Nation

Smooth traffic reported on several main highways as at 9.40pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic flow on several major highways across the country has been reported to be smooth and under control as of 9.40pm Saturday (Feb 21).

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Feb 21, 2026)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Feb 21, 2026).

Nation

Health Ministry accelerates efforts to strengthen food safety control to achieve target by 2030

KUALA SELANGOR: The Health Ministry is accelerating efforts to strengthen food safety control at all levels to achieve the target of less than 50 cases of food poisoning per 100,000 population by the year 2030.

Football

Soccer-Milner set to break Premier League appearance record with 654th game

LONDON, Feb ⁠21 (Reuters) - James Milner will break ⁠the record for most appearances ‌in the Premier League on Saturday after he was named in the starting lineup ​for Brighton & Hove Albion's ⁠game away ⁠at Brentford - his 654th game in England's ⁠top ‌flight.

Nation

Pahang Sultan, Tengku Ampuan express sadness, sympathy at Trooper Indiran's death

KUANTAN: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah expressed their profound sadness and sympathy over the passing of army personnel Trooper K. Indiran, who passed away on Thursday (Feb 19).

Japan

Japan issues travel alert for over 50 countries amid Middle East escalation and issues

Japan has warned of potential sudden changes in the Middle East and urged increased caution in more than 50 countries and territories, including the region itself.

AseanPlus News

'Still a shocker' - Audrey Fang's death: Family asks Spain court to extend suspect Mitchell Ong’s detention by two years

The family of Audrey Fang, who was killed in Spain in 2024, has asked a Spanish court to keep the suspected perpetrator, Mitchell Ong in custody for another two years.

Technology

Germany's ruling party backs social media curbs for children

STUTTGART, Germany, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Germany's ruling ⁠conservatives on Saturday passed a motion to ban social media use for under 14s and introduce more stringent digital ⁠verification checks for teenagers, building momentum for such limits in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. 

Other Sports

Olympics-Biathlon-Michelon's stunning last lap delivers women's mass start gold for France

ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb 21 (Reuters) - ⁠Oceane Michelon of France stormed through the last lap to win gold in a nerve-jangling women's mass ⁠start race at the Winter Games on Saturday as the final biathlon event delivered a ‌blockbuster ending in the snow.

World

Ukraine hits Russian ballistic missiles producer in Udmurtia, Kyiv says

KYIV, Feb ⁠21 (Reuters) - Ukraine's ⁠domestically produced Flamingo missiles ‌hit a Russian plant manufacturing ballistic missiles ​in Russia's remote ⁠southern region ⁠of Udmurtia overnight, the ⁠Ukrainian General ‌Staff said on ⁠Saturday.

Indonesia

Indonesia did not pay US$1bil to join the Board of Peace, says Foreign Minister Sugiono

Indonesia has confirmed that it did not pay the US$1 billion contribution linked to the Board of Peace (BoP), stating that the amount was not a mandatory membership fee.

Thailand

Thailand and Myanmar hold talks to re-engage with Naypidaw and Asean after strained ties

Thailand and Myanmar are discussing reviving Myanmar's ties with Asean after relations with the regional bloc deteriorated following the military takeover five years ago.

Nation

Perak urges use of reusable bags ahead of ban on single-use plastics

IPOH: Perak residents are encouraged to bring their own food containers or reusable bags to business premises, including Ramadan bazaars, in support of the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags starting March 1.

Nation

Ramadan bazaars: A beloved annual tradition for Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR: Visiting Ramadan bazaars is no longer exclusive to Muslims, having become an annual tradition for Malaysians of various races, who enjoy diverse food offerings and a festive, harmonious atmosphere.

Golf

Golf-Rahm left out as DP World Tour grants LIV releases, Ryder Cup future uncertain

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Jon Rahm's participation ⁠in next year's Ryder Cup in Ireland could be in doubt after ⁠the Spaniard was not included in a group of eight LIV Golf players ‌granted dispensation by the DP World Tour on Saturday.

Other Sports

Factbox-Olympics-Most prolific gold medal winners at a single Winter Games

Feb ⁠21 (Reuters) - List of ⁠the most ‌prolific gold medal winners at a single ​Winter Olympics ⁠after Norwegian ⁠cross-country skier Johannes ⁠Klaebo won ‌his sixth ⁠gold at the Milano ​Cortina ‌Games on Saturday. 

AseanPlus News

Turkish Red Crescent aid continues to flow into Gaza after the reopening of Rafah crossing

The 21st Goodness Ship loaded with humanitarian aid from the Turkish Red Crescent destined for Gaza reached El Arish in northeastern Egypt on Saturday.

Philippines

Philippine senator calls out China in visit to disputed island

A Philippine senator called for deepening defence relationships and "continuous" pushback against China's claims in the South China Sea while visiting one of Manila's tiny possessions in the disputed waterway on Saturday.

Cricket

Cricket-India skipper Suryakumar backs opener Sharma despite three ducks in T20 World Cup

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav ⁠rubbished concerns about the form of opener Abhishek Sharma, saying his players are ready ⁠to cover for the world's highest-ranked batter in Twenty20 cricket until he regains his ‌form.

Other Sports

Olympics-Freestyle-Canada's Sharpe to miss women's halfpipe final after crash

LIVIGNO, ⁠Italy, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Canadian freestyle skier ⁠Cassie Sharpe, who was trying to claim ‌a third Olympic medal in women's halfpipe, will not be able to compete in Saturday's finals at ​the Milano Cortina Games after ⁠a crash two days ⁠ago, Team Canada said.