Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha has passed away at 47 due to cardiac issues and an abdominal infection, despite receiving medical care. Royal funeral arrangements will follow royal tradition.

Key Points

• Announcement of Passing: Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati has passed away at age 47 after battling health issues. She had been unconscious due to a cardiac condition and receiving treatment since December 15, 2022.
• Health Decline: Since May 21, 2026, her condition worsened due to an abdominal infection and complications, including low blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia. Despite dedicated medical care, her health continued to decline.
• Royal Funeral Arrangements: The King has commanded that royal funeral rites be conducted with the highest honors. The Princess’s remains will be enshrined at Biman Rataya Pavilion in the Grand Palace.

Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita Has Passed Away

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU

Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita Has Passed Away

Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita had been unconscious due to a cardiac condition and had been receiving medical treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, since 15th December 2022, as the Bureau of the Royal Household has periodically informed the public.

Since 21st May 2026, Her Royal Highness has experienced a deterioration in her condition resulting from an abdominal infection caused by inflammation of the large intestine. The Princess also suffered from low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, and abnormalities in blood coagulation. Although the medical team provided dedicated treatment and care to the utmost of their abilities, Her Royal Highness’s condition continued to worsen. On Thursday, 11th June 2026, at 7:48 p.m., Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital at the age of 47 years.

His Majesty the King has graciously issued a Royal Command directing the Bureau of the Royal Household to arrange the royal funeral rites with the highest royal honors in accordance with royal tradition. The royal remains will be enshrined at Biman Rataya Pavilion within the Grand Palace.

Source : Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita Has Passed Away

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They include David Staziker of the Development Bank of Wales who joins its boar

Welsh Water has made two senior appointments. Mick Jeavons has been made an executive director and chief financial officer, while David Staziker joins the board as a non-executive director.

Mr Jeavons was appointed interim chief financial officer in May last year and will now join the board with responsibility for the company’s finance and business performance, regulatory oversight, procurement and digital systems. Before joining Welsh Water he held a number of senior finance roles, most recently as group chief financial officer at International Distribution Services plc.

Mr Staziker is chief financial officer at the Development Bank of Wales, where he leads the organisation’s finance and ICT teams. He joined the development bank in 2002 and has held a number of senior roles across the business, including on the investment side, before being appointed chief financial officer in 2018. Prior to this, he worked at PwC and Gambit Corporate Finance.

Chair of Glas Cymru, the parent company of Welsh Water, Jane Hanson said: “We are delighted to confirm Mick’s appointment to our Board as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer. He brings a wealth of financial leadership experience and a strong track record of supporting long-term investment and transformation programmes.

“I am also pleased to welcome David Staziker to the board as a non-executive director. His extensive financial, investment and governance experience, together with his deep understanding of the Welsh business landscape, will be a valuable addition as we continue to deliver for customers and communities across Wales.”

Welsh Water chief executive Roch Cheroux added: “Mick’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the business as we continue to deliver one of the largest investment programmes in our history, focused on improving services for customers, enhancing environmental performance and building resilience for the future.

“We are also very pleased to welcome David Staziker to the board His extensive background in supporting and developing the Welsh business sector will bring additional strength and perspective to board discussions and support our long-term ambitions for Welsh Water.”

Mr Staziker said: “I am delighted to be joining the board of Glas Cymru at such an important time for the organisation and the sector. Welsh Water plays a vital role in delivering essential services to communities across Wales, and its not-for-profit model provides a strong foundation for long-term, sustainable investment.

“I look forward to working with the board and executive team to support the delivery of its ambitious plans and continued focus on customers, communities and the environment.”

Both appointments will be put forward for election by Glas Cymru members at the company’s forthcoming annual general meeting.

NEW YORK — Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette, John Fogerty, members of KISS and other influential songwriters were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday night in a ceremony that blended emotional tributes, career-spanning performances and candid reflections on the craft of songwriting.

The event at the Marriott Marquis honored a diverse class of creators whose work has shaped popular music across generations. Swift’s induction marked a historic milestone as the first recipient of the organization’s Hal David Starlight Award to advance to full membership in the Hall of Fame. The night featured memorable performances, heartfelt speeches and a celebration of the collaborative spirit behind some of music’s most enduring hits.

Taylor Swift‘s Historic Induction

Taylor Swift capped the evening as one of the night’s most anticipated inductees. Despite a hoarse voice from cheering at a New York Knicks game the previous night, she delivered a thoughtful 23-minute speech that reflected on her songwriting journey. The pop superstar, who received the Hal David Starlight Award in 2010, expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the communal nature of music creation.

Swift brought an impressive group of friends and collaborators to support her, creating one of the evening’s most talked-about moments. Her presence underscored the event’s blend of contemporary stardom and songwriting legacy. The audience responded with enthusiasm as she reflected on the personal and artistic growth that has defined her career.

John Fogerty’s Memorable Speech

Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty, recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award, delivered one of the night’s most compelling speeches. The 81-year-old traced his musical life from childhood influences to his landmark hits, pulling out a 1967 notebook containing early lyrics for “Proud Mary.”

Fogerty shared stories of his career highs and challenges, including battles over publishing rights. He expressed delight at finally gaining control of his Creedence Clearwater Revival catalog in 2023. Joined by his sons Shane and Tyler, he performed a robust medley including “Proud Mary,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and “The Old Man Down the Road.”

Steve Miller, who inducted Fogerty, praised him as “one of America’s most gifted and enduring songwriters” and highlighted his advocacy for artists’ rights.

Alanis Morissette’s Powerful Performance

Brandi Carlile paid tribute to Alanis Morissette with a haunting rendition of “Uninvited,” accompanied by Sista Strings. Carlile described Morissette as a “singular, once-in-a-lifetime voice” who inspired her as a young listener.

Morissette accepted the honor with a speech focused on songwriting as a survival strategy. She spoke about the emotional catharsis of writing and advocated for arts education in schools. She then delivered an intimate acoustic performance of “Mary Jane” and “You Oughta Know,” showcasing the enduring power of her voice and songcraft.

KISS Members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley Honored

Billy Corgan and Johnny Rzeznik performed KISS classics “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Shout It Out Loud” in tribute to Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Corgan hailed their “gloom and glam” and 50-year partnership.

Paul Stanley accepted on behalf of the duo, noting Simmons’ absence due to a family emergency. Stanley expressed humility at joining such an eclectic group of songwriters and thanked fans for their support while he was “still kicking.”

Other Notable Inductions and Moments

Christopher “Tricky” Stewart was inducted with assistance from Tamar Braxton, who performed Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies.” Stewart traced his path from Chicago session singers in his family to producing major hits like Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body.”

Terry Britten and Graham Lyle received tributes for their work with Tina Turner, including “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” Jane Seymour introduced the duo, who reflected on their songwriting partnership despite jet lag.

Walter Afanasieff was inducted with performances of his hits for Mariah Carey and others. He spoke of his early inspiration from the Beatles and his collaborations with legends like Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion.

RAYE received the Hal David Starlight Award, delivering an emotional speech about her journey and advocating for better master royalty points for songwriters.

The Evening’s Significance

The Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony remains one of the music industry’s most prestigious nights, honoring the craft behind the hits rather than commercial success alone. Nile Rodgers, chairman of the organization, helped guide the evening’s tributes.

The 2026 class represented a broad spectrum of genres and eras, from rock anthems to pop hits and R&B classics. The performances and speeches emphasized songwriting as both a personal expression and a collaborative art form.

Industry Context

The event highlighted ongoing discussions about recognition for songwriters in an industry increasingly focused on streaming metrics and viral moments. Inductees stressed the importance of preserving the art of composition amid technological changes.

For Swift, the induction added another milestone to her record-breaking career. Her speech and presence underscored the connection between songwriting and cultural impact.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony celebrated the enduring power of great songs and the writers who create them. As the music industry evolves, events like this reinforce the foundational role of songcraft in connecting artists with audiences across generations.

The night’s mix of established legends and rising talents demonstrated the Hall’s commitment to honoring both historical contributions and contemporary excellence. Attendees left with renewed appreciation for the collaborative spirit and emotional depth that define exceptional songwriting.

The 2026 class will join previous inductees in the organization’s permanent legacy, ensuring their contributions continue to inspire future generations of musicians and songwriters. The ceremony’s memorable moments — from Fogerty’s heartfelt reflections to Swift’s star power — provided a fitting tribute to the art of songwriting in all its forms.

As the music community looks toward the future, the Songwriters Hall of Fame remains a vital institution celebrating the creators whose words and melodies shape culture and memory. The 2026 inductees exemplified the talent, perseverance and creativity that define the highest standards of the craft.

The region registered the strongest expansion for the first time since December 2024

North East businesses top the UK rankings for activity growth in a key survey, with figures showing a marked rise in activity despite increased price pressures. The latest findings from the NatWest Growth Tracker for the North East – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – dipped from 55.0 in April to 53.8 in May.

The numbers point to a softer but still marked increase in business activity, while also representing the fifth upturn in consecutive months. Only three of the 12 monitored UK regions and nations recorded a rise in output, with the North East registering the strongest expansion for the first time since December 2024.

Private sector firms also recorded a softer increase in new business intakes in May. Regional firms noted the impact of higher prices on both sales and output, as cost pressures remained historically elevated. That said, business confidence regarding the year-ahead outlook strengthened for the first time since the start of the year.

Last month saw regional businesses mark a sixth successive expansion in new business. However, the pace of growth slowed from April’s 17-month high. Where sales rose, firms linked this to strength in underlying demand, as well as clients placing additional orders to protect against future supply shortages and price increases.

The rise in sales in the North East compared with a decline at the UK level and was second only to London in the regional rankings. The degree of optimism in the North East was below the long-run series trend and among the weakest of the 12 monitored UK areas, however.

Anecdotal evidence suggested confidence was underpinned by new product launches and capacity expansion plans – and the non-replacement of voluntary leavers and business restructuring pushed firms to lower staffing numbers in the North East. Concurrently, the rate of increase in local output charges eased slightly on the month but remained historically elevated.

Anecdotal evidence suggested that higher cost burdens were partially passed through to clients. Only Northern Ireland and the West Midlands saw a faster rise in selling prices than the North East in May.

Malcolm Buchanan, chair of the NatWest North regional board, said: “North East-based companies were buoyed by stronger optimism during May, and saw growth of both activity and new order inflows enter a fifth and sixth successive month respectively.

“Firms often noted that the region had strong underlying demand for private sector goods and services. That said, anecdotal evidence also suggested that some customers placed additional orders in order to protect against future price hikes and supply disruption, partly in response to the ongoing impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

“Cost pressures remained notably acute in the latest survey month, easing only slightly from the 41-month high seen during April, and were still well above the historical average. Companies often looked to pass on higher input costs to clients through a sustained and marked increase in selling prices.

“Employment also fell for the second successive month, with some firms attributing this to efforts to cut costs. Despite the reduction in headcounts and rising order inflows, the volume of outstanding business – a bellwether for near-term activity – fell for the second month running, albeit only marginally.

“Looking ahead, however, the overall degree of confidence improved for the first time since January, though local firms were among the least optimistic of the 12 monitored UK areas.”

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