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.
TAIPEI, Feb 3 – South Africa has ordered Taiwan to move its de facto embassy out of Pretoria by the end of March, citing pressure from China, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said.
South Africa cut official diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997 and now exclusively maintains close relations with China, which claims the island as its territory.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry revealed that South Africa sent a letter in late January demanding the office's relocation and renaming as a trade mission. The ministry sees this as part of China’s increasing suppression but noted that negotiations are ongoing.
Neither South Africa’s de facto embassy in Taipei nor China’s Foreign Ministry has commented. South Africa, China’s largest trading partner in Africa, is looking to strengthen ties in renewable energy and other sectors.
Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims and insists on its right to maintain international ties. It has formal diplomatic relations with only 12 countries, with Eswatini as its sole African ally. — Reuters
