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OCIF invests in The Knowledge Society to develop the workforce of the future

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CALGARY, AB, March 6, 2024 /CNW/ – The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (“OCIF”) will provide up to $256,000 to The Knowledge Society (“TKS”) in the form of scholarships for 80 Calgary high school students to complete a 10-month skills accelerator program.

Through the program, students gain real-world exposure, mentorship from industry partners and hands-on opportunities to solve real problems faced by global companies. Many TKS alumni have gone on to build their own startups and work at top organizations like Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, SpaceX, Microsoft and more.

“One way we can ensure Calgary’s future workforce is diversified, agile and ready to contribute is by affording opportunities for our young people to achieve their biggest career ambitions through programs like TKS,” said Brad Parry, CEO, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development. “This investment will have a positive long-term impact as we continue to seek an innovative and diversified economic future for Calgary.”

OCIF funding will support scholarship resources at TKS, increasing access to the program for students who face financial barriers to participating. On average, 70 per cent of TKS students receive tuition support to enroll, and TKS enrolls over 50 per cent female and over 75 per cent underrepresented students in their programs.

“Reducing financial barriers for future-focused youth learning opportunities is critical to ensuring the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and scientists are fully equipped to make a positive difference in our city and the world,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek.

The program is designed to deliver exponential personal, social and professional growth for students to achieve their career ambitions – whether it’s to become an entrepreneur, work for a leading organization or create new technologies.

“We work with the most curious and driven students from over 60 countries, and it is clear there is a high concentration of curious and driven young people in Calgary. I am excited for this partnership with OCIF to invest in the city and provide the resources, program and mentorship required to help accelerate the potential of these students and achieve things far beyond what most people think is possible at this age,” said Navid Nathoo, Co-founder, The Knowledge Society.

“If we can train olympic level athletes and top musicians, then we can also train olympic level CEOs, innovators, thought leaders, researchers, you name it. TKS has been seeing these outcomes for years. I am personally looking forward to seeing TKS students make waves and represent Calgary and Canadians on a global stage,” said Nadeem Nathoo, Co-founder, The Knowledge Society.

“TKS changed my life trajectory. It made me realize that regardless of my age, I could use technology to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. Without the mindsets, network and community I gained through TKS, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work with the UN to implement a pilot of an innovative toilet system in Nigeria or raise $250k to prevent falls for seniors using smart clothing. Without this program, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, and I can’t thank Navid and Nadeem enough for changing my life,” said Ayaan Esmail, Co-Founder Fallyx, TKS Alumnus, 2018.

This investment will positively impact youth skill development, an enhanced workforce, talent retention and ecosystem development and engagement in Calgary. Developing and retaining a skilled talent pool is key for cities to successfully navigate national and global headwinds.

TKS Calgary is a program spanning 10 months for students aged 13-17. The program will deliver weekly sessions covering emerging technologies, real-world skills and mindset development skills. Students will be able to connect with local experts, attend events and gain internship opportunities. It is currently based out of Platform Calgary.

OCIF is a $100-million initiative launched by the City of Calgary in 2018 to make strategic investments to diversify and transform the economy. It is a critical tool to advance Calgary’s economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy, as each investment is designed to spur a larger increase in economic activity.

To date, $82.3 million has been allocated to 27 projects, which has spurred up to $869 million dollars of investment, the creation, training and retention of ~3,300 direct and indirect jobs, supported or started nearly 630 local companies and trained over 3,700 individuals. For more information, please visit our website

ABOUT OPPORTUNITY CALGARY INVESTMENT FUND

Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary in 2018 to support catalytic investments within the city to help diversify and transform the economy. The fund is administered by Calgary Economic Development and has a volunteer Board of Directors. For more information, please visit our website.

For more information contact: 

Evynn Anderson
Coordinator, Communications
Media line: 403 880 7040
Email: media@calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY

Founded in 2016, The Knowledge Society (TKS) is a 10-month accelerator program for curious and ambitious teens between the ages of 13-17. Through project-based learning and real-world skill building, TKS trains young people to solve the world’s biggest problems using emerging technologies. TKS has trained more than 2,000 students across North America in areas such as artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine, and quantum computing, among others.

For more information contact:

Ossama Ouahdi
Head of Growth
Phone: 1 855-244-7866
Email: ossama@tks.world

SOURCE Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund

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As 2025 IRS Mileage Rate Hits 70 Cents, Expert Warns: Ditch Risky Apps for Secure Paper Tracking

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Gig economy expert Ed Ryder warns against the risks of mileage tracking apps, and advocates using paper-based tracking methods instead. He introduces The Big Mileage Form, a secure alternative developed over two years to meet the specific needs of food delivery gig workers. Ryder highlights recent tech failures, like the July 2024 global IT outage, to underscore the vulnerabilities of digital solutions. The press release also mentions Ryder’s significant mileage deduction using his form and directs readers to GigCoach.net for additional resources, including a consumer tutorial to drive better food delivery outcomes and a gig coach training program.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As the IRS announces a standard mileage rate of 70 cents per mile for 2025, gig economy expert Ed Ryder, who has completed over 10,000 deliveries with his own car using major food delivery platforms, urges fellow gig workers to reconsider their mileage tracking methods. While acknowledging the convenience of digital solutions, Ryder advocates for a return to secure, paper-based tracking to protect valuable mileage deductions.

With the mileage rate at 70 cents, accurate tracking is crucial for gig workers and small business owners. Mileage apps seem convenient, but they risk data loss from outages, glitches, and cyber attacks. Many overlook these significant dangers.

“With the mileage rate increasing to 70 cents, accurate tracking is more crucial than ever for gig workers and small business owners,” says Ryder, creator of The Big Mileage Form. “While mileage tracking apps seem convenient, they come with significant risks that many overlook. Network outages, app glitches, and cyber attacks can jeopardize months of data.”

Ryder points to the July 2024 global IT outage as a prime example of technology’s vulnerabilities. “A faulty software update caused mass airline disruptions and impacted other industries, catching major corporations off guard. This incident highlights that even in our digital age, software isn’t infallible. For me, I simply won’t trust mileage tracking apps with my most important tax deduction.”

To address these concerns, Ryder developed a comprehensive, paper-based solution. “I spent two years perfecting The Big Mileage Form, tailoring it to the specific needs of food delivery gig workers,” he explains. “At 11×17 inches, it provides ample space for detailed record-keeping and, crucially, it’s immune to software glitches, data breaches, and ransomware attacks.”

Ryder’s meticulous paper-based record-keeping resulted in a mileage deduction exceeding $19,000 on his 2023 federal taxes. “All my business-related miles are thoroughly documented on paper. I’m fully prepared to defend this deduction in case of an audit. This level of confidence is what I aim to provide other gig workers.”

“In today’s digital age, sometimes the most secure solution is the simplest one,” Ryder concludes. “My form not only ensures data security but also prepares users for potential IRS audits. It’s time to reconsider the old-fashioned, but reliable pen-and-paper method.”

For those interested in learning more about effective mileage tracking and other aspects of gig work, Ryder offers valuable resources on GigCoach.net. These include a tutorial for consumers titled ‘Fair Deal Delivery,’ which provides insights on how to improve food delivery outcomes. Additionally, experienced food delivery couriers can explore Ryder’s gig coach training program. Visit GigCoach.net to access these resources and learn more about The Big Mileage Form.

Media Contact

Ed Ryder, Match Experiment LLC, 1 484-493-8740, hello@ideamaned.com, gigcoach.net

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/as-2025-irs-mileage-rate-hits-70-cents-expert-warns-ditch-risky-apps-for-secure-paper-tracking-302337779.html

SOURCE Gig economy expert Ed Ryder

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DATA BREACH ALERT: Edelson Lechtzin LLP Is Investigating Claims On Behalf Of Ascension Health Customers Whose Data May Have Been Compromised

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NEWTOWN, Pa., Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The law firm of Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating claims regarding data privacy violations by Ascension Health (“Ascension”). Ascension learned of suspicious activity on or about May 8, 2024. To join this case, go HERE.

About Ascension Health

Ascension is a prominent non-profit health system in the nation and operates under Catholic principles.

What happened?

On or about May 8, 2024, Ascension detected unauthorized activity in its computer systems. Ascension initiated an investigation, which included retaining consulting cybersecurity experts and notifying the FBI. The investigation determined that between May 7 and 8, 2024, a cybercriminal accessed files containing personal information about Ascension’s patients and employees. This information included names, medical records, payment details, insurance information, government identification numbers, and other personal data such as dates of birth and addresses. Approximately 6 million individuals have been affected by this data breach.

How can I protect my personal data?

If you receive a data breach notification, you must guard against possible misuse of your personal information, including identity theft and fraud, by regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for suspicious or unauthorized activity. Additionally, you should consider legal options for mitigating such risks.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a class action lawsuit to seek legal remedies for customers whose sensitive personal and patient data may have been compromised by the Ascension data breach.

For more information, please contact:

Marc H. Edelson, Esq.
EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP
411 S. State Street, Suite N-300
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone: 844-696-7492
Email: medelson@edelson-law.com
Web:  www.edelson-law.com 

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP
Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to cases involving data breaches, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases alleging securities and investment fraud, violations of the federal antitrust laws, employee benefit plans under ERISA, wage theft and unpaid overtime, consumer fraud, and catastrophic injuries.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions. No class has been certified in this case, so counsel does not represent you unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing now. Your ability to share in any potential future recovery does not depend on serving as lead plaintiff.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/data-breach-alert-edelson-lechtzin-llp-is-investigating-claims-on-behalf-of-ascension-health-customers-whose-data-may-have-been-compromised-302337976.html

SOURCE Edelson Lechtzin LLP

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Earth’s pulse monitored: a review highlights remote sensing time series progress

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As urbanization accelerates and environmental dynamics shift, the need for accurate and timely terrestrial monitoring has never been more urgent. A review has introduced a novel approach to remote sensing time series analysis, integrating multi-source data to enable near real-time monitoring. This innovative methodology promises to transform environmental conservation and urban planning by providing unprecedented insights into terrestrial changes and offering a more precise understanding of environmental dynamics.

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — An international team of researchers from South China Normal University, the University of Connecticut, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made a significant breakthrough in remote sensing. Their review, published (DOI: 10.34133/remotesensing.0285) in the Journal of Remote Sensing on December 11, 2024, addresses key challenges in remote sensing, such as incomplete data and noise interference. The team’s new time series analysis technique leverages advanced data reconstruction and fusion methods, significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of remote sensing for monitoring environmental changes.

The research team has developed an advanced time series analysis technique that combines deep learning algorithms with traditional remote sensing methods to integrate data from various remote sensing sources. This innovative approach allows for the extraction of subtle patterns from large, complex datasets, which is crucial for monitoring critical environmental parameters such as land use and vegetation health. Unlike conventional techniques that struggle with incomplete or noisy data, this new methodology offers enhanced accuracy and more reliable insights into terrestrial dynamics, paving the way for more effective environmental monitoring.

Central to the study’s success is the integration of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to address the challenges posed by missing or noisy data. The LSTM networks capture temporal trends over time, while the GANs generate synthetic data that mimics real-world observations to fill gaps and correct for atmospheric distortions. This dual approach has resulted in a cleaner, more accurate time series dataset, which was validated against independent ground truth measurements. The researchers demonstrated significant improvements in key vegetation indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), setting a new benchmark in the field of remote sensing.

Experts in the field have lauded the study’s potential to revolutionize remote sensing applications. They see the method as a transformative tool for enhancing high-resolution monitoring and extending its coverage, particularly in agricultural surveillance, urban planning, and environmental management. “This method represents a crucial advancement in our ability to monitor environmental changes,” says Professor Fu. “As it evolves, it could play a key role in addressing climate change and other global challenges.”

The methodology’s future applications are vast, especially in global environmental monitoring and supporting sustainable development goals. By integrating multi-temporal data from Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellites, the team has created a framework for accurate and continuous terrestrial analysis. As computational power advances and algorithms improve, this technology is expected to become a vital tool for natural resource management, disaster response, and climate change mitigation. In the years to come, it could provide critical data to help policymakers address pressing environmental issues on a global scale.

References

DOI

10.34133/remotesensing.0285

Oiginal Source URL

https://doi.org/10.34133/remotesensing.0285

Funding information

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 42425001 and 42071399).

About Journal of Remote Sensing

The Journal of Remote Sensing, an online-only Open Access journal published in association with AIR-CAS, promotes the theory, science, and technology of remote sensing, as well as interdisciplinary research within earth and information science.

Media Contact

George Hua, Chuanlink Innovations, 1 8656606278, TranSpread1@gmail.com, http://chuanlink-innovations.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/earths-pulse-monitored-a-review-highlights-remote-sensing-time-series-progress-302337250.html

SOURCE Journal of Remote Sensing

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