https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenThe United States will phase out funding for HIV and Aids programmes in South Africa, ending support that has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the country's efforts to combat the epidemic. Get today's headlines by email South Africa has the world's largest HIV-positive population, with more than eight million people living with the virus. Funding Withdrawal ConfirmedUntil 2025, the US provided about $400 million (£300 million) a year through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), accounting for roughly one-fifth of South Africa's HIV programme spending. After receiving a temporary extension under a "bridge plan" last October, a US State Department official has now confirmed that a phased withdrawal of Pepfar funding will begin. The official said the move was linked to South Africa's failure to make sufficient progress on policy requests made by the Trump administration. The US government said the decision was intended to encourage greater self-reliance and reduce dependence on American assistance, arguing that South Africa, as a middle-income country, is capable of funding its own health programmes. Growing Diplomatic TensionsRelations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated since President Donald Trump returned to office. Soon after taking office, Trump signed an executive order alleging that South African policies undermined equal opportunities and contributed to violence against white landowners. The South African government has rejected those claims, defending its Black Economic Empowerment policies as necessary measures to address inequalities rooted in apartheid. The White House has also criticised South Africa over its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its ties with Iran, citing these issues as reasons for ending further aid. Trump has repeatedly claimed that a "white genocide" is taking place in South Africa, an allegation widely dismissed by experts and the South African government. The administration has also established a refugee programme for Afrikaners, descendants of European settlers, who are currently among the few refugee groups being admitted to the United States. South Africa RespondsSouth Africa's health ministry said it had not been formally notified of the funding decision but stressed that the country had long been preparing for greater financial independence. The ministry noted that while Pepfar funding supported important HIV-related services, life-saving antiretroviral medication is funded separately, with the majority paid for by the South African government. Efforts to repair relations between the two countries have struggled in recent years. A high-profile meeting between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly failed to ease tensions, while the US also boycotted a G20 meeting hosted by South Africa last year. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 June 2026 View full articleSat, 20 Jun 2026 08:55:41 +00002,000 million Muslims. 16 million Jewry. When the funding dries up, the world has turned its back, and Jews are nearly the Israeli minority, the butchers will return. Bye bye Israel. Don't miss the last plane out whatever you do! 🙂Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:55:04 +0000Bailey's is a girlie drink - 17%.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:54:10 +0000But 50,000 "Palestinians" being killed in military strikes is a genocide, got it.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:53:51 +000017%, perfect for ladies.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:53:39 +0000Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:52:08 +0000Good post and I totally agree. Unfortunately, the current Thai government is the worst of any I can remember. So far they've accomplished very little except to push Thailand backwards. No bold thinking, no new ideas, no new nothing.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:50:59 +0000Wonder who had the bigger todger. The monkey or Mr Nepali?Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:50:57 +0000Old skool request..........online hitch hiking.............. like it..................Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:50:12 +0000I believe we need better topicsSat, 20 Jun 2026 08:49:02 +0000Considering the utter crap you repeatedly post I find this extremely hard to believe.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:48:34 +0000I believe it's important for you to be more empathetic towards the challenges he is experiencing. We all go through difficult times and need support.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:44:56 +0000What are we like eh?Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:43:35 +0000A conflict of interest you have to be kidding a bribe more like it !!Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:43:34 +0000Have you thought about launching a YouTube channel to broaden your audience beyond what this site can offer? Your unique life story could truly captivate many people and engage a larger community.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:43:13 +0000President Donald Trump has unveiled a modified Boeing 747-8 that was donated by the Qatari government and will join the Air Force One fleet on an interim basis. Get today's headlines by email The aircraft, valued at an estimated $400 million (£300 million), has undergone extensive military modifications and is now preparing for commissioning flights, the final stage of testing before it begins transporting the president. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, Trump praised the aircraft, describing it as a “flying White House” featuring an unprecedented level of luxury. Final Testing Before ServiceAccording to the United States Air Force, the aircraft has received upgrades to security systems, mission communications, logistics support and other advanced technologies. Officials said any potential risks associated with the previously owned aircraft have been eliminated. While most of the interior remains largely unchanged, the jet has been repainted in red, white, blue and gold. The Air Force said the aircraft will undergo initial commissioning flights before entering presidential service. Controversial GiftThe luxury Boeing 747-8 was donated by the Qatari royal family to the United States Department of Defense in May 2025 for use within the Air Force One fleet. The donation sparked criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, including some Trump allies. Opponents argued that accepting such a valuable gift could create a conflict of interest and potentially raise constitutional concerns. Federal law generally limits gifts accepted by US officials to $480. However, the White House has maintained that the transfer is legal and has said the aircraft will ultimately be donated to Trump’s presidential library after he leaves office. Trump Praises AircraftDuring the unveiling, Trump highlighted the aircraft’s craftsmanship and materials. “The workmanship of this plane, when you see it, you won't believe it,” he said, praising the quality of the woodwork, materials and engines. He also thanked Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, calling the donation an honour. Replacing an Aging FleetBefore the addition of the Qatari jet, the Air Force One fleet consisted of two Boeing 747-200B aircraft that have been in service since 1990. One of those aircraft appears to have been retired, with White House communications director Steven Cheung posting a farewell message alongside a photograph of the older jet. The new aircraft will serve as a temporary solution while Boeing completes delivery of two VC-25B presidential aircraft. Those planes, intended to become the long-term Air Force One fleet, have faced years of production delays. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 June 2026 View full articleSat, 20 Jun 2026 08:40:29 +0000There is a RideShare app on G play, though if search, it doesn't show. If Googling, ..."rideshare split cost site thailand"... and hit AI Mode, then it shows and can click on that link, which will open in your phone, if Android. Doesn't seem to get much use, but you might get lucky. For safety, or not, just take the bus.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:39:48 +0000Once Upon a Time In The West, they sure can’t make them like they used to…Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:34:27 +0000Your friend raped you. Baileys is only 30 or 40%Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:32:11 +0000'Fatal flaw'? Trump faces fierce patriotism backlash Columnist Alexander Burns argues that Trump built his political identity around nationalism and national pride, yet now appears unable to recognise how strongly those same forces operate in other countries. That miscalculation is creating problems on multiple fronts. It is said to be straining relationships with international allies on the political right, complicating conflicts abroad, and creating political headaches for Republicans at home. The article points to a striking example involving Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Smith has long been viewed as a populist figure with close links to parts of the American conservative movement and previously hosted Tucker Carlson in Western Canada. Yet when she was asked at a Toronto policy summit about the prospect of Trump influencing Alberta politics, her response was blunt. Smith said: “I don't want any foreign influence in our politics here.” That moment, the analysis argues, highlighted a key reality: nationalism does not stop at America's borders. Other countries are fiercely protective of their own sovereignty too. Trump rose to prominence championing American sovereignty, tougher borders and national independence. He enthusiastically backed Britain's Brexit vote in 2016 and even dubbed himself “Mr. Brexit”. But the analysis claims that understanding appears to have faded during his second term. Burns argues Trump has repeatedly underestimated patriotic reactions in other nations. The result, he writes, has been a series of setbacks that have weakened his broader political objectives. One example cited is Canada. According to the analysis, Trump's tariff threats and criticism of Canada failed to bend Ottawa to his will. Instead, they allegedly sparked a patriotic response that helped propel Mark Carney to power on a platform focused on resisting American economic pressure. Ukraine is another example highlighted in the piece. Burns argues that Trump's confrontation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office and attempts to secure access to Ukraine's mineral wealth were viewed as challenges to Ukrainian sovereignty. Rather than weakening Zelenskyy's standing, the analysis claims the Ukrainian leader suffered no political damage from rejecting Trump's approach. The article also points to other international episodes. It says efforts involving Hungary, Brazil, Britain, Spain and Israel failed to produce the outcomes Trump sought. At the centre of the criticism is Iran. The analysis argues Trump believed he could cripple Iran's leadership, force concessions through military action and secure a favourable outcome without deploying ground troops. Instead, Burns describes the result as a prolonged stalemate that drove up energy prices and placed additional pressure on the global economy. The criticism is not limited to Trump's opponents. The article notes that some figures on the international right who were once sympathetic to Trump have also expressed concerns. Jordan Bardella, viewed as the likely presidential candidate for France's National Rally, reportedly told Politico that Trump had become difficult to recognise compared with his earlier political image. Bardella described the United States as behaving more like an “empire” and said Trump had become “extremely unsteady and constantly shifting”. Like Smith, he also rejected the idea of foreign political interference. “We don't need to accept or open the door to any form of interference,” he said. The analysis argues that these reactions reveal a recurring pattern. Leaders and voters who embrace nationalism in their own countries may still reject outside influence, even when it comes from ideological allies. Trump blind spot threatens to be 'fatal flaw' that brings down presidency: columnistSat, 20 Jun 2026 08:31:20 +0000Well without getting into which is worse, in Thailand it seems it's OK to advertise how much it takes to bribe a government/immigration official.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:31:08 +0000The irony. AOT tries to make ground operators work on a fraction of a dollar. No wonder there is so many semi-official services.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:28:59 +0000And understandably so. However, that doesn't give the Israelis the right to do what they have done in Gaza, where estimated deaths are in the 75,000-90,000 range. That's not an unfortunate overreaction, that's systematic ethnic cleansing and genocide. This is Mandy Patinkin, an American Jew, asking the hard question.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:26:52 +0000How about the Grapes of Wrath?Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:26:51 +0000there will be no trial. only tribulation.Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:26:44 +0000