Taliban frees three Pakistani soldiers in Saudi-mediated move
KABUL, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Tuesday it had released three Pakistani soldiers captured during border clashes in October, in a move mediated by Saudi Arabia amid strained ties and a prolonged frontier closure between the two neighbours. The release comes months after the worst cross-border fighting since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Dozens were killed in October clashes, after which both sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire but failed to secure a longer-term political understanding. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement the soldiers, detained on October 12 during fighting along the border, were handed over to a Saudi delegation in Kabul. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan's Taliban rulers of harbouring militants who stage attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2026 02:11 UTC
Ramadan to start on Feb 19
KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims in Malaysia will begin the Ramadan dawn-to-dusk fast on Thursday (Feb 19), says the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. Donning a light yellow baju Melayu, Syed Danial Syed Ahmad said in a live broadcast on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) on Tuesday night (Feb 17) that the date was set by the order of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and was consented to by the Rulers. The sighting of the new moon for the commencement of Ramadan took place on Tuesday.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2026 01:59 UTC
Robert Duvall, Oscar-winning actor and 'Godfather' mainstay, dead at 95
LOS ANGELES (AP): Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor of matchless versatility and dedication whose classic roles included the intrepid consigliere of the first two "Godfather" movies and the over-the-hill country music singer in "Tender Mercies," has died at age 95. To me, he was simply everything,” Luciana Duvall wrote. Beginning with his 1962 film debut as Boo Radley, the reclusive neighbor in "To Kill a Mockingbird," Duvall created a gallery of unforgettable portrayals. They earned him seven Academy Award nominations and the best actor prize for "Tender Mercies," which came out in 1983. Smelled like - victory.”Coppola once commented about Duvall: "Actors click into character at different times - the first week, third week.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2026 01:30 UTC
Kinta floods: Victims decrease as of 8am
IPOH: The number of flood victims in Kinta dropped to 11 people from five families as of 8am Wednesday (Feb 18), compared to 26 people from 10 families on Tuesday (Feb 17). The Perak State Disaster Management Secretariat said all victims are sheltering at Dewan Kg Tengku Hussein Manjoi. "All the victims are from Kampung Manjoi and Kampung Tengku Hussein,” it said in a statement. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast rain on Wednesday morning affecting several districts in Perak, namely Larut, Matang, Selama, Manjung, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta and Kampar.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2026 01:20 UTC
U.S. stocks close higher
NEW YORK, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 32.26 points, or 0.07 percent, to 49,533.19. The S&P 500 added 7.05 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,843.22. Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with consumer staples and energy leading the laggards by going down 1.51 percent and 1.37 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, real estate and financials led the gainers by rising 1.03 percent and 0.99 percent, respectively.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2026 01:15 UTC
Thunderstorms, heavy rain expected in 11 states, KL and Putrajaya until 7pm
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across 11 states as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, effective until 7pm on Tuesday (Feb 17). MetMalaysia, in a statement at 2pm, said the severe weather is expected to affect parts of Kedah (Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu); the entire state of Pulau Pinang; the entire state of Perak; parts of Kelantan (Jeli, Kuala Krai and Gua Musang); and the entire states of Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. In Sarawak, the warning covers Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah (Tanjung Manis, Daro and Matu), Kapit (Song) and Bintulu (Tatau and Sebauh). MetMalaysia issues these warnings when there are signs indicating a thunderstorm with a rainfall intensity exceeding 20mm per hour that is imminent or expected to occur for more than one hour. A thunderstorm warning is a short-term warning that is valid for a period not exceeding six hours for any single release.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2026 01:14 UTC
Warner Bros rejects revised Paramount bid, but remains open to a final offer
But its response to Paramount indicates Warner Bros prefers its deal with Netflix, and the odds of a switch are long. Paramount later on Tuesday acknowledged the seven-day offer, even as it called Warner Bros' board actions "unusual." Pentwater, which owns about 50 million shares of Warner Bros, has backed Paramount's bid. "Every substantive complaint that the Warner Bros board had with Paramount's previous offer has been addressed," Halbower said in an interview last week. To start talks with Paramount, Warner Bros' board secured a special waiver from Netflix.
Source:The Star
February 18, 2026 00:20 UTC
Fire razes second-hand goods store in Air Itam
GEORGE TOWN: A storage facility for second-hand and recyclable goods, along with a motorcycle, was destroyed in a fire at Jalan Pokok Ceri, Air Itam, late Monday (Feb 16) night. Penang Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division Assistant Director John Sagun Francis said that the emergency call was received at 11:43pm. The first engine from the Paya Terubong Fire and Rescue Station was immediately dispatched to the scene. "Firefighters found a 120-square-foot storage unit for second-hand and recyclable items engulfed in flames. He added that the cause of the fire and the total estimated losses are still under investigation.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 23:41 UTC
Nigeria opens probe into Temu over suspected data protection breaches
ABUJA, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Nigeria's data watchdog has opened a probe into Chinese-owned e-commerce giant Temu for suspected data-law violations, the regulator said on Tuesday, a move that could usher in legal penalties in one of Africa's biggest markets. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said concerns over Temu's data-processing practices - including online surveillance, opaque handling, cross-border transfers and possible breaches of data-minimisation rules, triggered the investigation. NDPC chief Vincent Olatunji ordered the probe and warned that processors could be held liable for any non-compliance. Last year, the agency fined Multichoice Nigeria, Africa's largest pay-TV operator, 766 million naira ($565,990) for breaching data-protection rules. Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians and around 70 million daily users globally, the NDPC said in a statement.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 23:05 UTC
Indonesia's Jakarta to close nightclub and bars during the Ramadan month
JAKARTA (Bernama): Several entertainment and nightlife premises in Indonesia’s capital will be closed throughout the holy month of Ramadan under a directive issued by Jakarta Provincial Government. Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Head Andhika Permata said the affected premises include nightclubs, discotheques, steam baths, massage parlours, adult amusement centres and bars, according to ANTARA News Agency, on Tuesday. He said the premises are required to close from one day before the start of Ramadan until the second day of Aidilfitri. However, Andhika said exemptions were granted to businesses operating in four- and five-star hotels and certain designated commercial areas, provided they are not near residential neighbourhoods, houses of worship, schools or hospitals. He said the directive was issued to maintain public order and ensure a conducive atmosphere in the capital.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 22:30 UTC
Thousands come together to celebrate CNY at Penang CM's open house
Wanting to experience the colourful performances and cuisine at the Chief Minister's Chinese New Year open house, Hayati Hussein, 69, and her neighbours were thrilled to witness the lion dance on stilts and cultural dance performances. Sales coordinator SC Yeap, 49, said this was her second year at the open house. Housewife K. Letchemi, 72, said she decided to head over to the open house to enjoy an array of local cuisine and watch the performances. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this year's open house saw a mix of locals and tourists in attendance. "The crowd has grown from previous years and it is nice to see everyone have a good time.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 21:50 UTC
QuickCheck: Is the government giving away free housing to foreigners?
Verdict:FALSEThe claim that the government is offering free housing to the public, including foreigners, is false, according to fact-checking website MyCheck.my. It was categorised under "Fashion Accessories" despite all its content being about government housing, which MyCheck.my described as highly unusual for any legitimate public housing initiative. A reverse image search confirmed that both images had been edited to include captions promoting the free housing scheme. "The National Housing Department and the ministry have never provided or promoted a free housing initiative as advertised on that Facebook account," the spokesperson said. For those seeking accurate information about public housing projects or programmes, the ministry provides the TEDUH portal, which covers public and private housing projects nationwide and is searchable by project name, scheme, state and price.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 21:15 UTC
Modi’s solar power push hits major hurdles
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to accelerate the rollout of rooftop solar power is falling short of targets despite heavy subsidies due to loan delays and limited support from state utilities, vendors and analysts say. India’s Ministry for New and Renewable Energy created its subsidy programme for residential solar panel installations in February 2024, covering up to 40% of the costs. But residential installations at 2.36 million are well below the ministry’s target of four million by March. Roughly three in five rooftop solar applications filed on the scheme’s website are yet to be approved while about 7% have been rejected, according to government data on the programme. State-owned utilities are also not promoting rooftop solar as much, as they are concerned about the loss of revenue as sales move off the electric grid.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 20:33 UTC
Qatari prime minister arrives in Venezuela
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday, where he was greeted by Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, images on state television showed. Neither government has given a scheduleor other information on the visit, but Qatar has long served as an intermediary between the United States and Venezuela and aided negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the opposition. (Reporting by Reuters)
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 20:15 UTC
Kremlin aide warns West over seizure of Russian vessels
Western states have sought to cripple Russia's economy with sanctions and in recent months have tried to block oil tankers suspected of involvement in Russian oil shipments. In January, the United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker as part of efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports. Patrushev, a Kremlin aide who is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said Russia needed to give a tough response - particularly towards Britain, France and Baltic states. He also said that Russia believed the NATO military alliance planned to blockade the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. The shadow fleet refers to a network of vessels that Western nations say are operated by Russia to evade sanctions.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 19:50 UTC