‘The road is long': Syrian refugee engineering a fresh start in Montreal
MONTREAL - When Jad Albasha arrived in Quebec in 2016 as a 21-year-old fleeing his war-torn home of Syria, he landed in a snow-covered world that spoke French, a language in which he did not understand a single word.
But now it rolls off the tongue as if Albasha has lived here all of his life.
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Toronto Star
17 hours ago
- Toronto Star
‘The road is long': Syrian refugee engineering a fresh start in Montreal
MONTREAL - When Jad Albasha arrived in Quebec in 2016 as a 21-year-old fleeing his war-torn home of Syria, he landed in a snow-covered world that spoke French, a language in which he did not understand a single word. But now it rolls off the tongue as if Albasha has lived here all of his life.
Japan Forward
a day ago
- Japan Forward
Japan Trials First Full-Flat Sleeper Bus
Japan's first trial run of a highway bus with full-flat seats is now underway, aiming to challenge the common view of night buses as cramped and tiring. The seats were jointly developed by Kochi-based operator Kochi Ekimae Kanko, a local model-making company, and a machinery manufacturer. Made entirely in Kochi, they meet the full-flat seating guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in November 2024. Since March, Kochi Ekimae Kanko has been operating a weekly round trip between Tokyo and Kochi on a trial basis, receiving positive feedback. With hotel prices climbing due to increasing inbound tourism, the service also aims to appeal to cost-conscious travelers. The full-flat seats are called Sommeil Profond, French for "deep sleep." Two rows of seats, front and back, convert into bunk-style beds, creating a private space similar to a capsule hotel. A large coach was remodeled to accommodate 24 seats across 12 bunk-style units arranged in three rows. The trial service began on March 11, running once a week between Tokyo and Kochi or Tokushima. The longest stretch of the trip takes about 13.5 hours one way. Passengers can stay fully reclined the entire time. Each seat is enclosed by curtains for privacy and comes with amenities like a blanket and pillow, offering a semi-private experience. The regular fare is expected to be around ¥13,000 JPY (about $90 USD), though the trial price has been set between ¥7,000 and ¥7,500. On the morning of May 21, the trial bus arrived at Kochi Station fully booked with passengers traveling for sightseeing or business. Yukari Ikezawa, a 37-year-old office worker from Kochi who took the round trip, said, "The vibrations bothered me a little, but on the way back, I was so tired I slept soundly. I felt much less fatigued compared to a regular bus." A company representative added, "These seats significantly reduce fatigue compared to standard ones. And since passengers can sleep while traveling, it also helps cut down on hotel expenses." Seats arranged to make full-flat "beds." (Courtesy of Kochi Ekimae Kanko) About 30 years ago, Kochi Ekimae Kanko's Chairman Kuninori Umehara saw sleeper buses during a visit to China. The company considered bringing the concept to Japan but had to put the idea on hold due to the lack of a legal framework at the time. Around 10 years ago, the company confirmed that there were no regulations on seat reclining angles. This opened the door to the idea of converting traditional seat designs into fully flat beds, and development began. Creating bus seats involves specialized knowledge and technical skills. To take on the challenge, the company partnered with local model maker Thermal Kobo and industrial machinery manufacturer Kakiuchi. Together, they repeatedly refined prototypes that could fold flat, maximize cabin space, and meet safety standards. They also consulted closely with Japan's transport ministry. It was determined that as long as the seats could return to an upright position, the bus would pass inspection under the Road Transport Vehicle Act. At the time, international safety standards for vehicle seating were based on a 25-degree seatback angle, and there was no established method to assess the safety of fully flat seats. However, as global discussions around safe seating in various postures began to grow, the ministry anticipated rising demand and introduced formal guidelines in November 2024. The guidelines require the following: A fall-prevention plate that can withstand 900 kilograms of force Two-point seatbelts Padding and safety features to prevent falls from the head and sides Clear evacuation routes and secure luggage storage Kochi Ekimae Kanko refined its design to meet these standards and successfully turned the concept into reality. Since the trial began, buses equipped with Sommeil Profond seats have been nearly full. Surveys show that about 80% of users gave the ride high marks, especially for reduced fatigue and improved sleep quality. The most common complaint, however, was the narrow bed size. In bed mode, each seat measures 180 cm (5.9 ft) in length, 48 cm in width, and 51 to 73 cm in height, depending on the seat. Some larger passengers reportedly have to curl up to fit. "There's definitely room for improvement," said a company representative. "But seat size is closely tied to pricing, so we have to be careful when considering any changes to the design." Wider seats would improve comfort but reduce the total number of seats. Since operating costs per bus trip — such as fuel — are mostly fixed, fewer seats would lead to higher fares. For reference, a standard 28-seat, three-row bus charges about ¥10,000 on the Kochi–Tokyo route. The full-flat model accommodates 24 seats, allowing fares in the ¥13,000–¥14,000 range. Passengers have also requested more storage space and power outlets. The company is reviewing these suggestions and plans to expand service this fall with two buses offering four round trips per week. Looking ahead, Kochi Ekimae Kanko aims to market the Sommeil Profond model nationwide. Talks are already underway with bus operators in Tohoku and Kyushu, and interest has been strong. A representative said, "Eventually, we believe half of all overnight highway buses could adopt full-flat seating. By switching between upright and flat modes, these buses could even serve as a new option for inbound tourism. We want to keep improving and expand this model across Japan." ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Koji Maekawa, The Sankei Shimbun
National Observer
3 days ago
- National Observer
Kananaskis golf course gets ready for G7, possible Trump visit
Darren Robinson had some very important news to tell US president George Bush and José María Aznar, the prime minister of Spain. The pro shop was open. Aznar had told Robinson, general manager of the Kananaskis Country Golf Club in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, that he wanted to visit the shop. True to his word, Robinson walked over to the two world leaders on a patio and interrupted their conversation. "What was probably only 10 seconds felt like 10 minutes," Robinson recalled of the G8 leaders' summit in 2002 in Kananaskis. He said the pair paused their discussion, and Bush waved over British prime minister Tony Blair. The four then talked about golf, running, the mountains, as the other leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, chatted ahead of a dinner at the golf club. "I'm like, somebody pinch me. It's really happening," Robinson said. Twenty-three years later, Robinson is again teeing up to possibly host some of the world's most powerful people for the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis set for June 15-17. The golf club is included in the tightly controlled perimeter that will be closed to public access during the summit and is one of two primary locations the leaders could use. The summit is being hosted by the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, a short drive from the course. There's speculation US President Donald Trump, with his known affection for golf, could tee off on the scenic course that sits at the foot of Mount Kidd. Trump even owns Kananaskis Country Golf Club merchandise. Prime Minister Mark Carney gifted the president a hat and gear from the club during his first White House visit in early May. Requests for comment to the White House and the Prime Minister's Office about whether Trump or Carney would get in a golf game at the summit were not returned. The summit's itinerary hasn't been shared publicly. And if history informs Robinson's expectations, any activities involving leaders at the course would be spontaneous. Robinson remembers one afternoon in 2002, when he mentioned to Jean Chrétien, touring the club before an upcoming dinner, that it was a shame the prime minister didn't have time to play. "(Chrétien) says, 'Who says I don't have time?' And he starts taking off his tie and jacket," said Robinson, mimicking Chrétien's French accent. Chrétien hit two clean shots on his way to the putting green, said Robinson. But on the third shot, a short chip to get on the green, the prime minister accidentally nicked a divot out of the grass before making contact with the ball. "Before the ball even stops rolling, he reaches into his pocket, drops another one, hits that nicely onto the green," Robinson said. "And then he looks at me and says, 'I call that a Clinton.'" Chrétien, after dropping the reference to former US president Bill Clinton, played three more holes before getting back to work, said Robinson. He added that several interactions he had with Bush were personal highlights of the summit. It was a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. US staffers asked Robinson to draw up a five-kilometre loop the president could run the next morning. When Bush arrived early the next day in his sneakers, he asked if a woman at the club dressed in athletic gear would jog with him, said Robinson. "Now I'm filming the two of them walking up. And president Bush says to me, 'You set me up with an Olympic runner.'" Months later, Robinson received a manila envelope in the mail from the White House with a letter signed by Bush thanking him for the stay and a photo of the two of them talking on the club patio. This year, Robinson said he'll be on the course waiting to help, but isn't expecting a 2002 repeat. "You hope that there's any opportunity to have some similar and memorable experiences," he said while standing at a tee box overlooking the 16th hole on the course. "If they happen, great. That would be wonderful. And if they don't, they don't." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
