Technology

The Week in Canadian Press Releases: 10 Stories You Need to See

Published

4 months ago

August 30, 2024

A roundup of the most newsworthy press releases from Cision Distribution this week

TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2024 /CNW/ – With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on Cision. To help journalists and consumers stay on top of the week’s most newsworthy and popular releases, here’s a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn’t be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

More McDonald’s to Love: The Big Arch Arrives in Canada
Calling all burger lovers! McDonald’s Canada is satisfying cravings like never before with the introduction of the new Big Arch™ burger, starting August 27th. This BIG menu addition highlights more of the McDonald’s ingredients guests know and love, all wrapped into one big, satisfying burger. It’s so craveable, even the Hamburglar has set his sights on it! The Big Arch was designed as McDonald’s response to guests’ desire for a burger that satisfies the extra hungry.Air Canada Comments on the End of Federal Conciliation in Negotiations with Air Line Pilots Association
Air Canada today issued the following update in its ongoing contract negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Air Canada’s intention remains to reach a negotiated settlement with its pilots, one that recognizes their professionalism and contributions to the airline. During the talks, there has been significant progress and the three-week cooling off period gives the parties more than sufficient time to address any outstanding issues. Air Canada is fully committed to bargaining meaningfully throughout the period. Flair Airlines Declares: We Are the Home of the $1 Base Fare
Flair Airlines, renowned for redefining affordability in Canadian aviation, is proud to launch its $1 base fare initiative, further cementing its position as the airline dedicated to making travel more accessible for everyone. Starting today, travellers can explore select northbound routes from Mexico, the USA, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic to Canada at an unbeatable base fare of just $1. This groundbreaking offer is only the beginning, as Flair will continue to introduce $1 base fares on different routes across its network throughout the year.Canada Post reports $46-million profit before tax in second quarter as one-time sale of subsidiaries offset $269-million loss from operations
The Corporation’s profit before tax in the second quarter improved by $300 million compared to a loss before tax of $254 million in the second quarter of 2023, largely due to dividend income from the sale of SCI and Innovapost. As a result of the divestitures of SCI and Innovapost, the segment’s loss before tax in the first two quarters was $30 million, compared to a loss before tax of $361 million in the first half of 2023.Canada Post’s revenue in the second quarter was relatively flat compared to the same period a year earlier. CIBC Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results 
“Our strong third quarter results reflect the consistent, disciplined execution of our client-focused strategy and the diversification of our North American platform as we continue to create value for our stakeholders,” said Victor G. Dodig, CIBC President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re deepening client relationships, and have both a highly connected team and a strong balance sheet, all of which are contributing to CIBC’s continued momentum.”Royal Bank of Canada Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results
“Our Q3 results demonstrate that RBC continues to operate from a position of strategic and financial strength with solid revenue growth and momentum underpinned by a strong balance sheet, robust capital position and prudent risk management. Combined with our recently announced changes to the executive leadership team and business segments, RBC is better positioned than ever to accelerate our next phase of growth and deliver long-term value to clients, communities and shareholders.” – Dave McKay, President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Bank of CanadaTokyo Smoke Alters Retail Footprint to Align with Current Market and Regulatory Conditions
Following a thorough review of all available options and alternatives, Tokyo Smoke commenced the restructuring to align its operations with current market and regulatory conditions, which have significantly changed since the initial licensing regimes in the provinces where Tokyo Smoke operates were introduced. The Company will pursue an exit from CCAA protection as a stronger business, better positioned to continue providing premium products to its customers over the long-term, while continuing to provide jobs to its more than 500 dedicated employees across Canada.It’s time to think outside the jar! This fall, Tim Hortons and Nutella® team up to help Canadians enjoy Nutella in a new way across six classic Tims menu items
Enjoy Tims favourites this fall with a Nutella twist across a delicious line-up of baked goods including a Dream Cookie and Dream Donut topped with Nutella and a Croissant with Nutella – Sip on some mouthwatering hot and cold beverages made with Nutella, including a chocolate hazelnut flavoured Latte, an Iced Capp topped with Nutella, and a chocolate hazelnut flavoured Cold Brew topped with a layer of cold foam made with Nutella.ReconAfrica Announces an Operations Update, Filing of Quarterly Financial Reports and First Sustainability Report
Elsewhere on PEL 73, the Company continues to make progress in the construction of the access road for the second Damara Fold Belt exploration well, Prospect P, which is expected to start drilling in the fourth quarter of 2024. Prospect P is targeting 309 million barrels of unrisked prospective light/medium oil resources(1) or 1.6 trillion cubic feet of prospective natural gas resources(1), on a 100% working interest basis, based on the most recent prospective resources report prepared by NSAI.Shift4 to Acquire Givex in All-Cash Transaction Valued at C$200 Million
Under the Arrangement Agreement, each of Givex and Shift4 have provided representations and warranties customary for a transaction of this nature. In addition, the Arrangement Agreement includes customary deal protection provisions, including customary provisions relating to non-solicitation of alternative transactions, subject to customary “fiduciary out” rights. Givex has also granted Shift4 a right-to-match any superior proposal for a period of five business days, and will pay a termination fee of C$7.75 million to Shift4 if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances.

Read more of the latest releases from Cision, see our resources for journalists, and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @cnwnews.

About Cision Canada

Cision is a comprehensive communications platform enabling more than 100,000 public relations and marketing professionals around the world to understand, influence and amplify their stories. As the market leader, Cision enables the next generation of communication professionals to strategically operate in the modern media landscape where company success is directly impacted by public opinion. Cision has offices in 24 countries through the Americas, EMEA and APAC, and offers a suite of best-in-class solutions, including Newswire, Brandwatch, Cision Communications Cloud® and Cision Insights. To learn more, visit www.cision.ca and follow @CisionCA on Twitter.

SOURCE Cision Canada

Technology

Macrogen Consortium win tender for National Bio Big Data Project

Published

32 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Illumina is proud to be selected as sequencing technology partner to the Macrogen Consortium.

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Macrogen a global healthcare company that specializes in precision medicine and Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced today that they are honoured to support the National Bio Big Data project by sequencing and analysing 145,952 Korean genomes.

The National Bio Big Data Project project has been running in Korea as a pilot project since 2020. During this period about 20,000 genomes were analysed, 10,000 of these including people with a rare disease. The ultimate goal is to enable precision medicine by building a reference genome for about 770,000 Koreans by 2028 and a total of 1 million by 2032.

“Being a part of this step change to improving public health in Korea through the voluntary collection and analysis of genomic, clinical and life record information from the general public, is paramount to ensure precision medicine becomes a standard of care for all Koreans,” said Changhoon Kim, CEO Macrogen.

“Illumina is pleased to be a part of the Korean bio industry ecosystem and to participate in such an important national project. We look forward to contributing to Korea by bringing our expertise and lessons learned from our direct involvement in leading pop gen projects around the world,” said Robert McBride, General Manager of Illumina Korea.

People across the globe have very similar genes but a small number of variants between populations can impact health. For example, some variants are associated closely with particular diseases such as cystic fibrous.[1]These variants can present differently in populations and have a significant impact on how individuals respond to medicines and treatments. Therefore, it is beneficial for Koreans to have information available that is unique to them.

Worldwide, the number of pop gen projects is expanding rapidly, including the UK, Japan, Singapore, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria.

“Population genome projects are growing worldwide with many programs reaching significant milestones. But despite this inequity remains with the majority of genome datasets being of European descent. This means we have a lot of information how to develop drugs for European populations but this doesn’t translate in any meaningful way to other nationalities,“ said Robert McBride.

Population genomics provides a platform for industry engagement and investment, specifically in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and data sectors. By integrating large, diverse data sets and using advanced computing technology (such as artificial intelligence or machine learning), health systems and partners are optimally positioned to unlock the power of the genome even further, while improving quality of life and care and fostering economic growth.

“Precision medicine is changing how diseases are treated and this benefits everyone. For patients, treatments often work better when decisions are based around an individual’s genome, for drug companies it can reduce cost of development and for governments there are long term savings related to less waste and healthier patients,” said Changhoon Kim.

References

[1] https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/fact-sheets/human-genomic-variation#:~:text=How%20do%20peoples’%20genomes%20vary,person%20responds%20to%20certain%20medications.

About Macrogen

Macrogen is a global genetic service provider, partnered with over 18,000 scientists in 150+ countries, and with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

Established in 1997, from the Genome Medical Research Institute of Seoul National University, Macrogen has become a major service provider and consulting agent for government agencies, universities and research institutes around the world.

About Illumina

Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit www.illumina.com and connect with us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

About the Consortium

Macrogen Consortium members include the following companies: DNA Link, Theragen Bio, and CG Invites

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/macrogen-consortium-win-tender-for-national-bio-big-data-project-302335981.html

SOURCE Illumina

Technology

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

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2024

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

Technology

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

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2024

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