(March 2): The Warner Bros-Paramount Skydance merger will create a combined entity that would have a net debt of about US$79 billion (RM309.2 billion), Paramount said on Monday, as it ruled out any plan to divest or spinoff the cable assets. This was disclosed by Paramount CEO David Ellison in a call with analysts after signing the US$110 billion, or US$31-per-share, deal for Warner Bros early on Friday, after Netflix declined to raise its offer. Long-drawn bidding contestThe contest for Warner Bros' studio and streaming assets heated up over months, with Paramount and Netflix trading rival takeover bids. Netflix struck first, signing a deal early in December to buy those assets, excluding cable networks, for US$27.75 per share, or US$82.7 billion. The combined entity is expected to produce at least 30 theatrical films a year, while maintaining both Warner Bros and Paramount studios.

KOTA KINABALU: Even as floodwaters in Sabah’s Beaufort district receded after over a week, temperatures ran high on social media after a frustrated local tagged his assemblyman in a post. In a social media post, he tagged Klias assemblyman Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, asking whether or not arrangements had been made to help residents. He also claimed that the three-term representative from Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah was nowhere to be seen throughout the disaster. The post spread rapidly among locals, with many criticising the assemblyman for his reply. He explained that water and electricity disruptions during floods were normal as pumps and utility equipment were often submerged.

The Institute for Supply Management said on Monday its manufacturing PMI was little changed at 52.4 last month compared to a reading of 52.6 in January. It was the second straight month that the PMI was above the 50 level, which indicates expansion. The survey's prices paid measure soared to 70.5, the highest level since October 2022, from 59.0 in January. The rise mirrored a surge in producer goods prices, excluding food and energy, in January and suggested more pass-through from tariffs was coming. The survey's measure of manufacturing employment edged up to 48.8 from 48.1 in January.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines confirms that all services to and from London and Paris continue to operate as scheduled. In a posting on its official social media platform, the national carrier said Malaysia Airlines flights are utilising alternative routes to avoid affected regions and ensure the highest safety standards. "While this may result in slightly longer flight times, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our absolute priority,” the airline said. Malaysia Airlines also said that it continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure safe and reliable operations for all passengers. Passengers are encouraged to update their contact details via "My Booking” on Malaysia Airlines' website to receive timely updates.

Malaysia calling for an immediate ceasefire, return to diplomatic tableKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia stands in solidarity with Muslims and communities in the Middle East affected by tensions resulting from the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, says the Prime Minister. Calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, he said this was urgently needed as it was dragging the Middle East to the brink of disaster. He urged Israel, the United States and Iran to stop all provocative action and return to the diplomatic and dialogue table. He described the tension in the Middle East resulting from the attacks on Iran as a great tragedy for Muslims. Iran carried out retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli territory as well as on US military facilities in the Middle East.

SHAH ALAM: Police will summon activist Arun Dorasamy "soon" following reports lodged against him regarding a temple in Rawang. "The reports concern dissatisfaction over statements he made," Comm Shazeli said. He added that the case has been classified as "Refer to Other Report" as it was related to previous issues involving the same temple. It was reported earlier that reports had been lodged by NGOs against the activist after he made statements about the temple. On Wednesday (Feb 25), several idols were moved from the temple without incident before the slated demolition.

BANGKOK: Thailand is readying to evacuate its citizens from the Middle East by military or charter flights, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (pic) said Sunday (March 1), after the United States and Israel attacked Iran -- which answered with its own missile strikes. The government has "coordinated with the Royal Thai Air Force to prepare aircraft to evacuate Thai citizens, prioritising those in Iran", Anutin told reporters in Bangkok, adding that charter flights were also under consideration. "We have to check the closure of airspace, whether we need to evacuate them to the third country first," he said. "The Thai government will do everything to bring Thai citizens back safely. About 29 Thai nationals in Iran and 20 in Israel have registered their wish to return to Thailand with the government, Panidone said.

THE recent military confrontation involving the United States and Israel against Iran, followed by Iran’s retaliatory actions across the Middle East, has raised concerns about possible economic consequences for Malaysia. Much attention has focused on the threat to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade routes. The impact on Malaysia is likely to be mixed – with both risks and opportunities.

Revenue for the full year ended in December climbed to US$79 million (RM308.57 million), versus an average analyst estimate of US$71.4 million. The strong sales underscored solid demand for low-cost, open-source Chinese models that rival the best of Silicon Valley. MiniMax sells its underlying tech to business clients and offers AI apps and tools to both domestic and overseas consumers. Walt Disney Co and other US film studios sued MiniMax in September, accusing the Chinese firm of pirating their intellectual property. The company has served more than 236 million users across consumer products, from AI avatars to its Hailuo video generator, according to its prospectus.

Compiled by TAN SIN CHOW, DIVYA THERESA RAVI and R. ARAVINTHANHONG Kong actor Joel Chan is considering buying properties in Malaysia, preferably one each in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, reported China Press. Frequently travelling to Malaysia for stage performances and filming, the 50-year-old said he has already been quietly “house hunting”. “It would be best to have one place in Penang and one in Kuala Lumpur. “And if I need to film, I can stay in Kuala Lumpur instead of living in a hotel,” he said. Having been in the industry for over 30 years, Chan has enjoyed success in both his career and family life.

(March 2): Provisional rates to hire a tanker to carry oil from the Middle East to China have more than doubled since Friday due to the war in the Middle East and an increasingly tight supply of vessels. A Suezmax that can hold as much as one million barrels of crude was fixed on the route at a rate of 525 industry standard Worldscale points, according to shipbrokers. The industry uses so-called Worldscale rates as a way to easily calculate both vessel earnings and per-barrel freight costs across thousands of trade routes. The widening war in the Middle East and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is turbocharging tanker costs, which had already been rising on the growing threat of a conflict. Voyages on the Middle East to China route are normally agreed on based on tonnage available on a VLCC that can carry as much as two million barrels.

BEIRUT: Iran's foreign minister told his counterpart in Oman that Tehran wants peace and supports diplomatic efforts to end the crisis triggered by the US-Israeli military campaign, Oman's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, reported German news agency dpa. The ministry said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Iranian chief diplomat expressed appreciation for what he said was Oman’s constructive role in seeking to defuse tensions and revive dialogue. Araghchi said Iran’s position remains centred on peace, warning that the US-Israeli attack has heightened regional anxiety and instability. He emphasised the need to address the root causes of the crisis, halt military operations and contain its fallout.

“The wedding has already happened,” Law Roach, Zendaya’s longtime stylist and close friend, told Access Hollywood on Sunday (March 1) on the red carpet at the 2026 Actors Awards in Los Angeles. “You missed it.”When an off-camera reporter asked if he was serious, Roach responded, “It’s very true.”Roach did not provide further details, and representatives for Zendaya and Holland did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Speculation about an engagement intensified at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, when Zendaya, 29, appeared wearing a diamond ring. In September 2025, Holland appeared to confirm the news during a panel, correcting a reporter who referred to Zendaya as his “girlfriend.” “Fiancee,” he said. “Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible,” Holland told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 2): Mi Technovation Bhd (KL:MI) said on Monday it is considering a separate listing of its semiconductor material business on the Singapore Exchange. Mi Technovation said the proposed listing will enhance efficiency by separating business responsibilities and operations for the company's business units and provide a diverse fundraising platform by tapping Singapore’s equity capital markets. The subsidiaries in the semiconductor material business unit are involved in the design, manufacturing and sales of solder spheres which are components to electrically interconnect flip chip semiconductors that are widely used in advanced packaging and wafer-level packaging in the industry. The subsidiaries will continue to remain as subsidiaries of Mi Technovation upon completion of the listing, the company said. Mi Technovation has appointed Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd as the issue manager, global coordinator and bookrunner for the listing in Singapore.

(March 2): India’s growth is at risk from the crisis in the Middle East if the conflict endures and disrupts oil supplies from the region that meet a large share of demand in the world’s third-largest oil consumer, economists said. The surge in oil prices after the attacks won’t be immediately reflected in retail prices as India’s oil marketing companies have sufficient margins to absorb such sharp spikes, said Gaura Sengupta, an economist at IDFC First Bank Ltd. “Retail fuel prices have not changed for years, both when crude prices were low and when they were high. “I don’t think oil prices will sustain at these levels, though,” she said. India’s crude basket, a mix of different grades, is generally cheaper than Brent by a little over US$1.