Latest news with #JimWest
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's in Canada's Immigration Bill, Why It's Causing Worry
The Bridge to Canada sign is pictured on May 9. 2025. Credit - Jim West—Getty Images Canada's new bill—The Strong Borders Act—proposes a sweeping shift in immigration that, among other items, expands the Canadian Coast Guard's authority to conduct security patrols, restricts asylum access, and attempts to deal with the flow of fentanyl into the country. 'The Bill will strengthen our laws and keep Canadians safe by ensuring law enforcement has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering,' the bill states. Introduced on June 3 by Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, the 127-page measure proposes a shift in how the government interacts with the U.S.-Canada border. The bill comes after President Donald Trump voiced concerns about what he referred to as cross-border fentanyl traffic and irregular migration, when he imposed tariffs on Canada during his Feb. 1 Executive Order titled 'Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border.' Trump argued that 'Canada has played a central role' in the 'challenges' against 'illicit drugs' entering the country, alleging there is 'a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada' and that Canada must 'do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.' Here's what you need to know about Canada's Strong Borders Act. Canada's new immigration bill seeks to impact various areas—from asylum rules to search and seizure, to giving police more power to control and monitor the U.S. border. The new bill would allow Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail and would also remove barriers to allow law enforcement to open mail during an investigation—attempting to curb fentanyl movement by what authorities say is performed by organized crime groups. It would expand the power of the Canadian Coast Guard to 'conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and share information and intelligence for security purposes,' by amending the Oceans Act, creating a new role for the department. It also would expand the ability for Canadian intelligence agencies to share information with U.S. intelligence. Related to organized crime, the bill proposes additional restrictions on transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by any one individual into another's account. The process of gaining access to asylum would also change, as the bill looks to bar asylum seekers who have been in the country for over a year, retroactively applying to anyone who arrived after June 24, 2020. It would further allow the government the ability to pause the acceptance of new applications and 'cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents' immediately. The proposal has been met with strong opposition from immigration and human rights advocates in Canada, who argue it could restrict civil liberties and violate international refugee obligations. Jenny Wai Ching Kwan, a Canadian politician who serves at the member of Parliament for Vancouver East, issued a warning about the measure, stating that it should be 'alarming' to Canadians. 'Looking at [the bill], particularly with respect to the immigration provisions, it is very concerning to me that the government will now be breaching, I think, people's civil liberties, I think violating people's due process and taking away people's basic rights right now,' Kwan told reporters. 'What we're looking at is the government giving broad, sweeping authority within the government to cancel applications, to withdraw applications, to suspend applications, even those that are already in the inventory that is under process.' She also shared concerns about citizens' privacy, and the lack of apparent appeals processes in relation to the new sweeping immigration law. Canadian migrant justice group Migrant Rights Network also 'condemns' the bill, stating that it would 'drastically restrict refugee protections and allow for mass deportations and immigration exclusion.' They argue that the 'unchecked power' enabled through this bill could allow for migrant groups to have their immigration status revoked 'en masse.' 'Prime Minister [Mark] Carney campaigned on being different from Donald Trump, yet his very first bill is a shameful capitulation to racism and xenophobia, which abandons Canada's legal and moral obligations to refugees and migrants,' said Migrant Rights Network spokesperson Syed Hussan in a statement. 'With over 3,000 study and work permits already expiring daily because of [Former Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau's immigration cuts, this Bill will only worsen a humanitarian catastrophe. This bill is immoral, it is illegal, and it will be stopped.' Speaking with reporters on Friday, Canadian Council of Refugees co-executive director Gauri Sreenivasan stated that the bill mirrors U.S. immigration policy and could 'force many people who have no choice because they are under threat in their country or in the U.S. to live underground without status.' Kelly Sundberg, a former officer with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), also spoke out against the bill, admitting they're 'not optimistic' about it. 'I think all [the bill] does is try to appease the Trump Administration. But I'd like to see legislation that's designed to keep Canadians safe,' Sundberg said during an interview with CTV News. 'So does this legislation improve our border security, improve our immigration integrity, and improve the public safety of Canadians? No, it does not. It doesn't even come close.' Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
PIH Health introduces robotic surgical system
Non-profit healthcare network PIH Health has adopted the new da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system, marking a step forward in minimally invasive procedures. The first operation using this technology was conducted at PIH Health Whittier Hospital, showcasing the system's precision and enhanced visualisation. PIH Health president and CEO Jim West said: "This investment in the da Vinci 5 robotic surgical system underscores PIH Health's dedication to innovation and excellence in patient care. "We are proud to offer our patients access to the most advanced surgical technology available today." The da Vinci 5 system brings forth improvements over its predecessors, such as 3D ultra-high-definition visuals, refined instrument precision with an expanded range of motion, and haptic feedback that provides surgeons with a sense of resistance during surgeries. These advancements are complemented by integrated data and real-time analytics, which aid in surgical decision-making. Dr Samuel Im, a gynaecologic oncologist at PIH Health, conducted a hysterectomy using the new system. Samuel Im MD said: "The da Vinci 5 represents a remarkable advancement in surgical technology. "Its enhanced precision, improved visualisation, and refined ergonomics allow us to perform complex procedures with even greater accuracy and efficiency. This translates to better outcomes and a smoother recovery for our patients." The system is versatile, applicable to a broad spectrum of medical specialties, encompassing urology, thoracic, colorectal, general, and gynaecologic surgeries. The PIH Health network encompasses several hospitals, including PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, PIH Health Downey Hospital and PIH Health Whittier Hospital. It also includes 31 outpatient medical office buildings, a multispecialty medical group, and provides healthcare services ranging from home care to urgent and emergency services. In July 2022, the network expanded its reach by launching a new urgent care centre in the Westlake District of Los Angeles, US. "PIH Health introduces robotic surgical system" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Pathways To Policy: JFF's Vision For A Career-Ready Workforce
At a time when the economy is shifting and student needs are evolving, the case for more flexible, ... More career-connected learning has never been stronger. (Photo by: Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) At a time when the economy is shifting and student needs are evolving, the case for more flexible, career-connected learning has never been stronger. From youth apprenticeships and dual enrollment to industry-aligned pathways, states are stepping up—and organizations like Jobs for the Future (JFF) are helping lead the way. In this exclusive Q&A, Maria Flynn, President and CEO of JFF, shares her insights on where the career-connected learning movement is headed. She weighs in on bipartisan momentum, promising state models, AI's role in the classroom, and what policymakers must do now to ensure today's learners are ready for tomorrow's jobs. Workforce development and career education are key priorities for many governors. Tell us about Jobs for the Future's work with states to support flexible learning and career-aligned outcomes. What does this work look like, and which states are standouts in terms of innovation and impact? For over 40 years, JFF has partnered with states to build career-aligned education and training systems, expanding work-based learning, apprenticeships, and career pathways that connect learners to good jobs. Through JFF's Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning and the Pathways to Prosperity Network, we help states design policies and programs that make education more flexible, workforce-relevant, and accessible. Maria Flynn, CEO of Jobs for the Future And momentum in this space is building. Recently, at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, I joined Governors Tony Evers (D-WI) and Mark Gordon (R-WY) for a conversation on aligning education and workforce systems to meet labor market needs. With 10 other governors in the room, the bipartisan enthusiasm was clear: States are committed to expanding opportunities that give students real-world learning experiences and clear pathways to economic mobility. Texas is a great example. The Texas Regional Pathways Network is expanding career pathways that lead to industry-recognized credentials, strengthening education-workforce connections so students graduate with in-demand skills. Colorado's Big Blur initiative, which JFF helped advise, is redefining the transition from high school to career, advancing policies that expand youth apprenticeships, dual enrollment, and industry credential attainment. Across the country, states are moving beyond traditional education silos to build flexible, career-connected learning models that prepare young people for the jobs of the future. Now is the time to scale these approaches—and I'm eager to see how states continue to push forward. In her confirmation hearing, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stressed the importance of multiple pathways to success in the workforce. She's a proponent of apprenticeships, high school dual-credit programs, and other Career Connected Learning opportunities. What opportunities are you hoping to explore with the new administration? JFF shares Secretary McMahon's commitment to expanding career-connected learning. We look forward to working with the administration to scale high-quality apprenticeships, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and dual-enrollment programs that accelerate workforce readiness. JFF's Federal Policy Blueprint for the Trump Administration outlines key steps: setting ambitious career-readiness goals, prioritizing federal investment in skills development, and advancing industry-driven training. Proven models like CareerWise—a Swiss-inspired youth apprenticeship program operating in Colorado, New York, Washington, D.C., Indiana, and Michigan—demonstrate that career pathways can be an "options multiplier," opening doors to both college and careers. Similarly, North Carolina's Cooperative Innovative High Schools have implemented a shared governance model among school districts, community colleges, and employers to align education with workforce needs. This approach ensures joint decision-making in curriculum design, dual-enrollment opportunities, and the creation of internships or apprenticeships in high-demand fields like healthcare, IT, and early childhood education. The partnership accelerates students' entry into careers while preparing them for postsecondary education. At JFF, we're eager to build on successful state models and work with the new administration to expand career-connected learning. This will help create a more inclusive and dynamic education system that ensures all learners have multiple opportunities to succeed after high school. At the end of 2024, Congress came close to passing a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), but it didn't cross the finish line. Why does WIOA need an update and how could our nation's workforce system better partner with K-12 and postsecondary education to better support and prepare students for the jobs of the future? The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is pivotal in shaping the nation's workforce development system. However, the labor market has changed significantly since WIOA was last reauthorized in 2014; Congress needs to update the statute to account for current economic realities, emerging challenges, and new opportunities brought on by technological advancements. JFF has called on Congress to pass the "A Stronger Workforce for America Act," which proposes critical enhancements to WIOA, such as emphasizing skills development, introducing flexible training and career service delivery, and strengthening employer engagement. However, there's more work to be done to provide states and workforce entities with the resources and flexibility they need to implement proven workforce training models like industry sector partnerships and career pathways. Industry sector partnerships are invaluable in aligning education with current and future economic needs and in validating the labor market value of education programs and their associated credentials. Preparing students for the future of work depends on our ability to foster strong partnerships across the workforce development, K-12, and postsecondary education ecosystem. Local workforce boards are well-positioned to bridge the arbitrary divide between industry and education, helping to ensure that secondary and postsecondary curricula better align with employer demand, create new work-based learning opportunities, and leverage labor market information to enhance career navigation and counseling services. In prioritizing these efforts, we can connect the skills that employers need and those learned in a classroom. How are you thinking about AI in this time of rapid change? Are there ways in which AI is already being used effectively to accelerate Career Connected Learning? AI adoption in education and work is accelerating. In a recent survey with Audience Net, JFF found that 57% of learners now report that AI is being incorporated into their education by instructors (up from 13% in 2023). Yet, we also found that access remains uneven, with most learning institutions reporting that they are just beginning to use AI and related tools. JFF sees the opportunity in AI and has a Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work that believes that—if designed, understood, and used correctly—AI can make learning more flexible, career-connected, and accessible, helping young people advance in their educational journey and connect to good jobs. The Center is supporting efforts around AI-powered tutoring, career guidance, and digital credentials to better ensure AI literacy is integrated into learning, while ensuring that AI supports—not replaces—human-centered education. To fully tap AI's potential, we need better policies, stronger workforce data, and greater investments in digital transformation. AI can expand career pathways and improve labor market insights, but only if we ensure these tools benefit all learners and don't just reinforce existing biases. National competitiveness is a priority for Republicans and Democrats. In a time of deep political divisions, how might both parties come together to prepare the next generation for the jobs of the future? Are there any opportunities you would encourage policymakers to seize or any strong state or local examples to replicate? In a deeply divided political climate, preparing the next generation for future employment remains a rare point of bipartisan consensus. JFF's "No Dead Ends" policy agenda, which aims to remove barriers to opportunity in education and the workforce, emphasizes policies with broad support across both parties. These include expanding access to industry-aligned educational opportunities, such as CTE and youth apprenticeships, which equip students with the skills employers need and provide learners with clear, practical career pathways. We also call for improved access to career information and relevant supports that enable today's learners to make informed choices about their futures and stay connected to education and work. There are immediate bipartisan actions that federal policymakers specifically can take to address these needs, like reauthorizing WIOA, passing the JOBS Act, which would expand the Pell Grant to include short-term and workforce-aligned programs, and encouraging greater public-private partnerships to advance high-quality work-based experiences in K-12. These policies have the potential to transform the lives of millions of learners while ensuring that businesses can find the talent they need. But as the federal government's role continues to evolve, JFF is increasingly turning to states, which are already leading the charge on this work. For example, Indiana recently launched the Career Scholarship Account program, offering $5,000 annually per student for career preparation. The state is also implementing a youth-apprenticeship program, engaging over 100 leaders to create three-year paid work-and-learn pathways for high school students. By fall, Indiana expects to enroll at least 450 new youth apprentices. At the local level in Clark County, Nevada, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is addressing teacher shortages with the launch of the NV|Forward Initiative, the state's first teacher apprenticeship program. With a 97% graduation rate, this initiative is helping to close the teacher gap and meet regional workforce needs. By empowering states to continue this work and aligning federal policy to support and scale their successful models, we can provide every learner with a clear path to good, sustainable employment and strengthen our nation's global competitiveness. Follow Sara Schapiro on LinkedIn.
CNN
08-02-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Investigators probe fatal Alaska plane crash as crews push to recover wreckage before inclement weather
Recovery crews worked amid freezing temperatures and slushy sea ice Friday to recover the remaining victims aboard a regional airline flight that crashed off the coast of western Alaska. The small commuter aircraft carrying nine passengers and one pilot took off from Unalakleet on Thursday afternoon before disappearing. The plane was later found on Friday about 34 miles southeast of Nome, the flight's intended destination, according to the US Coast Guard. All 10 on board were declared dead. The wreckage is currently resting on sea ice that officials described as young and unstable, and heavy snow and winds in the area are expected this weekend. The bodies will first be recovered, then the plane will be taken for further analysis, officials said. Swimmers were 'on the ice as we speak,' Jim West, Chief of the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, said at a news conference Friday night, adding that the focus of the recovery operation was to detangle wreckage and 'bring folks home,' though a time frame is not clear. 'We don't know how long that's going to take. It could go hours; it could go potentially days. Coming up to tomorrow we have 18 hours of potential recovery time,' West said, citing the ever-changing conditions of the crash's site and incoming weather. A winter weather advisory is now in effect until 9 p.m. Sunday, with blowing snow, rain and mixed precipitation to be expected in Nome and other parts of western Alaska, the National Weather Service announced. Some areas may see up to five inches of snow, with ice accumulations of around a tenth of an inch, the NWS said. Wind gusts as high as 45 mph will also be recorded. 'The conditions out there are dynamic, so we've got to do it safely and the fastest we can,' he added. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash –– and how the aircraft suddenly dropped in elevation and speed. Analyzing air traffic control data will be key to the National Transportation Safety Board's probe, officials said. 'We are very much in the preliminary stages of the investigation,' Clint Johnson, Chief of the NTSB's Alaska Regional Office told reporters Friday, saying that one of the agency's investigators is on scene with the Coast Guard. 'Now since the wreckage has been found with 10 fatalities, it's time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work.' The Cessna aircraft, operated by Bering Air, was about 12 miles offshore when its position was lost, according to the Coast Guard. The aircraft 'experienced some kind of event which caused them to experience a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss in speed' around 3:18 p.m. Thursday, Coast Guard Lt. Commander Benjamin McIntyre-Coble said. The search for the aircraft had been complicated by multiple factors, including inclement weather as well as the missing plane had not communicated its position through an emergency transmitter, officials said. Visibility was better for searchers Friday morning: The sky was clear at Nome Airport around 10 a.m., with temperatures of around 5 degrees. The National Guard and Coast Guard added helicopter search teams to the effort Friday morning, while another Coast Guard C-130 landed in Nome to assist with the search, the fire department said. At a vigil hosted by the city of Nome on Friday, Amanda Snyder, pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, urged those in attendance to lean on each other for support. 'Please do not isolate yourself in your grief. In the coming days, in the weeks, as we begin to hear of which families are impacted, our hearts are going to break over and over, and it's okay to mourn and grief, but please do not isolate,' Snyder said. 'Words can't express the loss we're all feeling, we're all connected in so many ways,' said Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who joined the vigil via video conference. 'It's hard to accept the reality of our loss.' It is not unusual for Alaskans to travel between places by small plane due to the vast landscape and lack of transportation infrastructure available. 'It's just heartbreaking. Because every single person in this room has been on one of those planes,' Snyder told The Nome Nugget, the city's local paper. 'It hits home.' Among the deceased are two employees from Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, who traveled to Unalakleet 'to service a heat recovery system that is critical to the community's water plant,' the nonprofit said Friday night. 'Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson were passionate about the work they did, cared deeply for the communities they served, and made a lasting impact on rural communities across our state,' Natasha Singh, ANTHC interim president and CEO, said in a statement. 'They were the best at what they did and had just flown into Unalakleet to help address heating and mechanical issues in the depths of winter. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for the people we serve in the work we do.' CNN's Sarah Dewberry, Emma Tucker, Rebekah Riess, Chimaine Pouteau and Jeremy Harlan contributed to this report.
The Guardian
08-02-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Officials race to recover remains from Alaska plane crash before winter storm
Just hours after finding 10 people dead in western Alaska from one of the deadliest plane crashes in the state in 25 years, authorities raced to recover their remains and the wreckage of the small commuter plane from unstable sea ice before expected high winds and snow. 'The conditions out there are dynamic, so we've got to do it safely in the fastest way we can,' Jim West, chief of the Nome volunteer fire department, said on Friday. The Bering Air single-engine turboprop plane was traveling from Unalakleet to the hub community of Nome when it disappeared on Thursday afternoon. It was found the next day after an extensive search with all nine passengers and the pilot dead. As the community tried to process the deadly event, crews worked swiftly on unstable, slushy sea ice to recover the bodies and the wreckage with less than a day before bad weather was expected. Officials said a Black Hawk helicopter would be used to move the aircraft once the bodies were removed. Among those killed in the crash were Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson. They had traveled to Unalakleet to service a heat recovery system vital to the community's water plant, according to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. 'These two members of our team lost their lives serving others,' David Beveridge, vice-president of environmental health and engineering for the organization, said in a statement. 'The loss of these two incredible individuals and everyone else on board the plane will be felt all over Alaska.' The other people's names have not been released. All 10 people on board the plane were adults, and the flight was a regularly scheduled commuter trip, according to Lt Ben Endres of the Alaska state troopers. A photo provided by the US Coast Guard showed the plane's splintered body and debris lying on the sea ice. Two people in brightly colored emergency gear circled the wreckage. 'It's hard to accept the reality of our loss,' Senator Lisa Murkowski said during an evening news conference. Nome's mayor, John Handeland, choked up as he discussed the deaths and the response effort. 'Nome is a strong community, and in challenging times we come together and support each other. I expect the outpouring of support to continue in the coming days as we all work to recover from this tragic incident,' Handeland said. The Cessna Caravan aircraft left Unalakleet at 2.37pm on Thursday, and officials lost contact with it less than an hour later, according to David Olson, director of operations for Bering Air. There was light snow and fog, with a temperature of 17F (-8.3C), according to the National Weather Service. The US Coast Guard said the aircraft went missing about 30 miles (48km) south-east of Nome. Radar forensic data provided by the US Civil Air Patrol indicated that at about 3.18pm, the plane had 'some kind of event which caused them to experience a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss in speed', coast guard Lt Cmdr Benjamin McIntyre-Coble said. 'What that event is, I can't speculate to.' McIntyre-Coble said he was unaware of any distress signals from the aircraft. Planes carry an emergency locating transmitter. If exposed to seawater, the device sends a signal to a satellite, which then relays that message back to the coast guard to indicate an aircraft may be in distress. No such messages were received by the coast guard, he said. Rescuers were searching the aircraft's last known location by helicopter when the wreckage was spotted, said Mike Salerno, a spokesperson for the US Coast Guard. Two rescue swimmers were lowered to investigate. Local, state and federal agencies had assisted in the search effort, combing stretches of ice-dotted waters and scouring miles of frozen tundra. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending nine people to the scene from various states. Flying is an essential mode of transportation in Alaska due to the vastness of the landscape and limited infrastructure. Most communities are not connected to the developed road system that serves the state's most populous region, and it is common to travel by small plane. Some high school teams fly to sporting events against rival high schools, and goods are brought to many communities by barge or by air. The plane's crash marks the third major US aviation mishap in eight days. A commercial jetliner and an army helicopter collided near the nation's capital on 29 January, killing 67 people. A medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia on 31 January, killing the six people on board and another person on the ground. Bering Air serves 32 villages in western Alaska from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue and Unalakleet. Most destinations receive twice-daily scheduled flights Monday through Saturday. Unalakleet is a community of about 690 people about 150 miles (about 240km) south-east of Nome and 395 miles (about 640km) north-west of Anchorage. The village is on the Iditarod trail, the route of the world's most famous dogsled race, during which mushers and their teams must cross the frozen Norton Sound. Nome, a Gold Rush town, is just south of the Arctic Circle and is known as the ending point of the 1,000-mile (1,610km) Iditarod. The city said prayer vigils would be held on Friday for those onboard the plane, friends and family, and those involved in search efforts.
