Trump curious why Iran has not 'capitulated' amid US military buildup, says Witkoff
Feb 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is curious as to why Iran has not yet "capitulated" and agreed to curb its nuclear programme, as Washington builds up its military capability in the Middle East, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said. "I don't want to use the word 'frustrated,' because he understands he has plenty of alternatives, but he's curious as to why they haven't... I don't want to use the word 'capitulated,' but why they haven't capitulated," Witkoff said during an interview on Saturday with Fox News' "My View with Lara Trump," hosted by the president's daughter-in-law. Trump has ordered a huge buildup of forces in the Middle East and preparations for a potential multi-week air attack on Iran. Earlier in February, Pahlavi said U.S. military intervention in Iran could save lives, and urged Washington not to spend too long negotiating with Tehran's clerical rulers on a nuclear deal.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 15:55 UTC
Newly appointed PN chairman seeks political consensus for all Malaysians
PETALING JAYA: Newly appointed Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar says that he aims to create a political consensus for all Malaysians across diverse religions, races, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. The Perikatan supreme council unanimously appointed Ahmad Samsuri to the post on Sunday (Feb 22), succeeding Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned on Jan 1. Ahmad Samsuri noted that this foundation enabled the coalition to secure a significant number of seats in the 15th General Election. In 2023, Terengganu Perikatan under his leadership secured a clean sweep of all 32 seats in the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly. Academically, Ahmad Samsuri earned a PhD in Aeroengine Ignition and Combustion from the University of Leeds in 2001.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 15:49 UTC
Malaysia weighs response after US court strikes down Trump tariffs
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is monitoring the implications of a recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) now reviewing the matter. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said MITI is coordinating with both Washington and Asean partners to determine the next course of action. Following the ruling, Trump said he would impose a uniform 10% tariff on all imports under a separate legal authority, adding that the decision left him “more powerful”. Malaysia and the United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement during Trump’s visit to Kuala Lumpur last October for the Asean Summit. The deal maintained tariffs at 19%, with certain products eligible for zero tariffs under agreed partner-trade lists.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 15:04 UTC
Man slashes another over parking space dispute in Cheras
PETALING JAYA: A dispute over a parking space turned violent when a man allegedly slashed another with a knife at the Seri Melaka Flats in Cheras, leaving the victim with a three-centimetre wound on his left hand. Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Rosdi Daud said police received a report from a male complainant on Feb 20 regarding the incident. “The suspect then slashed the complainant, causing an injury to his left hand,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 21). ACP Mohd Rosdi said the suspect has been remanded for four days from Feb 21 to Feb 24 to assist in investigations. “The motive of the incident is believed to stem from dissatisfaction over a parking issue,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 14:39 UTC
Azam gives statement on shareholding issue to special probe panel
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commisioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has given his statement to the special committee investigating his ownership of 17.7 million shares bought for RM1.416mil in Velocity Capital Partner Bhd. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the Special Investigation Committee convened on Thursday (Feb 19) to record Azam's explanation about the shares. ALSO READ: Special committee has begun probe into Azam's shareholding issue, says AGHe said the committee would ensure that the probe is conducted in a transparent, independent and professional manner. Earlier, the police confirmed receiving a report on an article by Bloomberg that contained allegedly defamatory statements against Azam. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar was reported to have said that the case is being investigated by the Classified Criminal Investigation Unit under CID's Prosecution/Legal Division (D5).
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 14:33 UTC
Bersatu veep Kiandee dropped from PN supreme council
KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu vice president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee was dropped as the party's representative on the Perikatan Nasional supreme council hours before he was scheduled to attend a meeting at PAS headquarters here. Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali signed a letter dated Friday (Feb 20) stating that Kiandee would be replaced by party vice presidents Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Datuk Radzi Jidin. The Beluran MP, however, remains a party vice president. "I received the letter by Whatsapp from him and he probably received the letter at about the same time." Kiandee's removal from the Perikatan supreme council is the latest in the axing of those aligned to former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 14:20 UTC
Using donor poop to fight cancer
Researchers are testing faecal microbiota transplants as a way of changing the gut’s microbes. Donor stoolsAs the name suggests, a faecal microbiota transplant introduces gut microbes from a carefully screened healthy donor’s stool into a patient’s gastrointestinal tract. Today, scientists have a clearer picture of how and why faecal microbiota transplants work. For patients interested in faecal microbiota transplants, Dr Koh and Dr Wargo recommend talking to your oncologist. “With cancer patients, we’re concerned about safety,” she said.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 14:03 UTC
‘The emotional abuse is relentless’: Dad in Singapore gets personal protection order for daughter against mum
The emotional abuse is relentless.”The shouting was so bad that neighbours once called the authorities, resulting in a social worker’s visit to the family. This is a court order that restrains a person from committing family violence. In that case, District Judge Janice Chia noted that not every action causing distress amounts to emotional abuse. The central issue, she said, is how emotional and psychological abuse under the Women’s Charter should be interpreted as this can be subjective. Expert or medical evidence documenting the harm caused by the emotional and psychological abuse can also help applications, lawyers add.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 13:42 UTC
Badminton: Goh’s good to go
Jin Wei had also been called up for the previous two editions in Bangkok in 2022 and Chengdu in 2024. However, for this latest call up, Jonassen believes Jin Wei has rediscovered her rhythm after finishing runner up at the Thailand Masters in Bangkok three weeks ago. The decision to select Jin Wei is also aimed at stabilising the women’s singles department ahead of the Uber Cup. Jonassen no longer wants Malaysia’s women’s team to merely make up the numbers in the group stage, but instead to put up a strong fight. For the record, Malaysia’s women’s team have not reached the Uber Cup quarter finals for 16 years, since the 2010 edition in Kuala Lumpur.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 13:18 UTC
Haikal-Hon Jian keeping it real for German Open opener against China's No. 1
3 Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang of China in the first round of the German Open starting on Tuesday (Feb 24). In the three tournaments they competed in last month, starting with the Malaysian Open, Indian Open and Indonesian Masters, they were eliminated in the opening round each time. As such, Haikal has opted to keep his expectations in check, fully aware that Weikeng-Wang Chang are a formidable combination. At the same time, Haikal admitted he still carries a sense of apprehension, worried that his old injury could resurface. Apart from Hon Jian-Haikal, Malaysia still have several men’s doubles pairs in the fray at the German Open.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 13:14 UTC
Thunderstorms, heavy rain expected in eight states, KL and Putrajaya until 8pm
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across eight states as well as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, effective until 8pm on Sunday (Feb 22). The entire state of Selangor is also affected, along with parts of Negeri Sembilan (Seremban, Port Dickson, Kuala Pilah, Rembau and Tampin) and the entire state of Melaka. In Sarawak, the warning covers Sarikei, Sibu (Sibu) and Mukah (Tanjung Manis). 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 22, 2026 12:45 UTC
Nova draws the line on Jin Wei's role
PETALING JAYA: There will be no more experimental forays for Goh Jin Wei. Nova stressed that featuring in the mixed doubles would only drain her energy as she should be concentrating on one event. Jin Wei had earlier surprised many when she tried her hand in the mixed doubles with Ng Eng Cheong. Nova revealed that Jin Wei’s decision to venture into mixed doubles came after a sponsor approached her to cover her tournament expenses. Jin Wei will compete in the Singapore International Challenge this week where she is seeded third.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 12:39 UTC
Debunking the 'love pill' myths
Dr George Lee is a consultant Urologist and Clinical Associate Professor whose professional interest is in men’s health. This column is a forum to help men debunk the myths and taboos on men’s issues that may be too “hard” to mention. You can send him questions at askdrg@thestar.com.my
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 12:14 UTC
Broader statutory body to oversee premium crops
He was responding to calls from industry players for the establishment of a dedicated Durian Board. “The ministry encourages the durian industry to form a unified national body because there are currently too many associations – representing farmers, manufacturers and others. The ministry also plans to step up engagement with durian players this year to support healthier industry development, he added. Durian Manufacturers Association president Eric Chan said the industry’s earlier call for a Durian Board was intended to create a platform to discuss the sector’s long-term direction. “What we need is a platform to discuss the vision and direction of the durian industry,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 22, 2026 12:08 UTC
Iran and US views on sanctions relief differ, senior Iranian official tells Reuters
DUBAI (Feb 22): Iran and the United States have differing views over the scope and mechanism to lift sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday, adding that new talks were planned in early March. The official said Tehran could seriously consider a combination of exporting part of its highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile, diluting the purity of its HEU and a regional consortium for enriching uranium, but in return Iran's right to "peaceful nuclear enrichment" must be recognised. "The negotiations continue and the possibility of reaching an interim agreement exists," the official said. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that he expected to have a draft counterproposal ready within days following nuclear talks with the United States this week, while US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes. The senior official said Tehran will not hand over control of its oil and mineral resources but US companies can always participate as contractors in Iran’s oil and gas fields.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 22, 2026 09:52 UTC