Bruce Willis Has Frontotemporal Dementia, Condition Worsens

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17 February 2023, 12:53

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly a year after Bruce Willis’ family announced that he would step away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, his family says his “condition has progressed.”

In a statement posted Thursday, the 67-year-old actor’s family said Willis has a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.

“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” the statement read. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone.”

Last March, Willis’ family said his aphasia had affected his cognitive abilities. The condition causes loss of the ability to understand or express speech.

In Thursday’s statement, his family said communication challenges were just one symptom of frontotemporal dementia.

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain that affects behavior, language and movement.

Aphasia can be a symptom of it. The association describes frontotemporal degeneration as “an inevitable decline in functioning,” with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of symptoms.

AP23047733323942 — Bruce Willis attends a movie premiere in New York, Oct 11, 2019. (CHARLES SYKES / FILE / INVISION / AP)

“Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead,” the family’s statement read, adding that it can take years to get a proper diagnosis. “As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”

The statement was posted on the website for the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and signed by Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five children, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn.

Over a four-decade career, Willis’ movies had earned more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office. While beloved for hits like “Die Hard” and “The Sixth Sense,” the prolific actor had in recent years primarily featured in direct-to-video thrillers.

“Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same,” the family said Thursday. “It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”

GULF’s core profit surges 37% YoY to all-time high of 12 billion in 2022

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Contributor

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17 February 2023, 11:42

Gulf Energy Development Plc. (GULF) reported the financial results for Q4/22 with a core profit of THB 3,593 million, an increase of THB 865 million or 32% Year-over-Year (YoY). The growth was primarily driven by Gulf Sriracha’s (GSRC) IPP power project units 3-4, which began commercial operation in March and October 2022, respectively, with a total installed power generation capacity of 1,325 MW. Consequently, all four units of GSRC are now fully operational. A further attribution to Q4/22’s core profit is the THB 1,085 million share of core profit from INTUCH. In addition, in December 2022, GULF divested its 50.01% equity stake in BKR2 Holding, a holding company for the Borkum Riffgrund 2 (BKR2) offshore wind power project in Germany, to Keppel Group, resulting in a THB 381 million gain on the sale. The net profit for Q4/22 amounted to THB 5,406 million, a 78% YoY increase from THB 3,043 million in Q4/21.

In 2022, GULF’s total revenue was THB 101,397 million, a 92% increase from THB 52,870 million in 2021, and core profit was THB 12,098 million, a 37% increase from THB 8,812 million in 2021. The growth was driven by the commercial operation commencement of GSRC power project units 3-4, totaling 1,325 MW, in March and October 2022, as well as the commercial operation commencement of an additional 155 MW of the gas-fired power project DIPWP in Oman, bringing the total to 195 MW. Another factor is the improved performance of the BKR2 offshore wind power project in Germany as a result of rising average electricity selling prices, which nearly doubled from €184/MWh to €352/MWh in Q3/22, as well as an increase in the average wind speed from 8.5 m/s in 2021 to 9.1 m/s in 2022. Additionally, in 2022, GULF also recognized share of core profit of THB 324 million from three wind power plant projects under Gulf Gunkul Corporation, in which GULF made an investment in July 2022. Furthermore, GULF recognized share of core profit from INTUCH and profit from the acquisition of THCOM totaling THB 4,656 million.

The gross profit margin for 2022 was 20.6%, a decrease from 27.6% in 2021, due to the spike in average natural gas costs by 86% YoY, from 266.02 THB/MMBTU in 2021 to 494.78 THB/MMBTU in 2022, while the average Ft rate rose by a mere 0.5518 THB/kWh (from -0.1532 THB/kWh in 2021 to an average of 0.3986 THB/kWh in 2022). However, since 86% of GULF’s electricity is sold to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and passes on the natural gas costs to EGAT, while only 14% of GULF’s electricity is being sold to industrial users, the impact of the sharp rise in the natural gas costs is limited.

Net profit attributable to the parent company in 2022, which takes into account the impact from FX rate, was THB 11,418 million, as a result of the Thai Baht depreciating against the US Dollar from 33.59 THB/USD at the end of 2021 to 34.73 THB/USD at the end of 2022. Nonetheless, the recording of such transaction is an accounting transaction, which does not impact the cash flow and performance of the Company.

GULF had a net interest-bearing debt to equity ratio of 1.56 times as of December 31, 2022, a decrease from 1.77 times as of December 31, 2021, due to GULF’s improved performance, which is reflected in the shareholders’ equity. GULF also received €305 million from the divestment of BKR2 Holding’s equity stake in December 2022.

Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Chief Financial Officer, GULF, revealed, “In 2023, the total revenue is anticipated to increase approximately 50%, which will be driven by the projects that are scheduled for commercial operation in 2023, mainly the commercial operation of the second IPP project under IPD, namely, Gulf Pluak Daeng (GPD) IPP power project units 1-2, totaling 1,325 MW, and the 1,200-MW Jackson Generation power project in the United States. Moving forward, GULF will focus on the investment of renewable energy businesses in order to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions with the aim to increase the proportion of renewable energy from 9% currently to 40% within the next 10 years through the development of hydropower projects, domestic renewable energy projects, solar rooftop projects, together with the investment in solar farms and wind farms overseas including England, other European countries, and the United States. Regarding the Pak Beng and Pak Lay hydropower projects, the power purchase agreement with EGAT is expected to be signed within Q1/23.”

“For the digital asset exchange business in Thailand in which GULF and Binance has a joint investment, we have applied for the digital asset exchange license and the securities brokerage license with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The licenses are expected to be granted within Q1/23. As for the data center business that GULF jointly develops with Singtel and AIS, construction is scheduled to start in mid-2023, with commercial operations commencing in 2025. Moreover, GULF is exploring the virtual banking business to expand the digital infrastructure business. In December 2022, GULF acquired a 41.13% stake in THCOM from INTUCH, as we foresee an opportunity to expand the satellite business into the era of the New Space Economy, namely, the use of information from satellite images for natural resource management, or the assessment of carbon storage and carbon credits in community forests, as well as the low earth orbit satellite,” Ms. Yupapin added.

In January 2023, TRIS Rating Co., Ltd. upgraded the company rating on GULF to “A+” from “A” and upgraded the rating on GULF’s debentures to “A” from “A-” rating. In Q1/23, GULF plans to issue additional debentures of approximately THB 15,000-20,000 million to repay existing loans, support business expansion, and for working capital.

Additionally, the Board of Directors has resolved to propose to the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to consider and approve the dividend payment from the Company’s operating results for the year ended December 31, 2022, to shareholders at the rate of THB 0.60/share or equivalent to the dividend payout ratio of 151%. The date to determine the names of the shareholders who would be entitled to the dividend (Record Date) is on March 2, 2023, with the dividend payment date on April 27, 2023. The ex-dividend date (XD) is on March 1, 2023, while the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders is to be held on April 5, 2023.

Archaeologists Report New Finds at Kiln Site in Northwest China

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Xinhua News Agency

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16 February 2023, 23:58

YINCHUAN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — Archaeologists exploring a porcelain kiln site that dates back to the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227) have made major progress, including new finds, in Helan Mountain, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, said the regional institute of archaeological research.

xia dinasty — The photo shows a whiteware artifact from a porcelain kiln site that dates back to the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), in Helan Mountain, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Provided by the institute of archaeological research of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region)

Discovered in 2017, the site covers around 40,000 square meters with 13 kilns. Archaeologists have evacuated 1,000 square meters and found a large batch of fine whiteware artifacts in two well-preserved kilns, mostly consisting of household objects such as bowls, plates, cups and dishes.

The unearthed whiteware ceramics feature delicate textures, warm glaze, and glittering and translucent effects, indicating a unique and superior type of ceramic craftsmanship, said Chai Pingping with the regional institute.

xia dynasty2 — White porcelain bowls unearthed from the Suyukou Porcelain Kiln Site in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Photo: Courtesy of the National Cultural Heritage Administration

The site is believed to be the earliest kiln site of the Western Xia Dynasty found so far in China, integrating technologies from both the north and the south, said Chai, adding that it provides strong evidence of the ethnic and cultural exchanges, interactions and mingling at that time.

The excavation and research will continue at the site to further interpret its cultural and historical value while preserving the original appearance.

It Was ‘Haunting’: Ballard Recalls Mission to Titanic Site

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Associated Press

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16 February 2023, 16:48

FALMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — The sheer size of the vessel and the shoes were what struck Robert Ballard when he descended to the wreckage of the RMS Titanic in 1986, the year after he and his crew from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution helped find the ocean liner that struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic in 1912.

“The first thing I saw coming out of the gloom at 30 feet was this wall, this giant wall of riveted steel that rose over 100 and some feet above us,” he said in an interview from Connecticut on Wednesday, the same day the WHOI released on 80 minutes of never before publicly seen underwater video of the expedition to the wreckage.

“I never looked down at the Titanic. I looked up at the Titanic. Nothing was small,” he said.

The crew of Alvin, the three-person submersible he was in, headed to the surface when it started taking water into its batteries, and as it rose Ballard saw the Titanic’s portholes.

“It was like people looking back at us. It was pretty haunting actually,” he said.

There were no human flesh or bones left, but he saw shoes, including the footwear of what appeared to be a mother and a baby, that looked like tombstones marking the spot where some of the roughly 1,500 people who perished came to rest on the ocean floor.

“After the Titanic sank, those that went into the water that didn’t have lifejackets died of hypothermia and their bodies came raining down,” he said.

The liner sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City after hitting an iceberg in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.

The WHOI team, in partnership with the French oceanographic exploration organization Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, discovered the final resting place of the ship in 12,400 feet (3,780 meters) of water on Sept. 1, 1985, using a towed underwater camera.

The newly released footage was from a return expedition the following year.

AP23045836475111 — The bow of the Titanic 12,500 feet (3.8 kilometers) below the surface of the ocean, 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada in 1986. Rare and in some cases never before publicly seen video of the dive is being released on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution via AP)

There had been prior efforts to find the wreck. But the 1985 discovery and the 1986 trip were made possible by sophisticated underwater vehicles that could withstand the unforgiving conditions, said WHOI engineer Andy Bowen, who helped develop them.

“The water is near freezing temperatures and probably the biggest challenge is the remoteness of the location, and in particular the harsh environment with regard to the pressure our equipment is exposed to,” he said.

Ballard said he went through the gamut of emotions during the 1985 mission.

He was concerned that the public would figure out that he was a Naval intelligence officer who was on a top secret Cold War mission funded by the Navy to study the wrecks of two nuclear submarines that had also gone down in the North Atlantic. The search for the Titanic was a bit of an afterthought.

“I wasn’t a Titanic groupie,” he said. “I was heavily involved in my military program. So I wasn’t expecting to be affected by the discovery.”

AP23045836474304 — Deck of Titanic 12,500 feet (3.8 kilometers) below the surface of the ocean, 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada in 1986.(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution via AP)

The ship sank at about 2:20 a.m. The 1985 discovery using the underwater camera occurred at about 2 a.m.

Ballard recalled one of the crew glancing at the clock and saying: “She sinks in 20 minutes.”

“We actually stopped the operation and raised the vehicle to gather my thoughts and I said, ‘I’m going to go outside and just get myself back together’ and everyone else followed,” he said. “We had a small memorial service for all those that had died. But we were there, we were at this spot.”

It was hallowed ground, like at the Gettysburg battlefield, he said.

The video, much of it haunting and grainy interiors of the ship taken by the remotely-operated underwater exploration vehicle Jason Jr., is being released in conjunction with the 25th anniversary release on Feb. 10 of the remastered version of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Titanic.”

AP23041528947244 — This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Leonardo DiCaprio, left, and Kate Winslet in a scene from “Titanic.” (Paramount Pictures via AP)

“More than a century after the loss of Titanic, the human stories embodied in the great ship continue to resonate,” James Cameron, the film’s director, said in a statement. “Like many, I was transfixed when Alvin and Jason Jr. ventured down to and inside the wreck. By releasing this footage, WHOI is helping tell an important part of a story that spans generations and circles the globe.”

The story of the Titanic fascinates people to this day for many reasons, Ballard said. It was at the time the world’s largest ocean liner and was supposed to be virtually unsinkable. Its passengers included some of the world’s most wealthy and famous. And in the aftermath, the world heard remarkable stories of heroism and bravery by the crew and passengers.

He said: “I think everyone wonders in their own mind ‘If I were there, what would I have done?'”

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By RODRIQUE NGOWI and MARK PRATT Associated Press

Associated Press writer Mark Pratt reported from Boston.

How do Nasal sprays help ensure efficacy for common cold

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Contributor

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16 February 2023, 16:39

P&G Health supports innovative research with the Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center, CU-D-HIP to test the efficacy and quality of nasal spray.

P&G Health, P&G Healthcare Business Division, announced a collaboration with the Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center (CU-D-HIP) for an innovative research to develop analytical method to test the efficacy of nasal spray in terms of nasal distribution visualization and deposition to the nose including a qualitative assessment of the delivery device.

Many consumers in Thailand rely on Nasal Sprays for relief from common cold. There are many nasal spray products in the market which contain different ingredients, applications and delivery devices. This affects the technique of using to achieve consistent spray volume to patients when using in the real practice to obtain the efficacy regarding results of clinical studies and recover from the disease accordingly.

Fabio Ucchino, General manager, P&G Health Thailand stated “At P&G Health, we are committed to providing trusted and quality products to Thai people by combining breakthrough science with deep patient and consumer understanding. We continue to work on developing new and improved products fuelled by research to drive superior clinical outcomes. As a leader/or one of the leaders in the nasal spray category, we are excited about this research collaboration with the CU-D-HIP and look forward to contributing towards enhancing the knowledge and capability of Thai researchers and educational institutions”.

Assistant Professor Narueporn Sutanthavibul, RPh, PhD, Head of Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center, CU-D-HIP stated “Chulalongkorn University Drug and Health Products Innovation Promotion Center or CU-D-HIP has equipment, laboratory and research from instructors who have the potential to develop further to the industrial level. Systematic drive and coordination with the private sector such as this collaboration with P&G Health will help to apply the research for commercialisation and further benefit to consumers.

Assistant Professor Varin Titapiwatanakunm RPh, PhD, Veerakiet Boonkanokwong RPh, PhD, Rutthapol Sritharadol RPh, PhD and Peerawut Korpongpanich Instructor department of pharmaceutics and industrial pharmacy, faculty of pharmaceutical science, Chulalongkorn University stated “The research team has developed and applied a pharmacy students’ project to find a suitable analytical method for proving the quality of a nasal spray product, which is dosage form requiring both formulations, delivery devices and spray techniques to get the right amount of ingredient for patients. The information obtained from this research will help to create further use instruction of the product to patients.

The example of research outcomes showed the consistency of spray delivered more than 99% at the beginning, middle and end by more than 265 sprays or equivalent to 17 days in average. Moreover, the laboratory results revealed the good nasal distribution and nasal adhesion etc.

For more information, please contact 1800-295-545

AIS Academy upskills Thai teachers in “THE EDUCATORS THAILAND” EP2 Building sustainability for Thailand’s educational sector post-COVID, with “Mission to drive digital society”

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Contributor

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16 February 2023, 15:20

A positive impact post-COVID is that digital has become an inescapable part of the social context. The challenge is to apply existing skills and augment them digitally, to solve issues efficiently, aligned with the altered situation.

This is how AIS Academy has taken on a role in the Thai educational sector by prioritizing people at the start of their journeys as professional teachers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and leading educators. Since 2021, it has developed a course for Thai teachers to augment their skills in designing educational material for the modern world, which is appropriate for education in the digital age. The course runs from setting out the course outline, teaching tools and media, to assessing the results on students, under the program, “THE EDUCATORS THAILAND”. This is now in its 2nd consecutive year and has seen over 800 applicants after the first class of teachers proved that digital skills are at the heart of developing curricula sustainably.

“THE EDUCATORS THAILAND” is the first program open to over 2,000 key personnel from both state and private sector education, including educators, instructors, educational staff of every affiliation and trainees to both unlearn and re-learn teaching skills. The course has been designed and developed by AIS Academy and the Ministry of Education, and other leading personalities in the world of education, and certified by the Secretariat Office of the Teachers Council of Thailand. This content will develop skills and teaching innovation to support transformation of the modern educational sector, and incubate students at the present time, which is the starting point for a new generation of nation builders. Finally, the program benefits from participants being role models in communicating teaching techniques that can be applied to education.

Kantima Lerlertyuttitham, Chief Human Resources Officer at AIS and the InTouch Group commented, “AIS Academy’s mission to ‘Think in Advance’ is still relevant in upgrading end-to-end learning. Today, we are proud that THE EDUCATORS THAILAND has fulfilled its mission to incubate and give Thai teachers opportunities to develop their teaching techniques and promote creative skills in preparing educational media under the concept of ‘More than just a teacher, innovating Thai teaching into the future.’ Performances seen in this competition are a good example to inspire confidence that in the big picture, Thai teachers are ready to give children the benefit of their knowledge in charming and unusual ways, by using the potential of digital, which has irreversibly transformed the sector.”

Each of the participating teachers agreed that the knowledge they had obtained from this program such as Storytelling would help them compile material that was easy to understand and interesting. As well as this, they obtained the skills to produce short 3-minute videos for use in online teaching. Skills included presentation, video editing and even using avatars which can help modern teaching to better reach their students. For instance, there is Ms. Suwannee Thammaratthara from Bangkok College of Business Administration and Tourism. Her entry to the competition is “Fun to think about commercial law with Teacher Ja, in depth look at independent contracts.” She said, “The content is highly academic which might be difficult to understand, so we have found ways to communicate to students for them to see the picture more clearly. I am very lucky to have joined with The Educators, which has enabled me to train in digital skills and adapt them with clear and easy content to explain the text in many different forms.”

Mrs. Kannaree Thamkhonburee, a teacher from Pakkred Secondary School in Nonthaburi entered “Abnormalities in immune systems”. She said, “Biology is a subject that is close to us, but becomes difficult when it comes to things we cannot see or touch. Using digital to teach this topic helps students visualize pathogens, so it very much meets our needs. As a teacher, I have learned and become confident in experimenting with these technologies, which I had previously seen as difficult, and not accessible to my generation.”

Mr.Panuwit Sinmuk, a homeroom teacher at PSU.WITTAYANUSORN School in Songkhla teaching hygiene and physical education, entered “How to prevent Covid-19”. He said, “Children are familiar with online media and it has become a part of their lives. As teachers, we should integrate knowledge around us into formats with which they are familiar. Of course, this make children fully able to receive knowledge. Participation in The Educator was a lot of fun for developing our teaching skills, because we could arrange components of the training content in the right places and use it really well.”

Finally, Miss Nannicha Ditphanich, a teacher at Tessaban 1 (Khajornnetiyut) School in Pathum Thani and a teacher of the Thai language, entered “A vowel changes.” She found the event impressive. “Teaching small children is absolutely necessary, and we must use our imaginations to tell them stories about topics in a fun way, to enhance the imagination process. Digital technology and the principles of storytelling which I have learned will help me a lot. From now onwards, I can teach without limitations, which can be further passed on as inspiration for other teachers.”All of these inspiring works developing the future of teaching can be seen at https://learndi.aisacademy.com/ , which can be accessed by educators wanting to participate in THE EDUCATORS THAILAND. For more details see www.aisacademy.com/theeducatorsthailand

Locals Are Outraged After the Army Sent a Monk To Teach in a Muslim School

By

Khaosod English

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16 February 2023, 12:12

Areas on Thailand’s southern borders came under heavy criticism after the peacekeeping army’s special unit brought a monk to a Muslim center, the Tadega Mosque, last weekend to teach nationalist themes about the development and origin of the Thai national flag.

The center aims to teach the ethics of Muslims and is located on the grounds of the mosque at Duku House, Moo.3, Ba-jor sub-district, Ba-jor district, Narathiwat province. The center is open at weekends as students go to regular school during the week.

Prof. Jehabdulloh Jehsorhoh of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Pattani University said it is the nature of man, irrespective of age, not to eat what is forced on him because it is not what he wants to eat unless he is hungry. People should start thinking that such behavior by the army indicates that it is trying to devour both the nation and the religion.

“The more force, the more discomfort.” The more uncomfortable they are, the more likely they are to break. Children have brains and faith. When you initiate policies, you have to be creative and respect others; otherwise, no one will respect you. “If you keep using these methods, you will only worsen and create more hatred,” said Prof. Jehabdulloh.

Prof. Jehabdulloh went on to say that Thailand’s southern borders have their own beauty in their multicultural society, which should not be infringed upon or disturbed in the name of harmonisation. In Tadega School, there are only children and no enemies of the army. The country will achieve peace if the soldiers continue to do their best.

Meanwhile, the Duku Youth Association issued a statement calling on officials to reconsider their inappropriate behavior towards Tadega. They announced the following demands:

The responsible body must rethink the problematic policy and urgently show responsibility in public.

Stop interfering and overlapping the weekend time when the local community tries to teach the children the Muslim principles or rules.

May all people, especially the youth, use all social media to express their opposition to the movement that may violate human rights and the right to assembly.

May all people, especially the youth, use all social media to express their views. They pointed out that the movement may violate human rights and the right to assembly.

Lieutenant General Santi Sakuntanark, the commander of the 4th Army Region, said this was a multicultural society, and he did not see any problems. He suggested that people should stop saying that it was not appropriate.

Hollywood Sex Symbol Raquel Welch Dies at 82

By

Associated Press

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16 February 2023, 11:33

Obit Raquel Welch — FILE - Actress Raquel Welch, starring in Broadway Musical "Woman of the Year," poses with sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Saipan and a few Marines on July 3, 1982 in New York. (AP Photo/David Handschuh, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Raquel Welch, whose emergence from the sea in a skimpy, furry bikini in the film “One Million Years B.C.” would propel her to international sex symbol status throughout the 1960s and ’70s, has died. She was 82.

Welch died early Wednesday after a brief illness, according to her agent, Stephen LaManna of the talent agency Innovative Artists.

Welch’s breakthrough came in 1966’s campy prehistoric flick “One Million Years B.C.,” despite having a grand total of three lines. Clad in a brown doeskin bikini, she successfully evaded pterodactyls but not the notice of the public.

AP23046703493180 scaled — FILE – Raquel Welch arrives at the 2014 Carousel of Hope Ball in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Oct. 11, 2014. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

“I just thought it was a goofy dinosaur epic we’d be able to sweep under the carpet one day,” she told The Associated Press in 1981. “Wrong. It turned out that I was the Bo Derek of the season, the lady in the loin cloth about whom everyone said, ‘My God, what a bod’ and they expected to disappear overnight.”

She did not, playing Lust for the comedy team of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in their film “Bedazzled” in 1967 and playing a secret agent in the sexy spy spoof “Fathom” that same year.

AP23046761059708 — FILE – American actress Raquel Welch poses for photographers in Paris on Jan. 15, 1970. (AP Photo/Michel Lipchitz, File)

Her curves and beauty captured pop culture attention, with Playboy crowning her the “most desired woman” of the ’70s, despite never being completely naked in the magazine. In 2013, she graced the No. 2 spot on Men’s Health’s “Hottest Women of All Time” list. In the film “The Shawshank Redemption,” a poster of Welch covers an escape tunnel — the last of three that character Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) used after Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe.

Admirers took to Twitter to mourn the star, including TV host Rosie O’Donnell, actor Chris Meloni and writer-director Paul Feig, who worked with Welch on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and called her “Kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood. We’ve lost a true icon.”

AP23046782160034 — FILE – Raquel Welch appears during a rehearsal for the Broadway show “Woman of the Year,” in New York, on Nov. 12, 1981. (AP Photo/Angel Franco, File)

In addition to acting, Welch was a singer and dancer. She surprised many critics — and won positive reviews — when she starred in the 1981 musical “Woman of the Year” on Broadway, replacing a vacationing Lauren Bacall. She returned to the Great White Way in 1997 in “Victor/Victoria.”

She knew that some people didn’t take her seriously because of her glamorous image. “I’m not Penny Marshall or Barbra Streisand,” she told the AP in 1993. “They’ll say, ‘Raquel Welch wants to direct? Give me a break.”‘

Welch was born Jo-Raquel Tejada in Chicago and raised in La Jolla, California. (The Jo in her name was from her mother, Josephine). Welch was a divorced mother when she met ex-actor turned press agent, Patrick Curtis.

AP23046761778549 — FILE – American actress Raquel Welch poses backstage at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 1987. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)

“The irony of it all is that even though people thought of me as a sex symbol, in reality I was a single mother of two small children!” she wrote in her autobiography, “Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage.”

Curtis became her manager and second husband and helped shape her into a glamor-girl with hundreds of magazine covers and a string of movies, plus exercise videos and books like “The Raquel Welch Total Beauty and Fitness Program.”

AP23046703518165 — FILE – Raquel Welch appears at the Los Angeles premiere of “How to Be a Latin Lover” on April 26, 2017. . (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Though she would appear in exploitative films, she also surprised many in the industry with fine performances, including in Richard Lester’s “The Three Musketeers,” which earned her a Golden Globe, and opposite James Coco in “Wild Party.” She was also nominated for a Globe in 1988 for the TV movie “Right to Die.” She played herself and mocked divas in an episode of “Seinfeld,” memorably attacking Elaine and rattling Kramer.

Married and divorced four times, she is survived by two children, Damon Welch and Tahnee Welch, who also became an actress, including landing a featured role in 1985’s “Cocoon.”

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By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer / http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

Blue Tree in collaboration with Z-Coach led by world-class triathlete host Thailand’s first-ever “Eliminator Swim” on March 18, 2023

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Contributor

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16 February 2023, 10:32

Special offer: buy early bird tickets for the “Eliminator Swim” being held at the Blue Tree Lagoon for THB750 per person from now until March 1st

Blue Tree Phuket, The largest of Entertainment Hub in Phuket, invites fearless swimmers aged 10 years and up to showcase their strength in the Eliminator Swim competition, the first of its kind in Thailand. This newly introduced competition involves a 300-meter loop swim where the slowest swimmer is eliminated in each round. The competition has no age or gender divide, with every heat featuring athletes of all ages and genders competing together. The competition will start at 4.30pm (registration begins at 3pm) on Saturday, March 18th in the Private Island area at the Blue Tree Lagoon.

The announcement of the winners and the award ceremony will be held from 6.45pm onward on the 2nd floor of Tree House building. All are welcome to join the after-party.

The “Eliminator Swim” is being held by Blue Tree Phuket in cooperation with Coach led by German Ironman legend Juergen Zack who holds eight worldwide Ironman titles with 8 top 10 finishes at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. He will also be participating in this event.

Rules**: The competition will be divided into four rounds. The first round will be divided into 4 heats, 3 heats in the 2nd round, 2 heats in the third round and the 4th round will be the final. Each round will have swimmers eliminated according to the rules. (The number of eliminated swimmers depends on the number of participants.)

The winners will receive trophies for the first, second and third places. Another four outstanding contestants will be awarded – the youngest swimmers male-female and the oldest male-female swimmers. There will be a lucky draw for the Blue Tree Lagoon tickets.

Join the competition now at https://bluetree.fun/shop/eliminator-swim/

or find more information by calling 096-652-8090 or 092-135-2662

Ticket at THB850 per person, THB750 each for Early Bird tickets until March 1st (exclusively for those applying online)

Blue Tree Phuket truly is a Recreation Park and Entertainment Hub to Thrill & Chill, Day & Night.

#BlueTree #Phuket #BlueTreePhuket

#Entertainmenthub #ThrillandChill #DayandNight

#EliminatorSwim #ZCoach #swimming # triathlete

13 Wild Boars Paid Tribute to “Dom” After His Sudden Death

By

Khaosod English

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16 February 2023, 01:25

Duangpetch “Dom” Promthep, one of the 13 ‘Wild Boars” rescued from Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai province back in 2018, has died in England, said Supatpong Methigo, a monk who taught him in Chiang Rai on Wednesday.

“Note” Prachak Sutham, member of “13 Wild Boars” paid tribute to “Dom”, the captain of Wild Boars soccer team.

dom5 — 13 Wild Boars in London / Facebook Prachak.Sutham

“R.I.P., My Dear Friend, We, 13 people, have been through a lot together, both suffering and happiness. We have risked life and death and gone through all the hardships together. You said to wait and see when you join the national team. I always believed that you could do it.

When we met last time before going to England, I still jokingly told you that I had to get your autograph back when I came back. Rest in peace, my friend. We will always be 13 of us together.”

“Coach Ek” Ekapol Chanthawong, the assistant coach of 13 Wild Boars posted: I waited all day, hoping for a miracle to happen. But there is no miracle. I hoped this news was fake. But it was not fake news like it used to be.

You once told me that in two years I would be cheering you on as you played soccer for the national team. Then why didn’t you keep the promise? How about plans to come back to play soccer with the team members and ride bicycles together again? Why don’t you keep your word? Rest in peace, my brother. You will always be on my mind.

Associated Press reported that Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep, 17, was found unconscious in his room on Sunday at the Brooke House College Football Academy in Leicestershire and was taken to a hospital, where he died Tuesday, Thailand’s Zico Foundation said. The school also confirmed his death.

“This event has left our college community deeply saddened and shaken,” school principal Ian Smith said in a statement. “We unite in grief with all of Dom’s family, friends, former teammates and those involved in all parts of his life, as well as everyone affected in any way by this loss in Thailand and throughout the college’s global family.”

The head of the Zico Foundation, former Thai national team captain and coach Kiatisuk Senamuang, said in an online news conference that he did not know the cause of death and that Dom had apparently been in good health.

Dom’s mother, who joined the online news conference, said she hoped a Buddhist monk in England could conduct rites for Dom so his spirit would not be trapped where he died according to Buddhist beliefs.”

Luang Cave attracted global attention in 2018 when 12 young footballers and their coach were trapped within for 17 days by a flash flood. The epic rescue operation, which involved more than 10,000 officials and volunteers, was concluded successfully on July 10, 2018 when the last of the boys were brought out. The moment was captured on video and soon broadcast to the world.

Members of the Wild Boars soccer team who were rescued from a flooded cave, pose for the media after a marathon and biking event in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, Thailand, Sunday, June 23, 2019. Some of the 12 young Thai soccer players and their coach have marked the anniversary of their ordeal that saw them trapped in a flooded cave for two weeks with a commemorative marathon in northern Thailand. Photo: Sakchai Lalit / AP — Members of the Wild Boars soccer team pose for the media after a marathon and biking event in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, Thailand, Sunday, June 23, 2019. Photo: Sakchai Lalit / AP

When the 12 young boys and their soccer coach walked into a cave complex in northern Thailand a year ago Sunday, they didn’t know their lives were going to forever change.

Rising floodwater quickly trapped the youngsters inside the Tham Luang cave complex, setting off a more than two-week ordeal that the world watched with rapt attention and that left the members of the Wild Boars soccer club with a survival tale that propelled them into celebrities.

AP23046412145205 — FILE – Relatives of Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep, greet him as he arrives home in the Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

The story of the Wild Boars, which was covered intensely by international media, has been retold in several movies, including Ron Howard’s 2022 feature film “Thirteen Lives” and the 2021 documentary “The Rescue.”

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