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.
PARIS, March 10 — The US remains the world’s top naval power, but its dominance is being challenged by China’s growing maritime influence. While the US leads militarily, China is expanding rapidly in commercial shipping, shipbuilding, and global port operations.
Former President Donald Trump emphasized rebuilding US shipyards and proposed taxing Chinese vessels at US ports. He also expressed concerns over China’s control of the Panama Canal and showed interest in acquiring Greenland for its untapped resources.
China, meanwhile, is investing in global maritime infrastructure, with state-owned firms like Cosco and China Merchant Ports strengthening Beijing’s strategic reach. The US worries these expansions could threaten its global influence.
Despite its military strength, the US faces challenges in commercial shipping and shipbuilding, with its aging fleet lagging behind China, Japan, and South Korea. Arctic expansion is another area of competition, with China deploying icebreakers while the US struggles to maintain its own.
As climate change opens new routes and resources in the Arctic, the battle for maritime supremacy continues to intensify. — AFP
