Couple celebrate full circle return to birth year with kin
Now turning 60, Wong Siew Boon and Caroline Ooi are celebrating the completion of a full zodiac cycle. This means that the couple are returning to the very same Fire Horse year in which they were born, something that occurs only once every six decades. Adding to the joy is the return of their daughter Nicole Wong, 27, from Canada, who is spending the festive season at home for the first time in 10 years. Ooi said the family plans to mark the occasion with a traditional reunion dinner with family members, some of whom are returning from abroad. “On the second day of Chinese New Year, my family plans to travel to my mother’s hometown in Chemor.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 01:14 UTC
Lucky cat brings brothers RM120,000 lottery win
The older brother said he spotted a black stray cat shivering in the cold wind while visiting a friend near Chaoyang University of Technology. Feeling sorry for the animal, he took it home and named it Qiqi because of its jet-black fur. Around 2pm on Feb 5, the man and his younger brother brought Qiqi with them to buy six scratch lottery tickets worth a total of NT$2,000 (RM249). Determined to succeed this year, the little girl pleaded with her parents, who agreed to help make her wish come true. The family finally arrived in Lianyuan city on the fifth day, having trekked a total of 120km.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 01:01 UTC
Ipoh floods: 26 people sheltered at Al‑Ghufron mosque
IPOH: Twenty-six people from 10 families were evacuated to Al‑Ghufron Mosque in Manjoi after floodwaters submerged their homes in Kampung Manjoi and Kampung Tengku Hussein on Monday night (Feb 16). "However, no temporary relief centre has been opened so far, as the number of victims is small and the flood situation remains under control. "All victims are currently sheltered at the Al‑Ghufron Mosque as a precaution while waiting for the floodwaters to fully recede," said the spokesperson. The Kinta District Civil Defence Force said they would continue monitoring the situation and take swift action should the water level rise or a relief centre need to be opened. Flash floods hit several parts of Ipoh yesterday after almost two hours of heavy rain, affecting areas such as the city centre, Tawas, and Kepayang, Manjoi.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 00:55 UTC
Welcoming a double blessing
Taufiq said Macma has planned a programme in Kota Kinabalu that merges the spirit of Chinese New Year and Ramadan on Feb 28. Beyond cultural unity, Taufiq pointed out the economic significance of the overlapping festive season with strong consumer spending. The National Unity Advisory Council member said the communities celebrating the lunar new year and welcoming Ramadan both share core values of kinship, empathy, self-discipline and social solidarity. “Structurally, this strengthens social capital, particularly bridging social capital and networks that cross ethnic and religious boundaries,” he added. Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia, Datuk K. Sri Dham-maratana Nayake Maha Thera, said Malaysia is fortunate to be a multiracial and multireligious country, which he described as a source of strength for its people.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 00:45 UTC
France shock Denmark for European title to add new twist to Thomas Cup race
I think the team was dreaming for that, France was dreaming for that," said Popov. We have seen Denmark with the gold too many times so we are really, really happy to bring this home. Denmark’s fortunes in the women’s team event were no better as Bulgaria made history by capturing the title for the first time after beating them 3-1 in the final. With the win, France have qualified for the Thomas Cup in April alongside England, Sweden and Germany. Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkiye and France have secured their spots in the Uber Cup, while Denmark have already qualified for both tournaments as hosts.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 00:25 UTC
Wishing for festive reset
With a packed international calendar rarely allowing extended time off, the short reunion means everything to ee Wei after months of travelling and competing. Sometimes there are tournaments, sometimes I can go back for two days to see my family, then it is back to training,” said Ee Wei. I just appreciate being able to gather with everyone and have a meal together,” said Ee Wei. Even as she enjoys the festivities, Ee Wei knows the focus must quickly shift back to business. With that in mind, Ee Wei hopes the Year of the Horse will bring her the extra touch of luck.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 00:21 UTC
The human touch in intensive care units
By comparison, countries like Australia and Britain offer more direct training routes that allow doctors to enter intensive care earlier. Digitalisation also opens the door to using artificial intelligence (AI) in intensive care, a change that is both exciting and transformative. As Malaysia’s ICUs develop, we must make humanising intensive care a real priority and not just an ideal. Prof Dr Nor’azim Mohd Yunos is the president of the Malaysian Society of Intensive Care (MSIC) and Datuk Dr Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Noor is the Health Ministry Intensive Care Services head. This article is the second in a three-part series on intensive care that will be published weekly, and is courtesy of the MSIC.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 00:20 UTC
Tunku’s legacy must not fade away
THERE was something deeply unsettling about how quietly the 123rd birthday of the nation’s Bapa Kemerdekaan passed recently. Surely our beloved Tunku Abdul Rahman deserves better national reflection and a sustained public discourse.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 23:26 UTC
Liek Hou’s golden mission accomplished, now celebration time with family
But after returning from Bahrain with a remarkable 16 world titles total to his name, Liek Hou can now finally celebrate the festive season with his family. Having only arrived home on Sunday, Liek Hou admitted he had little time to prepare for the celebrations, but said this year’s reunion would be extra meaningful. “I was so focused on training because I really wanted the title as I was hungry for it. “The conditions there weren’t ideal, and I just wanted to move forward from that tournament,” said Liek Hou, who was clearly excited to spending time during his family reunion dinner. After a short break, Liek Hou will return to competition at the Spanish International in Toledo from March 25–29.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 23:24 UTC
BPOM’s global recognition – From trust to responsibility
This status confirms that BPOM’s regulatory decisions meet global standards and can be relied upon far beyond national borders. In an increasingly interconnected world, such trust is essential to global health security. In this sense, BPOM’s achievement contributes to a more inclusive and resilient global regulatory landscape. WLA recognition reinforces BPOM’s role not only as a regulator but also as an enabler. WLA recognition also brings heightened responsibility.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 22:24 UTC
After golden run, Liek Hou savours long-awaited family reunion
PETALING JAYA: Winning gold at the World Championship was all that mattered to para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou – so much so that Chinese New Year plans had to take a back seat. But after returning from Bahrain with a remarkable 16 world titles total to his name, Liek Hou can now finally celebrate the festive season with his family. Having only arrived home on Sunday, Liek Hou admitted he had little time to prepare for the celebrations, but said this year’s reunion would be extra meaningful. "I was so focused on training because I really wanted the title as I was hungry for it. "When my friends and family asked about New Year plans before I left for Bahrain, I told them I couldn’t think about it.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 21:26 UTC
How food delivery Is reshaping mealtime
We asked New York Times readers to share their feelings about food delivery. “I get Amazon delivery as well as food and grocery delivery,” she said. Helena Kim (right) and her sister-in-law (left) enjoy a delivery dinner from the Cheesecake Factory in Chula Vista, California. Another reason Layne stays at it is to pay off his debt from ordering too much food delivery. “Food delivery is a scam,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 21:07 UTC
Injury fears grow as Zii Jia skips German Open
PETALING JAYA: Concern is growing over men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia after the Paris Olympics bronze medallist withdrew from the German Open, which begins on Feb 24. A check on the Badminton World Federation website confirmed that Zii Jia is among 17 men’s singles players who have pulled out of the tournament. The 27-year-old had initially entered the event and was scheduled to start from the qualifying rounds. His withdrawal raises questions over the extent of the injury he suffered at the Thailand Masters last month, where he retired during his quarter-final match against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. The development comes as a setback for the Malaysian camp, who are counting on Zii Jia to lead the charge at the Thomas Cup following his encouraging performances in the opening three tournaments of the season.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 19:31 UTC
AKPS: 20 containers of waste discovered at Port Klang
PETALING JAYA: Another 20 containers of waste were discovered by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection (AKPS) after inspections at Port Klang. Port Klang Entry Control Commander Deputy Comm Datuk Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said three containers contained e-waste, while 17 containers contained plastic waste. "All containers had entered the country as early as July 2025 until January 2026. He added that the e-waste containers will be "re-exported""The AKPS will continue inspections on trade containers suspected of carrying prohibited waste. Regarding total inspections, he said 116 containers had been inspected since Jan 26, with 911,000kg of waste and e-waste found during their checks.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 19:23 UTC
Indonesian woman found dead in Banting plantation
KUALA LANGAT: A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of an Indonesian woman’s body with marks on her neck in a plantation here. Kuala Langat OCPD Supt Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi stated that the police were alerted to the find on Sunday (Feb 15) after a member of the public spotted the body in a Banting plantation. "Investigations revealed ligature marks on the victim’s neck, leading to suspicion of foul play," he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 16). Two Indonesian men have since been arrested to facilitate the investigation into the death. Supt Mohd Akmalrizal added that an investigation paper has been opened under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Source:The Star
February 16, 2026 19:23 UTC