January 23, 2026
Local
Local
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — Two foreign nationals have become the first individuals in Malaysia to be charged in court for littering under the newly enforced anti-littering law, according to a report by The Star.
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 – A U.S. judge has refused to immediately reinstate the Associated Press’s access to President Donald Trump’s events, following the White House’s decision to bar AP journalists from the Oval Office and Air Force One.
District Judge Trevor McFadden denied the AP’s emergency request but scheduled a March 20 hearing for further arguments. The dispute began when the AP continued using “Gulf of Mexico” in its reporting, despite a Trump executive order renaming it the “Gulf of America.”
The AP sued three White House officials, arguing the ban violates press freedoms under the First Amendment. The White House countered that media access to exclusive presidential events is a privilege, not a right.
McFadden, a Trump appointee, expressed skepticism about the ban, calling it “problematic” and suggesting the White House reconsider its stance. The administration welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the president’s discretion in granting media access.
AP spokesperson Lauren Easton reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to press freedom, stating they look forward to the next hearing.
The lawsuit names White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as defendants. Their lawyers maintain that the AP has not been barred from general press briefings but has lost privileged access.
The AP, a 180-year-old news agency serving global audiences, defended its use of "Gulf of Mexico," citing historical accuracy and clarity for international readers. – AFP
