tamim and Zamri “odd”, the matter is bound to be even more puzzling to the public.

“I’m questioning the fairness and professionalism of the IGP in this issue. Especially since we are in Malaysia, not in India.

“Does our law only ‘show its teeth’ when it comes to Muslims?” he questioned.

Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin


Asri also voiced his hope that Khalid will consider “justice for Muslims”, professionalism, the background of the issues involving Zamri and Tamim, as well as the “identity” of the nation.

“In this month of Ramadan, let us pray that our country remains under leadership and management that is just and safeguards the nation’s identity, particularly in matters concerning religion and the Muslim community,” he added.

***

Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin asked: “Does our law only ‘show its teeth’ when it comes to Muslims?”   

No, Yang Amat Arif, it's the opposite lah. And don't get too excited because it's Hindus (including anti-Muslim Hindu India) on the opposite end - bad for your health.

Good time for US to ‘declare victory and get out’ of Iran war, says Trump tech adviser

Good time for US to ‘declare victory and get out’ of Iran war, says Trump tech adviser



A man holds a placard with an image depicting Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during a Shi’ite Muslims gathering marking the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) in Baghdad, Iraq, March 13, 2026. — Reuters pic

Saturday, 14 Mar 2026 1:02 PM MYT


WASHINGTON, March 13 — David Sacks has suggested the United States should end its war with Iran, in a rare call from a senior figure in Donald Trump’s administration to seek an exit from the conflict.

Speaking on the All-In Podcast, Sacks said the US had already degraded Iran’s military capabilities.


“This is a good time to declare victory and get out,” he said.

Sacks also said Washington should look for ways to reduce tensions and negotiate an end to the fighting.


“If escalation doesn't lead anywhere good, then you have to think about, well, how do you de-escalate?” he said.

“De-escalation, I think, involves reaching some sort of ceasefire agreement or some sort of negotiated settlement with Iran.”

The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory strikes by Tehran and its ally Hezbollah.


The conflict has rattled global markets and pushed up oil prices, with Iran’s United Nations ambassador saying more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran, while Israel reports 12 deaths from Iranian attacks and the US military says seven of its members have been killed. — Reuters

***   

Must ask Satanyahu's permission before doing so, and it's likely he'll say 'No' because his god Moloch, wants more child sacrifices and blood

Iranian media reports no damage to Kharg oil infrastructure after US strike

Iranian media reports no damage to Kharg oil infrastructure after US strike



This handout image taken by the European Space Agency (ESA) captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite shows a view of Iran’s Kharg Island, which hosts the country’s main crude export terminal. — AFP pic

Saturday, 14 Mar 2026 2:34 PM MYT


TEHRAN, March 14 — No oil infrastructure was damaged in US strikes on Kharg Island, Iranian media reported today.

Fars news agency, citing sources on the ground, reported there had been no damage to oil facilities after President Donald Trump said US bombardment of the island had destroyed military targets.

Trump had threatened in a social media post to target oil infrastructure on the island, a crucial hub for Iran, if Tehran continued to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. — AFP

War in the Middle East: Casualty figures from across the region

War in the Middle East: Casualty figures from across the region



A fireball errupts from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in the southern Lebanese village of Abbasiyyeh on March 13, 2026. — AFP

Saturday, 14 Mar 2026 2:19 PM MYT


DUBAI, March 14 — Since the US and Israel unleashed strikes on Iran on February 28, war has spread across the region and casualties have been reported in countries around the Middle East.

AFP has not been able to independently verify all of the following tolls.


The figures are based on numbers released by governments, militaries, health authorities and rescue organisations in the affected countries.


Iran

Iran’s health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed, including around 200 women and 200 children under the age of 12, with more than 10,000 civilians injured.


The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) said on March 11 that at least 1,825 people had been killed, including 1,276 civilians — among them at least 200 children — as well as 197 military personnel and 352 people whose status had not been classified.

Due to reporting restrictions, AFP is not able to access the sites of strikes or independently verify tolls in Iran.


Israel

Israel’s first responders and the country’s authorities have reported 14 people in total killed.

First responders and local authorities say Iranian missile fire has killed 12 people inside the country, including four minors, since the start of the war, according to an AFP tally based on their announcements.

The Israeli military has separately announced the deaths of two soldiers in combat in southern Lebanon.


Lebanon

Lebanon said today that at least 773 people had been killed in Lebanon since March 2, including 103 children, during fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Lebanese army has said three of its soldiers have been killed.

Hezbollah has not announced its losses.


The Gulf

Authorities in Gulf states and the US Central Command (Centcom) have reported 26 people killed — 11 of them civilians — since the start of the Iranian attacks.

The rest of those killed were military or security personnel, including seven US service members.

Kuwait’s military and health ministry have reported six deaths: two soldiers, two border guards and two civilians, one of them an 11-year-old girl.

The United Arab Emirates’ defence ministry has reported six deaths: four civilians and two military personnel who died as a result of a helicopter crash blamed on a technical malfunction.

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency has reported two civilian deaths.

Bahrain’s interior ministry has also logged two deaths.

Oman’s maritime security centre reported the death of a mariner at sea and two other people in a drone attack on an industrial area.

Qatar’s ministry of interior, meanwhile, has reported 16 injuries and no fatalities.

Centcom has confirmed six US service personnel killed in Kuwait and one killed in Saudi Arabia.

Iraq

Armed groups and officials have said at least 46 people have been killed in Iraq since the start of the conflict, according to an AFP tally based on their announcements.

France said an Iranian drone killed a French soldier in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.

The US military said a refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members, in an incident not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

Pro-Iran armed factions and security sources say 32 Iran-backed fighters were killed in strikes they blame on the US and Israel.

Kurdish rebel groups said at least five Iranian Kurdish militants were killed in strikes attributed to Iran on their positions in the north.

Kurdish security sources said one airport guard was killed in a drone attack on Erbil airport.

Officials said one civilian was killed by rocket shrapnel following a strike southeast of Baghdad.


Jordan

Jordan’s military spokesman Brigadier General Mustafa al-Hiyari said 14 people have been injured in various parts of the country due to falling debris from Iranian missiles and drones.

No deaths have been reported.


Syria

Syrian state media reported eight people injured by falling debris from exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel on Monday. — AFP

***

I'm pleased with Thy Child Offerings, my Chosen People

Analysts say US threat of ‘no quarter’ for Iran violates international law

Analysts say US threat of ‘no quarter’ for Iran violates international law

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there would be ‘no quarter, no mercy’ as US continues to pummel Iran.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth salutes during the transfer of US soldiers' remains on March 9 [Kylie Cooper/Reuters]

By Brian Osgood
Published On 14 Mar 2026

Rights groups have slammed United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for saying that “no quarter” will be shown to Iran, as the US and Israel continue their military campaign against the country.

“We will keep pressing. We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies,” Hegseth told reporters on Friday.

Recommended Stories

Are the US-Israeli attacks against Iran legal under international law?

Pentagon chief vows ‘most intense day’ of US strikes against Iran

US senators demand probe into ‘appalling’ attack on girls’ school in Iran

Under the Hague Convention and other international treaties, it is illegal to threaten that no quarter will be given.

Domestic laws, such as the 1996 War Crimes Act, also prohibit such policies. US military manuals likewise warn that threats of “no quarter” are illegal.

Brian Finucane, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, a think tank, said Hegseth’s comments appear to run afoul of those standards.

“These comments are very striking,” Finucane told Al Jazeera over a phone call. “It raises questions about whether this belligerent, lawless rhetoric is being translated into how the war is being conducted on the battlefield.”

But Hegseth has publicly dismissed concerns about international law, claiming he would abide no “stupid rules of engagement” and no “politically correct wars”.

His rhetoric has provoked concern among some experts that measures designed to prevent civilian harm are being ignored in favour of a campaign of “maximum lethality”.

Hegseth’s remarks also come after a US strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran that killed more than 170 people, most of them children. The war has left at least 1,444 Iranians dead and millions more displaced.
Advertisement


‘Inhumane and counterproductive’

Prohibitions against declaring “no quarter” go back more than a century, part of an effort to impose restraints on conduct during war.

The Nuremberg trials after World War II upheld that legal standard, as Nazi officials were prosecuted, in some cases, for denying quarter to enemy forces.

“The basic idea is that it’s both inhumane and counterproductive to execute people who have laid down their arms,” said Finucane.

He added that the “mere announcement” of “no quarter” from a government official can itself be a war crime.

The US and Israel have already faced allegations of violating international law during their war against Iran. Experts have condemned their initial strike on February 28 as “unprovoked”, deeming the conflict an illegal war of aggression.

Iranian officials also protested after a US submarine sank a military vessel, the IRIS Dena, off the coast of Sri Lanka, as it returned from a ceremonial naval exercise in India. That attack killed at least 84 people.

While warships are considered legal military targets, Iran has said that the ship was not fully armed, raising questions about whether it could have been interdicted rather than sunk.

US forces also purportedly declined to help rescue sailors from the Dena, even though the Geneva Convention largely requires aid to the shipwrecked. The Sri Lankan navy ultimately helped collect survivors from the wreckage.

Responding to the attack, Hegseth described the sinking of the ship as a “quiet death”. He also told reporters, “We are fighting to win.”

US President Donald Trump himself remarked that he asked why the ship had been sunk, not captured.

“One of my generals said, ‘Sir, it’s a lot more fun doing it this way,'” Trump said.

‘Serious red flag’

The US military has faced criticism for killing civilians in military operations for decades.

That includes during the so-called “global war on terror”, when airstrikes resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, including a 2008 attack on a wedding party in Afghanistan.

Even before the war with Iran, the Trump administration had faced accusations that it violated international law by attacking alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

At least 157 people have been killed in those attacks since they started on September 2.

The Trump administration, however, has never identified the victims nor presented evidence against them. Scholars have condemned the attacks as a campaign of extrajudicial killings.

Analysts say that the Pentagon’s policies of emphasising lethality at the expense of human rights concerns has carried over into its war against Iran.

“Death and destruction from the sky all day long. We’re playing for keeps. Our warfighters have maximum authorities granted personally by the president and yours truly,” Hegseth said during a briefing on March 4.

“Our rules of engagement are bold, precise and designed to unleash American power, not shackle it.”

Sarah Yager, the Washington director at Human Rights Watch, called such rhetoric alarming.

“I’ve been engaging with the US military for two decades, and I’m shocked by this language. Rhetoric from senior leaders matters because it helps shape the command environment in which US forces operate,” Yager said.

“From an atrocity-prevention perspective, language that dismisses legal restraints is a serious red flag.”

While the impact of Hegseth’s rhetoric on combat operations is not certain, a recent report from the watchdog group Airwars found that the pace of the US and Israeli assault on Iran has far outstripped other military operations in modern history.

Reports indicate that the US dropped nearly $5.6bn worth of munitions in the first two days of the war alone. Airwars says the US and Israel hit more targets in the first 100 hours of the Iran war than in the first six months of the US campaign against ISIL (ISIS).

Following Hegseth’s remarks on Friday, Senator Jeff Merkley condemned the Pentagon chief as a “dangerous amateur”. He cited the attack on the Iranian girls’ school as an example of the consequences.

“His ‘no hesitation’ engagement rules set the stage for failing to distinguish a civilian school from a military target,” Merkley wrote in a social media post.

“The result, more than 150 dead schoolgirls and teachers from an American missile.”

***

Just a bunch of illiterate hoodlums.

As hopes of regime change in Iran fade, Netanyahu faces political test

As hopes of regime change in Iran fade, Netanyahu faces political test

8 hours ago
Lucy Williamson

Middle East correspondent, Jerusalem

EPA


There is a new and concerted effort from Israel's military and political leaders to frame the achievements of the Iran war as having changed the Middle East, even without the regime change in Tehran that Israel's prime minister has focused on.


Benjamin Netanyahu has spent decades preparing for this showdown with Iran; his long political career is anchored in his vow to defend Israel against its Iranian nemesis.


Having seized the chance to wage war directly on the regime, alongside the world's most powerful military, his rhetoric around the war has been extravagant, describing it as "a fateful campaign for our very existence".


The Israeli military's chief of staff has called it "an operation to secure our existence and our future in the land of our forefathers for generations to come".


One of Netanyahu's former national security advisers has described it as "a golden opportunity to change the direction of the whole Middle East".



Follow live updates

'Follow the smoke': BBC spends day with emergency teams as Israel strikes south Lebanon

Mission accomplished? The 2003 boast that haunts today's Iran conflict


"This is the culmination of what [Netanyahu] has tried to rebrand as the War of Redemption, which in his mind started on October 7, 2023. And this is - if not the last war - then the big war against Iran," said Neri Zilber, a journalist based in Tel Aviv and a policy advisor to the Israel Policy Forum, a US-Israeli think tank.


"Benjamin Netanyahu is still selling a major victory," he added, pointing out that Israel had continued talking about the potential for regime change long after the Trump administration had stopped.


Regime change would deprive many of Israel's regional enemies - like Hezbollah in Lebanon, or Hamas in Gaza – of Iranian funding, training, and weapons, potentially transforming Israel's security.


But after assassinating Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei in an air strike, and making repeated calls to the Iranian people to use this moment to rise up, Netanyahu has now signalled the war may end with the regime still in place.


In his first press conference since the war began, he told Israelis that the bombing campaign had already changed the balance of power in the Middle East in Israel's favour.


"We can already say with certainty: this is no longer the same Iran, this is no longer the same Middle East, and this is not the same Israel," he said.

GPO
Benjamin Netanyahu held his first press conference of the conflict on Thursday night


Some in Israel will read that as a sign that Israel is being asked to wind up the war, amid signs that spiralling oil prices are putting the US government under pressure to call an end to the conflict.


Strong Israeli support for this war rested partly on the idea that it would end repeated campaigns against Iran and its proxy forces across the region.


After the last war against Iran in June 2025, Israel's prime minister heralded a "historic victory" that would "stand for generations", saying it had "removed two existential threats" in Iran's nuclear weapons - which Tehran has denied seeking to develop - and its ballistic missiles.


Israel had returned to war just eight months later, he said, because Iran was rapidly rebuilding its missile programme, and planning to move it - and its nuclear programme - deep underground.

WANA/via Reuters
The US president has signalled the war in Iran could be coming to an end soon


The question Netanyahu faces now is: without regime change in Tehran, how long before the next time?


Military officials say the damage to Iran's weapons programmes this time is far deeper than before - with its production sites and leadership targeted alongside missile stocks and launchers.


"Some of it is permanent, and some of it is semi-permanent," said Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), describing the military objective as removing threats "for a prolonged period of time".


Maj Gen Yaakov Amidror, a former Israeli national security adviser and senior fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security think tank, says that even without Iranians taking to the streets, Israel can achieve its core goals by leaving the regime too weak to threaten it.


"If we could achieve regime change, that would change the Middle East. But we know our limitations, we're not a superpower, and we have to be humble in our decisions," he said.

Reuters
The US and Israel planned their joint attack on Iran together over several months


The defence correspondent for one of Israel's biggest circulation papers, Yedioth Ahronoth, has said unnamed military officials are reporting early signs of strain within Iran's security apparatus, "including internal tensions within the Revolutionary Guard and isolated cases of desertion".


Netanyahu has suggested that, having created the conditions for regime change, Israel could now withdraw and wait for Iran's internal pressures to take their course.


But there is a political risk for Netanyahu in leaving the regime intact.


Neri Zilber, the analyst, says the danger for Netanyahu is that his grand pronouncements about "total victory" against Iran's network of allies across the region are just empty bombastic statements.


"Hamas still controls roughly half of Gaza. Hezbollah is now putting up a much bigger fight than many people here had been led to believe after the ceasefire in 2024, [and] after last June's war against Iran, Israel and the US are back in an even bigger war against Iran," he said.


"That's where the danger lies for Netanyahu - that his past promises will come back to haunt him, and even the current campaign, fought at such scale alongside the most powerful military in the world, will not actually bring about the results that he's promised the Israeli public."

Reuters
Israelis have been sheltering from missile, drone and rocket attacks by Iran and Hezbollah


Israel's unresolved conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah on its own borders are a sharp reminder of the limitations of military power, even after the dramatic shift in Israel's defence strategy in the wake of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks.


"We want to be in a position from now on that no beasts can grow on our borders," said Amidror. "We should take pre-emptive wars as something we use whenever we identify on the other side of the border, a beast that is becoming slowly stronger."


But launching wars has historically been far easier than ending them here.


Israel is currently fighting on a second front against Hezbollah in Lebanon, after the Iran-backed group responded to the killing of Khamenei and joined Iran's attacks on Israel.


After decades of repeated wars with Hezbollah, and a fierce campaign in 2024 that left the group weakened, many in Israel see this moment as an opportunity to end the threat on their northern border once and for all.


Israeli forces are pushing into southern Lebanon, in what they say is, so far, a defensive operation. But their chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, has said his objective is to disarm Hezbollah, and that what was needed now above all was "persistence and patience".


"This will take considerable time," he said, describing the current conflict as "the war of our generation: a critical war, a decisive war [that] will determine our future and our security for many years to come."


Senior military officials say privately that a ground invasion across a large swathe of Lebanese territory is among the plans being considered.

Reuters
The Israeli military is expanding its operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon


A key question is whether Israel will continue fighting on this front, even if Washington calls an end to the campaign in Iran. And whether military advantage - whether in Gaza or in Lebanon - can lead to peace without trusted political partners and political agreements.


Despite widespread war-weariness after more than two years of constant conflicts, public opinion in Israel has remained strongly in support of this regional war. And Benjamin Netanyahu is widely expected to leverage this moment to redeem his own political legacy, after the security failings that led to the 7 October attacks, and bring forward elections due later this year.


The so-called War of Redemption that Netanyahu began in the aftermath of those attacks has already reshaped the Middle East, and brought Israel into direct conflict with its enemy in Tehran.


Netanyahu has made a career out of defending against the Iranian threat. He is now facing a new political chapter after this conflict, whether or not that threat remains.

Ukraine, EU allies slam US decision to roll back Russia oil sanctions

Ukraine, EU allies slam US decision to roll back Russia oil sanctions

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says move ‘does not help peace’ as Europe reels from soaring energy prices linked to Iran war

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says US waiver for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products 'could provide Russia with about $10bn for the war' [Ludovic Marin/Pool via Reuters]

By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and Reuters
Published On 13 Mar 2026


Ukraine and its European allies have hit out at a decision by United States President Donald Trump’s administration to partially roll back sanctions against Russia amid soaring energy prices linked to the Iran war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that the move would “strengthen Russia’s position” as US-backed efforts to reach an agreement to end the more than four-year war appear to have stalled.

“It is spending the money it earns from energy sales on weapons, and all of this is then being used against us,” said Zelenskyy, speaking alongside his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, during a news conference in Paris.

“Just this easing [of sanctions] by America could provide Russia with around $10bn for the war. This certainly does not help peace,” he said.

The US on Thursday issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea, as global energy markets have been roiled by the US-Israeli war on Iran.



Who wins and loses in the global energy crisis?



Iranian missile strike in central Israel sets building ablaze



Iraq tension: Armed groups linked to Iran are carrying out attacks


The conflict has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Gulf waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil transits, and disrupted energy production in the Middle East.

Macron and other European leaders criticised the Trump administration’s decision to ease the economic curbs against Russia, which has faced global sanctions since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, said the move “is very concerning, as it impacts European security”.

“Increasing economic pressure on Russia is decisive for it to accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace,” Costa wrote on X. “Weakening sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also said “easing sanctions now, for whatever reason, is wrong”.

“We believe that is the wrong course of action,” Merz said. “After all, we want to ensure that Russia does not exploit the war in Iran to weaken Ukraine.”



Return to Russian fuels would be 'strategic blunder’ says top EU official


Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, France’s Macron stressed the limited and temporary nature of the 30-day US waiver while warning Moscow that Europe would maintain its pressure against the country.

“Today Russia may believe that the war in Iran will offer it respite. It is mistaken,” the French president said.

According to data analytics firm Vortexa, approximately 7.3 million barrels of Russia-originated oil are in floating storage, while 148.6 million barrels are in vessels in transit.

Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said the US waiver would affect 100 million barrels of Russian crude, equal to almost a day’s worth of global output.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told reporters on Friday that the Trump administration’s move was aimed at stabilising world energy markets. “In this respect, our interests coincide,” Peskov said.

Earlier this week, the International Energy Agency announced that its 32 member countries had unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves to try to lower prices.

“This is a major action aiming to alleviate the immediate impacts of the disruption in markets,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Wednesday.

“But to be clear, the most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”



Iran conflict rattles Europe: EU leaders concerned about energy security

***

Clown is just saving his political 'S' back home - besides he has no principle.

Johor to ramp up fight against human-elephant conflict with sanctuary, food banks and RM30m wildlife crossing

 

Johor to ramp up fight against human-elephant conflict with sanctuary, food banks and RM30m wildlife crossing



File picture of a wild male elephant caught with the help of two female elephants at Kampung Keeb, Pos Legap in Sungai Siput, January 8, 2024. — Picture by Farhan Najib

Friday, 13 Mar 2026 12:58 PM MYT


TANGKAK, March 13 — The Johor state government is giving serious attention to the human-elephant conflict in the state, with various conservation and wildlife management measures being implemented to ensure a balance between development and biodiversity preservation, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

He said Johor is currently estimated to have between 120 and 160 wild elephants, concentrated in several districts, including Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, and Segamat.

“This situation has resulted in some residents, particularly farmers, frequently facing crop damage due to elephant encroachment. This requires a more structured approach to balance development and the sustainability of wild animals.

“To this end, the state government has established a Special Committee on Human-Elephant Conflict, in addition to implementing measures such as elephant translocation operations and the development of food bank areas for elephants to mitigate such conflicts,” he said.


He told this to reporters here today after presenting appointment letters to Community Rangers and launching the Peninsular Malaysia-level Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK) 2026 operation at Dataran Ledang.

Arthur added that the state government is also developing the Johor Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi, which will serve as a centre for protection and wildlife conservation education.

He also said that a RM30 million wildlife crossing or viaduct project on the Batu Pahat-Jamaluang route, expected to be completed by 2028, will function as an ecological corridor linking several major forest reserves in Johor.


Meanwhile, Arthur said a total of 1,950 Community Rangers have been appointed in Peninsular Malaysia, funded by a RM60.6 million allocation to strengthen biodiversity protection and forest patrols.

“From that total, 159 rangers comprising Malaysian Armed Forces veterans, police retirees, Orang Asli communities, and local residents will be stationed in Johor to assist the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in monitoring forest areas and curbing encroachment and illegal hunting.

“They are the nation’s shield within the wilderness, and we will not tolerate biodiversity crimes. We must unite in combating all forms of encroachment, as the destruction of the ecosystem will impact us all,” he said.

Regarding the nationwide implementation of OBK, he said that from 2019 to 2025, 3,000 encroachment activities were foiled, with a total seizure value of RM413.1 million. — Bernama

Zamri, Tamim have fled to Thailand, says IGP

FMT:

Zamri, Tamim have fled to Thailand, says IGP

The nation’s top cop says police have received orders to file criminal charges against the controversial duo

Controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth and activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak will be charged as soon as they are back in Malaysia, said IGP Khalid Ismail.

PETALING JAYA: Police have received orders to file criminal charges against controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth and activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, but the pair have fled to Thailand, says the nation’s top cop.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said the police are working with Thai authorities to track down the duo.

“They will be charged as soon after they are successfully located and return to Malaysia,” he said in a statement tonight.

Khalid said Zamri will be charged with making statements that led to public alarm and distress during a gathering outside the Sogo shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 7.

The offence under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code is punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

He said Tamim will be charged with desecrating the Trishul, a sacred Hindu symbol, at an old temple in Langkawi, Kedah.

The charge will be framed under Section 295 of the Penal Code for defiling a sacred object with the intention of insulting a religion, also punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Khalid said the Attorney-General’s Chambers had ordered for them to be charged with the relevant offences.

He said Zamri will also be charged in Penang with sedition over a statement in which he allegedly insulted the Indian community. Sedition is punishable by a maximum RM5,000 fine, up to three years in prison, or both, if convicted.

The investigation paper has been submitted to the Penang prosecution director.

“Police will always be committed and will not compromise with any person or group who takes part in activities that can threaten public peace and safety,” said Khalid.

SSM deputy CEO charged again in Shah Alam over RM13,000 received without consideration

SSM deputy CEO charged again in Shah Alam over RM13,000 received without consideration



Khuzairi Yahaya, 55, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud. — Bernama pic

Friday, 13 Mar 2026 4:13 PM MYT


SHAH ALAM, March 13 — The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Registration and Business Services) of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) was again brought before the Sessions Court here today to face three charges of receiving money totalling RM13,000 without consideration from a technology entrepreneur about eight years ago.

Khuzairi Yahaya, 55, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud.

The charges are for allegedly receiving for himself valuables without consideration, namely cash totalling RM8,000, RM2,000 and RM3,000 from the Chief Executive Officer of Big Dataworks Sdn Bhd, Sheriza Zakaria, whom he knew was concerned with his official business.

The offences were allegedly committed at a restaurant in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, a hospital in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya and a fast-food restaurant in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya between July 2017 and June 2018.


He was charged under Section 165 of the Penal Code [Act 574], which provides a maximum imprisonment of two years or a fine or both, if convicted.

Yesterday, Khuzairi pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to a charge of receiving RM50,000 without consideration from the son of former Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, eight years ago.

During the proceedings, the prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Muaz Ahmad Khairuddin, requested that the case be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to be tried together with the charges made against the accused yesterday.


“We also requested that the same bail amount as set in Kuala Lumpur be applied to this case,” said Muaz, who was assisted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Asmaa’ Zamri.

Judge Awang Kerisnada then allowed the case to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court and set April 20 for mention.

Khuzairi was represented by lawyer Azamuddin Abd Aziz. — Bernama

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! 😂😂😂👍👍👍💝💝💝