Latest news with #THA
Metro
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson dies aged 79 after Alzheimer's diagnosis
Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has died (Picture:for Texas Motor Speedway) Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has dies aged 79, his family have confirmed. The reality star's loved ones have confirmed his sad death five months after revealing he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in December. His son Jase Robertson wrote on X: 'My dad has gone to be with the Lord today! 'He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, and our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!' Robertson's granddaughter Sadie Robertson Huff shared a piece of Bible scripture from Corinthians, which read: 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.' She added: 'As I was sitting with Papaw Phil today, I thought about this verse… he has already experienced this on earth—going from dead to alive by the power of Christ! Robertson's family confirmed his Alzheimer's diagnosis in December 2024 (Picture:) He rose to fame with his family on reality show Duck Dynasty, which ran until 2017 (Picture: Art Streiber/THA/Shutterstock) 'It was his testimony that changed his life, our families life, and thousands of others. Now he is experiencing it in the fullness. Fully alive in Christ. The new has come. 'One of the last things he said to me was 'full strength ahead!' Amen!' And the late star's son Willie Robertson and his wife Korie said in a joint Instagram post: 'We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.' They also reference the Bible, saying the reality star 'reminded us often of the words of Paul'. The show sparked plenty of spin-offs (Picture: Karolina Wojtasik/THA/Shutterstock) They quoted: 'You do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.' They thanked fans for their 'love and prayers', and anyone who has been 'impacted by his life saved by grace, by his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus'. They continued: 'We know so many of you love him and have been impacted by his life. 'We're having a private service for now, but we'll share details soon about a public celebration of his life.' Robertson's family quoted scripture in their tributes (Picture:) His family made him 'comfortable' for his final weeks (Picture: Karolina Wojtasik/THA/Shutterstock) In April, months after his diagnosis, Jase confirmed his father was 'not good'. 'We're making him comfortable, and we're doing the best we can. I think that's just what you do,' he said on the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast. Phil and his wife Kay Robertson rose to fame on Duck Dynasty, which aired for 11 series until 2017, followed by plenty of spin-offs. In January, it was confirmed a reboot was in the works as Duck Dynasty: The Revival. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: Injured WWE star returns after 6 months to join 'unstoppable' group Arrow MORE: 'I'm a buff WWE wrestler but I've always struggled with body image' Arrow MORE: Race Across the World fans share their biggest problem with new season
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hospital bollard bill dies under Texas industry pressure
This story is part of KXAN's 'Preventing Disaster' investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospital's emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation – including whether medical sites had security barriers – known as bollards – at their entrances. Experts say those could stop crashes from happening. AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bill aimed at preventing future vehicle crashes at hospital emergency rooms in Texas will not pass this legislative session due, in large part, to an aggressive lobbying effort by the Texas Hospital Association against a proposed safety step, according to multiple sources. Senate Bill 660, which was supported by the Texas Nurses Association, would have required crash-rated vertical barriers, called bollards, at hospitals across the state. It was sparked by a series of KXAN investigations following last year's crash at St. David's North Austin Medical Center that seriously injured five people and left the driver, who was intoxicated, dead. The bill's author, Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, plans to re-file the bill during the next legislative session in 2027, his legislative director told KXAN. Despite several last-minute changes made to address concerns from the THA — including an amendment to only require bollards at new hospitals in counties with a population of 1.2 million or more — the bill stalled in the House Public Health Committee. It received a hearing last Monday but failed to get a vote before the clock ran out and a key deadline on Saturday passed. Last month, the Senate approved the measure 23-7. The THA, which represents more than 85% of Texas' acute-care hospitals and health care systems, had pushed back against the measure over concerns related to cost, autonomy and a belief that a bollard requirement unfairly targeted hospitals over other sites that could be prone to vehicle crashes. The THA called the proposal an 'unfunded mandate.' WATCH: Bollards are put to the test at Texas A&M 'This bill imposes a one-size-fits-all mandate on a single industry that does not, to our knowledge, pose a greater safety risk to the public than many other types of businesses,' THA General Counsel Steve Wohleb testified before the House panel. Since the deadly ER crash in Austin in February 2024, KXAN uncovered more than 400 crashes at a variety of medical-related sites across the country since 2014, resulting in more than 20 deaths, according to an analysis of TxDOT, police, EMS and media reports. There are no local, state or federal requirements for critical infrastructure, like hospitals, to have bollards. KXAN witnessed crash testing at Texas A&M Transportation Institute that revealed crash-rated versions of the devices can be effective at stopping the equivalent of a Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling at 20 miles per hour. EXPLORE: KXAN's 'Preventing Disaster' investigation uncovers hundreds of crashes We shared those findings with local and state policymakers and visited more than two dozen Central Texas hospitals to see how many entrances lacked bollards (nine had partial coverage and seven had none at the time). 'Despite their life-saving potential, a KXAN investigation found many Central Texas hospitals lack adequate bollard protection,' Rep. Toni Rose, D-Dallas, who sponsored the bill in the House, said at Monday's public hearing. The bill's demise comes nearly six months after the Austin City Council passed an ordinance to require crash-rated bollards at new local hospitals, urgent care clinics and standalone ERs. That safety step was initiated by former Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, who testified in front of a Senate and House panel in support of expanding that requirement to hospitals across the state. 'Bollards save lives and the legislation will ensure hospitals in our largest counties don't have to learn that lesson the hard way,' Kelly told House lawmakers during her testimony. 'Disasters don't discriminate. But policy can determine whether or not we're prepared.' In a statement to KXAN, Kelly said she is 'incredibly proud' of Austin's new bollard law and hopes it will 'serve as a model for proactive, common-sense public safety.' 'While I'm disappointed that SB 660 did not make it out of the House Public Health Committee this session, I remain hopeful and encouraged,' Kelly later told KXAN. 'Austin led the way by acting before tragedy struck again, and I firmly believe this idea's time will come at the statewide level. Protecting patients, emergency personnel, and hospital visitors should never be a partisan issue — it's a matter of life safety.' KXAN has reached out to St. David's HealthCare— which opposed Austin's ordinance — for comment. The hospital system said it 'does not have anything to add' to this report. We also reached out to the THA, West, Rose and the chair of the Public Health Committee, Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, for comment. We did not immediately hear back and will update this report with any responses. 'I am grateful to Senator West and Representative Rose for championing this bill,' Kelly added, 'and look forward to supporting its reintroduction next session.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Aaron-Wooi Yik storm into semi-finals, eye first Thai Open title
BANGKOK: Malaysia's leading men's doubles pair and reigning Asian men's doubles champions, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, have set their sights on clinching the Thailand Open 2025 title after sweeping aside compatriots Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King in the quarter-finals today. Aaron-Wooi Yik, the tournament's second seeds, defeated their junior counterparts Wan Arif-Roy King 21-12, 21-13, to set up a semi-final clash with home favourites and tournament fifth seeds Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh of Thailand tomorrow. Aaron said they are focused on taking it one game at a time but remain hopeful of securing the title this year. 'Of course, we hope to go all the way to win it, but at the moment, we just need to give our best in every match we play. 'For tomorrow, we just need to prepare ourselves to face the match and give it everything we have. Win or lose, it's secondary as long as we have given our best,' he told Bernama after the match. Aaron also noted that it is encouraging to see the rise of many junior pairs, such as Wan Arif-Roy King, Man Wei Chong-Kai Wun Tee, and Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal, participating in major tournaments. 'The juniors are improving, and we are getting more and more men's doubles pairs in major tournaments, which is a healthy sign for the country,' he said. Meanwhile, Wan Arif admitted they did not deliver their best performance against the senior pair Aaron-Soh and acknowledged the need for significant improvements to progress further in future tournaments. 'Unfortunately, we couldn't perform at our best today, which cost us the match. After the game, I think we need to work on receiving the shuttle better and improving our consistency in the game plan,' he said. For the record, the last Malaysian men's doubles pair to win the Thailand Open title were Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah in 2009. Other results ------------------ Men's Singles: [5] Loh Kean Yew (SGP) bt Ramus Gemke (DEN) 15-21, 21-12, 21-11 [2] Ander Antonsen (DEN bt Jeon Hyeok Jin (KOR) [1] Kunlavut Vitidsarn (THA) bt [6] Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) 21-16, 21-18 Men's Doubles: [1] Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA) bt [7] Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han (TPE) 21-18, 21-17 William Kryger Boe-Christian Faust Kjaer (DEN) bt [8] Lee Fang-Chih-Lee Fang-Jen 21-18, 21-14 Kittinupong Kerden-Dechapol Puavaranukroh (THA) bt [4] Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani (INA) 21-18, 21-13 Women's Singles: [2] Chen Yu Fei (CHN) bt Pornpicha Choeikeewong (THA) 21-15, 21-14 [3] Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN) bt [7] Ratchanok Intanon (THA) 21-16, 21-16 Women's Doubles: Jeong Na Eun-Lee Yeon Woo (KOR) bt [2] Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi (INA) 21-13, 21-8 Rui Hirokami-Sayaka Hobara (JPN) bt Meilysa Trias Puspitasari-Rachel Allessya Rose (INA) 21-9, 21-16 Hsu Ya Ching-Sung Yu-Hsuan (TPE) bt [6] Hsu Yin-Hui-Lin Jhih Yun (TPE) 21-9, 21-18
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Aaron-Wooi Yik eye Thailand Open 2025 title after QF win
BANGKOK: Malaysia's leading men's doubles pair and reigning Asian men's doubles champions, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, have set their sights on clinching the Thailand Open 2025 title after sweeping aside compatriots Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King in the quarter-finals today. Aaron-Wooi Yik, the tournament's second seeds, defeated their junior counterparts Wan Arif-Roy King 21-12, 21-13, to set up a semi-final clash with home favourites and tournament fifth seeds Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh of Thailand tomorrow. Aaron said they are focused on taking it one game at a time but remain hopeful of securing the title this year. 'Of course, we hope to go all the way to win it, but at the moment, we just need to give our best in every match we play. 'For tomorrow, we just need to prepare ourselves to face the match and give it everything we have. Win or lose, it's secondary as long as we have given our best,' he told Bernama after the match. Aaron also noted that it is encouraging to see the rise of many junior pairs, such as Wan Arif-Roy King, Man Wei Chong-Kai Wun Tee, and Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal, participating in major tournaments. 'The juniors are improving, and we are getting more and more men's doubles pairs in major tournaments, which is a healthy sign for the country,' he said. Meanwhile, Wan Arif admitted they did not deliver their best performance against the senior pair Aaron-Soh and acknowledged the need for significant improvements to progress further in future tournaments. 'Unfortunately, we couldn't perform at our best today, which cost us the match. After the game, I think we need to work on receiving the shuttle better and improving our consistency in the game plan,' he said. For the record, the last Malaysian men's doubles pair to win the Thailand Open title were Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah in 2009. Other results ------------------ Men's Singles: [5] Loh Kean Yew (SGP) bt Ramus Gemke (DEN) 15-21, 21-12, 21-11 [2] Ander Antonsen (DEN bt Jeon Hyeok Jin (KOR) [1] Kunlavut Vitidsarn (THA) bt [6] Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) 21-16, 21-18 Men's Doubles: [1] Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA) bt [7] Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han (TPE) 21-18, 21-17 William Kryger Boe-Christian Faust Kjaer (DEN) bt [8] Lee Fang-Chih-Lee Fang-Jen 21-18, 21-14 Kittinupong Kerden-Dechapol Puavaranukroh (THA) bt [4] Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani (INA) 21-18, 21-13 Women's Singles: [2] Chen Yu Fei (CHN) bt Pornpicha Choeikeewong (THA) 21-15, 21-14 [3] Tomoka Miyazaki (JPN) bt [7] Ratchanok Intanon (THA) 21-16, 21-16 Women's Doubles: Jeong Na Eun-Lee Yeon Woo (KOR) bt [2] Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi (INA) 21-13, 21-8 Rui Hirokami-Sayaka Hobara (JPN) bt Meilysa Trias Puspitasari-Rachel Allessya Rose (INA) 21-9, 21-16 Hsu Ya Ching-Sung Yu-Hsuan (TPE) bt [6] Hsu Yin-Hui-Lin Jhih Yun (TPE) 21-9, 21-18
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Thai hotels see 30% drop in Chinese tourists in Q2, occupancy rate falls to 52% in May
BANGKOK: Thailand's tourism sector has entered the full low season, and private businesses are increasingly concerned about the foreign tourist market. Not only are there no positive factors supporting growth, but negative influences are compounding. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the number of foreign tourists between May 1–11 reached 851,912, while the total for Jan 1–May 11 stood at 12,948,032 — a decrease of 1.04% compared to the same period last year. Chinese tourists still ranked first in number at 1,766,870, only 100,000 more than Malaysian tourists, who ranked second. Thienprasit Chaiyaphatranan, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported findings from the April 2025 "Hotel Business Confidence Index" survey, conducted in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand. The survey, conducted from April 10–28 with 139 hotel respondents, revealed that most hoteliers expect a year-on-year decline in international guests in Q2, especially in the Central and Southern regions. Around 25% of respondents expect the number of Chinese tourists to drop by more than 30%. More than half of the hotels also anticipate a decline in the average daily room rate (ADR) compared to the same period last year, with most reducing rates by over 10%. However, about one-quarter of hotels—particularly 4-star and above, and those in the South—have managed slight rate increases, generally not exceeding 5%. The average hotel occupancy rate in April 2025 was 63%, down from the previous month, in line with a drop in international arrivals, especially from China. Chinese travelLers are reportedly concerned about safety issues in Thailand. Regionally, the occupancy rates were: North: 38.7% (down from 47.3% in March), East: 69.2% (up slightly from 67.4%), Central: 59.9% (down from 69.2%), and South: 70.8% (down from 78.5%). The forecasted national occupancy rate for May 2025 is 52%. Thienprasit added that tourism in April remained vibrant, largely due to the Songkran Festival, which attracted both Thai and international tourists. However, there is rising concern about the international market due to global economic volatility, China's economic slowdown, and China's policies encouraging domestic travel. Additionally, multiple factors have negatively affected Thailand's image among Chinese tourists, including human trafficking issues, safety concerns from recent earthquakes, and social media narratives about illegal Chinese business operations. 'At the same time, regional competitors like Vietnam and Malaysia are aggressively promoting tourism, offering incentives, cutting costs, and adjusting policies to attract more visitors,' he said. The THA hopes that new markets can help offset the decline in Chinese tourists in May. It urges both public and private sectors to boost tourism through promotional campaigns and events. Thailand's strong tourism potential can be further enhanced by reducing restrictions, addressing weaknesses, improving service quality, and focusing on value over volume to establish Thailand as a top-choice repeat destination. "Still, ensuring safety and service quality remains essential to attract both domestic and international tourists," Thienprasit emphasised. - The Nation/ANN
