Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner / Photo: Lillian SUWANRUMPHA - AFP/File
-
Pope prays for peace in Lebanon, region
-
Chinese fans lambast Brighton over Imperial Japan soldier post
-
Rapid floods shock Sri Lanka's survivors
-
Equity markets mixed as traders eye US data ahead of Fed decision
-
Pope to offer hope on Lebanon visit
-
Seoul mayor indicted over alleged illegal polling payments
-
Asia floods toll tops 1,000 as military aid survivors
-
Hong Kong student urging probe into deadly fire leaves police station
-
Thunder hold off Blazers to avenge lone defeat of NBA season
-
Zelensky meets Macron to shore up support for Ukraine as Trump optimistic
-
Trump-backed candidate leads Honduras poll
-
Australia ban offers test on social media harm
-
Williamson bolsters New Zealand for West Indies Test series
-
South Korean religious leader on trial on graft charges
-
Please don't rush: slow changes in Laos 50 years after communist victory
-
Williamson bolsters New Zealand batting for West Indies Test series
-
How Australia plans to ban under-16s from social media
-
Militaries come to aid of Asia flood victims as toll nears 1,000
-
'For him': Australia mum channels grief into social media limits
-
Thunder down Blazers to avenge lone defeat of season
-
Asian markets mixed as traders eye US data ahead of Fed decision
-
Migrant domestic workers seek support, solace after Hong Kong fire
-
Experts work on UN climate report amid US pushback
-
Spain aim to turn 'suffering' to success in Nations League final second leg
-
Pope to urge unity, bring hope to Lebanese youth on day two of visit
-
Thousands march in Zagreb against far right
-
Trump confirms call with Maduro, Caracas slams US maneuvers
-
Young dazzles as Panthers upset Rams, Bills down Steelers
-
BioNxt Signs Letter Agreement to Acquire 100% Interest in IP and to Codevelop a Sublingual Drug Formulation for Chemotherapy and Immunosuppressant Treatments
-
Grande Portage Resources Announces Additional Offtake Study Validating the Flexibility of Offsite-Processing Configuration for the New Amalga Gold Project
-
Powertechnic Records RM10.50 Million Revenue in Q3 FY2025
-
Linear Minerals Corp. Announces Completion of the Plan of Arrangement and Marketing Agreement
-
Arms makers see record revenues as tensions fuel demand: report
-
Trump optimistic after Ukraine talks as Rubio says 'more work' needed
-
Real Madrid title hopes dented at Girona in third straight draw
-
Pau beat La Rochelle as Hastoy sent off after 34 seconds
-
Real Madrid drop points at Girona in third straight Liga draw
-
Napoli beat rivals Roma to join Milan at Serie A summit
-
Shiffrin bags 104th World Cup win with Copper Mountain slalom victory
-
Disney's 'Zootopia 2' rules Thanksgiving at N. American box office
-
Arteta takes heart from Arsenal escape in Chelsea battle
-
Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone crowned 'Athletes of the Year'
-
Rubio says 'more work' required after US-Ukraine talks in Florida
-
McLaren boss admits team made strategy blunder
-
West Ham's red-carded Paqueta slams FA for lack of support
-
Ramaphosa labels US attacks on S.Africa 'misinformation'
-
Relaxed Verstappen set for another title showdown
-
Van Graan compares Bath match-winner Arundell to Springbok great Habana
-
Arsenal held by 10-man Chelsea, Isak end drought to fire Liverpool
-
Slot hails 'important' Isak goal as Liverpool beat West Ham
NYSE - LSE
Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner
A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for the media mogul co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant over alleged fraud worth $930,000, a court official told AFP on Wednesday.
This year's Miss Universe contest concluded last week after a streak of scandal including a tantrum by the host and allegations of sexism.
But after Miss Mexico was crowned winner, a fresh outrage has hit Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip -- whose JKN Global Group co-owns the contest.
The South Bangkok Civil Court issued a warrant for Jakapong on Tuesday after a plastic surgeon accused her of fraud and concealing information when persuading him to invest in JKN in 2023.
"The defendant invited (the plaintiff) to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time," said a court statement shared with AFP on Wednesday.
A verdict in the 30 million baht ($930,000) case was scheduled Tuesday, but Jakapong failed to appear in court and the warrant was issued because her behaviour "could be interpreted as fleeing", it said.
The court has rescheduled the verdict to December 26, but some local media reported Jakapong had left for Mexico amid rumours of mounting financial woes.
The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement earlier this year "these legal proceedings are entirely separate" from its operations.
Miss Universe 2025 wrapped up in Bangkok on Friday, after drama stirred by a public bust-up between a male competition host and the eventually victorious Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch.
In a livestreamed event, the host singled her out for failing to post promotional content and allegedly called her "dumb", prompting Bosch to lead a walk-out.
He apologised after a weepy news conference, though his behaviour drew the attention of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum who praised her compatriot for speaking out.
The Miss Universe contest was formerly owned by US President Donald Trump.
Jakapong's JKN Global Group bought it for $20 million in 2022, but later sold half its stake to Mexican firm Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million.
In 2024, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN shares after the company failed to submit financial statements and was found to have falsified them.
O.Karlsson--AMWN
