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.
SEOUL, March 24 — North Korea will never abandon its status as a nuclear-armed state, leader Kim Jong Un said, according to state media.
The statement, delivered yesterday, came a day after Kim was reappointed as head of the country’s top policymaking body, the State Affairs Commission.
In a policy speech in Pyongyang, Kim vowed to further strengthen and expand the country’s nuclear deterrent, calling the move “irreversible” and necessary to counter what he described as hostile forces.
He also took a hardline stance against South Korea, labelling it the “most hostile state” and warning of a firm response to any perceived threats.
The remarks come despite outreach efforts by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for dialogue without preconditions, which Pyongyang has so far ignored.
Kim, who has ruled since 2011 as the third-generation leader following Kim Il Sung, was re-elected by the country’s legislature, a process widely seen by critics as symbolic.
On the economic front, he outlined plans to boost industrial output by 1.5 times over the next five years, citing progress made despite ongoing challenges and sanctions. — AFP
