Latest news with #Jasper
National Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
Chris Selley: Is the Liberals' 'Canada Strong Pass' a one-off gimmick, or something more substantial?
I have had some fun in the past at the expense of the Liberal Party of Canada's distinctly upper-class obsession with the Great Outdoors — this notion that every Canadian has soloed a canoe through morning mist amidst the haunting call of loons, or if they haven't, then something has gone awry. Article content I'll have a bit more fun with it here now that details of the 'Canada Strong Pass' have been released … but that's not to say there's nothing salvageable from this endeavour. Article content Article content Article content Two of the main items offered free or at a discount this summer are travel on Via Rail (free for kids travelling with an adult; 25 per cent off for 18-to-24-year-olds), and campsites at national parks, which will be free to visit during the day this summer. Article content Article content But it's the third week of June. Most people — people who aren't politicians, for example — will already have booked their vacations by now. And if they haven't, good luck finding a nice campsite before Labour Day (when the discounts terminate). Those reservations became available in January and February, depending on the park, and they go very quickly. (Perhaps ironically, those who booked before the Canada Strong Pass became official will be eligible for partial refunds.) Article content Via, for the record, directly services a single national park: Jasper. I found a 'discounted' youth fare from Toronto to Jasper on July 2 … for $503. That gets you a plain old seat, for 70 hours and 35 minutes. Airlines will get you as far as Edmonton in 4 hours for less than that. Article content Article content I found a rare available berth on Via — a seat that converts into a semi-private bunk — for the Aug. 31 departure, but the youth discount doesn't apply to those. And if it did, it would still be 25 per cent off $1,612. Article content Article content Of course Via is more useful between cities in Eastern Canada; trains don't sell out months in advance the way the long-distance routes do. But the Canada Strong Pass is framed as a national unity exercise, and at this point in our history, transporting Ontarians and Quebecers back and forth on summer holidays probably isn't going to offer much of a nationalist boost. Two Solitudes is an 80-year-old book; Canada contains more solitudes now. Article content Having vented my spleen, let me also say the notion of building national unity by encouraging domestic travel isn't at all daft, and nor is offering free or discounted entry to national museums and historic sites. Many Canadians are appallingly ignorant of the things they might learn there.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
G7 leaders agree to ‘charter' on wildfires, pledging global co-operation
Work continues to assess, repair and rebuild as some residents return to Jasper, Alta., on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken BANFF — Leaders of the G7 have agreed to co-operate on efforts to manage the impacts of devastating wildfires, which are surging for another summer across Canada. The leaders are calling it the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter and it's believed to be a groundbreaking commitment for G7 leaders. It's a timely statement, as Canada continues to face another destructive wildfire season that has forced thousands from their homes. In Manitoba earlier this week, some of the province's 21,000 evacuees were given the green light to return home. 'These increasingly extreme wildfires are endangering lives, affecting human health, destroying homes and ecosystems, and costing governments and taxpayers billions of dollars each year,' the leaders wrote in a joint statement. Wildfires have been mentioned in past G7 communiqués, but in far less detail. At last year's summit, leaders agreed in a one-sentence commitment to prevent and manage the negative impacts of wildfires. In 2023, wildfires were not mentioned, but leaders reaffirmed previous commitments to reversing deforestation by 2030 — a pledge included in the charter. The charter, published on the final day of the summit Tuesday, lays out steps all G7 countries and five non-member countries will take to prevent fires, collaborate on research and improve community rebuilding efforts. The countries say they will reduce the risk of extreme fires through sustainable forest management and Indigenous land management techniques, such as controlled burning. A pledge to mitigate and respond to the impact of fires on human health is included — an apparent reference to volumes of wildfire smoke that have travelled oceans and crossed borders in recent summers. They also committed to collecting and sharing data and finding better ways to provide timely access to basic firefighting equipment. 'This is a really good step forward in international wildfire co-operation,' said Ilya Goheen with the University of Toronto's G7 Research Group. He said it's likely the first wildfire charter to ever come from G7 leaders. However, the charter doesn't mention climate change, which scientists say is partly responsible for the more frequent and intense fires seen in recent years. Goheen said leaders may have avoided the phrase to placate U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken specific aim at dismantling federal policies aimed at addressing climate change. One Canadian climate advocacy organization took notice of its absence. Caroline Brouillette, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, said the country catered to the 'lowest common denominator' to appease the U.S. president and failed the test of its climate leadership. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in his closing news conference, mentioned climate change as he listed numerous challenges facing the world. He said recovering from wildfires is something felt 'intensely here in the Prairies.' The charter comes as Canada battles yet another devastating wildfire season and almost one year after flames ripped through Jasper, a town 250 kilometres north of the G7 summit site in Kananaskis. Carney laid the groundwork for wildfires to feature in G7 discussions, formally highlighting the issue as a priority for the gathering. In separate bilateral meetings in Calgary on Sunday, he thanked the leaders of Australia and South Africa for their firefighting support. The charter was signed by non-G7 leaders from Australia, India, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa, all invited to the summit by Carney. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
‘Popcorn Lung': Making a Historically Difficult Diagnosis
Among the many things that the Industrial Revolution gave rise to was the potential for more rapid spread of public health crises. Communicable diseases such as cholera, typhus, and tuberculosis all spiked during this era due to urbanized living, increased mass communication, and still-evolving sanitation safety measures. The early 20th century also marked increased prevalence of occupational respiratory illnesses, such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a newly-identified condition — bronchiolitis obliterans — that in many ways has puzzled healthcare professionals ever since. First diagnosed in 1901 among healthy factory workers who were exposed to nitrogen dioxide, this fibrosing obstructive lung disease has earned the moniker 'popcorn lung' because of its connection to an outbreak at a factory 25 years ago. That outbreak in Jasper, Missouri, was among workers who inhaled diacetyl, a synthetic flavoring agent for microwavable popcorn. Although the disease can also be caused by other harmful food production exposures. Characterized by a dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and inflammation that results in partial or complete obliteration of the lung's smallest airways and irreversible scaring, the disease continues to be difficult to diagnose. The disease also is more challenging to care for the longer it goes undetected. While it frequently develops in patients who undergo lung transplant and is associated with rheumatic conditions and various respiratory infections, bronchiolitis obliterans is rare and can masquerade as other common pulmonary diseases when symptoms aren't properly recognized. Difficult Diagnosis In August 2000, employees at Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, a food manufacturing and distribution company, experienced a similar set of respiratory issues, including cold-like symptoms that didn't improve with medication. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services launched an investigation. 'There was this clustering of workers who had developed severe obstructive airway disease and were initially being variously diagnosed with conditions such as emphysema, but, for the most part, they were never smokers,' explained Cecile S. Rose, MD, MPH, a board-certified pulmonology and occupational medicine physician at National Jewish Health, Denver. 'The NIOSH began looking at the workers' epidemiologically and sampling the air. They found that this exposure to diacetyl-containing butter flavoring was the cause. And that's when we began to realize that these types of chemicals, even though they had been stored in very large vats that had lids and were recognized as safe for ingestion, were never safe to be inhaled in large quantities.' The most likely symptoms of 'popcorn lung' are a persistent cough, plus or minus wheezing, and shortness of breath that worsens with physical exertion — none of which are particularly distinctive. 'The typical symptoms are very nonspecific and are not temporally linked to exposure,' said Rose. 'They are insidious. They creep up. And the symptoms don't help you very much in terms of linking the exposure to the risk of lung disease or its symptoms. But sometimes patients will describe upper airway irritation symptoms, such as sore throat, or eye burning.' But there are additional symptoms that can complicate diagnosis. According to Jim Mendez, PhD, CRNP, ANP-BC, clinical associate professor and adult primary care nurse practitioner in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, the full spectrum of signs can also include fatigue and chest discomfort. Another troubling indication can be when wheezing is present and does not respond to standard asthma medications, Mendez said. Eric Costanzo, DO, director of Medical Intensive Care and director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Program at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Health, Neptune City, New Jersey, said that patients will also often experience nonspecific symptoms that can resemble conditions such as asthma or COPD, including exertional dyspnea and low-grade fever. Weight loss may also be seen, he said. 'But the pathology itself can happen for a number of different reasons, just by virtue of the fact that the lungs have only a few ways to respond to injury — and this injury pattern of bronchiolitis obliterans is one of those ways,' said Amy Hajari Case, MD, chief medical officer of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and director of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Care Center at Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. 'There is inflammation and obliteration of the bronchioles, and it's a situation where the inflammation creates airflow obstruction on the smallest level that sets up a clinical picture that we can now recognize.' Functional Testing Can Speed Diagnosis Before a diagnosis can be confirmed, pulmonary function tests are essential to help detect the restricted airflow typical of the condition, suggests Shawn George, DO, an internal medicine physician at Yorktown Health, Vernon Hills, Illinois. 'A computed tomography scan can show damage to the airways, but a biopsy might be needed to confirm the diagnosis.' The disease is more common among patients who undergo bone marrow or lung transplants, a form of chronic allograft rejection, referred to as defined as 'bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.' According to research conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 50% of patients who undergo lung transplants will develop bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome within 5 years of surgery while approximately 10% of marrow recipients will develop bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome within 5 years. 'Patients can have this type of lung injury related to some of the transplant immunology that occurs,' said Case. 'It can also happen because of certain types of viral or bacterial infections that set up a more acute situation.' These include respiratory syncytial virus and measles, particularly in children. According to Costanzo, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease-related lung disease can also be triggers. 'Histologically they differ from other lung diseases characterized by concentric fibrosis of the bronchioles and eventual obliteration of the airway lumen,' said Costanzo. Treatment Approaches and Suggestions Quality of life and disease management can be difficult for patients, said Case. 'There isn't a well-defined standard of care practice for how to help people improve their lung function and there isn't extensive data to guide management in this condition. The first thing to do is to halt any culprit exposure to immediately keep the patient from having continued lung damage.' Assuming that can be accomplished, there are a range of over-the-counter and prescription options that Case and other physicians are willing to try for their patients. 'Cough suppressants and inhaled bronchodilators are used for symptom management, as well as oxygen therapy if the patient is hypoxemic,' said Case. 'Pulmonary rehabilitation is also utilized for its various benefits, and other treatments such as macrolide antibiotics, systemic steroids, and immunosuppression are tried on an individual basis. But this is a condition that in many cases doesn't respond well to the things that we do. And so patients do not get that same relief as other patients for which we do have a lot of tools and a lot of evidence for using them, even if that condition is not going to go away, such as COPD.' When it comes to syndrome patients, treatments might also include extracorporeal photopheresis and total lung irradiation. In the worst of all types of cases, patients will require lung transplant. 'One percent of transplants are listed as being for bronchiolitis obliterans for all different etiologies,' said Case. Vagaries of Vaping Another potential cause of bronchiolitis obliterans, but for which more substantial evidence is needed, is use of a vape to inhale nicotine-based chemicals, including those that contain diacetyl. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a rash of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) cases had been seen in hospitals across the country. According to CDC data, more than 2800 hospitalizations and nearly 70 US deaths reported as of February 2020 among people of all ages were attributed to the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products, particularly those containing vitamin E acetate (VEA). 'While the association between vaping and popcorn lung is a concern that has received widespread media attention, it remains less common in clinical practice,' said Dr. Mendez. 'Some flavored e-cigarettes have been found to contain diacetyl; however, there have been very few confirmed cases of bronchiolitis obliterans directly attributable to vaping. What we are seeing more frequently are other vaping-related lung injuries, such as EVALI, which can mimic some of the same respiratory symptoms but represents a different disease process. There is some indication that one of the primary causative agents in EVALI is VEA, although there may be other causes. Continued research and regulation are needed to fully understand the long-term pulmonary risks associated with vaping.' Costanzo said he believes there's a correlation to be concerned about between an increasing prevalence of bronchiolitis obliterans in recent years driven by the popularity of vaping products. Rose is convinced that time will prove a direct causation. 'It might not be as obvious as it was for workers who were exposed to large quantities, but chronic vaping of these chemicals could lead to substantial adverse lung health outcomes in the longer term,' she said. 'The [people] who are vaping regularly might seem fine, but if they're doing that every day for the next 10 years, we might start to see affects. Or they might have more accelerated decline in lung function without having many other symptoms.' Case said she has already seen enough incidences to determine a link. 'For me, the evidence is there,' she said. 'When we talk about vaping-associated lung diseases, bronchiolitis obliterans is one of them.' 'But the problem of lack of clarity is that you can put anything into a vape. Because there is so much variability, it's become more difficult to pin down what can cause this by vaping. There are so many additives to the flavors,' continued Case. 'We need to talk about this as being generally harmful because you lose the weight of evidence when we try to get more specific on something that we just don't have enough information on. And as vaping has become more prevalent, it stands to reason that the people who are more susceptible to lung injury from it will experience it at a higher rate.' Protocols for Better Awareness Greater awareness and suspicion of 'popcorn lung' is needed in the presence of certain symptoms and occupational hazards, experts suggest. 'When a clinician sees signs of emphysema or small airways disease in never smokers, their alarms for work-related or exposure-related lung disease should go up,' said Rose. 'The most important thing is to take a careful occupational history — take the time to ask patients about what they spend their time doing. If they're working in food production or fragrance, that should trigger an understanding that there could be a risk to artificial chemicals or flavorings that can confer risk for lung disease. We're very well-conditioned to taking a careful history for those patients who smoke, but we need the same to be true for vaping now too. We also need to take into account things like hookah or other types of inhalants that may confer risk for small airway diseases.' There's also a significant need to improve awareness of the disease among the general public, especially for those who work in high-risk settings and/or use a vape or similar device. 'The person experiencing it probably doesn't know anyone else who has been diagnosed,' said Case. 'There's not a drug being promoted to treat it. We need to promote self-advocacy and advocacy for loved ones. When our patients are experiencing these symptoms, it's an important message that they need to know. The old medical adage says, 'when you hear hoofbeats think horses, not zebras,' but this is truly one of the zebras. It's being missed.' Case, Costanzo, and Mendez reported no relevant financial disclosures.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
12 Career paths that may not survive the age of automation
The bots aren't just coming. They're already here. From code to content, video to voice, automation has begun rewriting job descriptions we once thought immune. While AI may not replace every professional, it will most certainly replace parts of their profession. The question isn't if disruption is coming, it's whether you're ready to evolve with it or not. We're already witnessing early tremours of this shift. Microsoft's latest round of job cuts signals just how profoundly automation is reshaping the workforce. According to media reports, approximately 300 roles were eliminated recently, adding to the 6,000 layoffs in 2024 and 10,000 in 2023. The most recent round disproportionately impacted software engineers—over 40% of the affected positions in Washington state belonged to coding professionals. Project managers were hit hard too, comprising nearly 30% of the layoffs, despite Microsoft's public framing of the move as a 'reduction in management layers.' The company's official LinkedIn page now reflects a global headcount of 228,000 employees, down from 232,000 in 2023. Meanwhile, IBM has quietly automated away nearly 8,000 HR jobs, replacing large parts of its back-end operations with bots. Their AI-driven 'AskHR' system now handles everything from payslip queries to onboarding, leaving behind only what demands human nuance—critical decision-making and strategic thinking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Egypt (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo In that context, here are 12 career paths that may not survive the age of automation, at least not in the way we know them. More importantly, here's how to stay ahead of the curve. Content Writer The age of human-first content is giving way to machine-authored precision. Tools like ChatGPT and Jasper don't just assist anymore, they're replacing junior writers in marketing agencies and startups alike. When companies find they can publish five times the content at a fraction of the cost, the math writes itself. Survival tip: Step up the value chain into brand storytelling, content strategy, AI prompt engineering, or even editorial leadership. Machines write, but humans still connect. Junior Programmer If you're only trained to write code, you may soon be writing your resignation letter. Low-code and no-code platforms, along with AI code assistants like GitHub Copilot, are now handling basic programming tasks faster and cleaner than many human developers. Survival tip: Don't just code, architect. Upskill into cybersecurity, DevOps, AI model design, or data infrastructure where human logic still outpaces machine shortcuts. Hotel Front Office Manager AI concierges, automated kiosks, and voice-activated room service—hospitality is being reimagined without the human face at check-in. Large chains are streamlining their operations, and the frontline is often the first to feel the heat. Survival tip: Move into guest experience personalization, loyalty program strategy, or luxury travel design. Hospitality isn't dying—it's evolving into something more exclusive and tech-blended. Academic Philosopher A discipline that once shaped worldviews is struggling to translate into paychecks. Unless it's tethered to something actionable—AI ethics, public policy, or digital rights—pure philosophy is becoming an intellectual luxury few employers want to fund. Survival tip: Merge theory with impact. Think AI governance, digital policy, climate ethics, or cross-disciplinary research in humanities + tech. Social Researcher / Field Surveyor The clipboard has been replaced by code. Surveys are now automated, behavior is tracked in real-time, and predictive analytics have elbowed out traditional fieldwork. Survival tip: Pivot to UX research, behavioral data science, or human-centered design. The questions still matter—but the way we find answers has changed. Librarian Search engines don't sleep, and metadata doesn't need a lunch break. While libraries remain bastions of knowledge, their operations are shifting toward automation and digital access, reducing the need for manual curation. Survival tip : Think beyond the shelves. Digital librarianship, academic knowledge management, and information architecture are growing in corporate and tech spaces. Cartographer Once revered for their ability to map the world, cartographers are now being replaced by satellite-fed algorithms and GIS automation. Maps update in real-time—no human hands required. Survival tip: Combine geography with climate tech, drone mapping, or disaster response analytics. Contextual intelligence still matters when stakes are high. Recruiter (Non-Technical) If you're still scanning CVs manually, you're already behind. AI now screens resumes, ranks candidates, and even conducts first-round interviews. For generalist recruiters, this is more than just a tech shift. Well, it's a job squeeze. Survival tip: Specialize in HR analytics, DEI design, or organizational development. Talent strategy—not just hiring—will be the HR currency of the future. Tour Operator In an era where a chatbot can build your itinerary and book your meals, the traditional travel agent is slowly being airbrushed out of the picture. Unless you're selling something that can't be googled, you're at risk. Survival tip: Focus on hyper-personalized experiences such as luxury retreats, heritage trails, or medical tourism. Travel is still emotional, make it unforgettable. Political Analyst Numbers now speak louder than nuance. With real-time social sentiment tracking, electoral modeling, and predictive AI, traditional political theorists are losing ground to data-led strategists. Survival tip: Blend politics with tech. Learn data journalism, geopolitics, or digital advocacy to stay relevant in think tanks, policy hubs, and consulting. Video Editor (Entry-Level) Auto-editing, AI-driven visuals, and template tools have changed the video game. The demand is up but the bar is higher. If you're just trimming clips and adding music, you're competing with a bot. Survival tip: Elevate your craft. Learn motion graphics, narrative design, or creative direction. The future belongs to editors who think visually—not just technically. Project Manager As organizations lean heavily on AI tools and automation platforms to manage workflows, project managers are finding parts of their role increasingly streamlined. Scheduling, task assignment, resource tracking, and even performance analytics are now handled by intelligent systems. What's left is often coordination and communication, roles that are valuable, but no longer a full-time requirement in many lean, tech-driven teams. Survival tip: Shift from administrative oversight to strategic leadership. Embrace product thinking, learn agile coaching, and develop skills in stakeholder management and innovation facilitation. Final Words This isn't a doomsday list—it's a wake-up call. AI may not steal your job, but it will change it. The safest path forward? Invest in what machines can't (yet) replicate—judgment, empathy, creativity, and ethical decision-making. Because the more human you are, the more relevant you'll be. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Critters take over at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve as programming starts at new amphitheater
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve hosted one of its first events at the newly built amphitheater, located on the property on 700 North in Liberty Township. 'Capes, Crown and Critters' took place on Saturday in partnership with organizations including Humane Indiana Wildlife. Kids and their families were welcomed to Meadowbrook to show off a costume, learn about wildlife, meet Smokey Bear, dissect an owl pellet and decorate a birdhouse. South Haven Library volunteers were present for puppet show storytelling. Nicole Harmon, director of Humane Indiana Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center, brought with her three wildlife ambassadors for her presentation, including Eastern screech owl Jasper, which is common in Northwest Indiana. 'Each owl species makes their own individual noises, and within those species, they each make over 20 different sounds,' said Harmon. 'When we are taught that an owl hoots, that is such a minuscule understanding of the sounds they make.' The Eastern screech owl is also a secondary cavity nester, which means they live in places that are not made by them. 'Jasper will not be able to ever be released because of an injury to the left side of his face,' said Harmon. 'We believe that a hawk may have reached into the cavity nest with his talons and grabbed out baby Jasper, causing puncture wounds, injuring parts of him that are necessary to live in the wild.' Humane Indiana has been the largest rehab center in the state for the past five years, taking in 25,000 animals to date. Jim Haniford, volunteer coordinator for Shirley Heinze Land Trust, attended the event with his daughter, Amelia, 6. 'I've been working with the Shirley Heinze Trust for years and I get the inside scoop on the activities here,' said Haniford. 'My daughter loves animals and this was the perfect thing for her to do.' Meadowbrook's amphitheater was completed in the spring through several donors, which were matched by the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, and additional support from Porter County Government. 'We are looking to host a variety of events in the coming years, from outdoor concerts and plays to educational presentations, and beyond,' said Mari Patis, programs coordinator for Shirley Heinze Trust. 'We want the amphitheater to be a community gathering space, whether it's for events we're hosting or if local groups need a place to gather. 'The amphitheater, along with the other amenities at Meadowbrook, will allow for a wider variety of audiences and events to be hosted at the preserve,' said Patis. Meadowbrook Nature Preserve is 300 acres of moraine forest, wetlands, streams, and agricultural lands, filled with several trails and a rich variety of wildlife. A current list of events at the amphitheater can be found at and includes live music, presentations on local wildlife, a poetry workshop and other family-friendly events.
