DUBAI, March 8 (Reuters) - ⁠The clerical body that will choose Iran's next ⁠supreme leader, succeeding the slain Ayatollah Ali ‌Khamenei, has more or less reached a majority consensus, Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri said on Sunday. The Mehr news ​agency quoted him as saying "some obstacles" ⁠still needed to be ⁠resolved regarding the process. On Saturday, a senior cleric in ⁠the ‌Assembly of Experts said its members would meet "within one day" to choose the leader. Iranian ⁠media said the group had a minor ​disagreement over whether ‌their final decision must follow an in-person meeting ⁠or instead ​be issued without adhering to this formality. He said a candidate had been picked, based on the late supreme leader's advice that Iran's top leader should "be hated by the enemy" instead of ​praised by it.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said the proceedings will commence at 9am before judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin. On Nov 10 last year, Noor Ruwena set 29 days to hear the case. On Oct 7 last year, the Attorney General's Chambers dismissed Muhyiddin's representation to drop seven charges against him. The offence was allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Office, Bangunan Perdana Putra in Putrajaya between March 1, 2020 and Aug 20, 2021. The Pagoh MP was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which is punishable under Section 24(1) of the same law.

PETALING JAYA: Three civil servants have been arrested for allegedly being a part of a robbery gang. Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar, in a statement Saturday (March 7), said that a report was filed regarding a group robbery incident that occurred on Feb 27. “Of the six suspects, three were identified as civil servants, two senior officers and one rank-and-file personnel, while the other three were civilians with one found having around 20 previous criminal offences. He added that several vehicles including a luxury car, there vests with the word “Police” and RM1,498 in cash were seized during the arrests. “We are currently tracking down two more individuals who remain at large, based on information obtained from the arrested suspects.

KLANG: The police are still investigating the actual motive behind a shooting and hit-and-run incident in Kapar that left one of two motorcycle-riding suspects dead. “At this stage, we have recorded statements from five individuals to assist in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code. The worker’s employer, who was driving the four-wheel drive vehicle and witnessed the incident, pursued the suspects along Jalan Keretapi Lama. His accomplice, meanwhile, has 10 prior criminal records and is listed as a wanted person under Section 130V of the Penal Code. Checks revealed that he also has previous criminal records related to drug offences and cases investigated under Sections 302 and 307 of the Penal Code.

PETALING JAYA: Environmental activists have questioned the government’s latest licence renewal for Lynas Malaysia, saying the new conditions fail to address long-standing concerns over radio­active waste. According to Tan, the latest ­condition requiring Lynas to neutralise WLP residue to below 1Bq/g by 2031 is simply a recycled claim used to justify another licence extension. The government had earlier said the existing PDF in Gebeng, Pahang, would house WLP residue generated before the 2031 deadline. “It is difficult to believe that the government would allow radioactive waste with a half-life of billions of years to remain in the country and be monitored by future generations,” he said. Referring to the earlier licence issued in 2023, Mageswari highlighted that one of the conditions imposed on Lynas was to conduct research and development (R&D).

BUTTERWORTH: The LRT bridge crossing the sea here by 2031 is set to be an engineering feat that will be a first in Malaysia. This 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. All stations including Penang Sentral will be equipped with universal access facilities such as elevated walkways and tactile tiles for the visually impaired. With the LRT connection, people on the mainland will be able to reach Penang International Airport with a single train ride. With approximately 1,000 parking bays available at Penang Sentral, users can park their vehicles before continuing their journey by LRT.

2 men’s singles shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn may have to wait longer to claim the All-England title after suffering a shock defeat to Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi in the semi-finals on Saturday (March 7). The Thai player performed below his usual standards and went down 14-21, 21-18, 16-21 in a match that lasted 78 minutes. It is first Super 1000 final for Chun-yi and he will be out to end his fine run with a title. There was also double joy for Taiwan when mixed doubles pair Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Chan defeated Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 to reach their first All-England final. They will play Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue of France in the title match.

PAS leader Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is viewed as articulate, professional and amicable, unlike many other party leaders with their hardline rhetoric. So his appointment as the head of Perikatan Nasional is widely seen as a calculated move by PAS to soften its image and broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base.

Tabung Haji staff, who would be there longer to manage the pilgrims, said they are also worried but accept the situation as part of the job. “They are all in place, but should the conflict escalate, our work would be more challenging, and we would be at risk. “Whatever it is, all preparations at Tabung Haji are as planned. The challenges come with the job, which for us is more of a religious duty,” said the Tabung Haji staff member. If Tabung Haji says we can go, then I will go.

Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) president Mahinda Vallipuram said the facility will position Sarawak as the central hub for developing cricket in the region. -REUTERS PICKUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is set to have the first international-standard cricket facility on Borneo, now that the East Malaysian state will host the sport at the 2027 Malaysia SEA Games. Of the 17 sports scheduled for the 34th SEA Games from Sept 18-27 next year, cricket will be featured in Sarawak with matches at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Kuching. Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) president Mahinda Vallipuram said the facility will position Sarawak as the central hub for developing cricket in the region. "The Sarawak state government has really done a lot to help Malaysian cricket and Sarawak state cricket as well.

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match between Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. -AFP PICBILBAO: Teenage star Lamine Yamal's superbly taken goal earned Barcelona a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in La Liga. Yamal curled into the top corner after 68 minutes to split the sides at Athletic's San Mames stadium in a hard-fought clash. Barca coach Hansi Flick rotated his side, with Tuesday's visit to face Newcastle in the Champions League last 16 looming. "It's a very bad feeling, I think we were better, we didn't deserve to lose," said Athletic defender Dani Vivian.

DVS wants to increase the number of meat inspectors to ensure that livestock are safe for slaughter. - NSTP FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) will increase the number of meat inspectors nationwide as it seeks a four-star rating in an audit under Australia's Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) scheduled for June. DVS has 70 meat inspectors overseeing 112 premises, including departmental slaughterhouses, private premises and poultry plants. While certified meat inspectors are stationed at major licensed slaughterhouses, Dr Noor Hisham acknowledged that DVS does not have the capacity to inspect every animal slaughtered nationwide. "We will increase the number of meat inspectors gradually.

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush scores their second goal past Newcastle United's Aaron Ramsdale during the match at St James' Park, Newcastle. -REUTERS PICLONDON: Manchester City shrugged off 10 changes to their starting line-up to beat Newcastle 3-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday as Chelsea battled past 10-man Wrexham. City coach Pep Guardiola, juggling punishing Premier League and Champions League commitments, changed nearly the entire side from the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest in midweek, with only Matheus Nunes keeping his place. Wrexham will now turn their attention to their push for a fourth straight promotion – this time to the Premier League. "It was a proper FA Cup game and credit to Mansfield, the stadium, the atmosphere that the fans created," Arteta told TNT Sports.

March 7 (Reuters) - ⁠U.S. President Donald ⁠Trump said on Saturday ‌that Cuba wants to make a deal and is ​negotiating with him ⁠and Secretary ⁠of State Marco Rubio. Speaking at ⁠the "Shield ‌of the Americas" gathering ⁠of Latin American leaders in ​Miami, ‌Florida, Trump said Cuba ⁠was "at ​the end of the line." "They want to ⁠negotiate, and they are ​negotiating with Marco (Rubio) and myself and some others, ⁠and I would think a deal would be made very easily ​with ⁠Cuba," he said. (Reporting by ​Nandita Bose and ‌Bhargav Acharya; Editing ​by Sergio NonEditing by Tomasz Janowski)

PETALING JAYA: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has called for the country's top graft busters to be placed under the Parliament's oversight, alleging that some of the body's investigations are done in a "high-handed" manner. Such oversight would not interfere with investigations, but it would help ensure that the law governing the MACC evolves with greater transparency and public confidence." Nurul Izzah said she had "consistently" sounded the alarm about the systemic risks such concerns pose, and will support moves to resolve them. "Parliamentary oversight of the MACC is not an attack on anti-corruption efforts — it is their completion. "The credibility of that fight depends on public trust.