Importers filed suit at the US Court of International Trade to try to stop the process of determining final tariff payments while the Supreme Court was considering the case, but that court denied the request. The case will now go back to the Court of International Trade to sort through the refunds. More than 1,000 lawsuits have been filed by importers in the trade court seeking refunds, and a flood of new cases is likely. The Court of International Trade has overseen large-scale refunds before. The Court of International Trade oversaw a refund process involving more than 100,000 claimants that was managed by Judge Jane Restani, who remains on the court.

In April last year, Trump announced "reciprocal" tariffs on goods imported from most US trading partners, including Britain, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. The baseline tariff that Britain faced under the reciprocal tariffs was 10%. "We will work with the (US) Administration to understand how the ruling will affect tariffs for the UK and the rest of the world." The spokesperson said the government would support British businesses when further details are announced. It was also unclear how US businesses could reclaim import levies paid and whether British businesses would be entitled to a share of any rebate, Bain said.

IPOH: Police are seeking public assistance to locate a teenage girl who has been reported missing since Jan 31. Ipoh police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said that Kawsara Bibi Mohamad Noor, 13, is a Myanmar national. He added that the teenager's address is Jalan Menglembu Impiana 26, Taman Menglembu Impiana Adril, and that he has a slender build. "Anyone with information on her whereabouts can contact the case's assistant investigating officer, Sgt Rafidah Abdul Rashid, at 013-7312477 or the Bukit Merah Police Station at 05-3210925," he said in a statement on Friday (Jan 20).

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian coaching legend Datuk Misbun Sidek has insisted that self-discipline and mental toughness are what separate ordinary athletes from true champions. Misbun also warned that many players understand exactly what they must do on court but fail to execute it because they fear the pain and pressure that comes with pushing their limits. "Many know they should attack or push harder, but they hold back because they are afraid of the pain. Misbun is currently working alongside India-based coach B. Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu as part of efforts to develop world-class singles players. 1 ranking, including Chong Wei, Datuk Rashid Sidek and Roslin Hashim.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong in conjunction with Wong's special visit to Malaysia on Friday (Feb 20). The meeting took place at Seri Negara here, where Anwar also hosted a dinner in honour of Wong's visit. Prior to their four-eye meeting, both leaders toured several galleries at the historic landmark, including the Ruang Merdeka: Galeri Khazanah. Also present were Chief Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Shahrol Anuwar Sarman and High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon. Singapore is also Malaysia's second-largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to RM402.35bil (US$93.97bil) in 2025, an increase of 1.5% compared with 2024.

GEORGE TOWN: State land administrators are currently reviewing more than 350 appeals from landowners seeking reductions following this year's land tax revision, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. "We have improved the basis for appeal to ensure landowners who are genuinely affected can seek further reductions," he said on Friday (Feb 20). Chow also addressed concerns that the state's land tax structure was inconsistent with the National Land Code, describing such claims as inaccurate. Earlier, it was reported that the non-governmental organisation Ratepayers Penang had urged the state government to standardise Penang's land tax rates in line with the National Land Code to ensure transparency and fairness, following concerns over the latest increase in land tax in the state. It added that land tax must be administered strictly within the legal framework and not based on discretion.

SHAH ALAM: Making decisions fast is the motto of the newly appointed Shah Alam mayor, Datuk Zabidah Safar, who is the first female to hold the post in the Selangor state capital city. “I like her leadership style, where she prefers decisions to be made quickly. That is my leadership style too,” said Zabidah when met by StarMetro after her swearing-in ceremony at Wisma Shah Alam this morning. She pledges to prioritise Shah Alam City Council's (MBSA) core responsibilities, particularly cleanliness, as a key focus area. She previously held senior positions at the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI), Hulu Langat District and Land Office, and the Selangor Treasury.

1 men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have agreed to help strengthen the national squad for the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark from April 24-May 3. The matter was confirmed by national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky. Rexy said Sze Fei-Izzuddin have not only committed to the Thomas Cup campaign but have also pledged to remain with the Malaysian set up through to the Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya, scheduled from Sept 19 to Oct 4. In fact, they have committed until the Asian Games,” said Rexy. Meanwhile, former Asian champion, Lee Zii Jia and women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei have asked for a week before making a final decision

MELAKA: The Melaka legislative assembly could be dissolved during its April sitting, paving the way for a state election likely to be held in early June, according to several state political party leaders. Mohd Radzmin said the state poll could be held before the PKR national congress, which is scheduled to take place in Melaka from June 25 to 28. "However, we will wait for the next state assembly sitting in April," he said. Last month, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he expects the state poll to be held within the next two to 10 months. In the 2021 Melaka election, Barisan won 21 of the 28 seats it contested.

Manchester United fans display a banner in protest to co-owner Jim Ratcliffe during the FA CUP third-round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, Jan 11. - REUTERS PICLONDON: Michael Carrick praised Manchester United's "diversity" after the club's co-owner Jim Ratcliffe caused controversy by claiming the United Kingdom has been "colonised by immigrants." Ratcliffe was widely criticised for his outburst last week and later apologised if his remarks had "offended some people." Facing the media on Friday for the first time since Ratcliffe's incendiary comments, United interim manager Carrick highlighted his club's inclusive attitude. Carrick is confident that the controversy generated by Ratcliffe's views will not have a negative affect on his multi-national squad.

PUTRAJAYA: The Fisheries Malaysia Department is amending the Fisheries Regulations under Section 27 of the Fisheries Act 1985, specifically the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999, to include nine marine mammal species in the existing protection list. He said the nine marine mammal species proposed for listing are Balaenoptera omurai, Peponocephala electra, Feresa attenuata, Tursiops aduncus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Stenella attenuata, Ziphius cavirostris, Steno bredanensis and Kogia sima. "In conjunction with International Marine Mammal Protection Day, the Department of Fisheries continues to develop the National Plan of Action for Dugong," he said. "The dugong (Dugong dugon) is an indicator species for the health of coastal marine ecosystems and is closely linked to the sustainability of seagrass beds that support fisheries productivity, coastal protection and blue carbon storage," he said. In addition to strengthening domestic protection, Adnan said the initiative also supports compliance with international trade standards.

Sarah Ferguson’s whereabouts remain unknown following the arrest of her ex-husband, former Prince Andrew, on his 66th birthday Thursday (Feb 19) morning. Meanwhile, the former Duchess of York, who’s also mentioned multiple times in the Epstein files, has been MIA. Ferguson has kept a extremely low profile in the past few months as questions have swirled over her relationship with Epstein. Lady Sarah Ferguson (right) and Prince Andrew (centre) walk hand in hand on July 18, 1989 at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. The former prince was released from police custody on Thursday evening, roughly 11 hours after he was detained.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia stand to gain plenty if they can have more than two top class women’s doubles pairs. Newly appointed coach Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif now has that task on his hands after officially reporting for duty on Thursday, ending months of speculation over his arrival. 1 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and the rest of the women’s doubles squad. There is then a sizeable drop to Cheng Su Hui-Tang Zhing Yi at No. 73, with Zhing Yi is currently sidelined by injury, and Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa Ng at No.

GEORGE TOWN: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong (pic) has been admitted to the hospital after experiencing extreme fatigue due to a hectic work schedule over the past few weeks. Sim posted on Facebook that, after weeks of being busy with work, he ended up being hospitalised on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, his media officer, when contacted by Bernama, said they were only informed of Sim’s condition after the minister had been admitted to the hospital. The officer, who declined to be named, said that so far Sim’s family has not disclosed detailed information about the cause of his hospitalisation, but it is believed to be possibly due to extreme fatigue. "His condition is not serious, just very tired,” said the officer, adding that the family hopes Sim can be given space to rest fully.- Bernama

MOSCOW (Feb 20): The Kremlin said on Friday that relations with Japan had been reduced to zero over Tokyo's "unfriendly" stance towards Russia, and there was no ongoing dialogue towards peace. Russia and Japan never signed a formal World War II peace treaty, with the main obstacle being an unresolved territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, said Russia's relations with Japan "have been reduced to zero" over what he cast as Tokyo's "unfriendly stance" towards Moscow. "There is no dialogue, and it is impossible to discuss the issue of a peace treaty without dialogue," he told reporters at a daily briefing. "...Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that any agreements can be reached without changing the modalities of our relations," he added.