Latest news with #SergioRodriguez
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island hotspot plunged into blackout as disaster blamed on one thing
Around 50,000 people were left without electricity for hours this week after a blackout struck a popular Canary Island hotspot for the second time this year Chaos has erupted on a popular holiday destination after a huge blackout plunged the island into darkness. La Palma, part of the Spanish-owned Canary Islands, is one of the lesser-known hotspots of the archipelago. Last year, it attracted around 120,000 international and domestic visitors - which may seem a lot - but feels like a mere drop in the ocean compared to the seven million that flocked to Tenerife during the same period. Famed for its rugged volcanic landscape, rich wildlife, and clear skies that are perfect for stargazing, the island offers a more chilled-out vibe compared to its insatiably popular neighbours. Here, you won't have to rub shoulders with a complete stranger when sunbathing on the beach, or trying to get last-minute dinner reservations. But, on June 10 a significant power cut struck the island, leaving around 50,000 residents in the dark. Considering the island only has a population of around 84,000 people - this shows just how widespread the fault was. The blackout, which occurred around 5.30pm, was attributed to a turbine malfunction at the Los Guinchos power station. The Canary Islands authorities swiftly swung into action, launching an emergency Civil Protection plan. No injuries have been reported following the temporary power loss. However, local media says firefighters were called to assist people who were left stuck in elevators, while families were left to navigate life in the dark. The power cut comes shortly after a previous severe outage that sparked chaos last month (May 8), which impacted nearly 20,000 people. Island president Sergio Rodriguez voiced his frustration following the latest outage, criticising La Palma as an island 'which is not in the first world '. He urgently called for intervention from both Madrid and the regional government, stating: "The power station we've got is obsolete and slows down our development." But, by around 8.30pm, updates from the national grid operator, Redeia, indicated that power had been restored to about 30 per cent of those hit by the afternoon's electrical disruption, reports the Express. By the end of the night, Endesa, Spain's largest electricity company confirmed power had been fully restored. "The causes of the incident are being analysed," it added. The blackout follows a series of infrastructure problems that have wreaked havoc on the nation. Back in April, the Iberian peninsula was hit by a major power outage that is reported to have affected tens of millions of people. This incident is still being investigated by officials. According to the Telegraph, just a week later and thousands of railway passengers were left stranded after thieves stole copper cables from the high-speed train line connected Seville to Madrid. "Then Telefónica, a telecoms company in which the state has a 10 per cent stake, suffered a power cut for several hours that cut emergency service lines and the internet in parts of the country," the publication added.
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Passenger's 'flight allergy list' mocked online: 'No coffee, no fragrance, no airplane fuel'
A few users argued that the passenger likely wasn't allergic to the listed items, but rather just had sensitivities. — Pixabay A photo of a passenger's 'flight allergy list' is causing quite a stir on social media for its unusual demands. While the passenger who wrote the list hasn't been identified, X user Sergio Rodriguez (@LyftGyft) shared a photo of it on the platform on May 19, with the caption: "Imagine sitting next to a passenger like this?" On the list, the airplane traveler asked that no coffee or cashews be served on the flight due to allergies. 'I'm highly allergic to smell of coffee and would appreciate it if you could refrain from brewing coffee,' adding, 'as even the smell can stop my breathing.' The passenger also claimed they were allergic to non-food items such as 'fragrances or chemical smells,' naming colognes, perfume, scented soaps, and body lotions as substances they couldn't be exposed to. Gasoline and airplane fuel were also listed. The passenger noted that they take several medications and also asked that they be supplied with a 'large bottle' so they wouldn't have to bother attendants for more refills. At the end of the note, they expressed their gratitude, writing: 'Thank you for your patience and understanding in trying to make the flight as enjoyable as possible for me. I appreciate you.' However on X, users had no sympathy for these demands. 'Passenger shouldn't fly,' opined one user. Another said: 'Get off and walk Karen , omg' Others ruled the list as bogus: 'Sorry, but take a private plane or keep an EpiPen handy. If not approved by a CRO (Complaint Resolution Official) from the airlines, then doesn't have to be enforced.' A few users argued that the passenger likely wasn't allergic to the listed items, but rather just had sensitivities. While the items listed can all trigger an allergic reaction to some extent, it doesn't seem likely that the passenger would suffer a severe reaction if it's happening in a different row or area on the plane. A 2024 review published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood debunked the common misconception that peanut/tree nut particles can lead to allergic reactions through aircraft ventilation systems. In fact, researchers claimed that food-induced allergic reactions are 10-100 times less common on flights than on the ground and that most risks stem from surface contamination rather than airborne particles. Researchers noted that cleaning surfaces (like tray tables and seat backs) where allergen residues might be present is a highly effective precaution for allergic passengers. In other words, stashing some Lysol wipes in a carry-on bag might be more effective than issuing a 'flight allergy list' to flight attendants. – News Service
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- News.com.au
‘Get off and walk Karen': World tears flight passenger's insane demands to shreds
Don't call her high-maintenance — just highly allergic. A plane passenger's sky-high list of demands has gone viral after she handed flight attendants a printed 'Flight Allergy List' asking for a ban on everything from coffee and cashews to cologne and jet fuel. Yes, jet fuel. The laminated letter — shared on X by user Sergio Rodriguez (@LyftGyft), who was seemingly seated nearby — quickly ignited backlash and mockery online. 'Imagine sitting next to a passenger like this?' Rodriguez posted. Among the airborne offences that could apparently send her into medical mayhem: 'NO Coffee (highly allergic even to smell), NO Cashews, NO fragrance or chemical smells (Cologne, Perfume, Scented Soap or Body Lotion, NO Gasoline or Airplane Fuel).' That's right — even the scent of java could allegedly ground her. 'I am highly allergic to the smell of coffee and would appreciate it if you could refrain from brewing coffee. As even the smell can stop my breathing,' she wrote. She also asked for a large bottle of water — not the typical thimble-sized cup — adding: 'This way I don't have to constantly ask you for more water.' And the pièce de résistance? 'Thank you for your patience and understanding in trying to make the flight as enjoyable as possible for me. I appreciate you.' Cue the collective eye-roll. X users were not having it. 'I would kindly let them know they can either die from the coffee smell or from my lack of coffee and then let them make the decision,' one joked. Another chimed in, 'Get off and walk Karen, omg.' One other sceptic wrote, 'This seems like a list of low tolerances rather than allergies.' Another added, 'Oh, just as long as she's comfortable and enjoying herself. F**K EVERYBODY ELSE!!' Someone else quipped, 'Take the train. Hey. I'm allergic to the smell of her. Ban her.' While airlines do try to accommodate allergy-prone passengers — Delta, for example, skips peanuts if given 48 hours' notice from allergic flyers — experts say the threat of airborne nut dust is largely overblown. In fact, a 2024 review published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood debunked the idea that allergens float menacingly through aeroplane ventilation systems. 'Food-induced allergic reactions are around 10–100 times less common during flights than 'on the ground,'' researchers wrote. The real danger? That mystery smear on your tray table. 'Cleaning tray tables, seat surfaces and seat back entertainment systems at the start of a flight with sanitising wipes is particularly important,' the researchers advised — especially since 'minimal cabin cleaning occurs in between flights, especially with low-cost carriers.' They added that peanut allergens can 'be detected at very low levels in the air when shelling nuts, but the dust settles quickly and can only be detected in very close proximity to the nuts.' Experts also pointed out that modern aircraft ventilation systems replace cabin air every 3-4 minutes, and include HEPA filters that capture dust, microbes — and yes, even coffee vapours. So while nut allergies are real — 4.6 million US adults have one — the chances of choking from second-hand cashew whiff? Practically non-existent. Meanwhile, approximately two per cent of Australian adults, 10 per cent of infants under one, and four to eight per cent of children up to five years of age suffer from a food allergy, according to the Australian Institute of Food Safety.
