Showing 1 - 10 of 156
Efficiency over pomp
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/02/2026
» The video of Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt opening the new Phran Nok-Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road lasts only a few seconds, yet it has gone viral for that exact reason. In an era of elaborate ceremonies, the footage is a testament to bureaucratic restraint -- proving that when leaders prioritise pragmatism over pageantry, the public wins.
German president gets royal treatment on UK state visit
AFP, Published on 04/12/2025
» WINDSOR (UNITED KINGDOM) - Britain's King Charles III treated German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to a sumptuous banquet Wednesday, as the pair hailed the countries' deep ties during the first UK state visit by a German head of state in decades.
Trees, targets and trillions: what's on the agenda at COP30?
AFP, Published on 04/11/2025
» PARIS - This year's United Nations (UN) climate summit promises to be symbolic, marking a decade since the Paris Agreement and taking place in the environmentally vulnerable Amazon. But what is actually on the agenda?
Black is back
Life, Published on 01/11/2025
» One week after the loss of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, Thailand remains immersed in an atmosphere of grief and national remembrance. While the sorrow is widely shared, daily life continues -- and so does the complex question of how citizens and business sectors should appropriately navigate this mourning period.
After delays, Egypt set for lavish opening of grand museum
AFP, Published on 31/10/2025
» CAIRO — With much pomp and circumstance, Cairo is due to inaugurate on Saturday the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, widely presented as the crowning jewel on authorities' efforts to overhaul the country's vital tourism industry.
All smiles as Melania and Kate meet kids in first public event
AFP, Published on 19/09/2025
» WINDSOR (UNITED KINGDOM) - They are two of the world's most high-profile women -- yet have carefully guarded their private lives.
Melania's hat, Epstein's ghost: takeaways from Trump's UK visit
AFP, Published on 19/09/2025
» LONDON - Pomp and politics, warm words, tech deals and a sumptuous state banquet. Britain pulled out all the stops to welcome US President Donald Trump.
Trump's UK state visit turns to politics after regal welcome
AFP, Published on 18/09/2025
» CHEQUERS — Prime Minister Keir Starmer Thursday welcomed Donald Trump to his country home of Chequers for talks on difficult issues including trade, Ukraine and Gaza after the US president hailed his second state visit to the UK as the "highest honour".
Trump’s UK visit gets political after royal welcome
AFP, Published on 18/09/2025
» LONDON - After the royal hospitality and pageantry, US President Donald Trump’s unprecedented second state visit to the UK takes a serious turn on Thursday when he is hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer for wide-ranging talks.
‘Raped, jailed, tortured, left to die’: the hell of being gay in Turkmenistan
AFP, Published on 18/09/2025
» WARSAW - Two men who escaped one of the world’s most secretive and repressive states have told AFP how they were tortured, beaten and raped in Turkmenistan for the “crime” of being gay.