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, March 2 — President Donald Trump today declared English as the official language of the United States, emphasizing the need for national unity in a country shaped by immigration.
An executive order released by the White House stated that it is “long past time” for English to be formally recognized as the nation’s official language. The order revokes a 1990s mandate under President Bill Clinton that required federal agencies to provide assistance to non-English speakers. However, agencies will still have discretion in offering multilingual support.
While the U.S. recognizes the linguistic diversity of its population—where over 350 languages are spoken—Trump’s order highlights that English has historically been the language of governance, including in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
With nearly 68 million people speaking a language other than English at home, including over 40 million Spanish speakers, the move is expected to face legal and political challenges. Trump has issued numerous executive orders in his tenure, many of which have been contested in court. — AFP
