PARIS, July 13: This year’s Bastille Day parade will not include one exhibit that US authorities had hoped would be accorded a place of honour -- a shiny bright 9-meter long firetruck belonging to the fire department of the city of New York.

But, “enough is enough,” say sources at the Elysee Palace who claim they’ve been besieged by phone calls from the highest levels of the United States government demanding that the truck — which took part in rescue efforts during Sept 11 attack on the World Trade Center — be allowed to roll down the world’s most beautiful avenue alongside the tanks, jeeps and other military vehicles that usually have their place in the annual July 14th event.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...