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, June 29 — The Republican-led US Senate took a major step forward yesterday in advancing President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, clearing a key procedural vote and increasing the likelihood of its passage in the coming days.
The bill — a top legislative priority for Trump — overcame its initial hurdle in a narrow 51-49 vote, with two Republican senators voting against it.
The outcome followed hours of intense negotiations, as GOP leaders and Vice President JD Vance worked behind closed doors to win over last-minute holdouts.
The procedural vote, which opens the floor for debate on the 940-page bill encompassing Trump's key initiatives on immigration, border security, tax cuts, and military funding, was delayed for several hours.
For more than three hours, the vote remained open as Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Ron Johnson, and Rand Paul joined Democrats in opposing the legislation. Meanwhile, Senators Rick Scott, Mike Lee, and Cynthia Lummis held late-night talks with GOP leadership seeking deeper spending cuts.
Eventually, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin switched his vote to support the bill, leaving only Paul and Tillis in opposition among Republicans.
According to a senior White House official, Trump was closely monitoring the vote from the Oval Office late into the night.
The proposed legislation would extend the 2017 tax cuts — the centerpiece of Trump’s first-term legislative record — while also introducing new tax reductions and increasing funding for the military and border enforcement.
However, nonpartisan analysts warn the bill could add trillions to the already US$36.2 trillion (RM153 trillion) national debt.
Democrats strongly opposed the measure, arguing that the tax cuts would largely benefit the wealthy while undermining vital social programs relied on by lower-income Americans.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer insisted the bill be read aloud in full before debate commenced, accusing Republicans of rushing through a "radical" proposal.
“If Senate Republicans refuse to be transparent about what’s in this bill, Democrats will make sure the entire chamber hears every word of it,” said the New York senator. — Reuters
