In a statement on Sunday (March 1), Wisma Putra said its diplomatic missions have been providing consular assistance to Malaysians stranded in several countries following widespread flight cancellations. “All Malaysians who have been contacted so far are reported to be safe and accounted for,” it said. It added that Malaysian diplomatic missions are assisting or are in contact with Malaysians stranded in, among others, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Syria, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. “The Ministry’s Operations Room in Putrajaya is actively coordinating these consular efforts with Malaysian missions across the affected region,” it added. Malaysians were also reminded to closely follow the official social media platforms of Malaysian diplomatic missions in their respective locations for real-time local updates.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed as unfounded allegations that the government failed to act over an incident involving the desecration of the Quran. The prime minister stressed that in a country that upholds the rule of law, any action must be guided by due legal process rather than emotional pressure or perceptions shaped on social media. Anwar urged all parties to leave the matter entirely to the authorities and refrain from making speculations or issuing statements that could undermine public harmony. Condemning in the strongest terms the actions of Swedish-Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan for burning a copy of the Quran in Sweden, Anwar said there are widespread misunderstandings and prejudices against religions around the world, including Islam. Following the incident, Malaysia distributed one million copies of the Quran worldwide as a response to the desecration in Sweden.

PUTRAJAYA (March 1): The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has advised that recent airspace closures in parts of the Middle East may disrupt certain international flight services. In a statement Sunday, CAAM said airlines operating to and from the affected region could face delays, retiming, rerouting or cancellations due to evolving airspace restrictions and operational considerations. “CAAM is closely monitoring the situation and engaging with the relevant airlines to ensure passenger interests continue to be safeguarded,” the statement said. Airlines were also urged to provide appropriate care, assistance and alternative travel options to affected passengers in accordance with the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code (MACPC). CAAM said it will continue to monitor developments and work closely with industry stakeholders to ensure safe operations and protect consumer rights.

DUBAI/DOHA (March 1): Several loud blasts were heard in the Dubai area and over the Qatari capital Doha for a second day on Sunday, witnesses said, after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on the neighbouring Gulf states in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 1): Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, through its diplomatic missions in the Middle East, has been extending consular assistance to Malaysians stranded in several countries due to flight cancellations amid the current developments in the region. The ministry, also known as Wisma Putra, said all contacted individuals remain safe and accounted for. It also urged Malaysians to adhere strictly to instructions from local authorities, shelter in place if advised, and continuously monitor the official social media pages of their respective Malaysian diplomatic missions for real-time local updates. “The ministry urges all Malaysians to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified rumours, and rely strictly on official news sources and official Ministry channels for accurate updates,” it added. For emergency consular assistance, Malaysians in affected areas who are unable to reach out to Malaysian Diplomatic Missions may contact the Ministry’s Operations Room directly at +603-8887 4570 or via email at [email protected].

Feb ⁠28 (Reuters) - Iranian ⁠Supreme Leader ‌Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is ​dead, U.S. ⁠President ⁠Donald Trump said ⁠on Saturday. "Khamenei, ‌one ⁠of the ​most ‌evil people in ⁠History, ​is dead," ⁠Trump said on ​Truth Social, without elaborating ⁠on the source of ​the ⁠information. (Reporting by ​Ismail ‌Shakil; Editing ​by Cynthia Osterman)

-AFP PICMILAN: Inter Milan bounced back from Champions League elimination with Saturday's 2-0 win over Genoa which continued their march towards the Serie A title. Their domestic dominance comes in stark contrast to the humiliating manner in which they were dumped out of the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night. - BIG ROM BACK -Romelu Lukaku kept Napoli on course for a Champions League spot with a last-gasp winner in the champions' 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Verona, the Belgium forward's first goal of the season. Napoli's title defence is all but over as they trail Inter by 14 points after an injury-ravaged season. Como are also two points ahead of sixth-placed Juve who face Roma trying to stay in touch with the Champions League places after being eliminated from Europe's elite club competition by Galatasaray on Wednesday.- AFP

- REUTERS PICKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians at home and abroad have taken to social media to offer prayers and support for those in the Middle East following an escalation in regional tensions on Saturday. On the Threads platform, user addyyyy urged Malaysians in the affected areas to stay safe and take necessary precautions. "To all Malaysians in the Middle East, please know that we back home are praying for your safety. Another user, jmhaffiz, posted: May Allah protect the Malaysians in the Middle East. Iran reportedly retaliated by attacking the United States' interests in several countries in the Middle East.

Bayern Munich players including Harry Kane celebrate with their fans after the match against Borussia Dortmund in Dortmund. -AFP PICDORTMUND: Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane feels Robert Lewandowski's single-season Bundesliga goals record is within his reach after the England captain scored twice more in Saturday's 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund. Kane tucked away a smart finish and then converted a penalty as Bayern came from behind to effectively put an end to Dortmund's Bundesliga title challenge. Some considered Mueller's mark of 40 goals in a league campaign from 1971-72 as unbeatable until Lewandowski's record run. The 32-year-old Kane now has 45 goals in all competitions this term, the best mark in his career, with a third of the season remaining.

Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot celebrates on the pitch after the match against West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool. -AFP PICLIVERPOOL: Liverpool boss Arne Slot said his side have played better this season and lost, but underlined the impact of set pieces after Saturday's 5-2 win over West Ham. Liverpool sacked set piece coach Aaron Briggs at the end of last year, but Slot played down the difference that change had made. Victory lifted Liverpool to fifth in the table and back in pole position for a return to the Champions League next season. A place in the top five is almost certain to secure Champions League football next season thanks to the strong results of English sides in European competition this season.--AFP

BEFORE Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the Foreign Ministry’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030 in Putrajaya last Monday, the Foreign Minister held a mini townhall with the ministry’s top management, department heads and undersecretaries. Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has been meeting his diplomats in smaller, separate groups, but last year was extremely busy due to the Asean chairmanship, in addition to working visits abroad with the Prime Minister.

Yeoh’s short film, Sandiwara, does just that. She has continuously put Malaysia on the world map and made us proud. Instead, Sandiwara opted for back lanes, hawker stalls, pre-war houses and the lived-in textures of George Town. The writer says he is delighted to see Yeoh featured on his childhood haunt Love Lane in ‘Sandiwara’.— Sandiwara/Self-PortraitThe much-hyped short Sandiwara is directed by Oscar award-winning director Sean Baker. Sandiwara tells of five characters, all played by Yeoh, with a 24-hour narrative in the life of these five persons.

Haaland was a surprise absence from the City line-up at Elland Road following the minor knock he suffered in training on Thursday. City coped without Haaland as Antoine Semenyo's first half goal sealed their fourth successive Premier League victory. Losing the prolific Haaland for a prolonged period would be a hammer blow for City, but Guardiola does not believe the Norway star will be out for long. Complete game, in a tough, tough place and 10 games left in the Premier league. The Premier League is better than ever," Guardiola said.

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed deep concern over ongoing global conflicts, describing them as a test for world peace. The Prime Minister said that while the suffering of the Palestinian people remains unresolved, new attacks by Israel and its ally, the United States, on Iran have further escalated tensions in the region. “What deeply troubles me is that the situation in Gaza remains unresolved. Now it is made even worse by the decision of Israel and its ally, the US, to attack Iran today. The Prime Minister said Malaysia can manage its economy and political stability.

PUTRAJAYA: The reclassification of Form Six students under the higher education framework was made because the programme had been overlooked compared with matriculation and other pre-university pathways, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar made the remarks during the breaking of fast event at Seri Perdana with the Higher Education Ministry and Education Ministry on Saturday (Feb 28). He added that the move was part of a broader effort to categorise all pre-university programmes as post-secondary education, ensuring students are better prepared for university. In January, Anwar said the Higher Education Ministry would take over the entire pre-university education system, including Form Six and matriculation programmes, starting next year. The move will reclassify Form Six and matriculation students under the higher education framework rather than the school system, similar to how the Education Ministry oversees the pre-school sector.