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.
LONDON, Feb 23 — The UK will unveil a major new package of sanctions against Russia tomorrow, marking three years since the war in Ukraine began, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced today.
“This is the time to tighten the pressure on [Vladimir] Putin’s Russia,” Lammy said, adding that the upcoming sanctions will be the most extensive since the early days of the conflict. “Our goal is to weaken Russia’s military machine and cut off the revenues fueling its war on Ukraine.”
The move comes as former US President Donald Trump has been pushing to exclude Ukraine and its European allies from peace talks with Russia. Lammy stressed that this is a pivotal moment for Ukraine, the UK, and Europe, urging stronger European support for Kyiv.
Since the war began, the UK has sanctioned 1,900 individuals and entities linked to Putin’s government, targeting key sectors such as finance, aviation, military, and energy through asset freezes, travel bans, and trade restrictions. The EU is also set to formally adopt a new sanctions package tomorrow, including a ban on Russian aluminum imports.
UK’s Military and Diplomatic Commitments
Lammy reaffirmed the UK’s military support, pledging £3 billion (RM16.75 billion) annually to Ukraine and expressing readiness to provide British troops for peacekeeping efforts if needed. He also emphasized that any negotiations must include Ukraine, stating, “There can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been engaging with global leaders, speaking with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He is set to visit Washington for talks with Trump, aiming to position the UK as a diplomatic bridge between the US and Europe in securing territorial and security guarantees for Ukraine.
However, tensions remain high after Trump recently labeled Zelensky a “dictator” and praised discussions with Russia. He also criticized Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing them of not doing enough to end the war. European leaders worry that a US-forced settlement could embolden Putin and leave Europe vulnerable to further Russian aggression. — AFP
