Latest news with #Roads
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
'This can happen to you too', warns young woman injured in road crash
A two-day Safer Roads conference is taking place in Killarney, Co Kerry, drawing on experts from across Europe in the areas of road design, engineering, policing, enforcement, technology and education. The conference will explore how artificial intelligence, and analysis of road collision trends and statistics can be used to improve road safety. Almost 300 delegates and speakers, including a young woman who was badly injured in a road collision nine years ago, will attend the event. Paschal Sheehy spoke to the 20-year-old about the impact of the crash on her life. Méabh White has just finished her second year of pharmacy studies, almost a decade after she suffered severe injuries in a car collision. She is 20, going on 21. She is studying at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, and is looking forward to a bit of free time over the summer. At least some of that time will be spent with her family in Co Roscommon - with her mum, Clodagh, and younger brother and sister, Rían and Sadhbh. A decade is a long time in the life of a young person and almost ten years ago Méabh's life was changed forever, in a matter of seconds. On 9 July 2016, Méabh was on her way to a birthday party. Her mum was driving with Méabh in the front passenger seat and Rían in the back of the car in a rear-facing child seat. At a crossroads half a kilometre from their home in Kilteevan, Co Roscommon, they were involved in a collision with another vehicle and their Renault Scenic was propelled through a 2m wall into a field. Méabh suffered the most severe injuries. She had a cracked skull and intercranial haemorrhages, a fractured C1 vertebra in her neck, and she broke her back and pelvis. Méabh was transferred by helicopter to University Hospital Galway and from there to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin. She spent three days on life support and a week-and-a-half in intensive care. When she finally woke up, Méabh was on a spinal board, staring at the ceiling. Her mum was still in hospital in Co Galway, being treated for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. Rían escaped serious physical injury. His rear-facing car seat - fitted only four days before - probably saved his life. Méabh was watched over during this time by her grandmother, Teresa, in St Gabriel's Ward in Temple Street. "I just remember saying to her, 'is this all I'm going to be able to see - the ceiling, am I ever going to be able to see anything else again?'," she said. At that time, Méabh was under the care of consultant neurosurgeon, Muhammad Sattar. He told her there was no medical reason to explain why she woke up. 'This kind of stuff can happen to you' Méabh said it was a year or so before she started to return to herself. Initially, she used a wheelchair as she had to learn to walk again. Then, there were the mental scars that had to heal, that took time too. Today, Méabh is looking forward to enjoying the coming summer with her family. She embraces life with both arms. And, when she has time in her busy schedule, she addresses road safety. "I do it because there are so many teenage road deaths, so many young people dying on our roads," Méabh said. She said: "They think they are titanium, they don't understand that this kind of stuff can happen to you, even if you aren't in the wrong. "I was 12. I had my entire teenage years permeated with pain, permeated with the legal aftermath of the crash, the trauma, the physical injuries. "I felt I was living two separate lives, because obviously I was a teenager and there is so much to being a teenager without that on the side." Méabh is due to attend the two-day Safer Roads conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, that is being held today and tomorrow. The conference is not open to the public. Instead, it is drawing on experts from across Europe in the areas of road design, engineering, policing, enforcement, technology and education. The conference will explore how artificial intelligence, and analysis of road collision trends and statistics can be used to improve road safety. Almost 300 delegates and speakers are attending the event, which is being hosted by Kerry County Council. "Road safety is not just about the road or the vehicle but also about how technology, human behaviour, enforcement and education intersect to reduce risks and prevent accidents," Kerry County Council's Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh said. "Every branch of the road safety tree is represented and our main aim is to improve road safety for every road user," he added.
Khaleej Times
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Partial closure of Al Ittihad Road in both directions on Sunday
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a partial closure of Al Ittihad Road in both directions on Sunday, May 25. The closure will affect three out of five lanes between Dubai and Sharjah, from 12 midnight until 10am, due to scheduled road works. Dubai
The Herald Scotland
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
How new Pope and Catholic Church have mesmerised our Godless societies
It's as though the world, despairing of war-mongering political leaders and their tawdry, transactional corruptions, might be seeking something that seems constant and unmovable and which proceeds in a realm above them. And don't those robes and Michelangelo and all those abstruse Latin proclamations lend themselves to memes instantly curated and then sent across the invisible Silk Roads of social media? Read more My favourite Latin moment of the conclave that chose Cardinal Robert Prevost to be Pope Leo XIV was when the order 'Extra Omnes' (Everybody Out) was given before the doors of the Sistine Chapel banged shut to signal the start of the process. Did the Tony Sopranos of ancient Rome burst into shady taverns and shout 'Extra Omnes' before administering their gangland hits? It's not as though the Catholic Church doesn't have its own corruptions and hypocrisies to address. Some of these will feature among the new Pope's most pressing challenges. Ultimately, Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit will guide the princes of the church to make the right decision in appointing St Peter's successor, but the bad Popes of the Renaissance era – wedded to murder, arson and earthly power – all managed to escape divine scrutiny. In the run-up to this conclave assorted reactionary (usually American) bloggers were promoting the interests of swivel-eyed cardinals for whom missing stitches in a laced ceremonial cuff was proof of the devil's work. Others issued daily diatribes against the doctrinal deviations of other Christian religions. 'Those Protestants: up to no good as usual, Fr Dougal.' Pope Leo is reportedly a man possessed of sound administrative and management skills, as well as having years of experience working amongst poor communities in Latin America. It's inconceivable that he won't put these to good use in addressing – once and for all – the continuing spectre of clerical sex abuse that has haunted the Catholic Church since it first became apparent more than three decades ago. Almost as bad have been the subsequent cover-ups and attempts to conceal it. It's among the weak and defenceless that predators like to lurk. Only an independent, global commission of inquiry with powers to recommend the instant removal from office of all priests, bishops and cardinals found guilty of participation in this scandal can restore confidence. This issue is also connected to another matter of profound importance: the role of women in the modern Catholic Church. If more women had been operating in the higher echelons of the Catholic world that it would have been much harder for sexual predators to have freely operated. Women know what these men look like and are adept at forming protective shelters to thwart them and expose them. Archbishop of Glasgow William Nolan takes Friday mass at St Andrews Metropolitan Catholic Cathedral in Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris) This historic failure to deal properly with sex abuse has undermined one of the great and enduring benevolences of the Church: its continuing willingness to send tens of thousands of its foot-soldiers and volunteers into the world's darkest places to relieve poverty and to stand with people menaced by war and displacement. It also has a duty of prophecy to warn the world of existential threats. Jim Conroy, Professor of Religious and Philosophical Education at Glasgow University, is hopeful that this will become a hallmark of Leo XIV's pontificate. 'Much of the Church's internal squabbling misses what's really going in the world. We're living through the most extraordinary attack on what it means to be a human being. Yet, this is being lost in debates about the length of vestments and status of the Latin Mass. 'Yet, the question of what it means to be human in the face of technology that seeks to get inside your brain and alter your character is an important one. It's linked to the tides of the global economic justice and the relationship between the state and the individual. 'The Church needs to get grown up about this and to make its voice heard on these existential questions. Technology will reframe everything we think about ourselves and we are at risk of being sunk by it. We delude ourselves that technology can be our servant, but it has no moral consciousness and is in the hands of a small group of multi-billionaires who seek to reduce humanity to numbers on a balance sheet in their pursuit of absolute power. The power of the Gospel can counter-act this.' Read more At St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow yesterday afternoon, Archbishop William Nolan celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the election of the new Pope. He told worshippers about the significance of taking the name Leo. It had been Leo XIII who, in 1897, issued a his great encyclical about social justice which has been the lodestar of all Catholic teaching on social teaching since then. 'It was an encyclical which condemned the excesses of capitalism and stood up for workers' rights and which advocated for a fair and living wage.' The Church in Scotland is one of the oldest in the global Catholic family and has a unique title signifying its ancient kinship. In 1192, a Papal proclamation conferred on it the title 'Special Daughter of Rome' thus making the Catholic Church the most independent, sovereign and Scottish institution and recognised as such by the global authority of Rome. This proclamation Papal Bull was issued by Pope Celestine III and decoupled the Scottish church from the dominion of the powerful medieval English bishops. In recent years, though, the Scottish Catholic Church has become a peripheral body in Rome's orbit. There has been no Scottish Cardinal since Keith O'Brien whose career ended in disgrace after revelations of inappropriate relationships with several young priests. If the conclave is the Champions League of the Catholic world then the Scottish hierarchy needs to start gathering some co-efficient points if any of them are to be granted a seat at the next one. They could start by engaging with the wider Scottish community once more instead of retreating from it. Roisin Coll, Professor of Catholic Education at Glasgow University is optimistic though, that the new Pope will inspire young people. 'For Catholic educators, this is a dream moment,' she said. 'What is so often taught to children and young people in the abstract has now come alive before their eyes — they are witnessing the Church in action and they are part of the conversation. Ultimately, it's their future that's being shaped. Across schools, educators are seizing this unique opportunity to explore the Church's rich symbolism, governance and mission.' Pope Francis (Image: free) Early on Friday evening, two young Scots stood amidst the throngs to witness the white smoke and Pope Leo's first blessing. Lanarkshire cousins John Patrick Mallon and Brian Timmons are co-founders of the popular Catholic broadcasting platform, Sancta Familia Media and were providing hourly updates as history was being made in St Peter's Square. 'I was very impressed by Pope Leo's words of peace and his warmth,' said John Patrick. It was very reassuring as was his call to unity. He spoke of building bridges and I think this was as much a message to divided factions within the Church. I think he's a man who can bring harmony. 'Back home there are some who insist the Church is dying, but they should have been here to witness what we witnessed. The world and its media has descended on this place because they know this means something and that the words of the Pope remain hugely influential and hopeful. In St Peter's Square today, I've seen very young babies, children, teenagers and older people. And all of them breaking into a spontaneous rendition of Salve Regina.'
New York Post
09-05-2025
- New York Post
Teacher with deadly allergy claims $13K honeymoon flight could kill her: ‘This is life or death for me'
' 'Til death do us part' could be sooner than expected, she feared. A UK teacher fears her honeymoon flight could be her last as an airline has allegedly vowed to continue serving nuts despite her deadly allergy. 'I thought Qatar Airways would be more understanding and accommodating of the allergy,' Bethany Roads, 27, told Kennedy News and Media. 'This is life or death for me.' Advertisement The Kent native has suffered from a severe airborne nut allergy since she was 4, but didn't think it would be a problem while planning her honeymoon this year. 4 'They know about the allergy, and they're choosing to do it (serve nuts) anyway,' claimed Roads. Kennedy News and Media Roads and her partner of nine years, Connor Burns, 29 — whom she's slated to wed in August — had booked the trip of a lifetime to Tanzania and Zanzibar. The total cost for the trip was estimated at around $13,000. Advertisement 'This is a dream destination for us,' she gushed. 'It's something we've both wanted to do for a long time.' To ensure her 'special' vacation went smoothly, Roads reached out to Qatar Airlines to alert them of her nut allergy, which can induce anaphylactic shock — a severe reaction that can stop the sufferer's breathing or heartbeat. She requested that the carrier make 'an announcement,' she told Kennedy News, but claimed she was told they couldn't 'guarantee it'll be 100% safe.' 4 'When I've been on flights in the past, they've always said any nut products won't be sold and informed passengers, made announcements. I've never had a problem until now,' said Roads, pictured with her fiancé, Connor Burns, 29. Advertisement Despite the potential danger, the airline allegedly failed to heed her request. 'I said, 'If you can't make an announcement, can I make my own?' and they told me on the phone if I do, that there would be a chance I could be kicked off the flight for going against their policies,' the 'shocked' Brit claimed. 'They said they would still serve them, knowing I could go into anaphylaxis. They said this would not be intentional around me.' Roads said that Qatar Airways, in an exchange of messages shared with Kennedy Media, suggested that as a precaution for her own 'safety,' the teacher should make sure to bring an EpiPen and use 'hand sanitizer, face wipes and appropriate medications,' she said. 'Inform the co-passenger about the allergy, request for window or seats at the back, and avoid contact with the allergens,' Qatar reps added. 'However, the requests are not guaranteed and would be subject to availability.' Advertisement 4 Roads reveals a response from Qatar Airways. Kennedy News and Media Roads believed their response would be wilfully putting her life 'at risk.' 'They know about the allergy, and they're choosing to do it anyway,' she said. 'There's a risk of me dying with anaphylaxis, even with two Epi-Pens with me.' The distraught educator added, 'One person ignoring an announcement and continuing to eat a bag of nuts is very different to them giving out nuts to 300 people on a plane.' The traveler was particularly appalled because she said she'd been on flights in the past where understanding crew members announced that they wouldn't hand out nuts on account of her condition. Roads has even contemplated scrapping the honeymoon altogether, as it wasn't worth the risk. 'Canceling the trip is definitely something we would have to consider,' the pedagogue said. 'People don't understand what an airborne allergy is.' Advertisement Roads declared that the carrier had a 'legal requirement' to ensure she had a safe flight, saying: 'Passenger safety is meant to be their utmost priority but what they're saying to me is the opposite of that.' A spokesperson for the carrier has since addressed the incident in a statement, in which they reiterated their company's allergy policy. 'We do our best to accommodate passengers with allergy needs,' the representative told Kennedy News, quoting the guidelines. 'But as our flights are open to the public, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.' They added, 'Qatar Airways' allergy policy is available online, and we thank Ms Roads for notifying us of her circumstances. Our customer care team is in direct contact with her.' Advertisement The policy further stipulates that passengers 'are responsible for carrying any necessary medication with them onboard' and that they 'may be required to sign a waiver of liability.' 4 UK teacher Bethany Roads fears her honeymoon flight on Qatar could be her last. AFP/Getty Images Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Qatar Airways has been accused of failing to heed someone's nut allergy disclaimer. Advertisement Nut allergy sufferer Amy Pearson thought she'd die after two airlines handed out peanuts on a 14-hour journey last year — despite her notifying them of her allergy in advance.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- New Straits Times
City Hall clears walkways, seize obstructing items in Jalan Tun Sambanthan and Jalan Thambipillay area
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall has cleared the tables and chairs placed by restaurants and shops along walkways in Jalan Tun Sambanthan and Jalan Thambipillay here today. In its enforcement operations, City Hall had carried out eight confiscations, issued two enforcement notices and served one traffic notice. It said items that were seized included canopies and products placed on areas that were obstructing pedestrian traffic. "City Hall will continue to take enforcement action and monitor the identified hotspots from time to time," it said in a statement. The action was taken under the Roads, Drains and Buildings Act 1974 and Section 3(1) of the Hawker Licensing By-Laws (WPKL) 2016.
