Latest news with #JustinMcCarthy
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Family who lost their baby donates a cuddle cot to Timmins hospital to give other families more time to grieve
Social Sharing Sheelah Carbonneau and Justin McCarthy of Timmins had precious few moments with their son Felix. He died two years ago, just hours after he was born. "There's nothing else more important than time," Carbonneau said. "For example, I never dressed him in the clothes that I brought him to bring him home from the hospital. And I think I would have liked to have had him in that outfit." She later found out about a device called a cuddle cot. It's a cooling system for an infant who has died to be placed into and it preserves the infant's body for up to 24 hours so families can have an extra day to say goodbye. "I just thought of it immediately as an opportunity to give families time," said Carbonneau. "Especially after the trauma of childbirth, and then the emotions of welcoming your child and then saying goodbye to your child, there's nothing like having a little bit of time to process and to be able to decide how you want to say goodbye and how you want to honour your baby." Carbonneau reached out to the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation and asked if the hospital was interested in having a cuddle cot, and staff said they would love to have one but it wasn't currently listed as a priority item. She decided to buy one for $3,000 and give it to the hospital. "We're very fortunate to have it," said Alexander Langevin, manager of the maternal child program at Timmins and District Hospital. Langevin said the hospital had been reviewing different processes and options for grieving families in recent years and acknowledged a cuddle cot would be a useful device to have. He confirmed that due to other equipment needs at the hospital, the cuddle cot was not a top priority item, however, they are grateful to have one now. "The cuddle cot really fit the bill for everything we required," said Langevin. "Not hoping to use it, but we understand the reality that it will happen and at least that way we could comfort those families who may experience this in the future."
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The BIBF renews strategic partnership with PRMIA to support risk management capacity building in the region
Manama, Bahrain – The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA), through the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the BIBF premises. The signing took place during the official visit of PRMIA's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Justin C. McCarthy, who met with the institute's management team to explore new avenues of collaboration and future initiatives. This renewed agreement reinforces the institutions' shared commitment to advancing professional development in the field of risk management across Bahrain and the region. Through this partnership, the BIBF continues to offer training aligned with PRMIA's globally recognised certifications — the Professional Risk Manager (PRM™), Associate Professional Risk Manager (APRM), and the Operational Risk Management Certificate (ORM). These programmes aim to equip professionals with internationally benchmarked qualifications and practical expertise. Commenting on the renewed partnership, Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of BIBF, stated: "We are proud to extend our collaboration with PRMIA, which reflects our shared commitment to excellence in professional education. This MoU strengthens our ability to provide world-class training that supports the region's risk and financial management sectors." Mr. McCarthy added: "Our partnership with the BIBF has been instrumental in broadening access to high-quality risk education in the region. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration." The BIBF continues to be a key regional hub for financial training, having supported professionals in Bahrain and beyond. The renewed MoU also includes enhanced support through the BIBF's growing e-learning platform, enabling candidates to access virtual classes and flexible learning options. About the BIBF The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) is the leading provider of education and training in the region, established in 1981 under the Central Bank of Bahrain. With a commitment to enhancing human capital, the BIBF serves not only Bahrain but also extends its reach to 64 countries worldwide, solidifying its global presence. The BIBF is dedicated to delivering excellence across a broad spectrum of business disciplines. It partners with numerous international institutions to offer thought leadership, assessment, and training in key areas, including: Banking and Finance Islamic Banking Executive Education Accounting and Finance Academic Studies Leadership and Management Insurance Digital Transformation and Project Management
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Even dependable, phlegmatic Claire Byrne is alarmed by ‘adolescent brain'
The kids are all right? Whatever the case when The Who originally made the claim, in the swinging London of 1965, it seems a dubious assertion in Ireland 60 years later. 'Irish teenagers are succeeding in school but struggling in life,' the reporter Kate Carolan baldly declares on Morning Ireland ( RTÉ Radio 1 , weekdays), summing up the findings of a Unicef report that teens here are among the least happy in high-income countries. The news that one in three 15-year-olds here has 'low life satisfaction' may add to the worries of those parents in the audience already struggling to get recalcitrant offspring out to school, but it probably won't come as a shock to anyone tuning into the week's radio. [ Irish teens rank in bottom half in developed world for wellbeing Opens in new window ] Certainly, Wednesday's edition of Morning Ireland has its share of dispiriting stories about the young. Covering a clinical audit investigating whether children underwent unnecessary hip surgery, the presenter Justin McCarthy talks to Áine Gladney Knox, whose son Archie had such an operation three years ago. 'He just screamed and screamed,' she recalls, anguished at the possibility that the 'absolute hell' her son endured after the procedure could have been avoided. The awful emotional impacts aside, the item is perhaps somewhat tendentious: Gladney Knox, a Sinn Féin member, doesn't know if the surgery was required or not, as the inquiry into the burgeoning scandal is ongoing. But it feeds into a wider atmosphere of anxiety about the wellbeing of children. READ MORE Colman O'Sullivan's report on pupils in Harold's Cross in Dublin wearing cameras for a pilot project on safe school journeys is an ostensibly encouraging story, but it's hardly designed to set youthful minds at rest, particularly as one girl describes seeing a van break a red light outside the school that very day. And this is just one programme. The mood isn't much more uplifting on Today with Claire Byrne (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays), where the host sets about removing the sheen from one of the few plus points in the Unicef survey , the high educational achievements of Irish teenagers. On Wednesday Byrne talks to her regular contributors Dr Harry Barry and Dr Ann-Marie Creaven about the mental-health challenges faced by new students arriving at college. 'It's this really tricky period of transition between childhood and adulthood,' says Byrne; this is exacerbated by what Barry describes as 'adolescent brain'. He reels off a succession of statistics pointing to high levels of depression and stress among young students in recent years: 'This was a tsunami coming our way, and we've put our head in the sand,' he says, summing up the cheery thrust of the discussion. In the doctors' defence, they lay out their glum assessment in clear terms, from 'environmental stressors' such as the demands of commuting and the cost of living. But there are less tangible factors too. 'A lot of these kids are very lonely,' says Barry, who notes that online connections can't compensate for a lack of family or friends, before voicing the anxious mantra of so many conversations on the effects of social media: 'We have to take kids away from phones.' As a kicker, Barry observes that many students are turning to casual drug use to overcome the stress of the situation. It gets to the stage where even the dependably phlegmatic Byrne is sufficiently alarmed to point out that many people actually enjoy college. 'We don't want to frighten anybody,' she says, though the time for reassurance has by now long passed: she may as well be wearing a ski mask and wielding a chainsaw as she delivers her supposedly calming caveat. Creaven, more helpfully, suggests that new students should limit their expectations of slotting straight into campus life: 'Meaningful connections take a little bit of time to build.' It's a simple but important piece of advice, bringing a welcome sense of proportion to the topic. Not to be outdone, Pat Kenny ( Newstalk , weekdays) fills his quota of gloomy early-years items when he speaks to Kate Duggan, chief executive of Tusla , the child and family agency. Given the host's methodical mindset, the interview thankfully focuses more on organisational matters, as he quizzes his guest on scarcity of resources and shortages of social workers. It's not totally technocratic: Kenny refers to some grim individual cases, such as the lack of a care space for a girl threatened by a drug gang, but doesn't dwell on harrowing personal detail. Equally, it's yet another item that frames childhood as a time to be endured rather than enjoyed. Still, it's a laugh riot compared to Kenny's interview with the Israeli ambassador, Dana Erlich . The diplomat, who was recalled from her Dublin post last year in protest at Ireland's pro-Palestinian stance, has been a staunch defender of Israel's actions in Gaza in her previous appearances with Kenny, and she remains unyielding, accusing the Irish media of 'a very one-sided simple narrative to a very complex situation'. Not that Erlich's counternarrative is particularly nuanced. She determinedly portrays Hamas as wholly responsible for the carnage, whether by holding hostages, allegedly hoarding food supplies or continuing to rule the enclave. The future, she says, involves 'the Palestinian people of Gaza being liberated from Hamas '. This, presumably, is what the Israel military has been doing, while also freeing the besieged population of their dwellings, food and lives. Newstalk presenter Pat Kenny. Photograph: Newstalk Kenny's meticulously factual approach can't dent his guest's metronomic arguments, but it does highlight the disproportionately extreme nature of Israel's actions since the attacks of October 7th, 2023. When Erlich wonders why people aren't marching against Hamas – she describes the militant Islamist group as 'genocidal', with no apparent irony – the host responds in eminently reasonable yet quietly damning terms. 'The criticism is pointed at Israel because of the overwhelming military superiority that you have and that you are using a medieval tactic of limiting food aid as a means of war,' he says, sounding baffled that he needs to point this out. Kenny does well to keep his composure, but it's hard to imagine anyone feeling okay after hearing that. Moment of the week As the Eurovision party gets under way in Basle, Oliver Callan (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) wryly surveys the circus-camp – or camp-circus – atmosphere around the song contest. He's particularly taken with a tabloid description of the Spanish singer Melody, a diva of the smouldering variety, as a big hit among all the men watching. 'Well, not all the men,' says Callan, chuckling, 'just the handful of straight men who were watching.' Warming to his theme, the host imagines the plight of his moustachioed RTÉ colleague covering the contest. 'In the arena in Basle, sure, Marty Whelan is the only non-gay man in that audience,' Callan, a gay man himself, says before adding, 'Which is why he drinks so much Baileys, I presume, to survive.' Funny, but no douze points: the jury's still out on that last gag. Should Ireland boycott Eurovision over Israel? Listen | 24:08
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
There can be a happy ending to the skorts vs shorts row
So, the countdown is now on. On Thursday week, 22 May, in Croke Park, with a throw-in time of 7.30pm, the Camogie Association will hold its Special Congress where the biggest crisis it has faced in its long and proud history may be put to bed.... or will it? The skorts controversy has garnered so much attention that if they sold tickets on Ticketmaster to this Congress, it would have the potential to be a sellout. A vote will be held on the introduction of a rule to allow players the option to wear skorts or shorts. If passed, it will go into effect almost immediately. Never before has the camogie world found itself in newspaper headlines, radio bulletins and the Six One and Nine News on RTÉ One for such an extended period of time, and for all the wrong reasons. In terms of PR, it has not been a good week at all for the Camogie Association. This was not helped by a total absence of leaders from the camogie world being out in the papers or any broadcast media for a number of days. But for camogie leaders not to comment initially was perhaps unadvisable given this crisis was growing rather than dying. To put out the fire, it is sometimes genuinely better to say something, so you are seen to be doing something, that way you control the message, rather than say nothing at all. Consequently, the empty space was easily filled by others. The lesson to be learned here for the association is straightforward - communication is a key factor in any crisis. spoke to RTÉ's This Week programme with Justin McCarthy. Mr Molloy is a volunteer and clearly was trying his very best to find a solution within the parameters of the rules laid down in the association. I was actually delighted to hear him during what was a very fair but robust conversation. Finally, the people had heard directly from the Camogie Association after a week of drama. And Brian did well after a tough week to try and explain events. He told the programme that his personal preference was to afford the players the option of wearing shorts. However, he said he was not in a position to unilaterally alter the existing rules. Mr Molloy reminded listeners that rules are set by the Camogie Association members in congress and not by the president, with his role ensuring that the decisions taken in congress are honoured. But where were others within the association itself? From my perspective, it seemed to be all left to Mr Molloy. I'm sure it was a very difficult week for him, trying to solve problems and bring people internally along with him in the best interests of the association. The Camogie Association suggested two proposals during the week to the players. The first proposal was to bring forward a Motion to next year's Congress, which would be supported by the Ard Chomhairle, the national governing body of the Camogie Association, to allow the choice to wear skorts or shorts, but that got short shrift. The players were not waiting for a year to pass. The second proposal was to hold the Special Congress on 22 May, which was welcomed. However, this didn't dilute the Cork and Waterford players' resolve, and they said they were going to continue their protest by refusing to wear skorts for the Munster final, scheduled for last Saturday in the Ragg, near Thurles. The players stood steadfastly together through it all, which would lead me to believe that there could be other potential issues at play, which may or may not appear down the road. It was now a stalemate. Derogation was another option in the ether, but according to what I was told, that could not happen as it was not covered by the rule book. So essentially, that meant it was not possible to relax the rule regarding what the players wore, not even under special circumstances. However, the Dublin Camogie Board, who I think have shown real leadership in all of this, informed their referees in the middle of this crisis that they didn't want games cancelled or postponed over the issue and that it was all about getting the players playing the games. So, their solution was simple - let the players play in their shorts and have the referees take note of what teams wore skorts or shorts and include it in their report back to the board. Games went ahead as planned – a pragmatic response I would suggest. Yet that would not be allowed for the Munster final or for any other games between now and 22 May because it is not mentioned in the rule book. I understand that fully – rules are rules – but when one section of your association sees sense, then why not make it universal until the Special Congress? It's not too much to ask I would say. Once the Cork and Waterford players announced on Thursday that they were sticking to their guns and were going to wear their shorts for the Munster final, the spotlight reverted to the Camogie Association, and, primarily, the Munster Camogie Association branch. Would they allow the match to go ahead, following Dublin's internal pathway by just getting referees to note the offending parties for wearing shorts? Or would they defer the game until after the Special Congress? If it was the latter, then this decision should have been made on Thursday night or Friday morning at the latest to allow everybody involved - players, mentors, officials and families - to plan for the weekend. Instead, the decision to postpone the game arrived at around 8.30pm on Friday night, about 16 hours before the game was due to be played in the Ragg. This was totally unacceptable to everyone and now people are rightly incensed. The drama continued all day Saturday with all media outlets covering the late decision and the negative reactions from the players, former players and politicians. If there was a lesson on how not to do it, then this was it. So where are we now? Thanks to being assigned to commentate on the wonderful and historic Leinster football final between Louth and Meath on RTÉ Radio 1, Sunday was the first day in over a week where I wasn't reporting on the skorts versus shorts controversy. That's a long time for any story to keep giving. The focus might be off now this week, but the spotlight will fall again on the Camogie Association in ten days' time when they meet in Croke Park. In all my conversations with people last week, not one person said to me they wanted to get rid of skorts. Not at all. They just want a choice. The delegates have the choice to vote on one motion…to give their players the choice of wearing skorts or shorts. There can be a happy ending here but if the motion is defeated and doesn't get the two-thirds majority needed to change the existing rule, I feel I will be back reporting on the skorts versus shorts issue for considerable time, as the players are focused and determined to achieve what they set out to do.
USA Today
05-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Portion of Americans satisfied with US stance on LGBTQ is lowest in decade
The portion of Americans satisfied with the country's attitudes toward gay and lesbian people in the United States has dipped to the lowest levels in more than a decade, just as President Donald Trump begins his second term. That's according to Gallup's annual Mood of the Nation Survey, conducted in January just before Trump took office. The annual survey asks respondents to indicate how they feel about the state of the nation on a number of issues, such as crime, abortion and race relations. The 2025 survey, which collected responses from 1,005 adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, asked respondents to express their levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction regarding acceptance of gay and lesbian people in the U.S. However, "it does not tell us why they are satisfied or dissatisfied," said Gallup's Justin McCarthy. According to the survey, 51% of Americans say they're satisfied with national attitudes toward gay and lesbian people, a drop of several percentage points over the last couple of years and 11 points lower than 2022's high of 62%. While the annual survey measures levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, "it does not tell us why they are satisfied or dissatisfied," said Gallup's Justin McCarthy. The results reflected differences along partisan lines: 55% of those who identify as or lean Republican said they were satisfied with current levels of acceptance of gay and lesbian people, compared to just 43% of those identifying as or leaning Democrat. This year's overall figure is the lowest since 2013, when only 49% of Americans said they were satisfied with the country's acceptance of gay and lesbian people. Two and a half years later, the U.S. Supreme Court would declare same-sex marriage a fundamental right protected by the 14th Amendment. Attacks on the LGBTQ community have soared in recent years, with lawmakers and rhetoric especially targeting the rights of transgender youth, prompting the nation's largest gay rights organization to declare a "state of emergency" in 2023. Last year, a Republican Missouri secretary of state candidate produced a since-deleted video on social media telling Americans not to be "weak and gay." Gallup's annual survey asks respondents to indicate how they feel about the state of the nation on a number of issues, such as crime, abortion and race relations. This year's survey, conducted by telephone, randomly sampled 1,005 adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Overall, the results indicated that while Americans' average satisfaction across 31 aspects of U.S. society or policy remains at record lows dating back to 2001, acceptance of gay and lesbian people is among a handful of measures with which a majority of Americans do express satisfaction. Majorities of Americans also said they felt satisfied with the nation's military strength (63%), overall quality of life (62%), the state of women in the nation (59%) and the opportunity to get ahead through hard work (53%). Americans were least satisfied with the amount they pay in federal taxes (26%), the size and influence of major corporations (25%), the quality of public education (24%), the nation's moral and ethical climate (22%) and efforts to confront poverty and homelessness (16%). Fewer than four Americans said they were satisfied with acceptance of transgender people, the survey found: 38% of respondents expressed satisfaction and 50% said they were dissatisfied. Those numbers were slightly higher than in 2024, when Gallup first began asking the question. Among respondents who identify as or lean Republican, 42% said they were satisfied, compared to 31% of those identify as or lean Democrat. Overall satisfaction with the direction of the country remains historically low at 20% but higher than the 11% of January 2021, when Americans' mood reflected public discontent over the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative climate following the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Americans collectively are less satisfied with most issues now than they were in January 2017, before Trump's first presidential term. The average rate of satisfaction with the measures posed in Gallup's survey sits at 38%, compared to 44% eight years ago, the organization said. 'Trump assumes office at a time of persistently low satisfaction with the U.S. overall and with many specific aspects of the country, which is consistent with Americans' belief that the U.S. lost more ground than it gained during Biden's presidency,' the Gallup report said. However, the report notes that Americans also felt the same about Trump's first presidency. The president's initial job approval rating of 47% approval ranks among the lowest since 1953 – but higher than the 45% he garnered in 2017.
