https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around ThailandenA Utah judge has held a prosecutor in civil contempt for violating a pretrial publicity order in the murder case against the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, but declined to remove the death penalty as a possible sentence if the defendant is convicted. Get today's headlines by email Judge Tony Graf ruled on Friday that prosecutor Christopher Ballard, who also serves as a spokesperson for the Utah County Attorney’s Office, made public comments that risked prejudicing potential jurors. The remarks were made while responding to media reports about an inconclusive ballistics report referenced in a defense court filing. Graf found Ballard was entitled to clarify aspects of the forensic report after the defense publicised its interpretation. However, the judge said the prosecutor went too far by commenting on the overall strength of the state's case against defendant Tyler Robinson. In his ruling, Graf said Ballard’s additional remarks created a substantial likelihood of influencing prospective jurors by expressing the prosecution’s view of Robinson’s guilt. He said those comments introduced an unnecessary discussion of the merits of the case rather than simply correcting misconceptions about the evidence. Picture courtesy of NewsNation Death Penalty Bid RemainsDespite finding Ballard in contempt, Graf rejected the defence's request to bar prosecutors from pursuing the death penalty if Robinson is ultimately convicted. Instead, the judge said any potential impact from the prosecutor’s comments could be addressed during jury selection. He also ordered that the defence be reimbursed for legal costs associated with the contempt proceedings. The ruling is a setback for Robinson, 23, who faces charges including aggravated murder, felony use of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent act in the presence of a child. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Kirk on a Utah college campus last September. Robinson has not yet entered pleas. Dispute Over Ballistics EvidenceThe contempt dispute centred on statements Ballard made after news organisations reported on a defence filing concerning an inconclusive ballistics examination by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). According to the defence filing, the ATF could not identify the bullet recovered during Kirk’s autopsy as having been fired from the rifle allegedly linked to Robinson. Prosecutors argued that description omitted another key finding: the ATF was also unable to rule out the rifle as the source of the bullet. Ballard maintained his comments were intended to explain why forensic testing can sometimes produce inconclusive results and to counter what he described as misinformation contained in the defence filing. Graf agreed those explanations fell within an exception to the court’s publicity order, which permits limited public comments to counter potentially prejudicial publicity. However, the judge ruled that Ballard crossed the line when he later told TMZ that prosecutors had "ample evidence" against Robinson and believed they could overcome the presumption of innocence at trial. Graf concluded those comments were unrelated to correcting misunderstandings about the ballistics report and instead reflected the prosecution’s opinion of the case. Further Proceedings AheadThe contempt ruling followed earlier hearings on evidentiary issues and a defence request to prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty as a sanction for the publicity violation. Prosecutors argued such a penalty would be disproportionate, while the defence suggested other possible sanctions against Ballard, including legal education requirements or referral to the state bar association. Although Graf declined to impose the defence's requested remedy, the contempt finding and reimbursement of legal fees remain in place as the case moves toward further pretrial proceedings. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 28 June 2026 View full articleSun, 28 Jun 2026 07:55:39 +0000Broken Britain. Individualism and personal "rights" gone mad. Nobody dares intervene or say anything. The police are only interested in reports of hate crime as they have been captured. If anyone does get sent to prison, which is really difficult to achieve in the UK unless it is deemed to be a hate crime, they are released after a few weeks or months despite the sentence being announced in years. And it is so expensive 'cos everybody's on the PIP and a shrinking band of suckers that actually work for a living have to pay for them. I don't recommend it.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:54:50 +0000Trump accused of 'market manipulation' over Iran strike timing Donald Trump is facing fresh criticism after a former MAGA ally accused his administration of manipulating financial markets by delaying the announcement of US military strikes against Iran until after Wall Street had closed. The claims come as questions mount over the durability of a recently announced ceasefire with Tehran, adding another layer of political controversy to an already volatile Middle East crisis. Timing of Strike Sparks Scrutiny According to reports, the Pentagon waited until after US markets closed on Friday before publicly confirming fresh strikes against Iranian targets. The reported aim was to minimise any immediate impact on financial markets. The strikes followed what Trump described as an Iranian attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which he said breached a recently agreed memorandum of understanding. Iran has disputed that characterisation, saying the ship had entered an unauthorised shipping route. Former Ally Levels Insider Trading Claim The timing prompted sharp criticism from former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of Trump's closest political allies. Responding to reports on social media, Greene claimed the delayed announcement showed two things: that the ceasefire was failing and that the administration was "manipulating the markets for insider trading." She did not provide evidence to support the allegation. Markets and Messaging Under the Spotlight The criticism follows broader claims from political opponents that the Trump administration has become increasingly sensitive to market reactions, particularly during periods of geopolitical instability. Observers have noted that major announcements relating to Iran have often been released outside trading hours, limiting the opportunity for investors to react immediately. Critics argue the pattern reflects an effort to reduce market volatility, while supporters say governments routinely consider economic stability when releasing sensitive national security information. Political Battle Intensifies The latest dispute is likely to fuel further debate over transparency, market integrity and the administration's handling of the Iran crisis. With military tensions continuing and the ceasefire already under pressure, the political fallout now extends beyond foreign policy, raising fresh questions over how and when critical government decisions are communicated to the public and financial markets. Ex-MAGA darling accuses Trump of 'manipulating stock market for insider trading'Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:53:46 +0000Yes Rimmer its just breaking on the news here now in the UK. Prince Harry will not be given security for his family if he returns for a visit to the UK.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:53:22 +0000The only ones who will not like the idea of a criminal check for any long term visa are those that hold criminal records. The first job of any country is to protect it's citizens. Why when you have an immigration policy would you not check to see the people you are letting in are criminals or have a past? Even in countries like India and China citizens have access to criminal record checks (usually for jobs in airports, security etc). Most countries request a criminal record check, but why doesn't Thailand? They make you go through so many hoops, fill archaic forms, but then leave this simple little check out.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:53:21 +0000Since when was 39.9 OVER 40 million.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:53:16 +0000They attacked us and others with terrorism, either directly or by aiding our enemies. True, some say we shouldn't get involved when countries like Iran, Korea, Myanmar, some African countries and Russia targets civilians, including women and children, rapes and torture, but those with a conscience do. America, again, is all countries in one place, which means citizens from all countries. Why shouldn't they get involved? If you help one country and let another do what they please, that shows you care only for one country and not another. peace has to be the final endgame, and eliminating terrorists and those connected is the only way peace comes to this world.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:53:14 +0000Seems for some here it's the best when it's the cheapest, but restaurants have overheads that need to be covered.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:52:56 +0000Yet another frivolous lawsuit, Trump should pay the damages for inciting this riot.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:52:12 +0000Good idea. So stop claiming other posters hate America.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:52:02 +0000Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:51:20 +0000Thailand never ceases to amaze me - the level of utter fluckwittery on display is truly impressive sometimes. Firstly, that someone is keeping an apex predator in the middle of a residential neighbourhood is almost unbelievable. Secondly, that the authorities permit it at all is even more astonishing. This simply shouldn't be a matter of whether the enclosure is "good enough" or whether another layer of steel mesh or an electric fence should be added after neighbours complain. An apex predator has absolutely no place in a residential community. The law should be crystal clear. Lions, tigers and other dangerous wild animals should only be permitted in properly licensed zoos, safari parks or wildlife reserves with the space, infrastructure, trained staff and emergency planning to deal with the consequences when something inevitably goes wrong. The entire concept is absurd. No family should have to wonder whether the roaring they hear at night is coming from the neighbour's garden, nor should they have to trust that every lock, every gate and every human involved will perform flawlessly forever. Some things simply should not be legal. Keeping an apex predator in a residential area is one of them.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:49:54 +0000Trump doesn't need to, nor want, to use nuclear weapons. No matter what people have you believe, it's much about money, which rich people who are involved want to flow, and that won't come from an extended or nuclear war.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:49:20 +0000Fred like it or not what Iran does to its own people is up to them its none of our buisness. Assad killed more Syrians who were opposing him. You only attack another country if there attacking you, Iran did not attack America.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:48:52 +0000Yes, lots on soi Buakhou. I keep away from the many restaurants like cheap Charlie's, thin sausages and instant coffeeSun, 28 Jun 2026 07:48:11 +0000If you would notice before you comment, that was from AI. If you also noticed, there are links that support that AI. Guess you don't realize what that Uranium was going to be used for. How would you know who's lying unless you can prove them wrong? That's like those 3 here that always assume about members. it doesn't work. Try to understand this. I'm not all for what Trump does or has done. The problem your having is putting the blame on Americans, which is prejudiced thinking. You can say the voters are responsible because they're the reason he's in office, but they were only hoping Trump would do some good for America, just as those who didn't vote for him are. If you don't understand why America went into this war, and fail to see what Iran's regime has been doing for decades, there's nothing more to say, as that would make you out to be just an American hater or prejudiced for no real reasons, as no Americans have ever done you wrong that I've heard, unless you're talking about Trump who made some prices increase temporarily, which is what happens in all conflicts that have some legitimate reasons for starting. Or you should research into why this has happened, taking all sides into thought, as there are many opinions that aren't right, and some facts that are. Remember what you believe might not be the truth, as some believe others because they sound good, or are handsome or pretty.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:47:42 +0000Do you mean without any full time home base OR permanent slow travel? For most keeping a full time US home base mixed with extensive travel would be prohibitively expensive. Also if doing full time slow travel, most people would largely avoid the US for cost reasons. It's OK if you're wealthy of course. Just don't understand what you're suggesting. Edited Thursday at 05:50 PM by Jingthing Three abodes in different countries or at least two + a short holiday in a third place would be nice for tax avoidance purposes.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:47:30 +0000Why? Surely if a crime has been committed it should be investigated. What type of nonsense is that to say 'just go home' and we will pretend it never happened. This is no future lesson for Benidorm Brits who come and do it again - you need detterants. If the outcome is you can simply run off back to your country, the Benidorm crew will continue their ways. Why wasn't his passport taken during the investigation ?Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:46:39 +0000He is your leader your representative to the world who should the world believe or should it just oh !! that's trump do not believe him, the man has his hands on a nuclear trigger , you are really Delusional or should we wait and bury our heads in the sand !!Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:46:39 +0000Why? Most overstays create no problems, they just slipped through the cracks. Maybe their 800k was a little light, or they forgot, intentionally and unintentionally, maybe they had mental or medical or relationship problems. I know one man whose passport was confiscated by his Embassy due to nonpayment of child support in his home country. He can't leave Thailand without a passport. He can't normalise his status with Immigration in any way. He just wants to stay with his family. So he's an overstayer. Do you think that makes him a criminal? It's not black and white. Govts need to use common sense, good judgment and compassion, different in each case, not just "the law is the law". That's what makes us human. I think the system works as well as it can. Anyone who is in favour of a surveillance state may one day find he really did have something to hide. The only change I endorse is an end to 90-day reports for those here over 5 or 10 years on continuous visas. Immigration makes no money off 90-day reports. When will somebody make a Money Heist movie about all that cash at Chaeng Wattana?Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:45:58 +0000Wonder if they will leave in the naughty bits ?Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:45:58 +0000Most reports of evisas from Vientiane suggest a few days is much more likely than not. Why not just apply for it today and see what happens. Worst case fly back.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:43:21 +0000ssaulting a police officer causing Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) carries a statutory maximum sentence of 5 years in custody in the Crown Court, but sentences generally range from a community order up to 4 years imprisonment depending on the severity of the injury and your prior criminal record. [1, 2] In England and Wales, these incidents can be prosecuted either under specific Assaults on Emergency Workers legislation or as Section 47 Assault (ABH). [1, 2, 3]. Id say Amaaz used a weapon namely his fists like it says above depends on the severity of the offence, this Female officer recieved a broken nose from a man needing hospital treatment which in my opinion is severe enough to warrent a GBH Charge that carries a minimun 10 yr sentanceSun, 28 Jun 2026 07:42:49 +0000I would not think that someone with such a horrible disease would be particularly bothered about 5 star accomodation, food etc. Just to be eased along to the inevitable end. In my case, I have already given my 'fortune' to my two sons, with the proviso that they will give back if needed. If and when I get in that situation, a bottle of Single Malt and a few diazepan/tramadol would do the job.....I hope.Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:42:04 +0000Ukraine strikes drive Russians out of Crimea, analysts claim Ukraine's expanding campaign against Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea is beginning to reshape life on the peninsula, with analysts claiming that tourists, occupation officials and even Russian troops are increasingly leaving as security deteriorates. The assessment comes as Kyiv intensifies long-range drone attacks aimed at weakening Russia's military foothold and disrupting its logistics network. Crimea's Sense of Security Crumbles According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), sustained Ukrainian strikes are prompting a growing exodus of Russian visitors, residents who moved to occupied Crimea after 2014, military personnel and occupation officials. Analysts argue that if the campaign continues, the departures could produce longer-term demographic changes across the peninsula, eroding one of Moscow's key objectives of integrating Crimea more deeply into Russia. Wave of Strikes Hits Military Infrastructure The latest assessment follows a large-scale Ukrainian drone operation targeting dozens of sites across Crimea. Ukrainian officials said military and logistics facilities, including power infrastructure, radar stations, substations and an oil depot in Dzhankoi, were struck. Soon afterwards, Russian-installed authorities declared a regional state of emergency across Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, describing the measure as necessary to address administrative and economic issues. Oil Pressure Mounts on the Kremlin The ISW also argues that Ukraine's campaign is placing growing pressure on Russia's energy sector. Since March, repeated attacks on oil infrastructure have disrupted refining capacity and logistics, contributing to fuel shortages and rising prices in parts of Russia and occupied Ukrainian territory. Against that backdrop, President Vladimir Putin has extended Russia's ban on oil exports that comply with the G7 and EU price cap until the end of 2027, a move analysts say is intended to demonstrate defiance despite mounting economic pressures. Battle for Crimea Enters New Phase President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described Ukraine's recent operations in Crimea as carefully planned and has argued that increased military support from Western allies could further accelerate pressure on Russian forces. While Russia continues to maintain its grip on the occupied peninsula, analysts believe Kyiv's expanding strike campaign is steadily raising the military and political costs of holding Crimea, turning what Moscow once presented as a secure rear base into an increasingly contested theatre of war. Russian tourists and troops are fleeing Crimea as Ukraine's attacks intensify, ISW saysSun, 28 Jun 2026 07:41:53 +0000