game changer meaning

game changer meaning ( MENAFN - 3BL) By Candace Higginbotham Ever heard of the benefits cliff? It's a term to describe the impact of a sudden or gradual decrease in public benefits that occurs when a family's income exceeds the eligibility threshold for an assistance program. People who participate in programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Children's health Insurance Program (CHIP) or receive childcare subsidies or child tax credits can face a benefits cliff when they get a raise, take a new job or simply work more hours. This seemingly positive wage increase can result in an individual making too much money to receive the benefits – but not enough to sustain themselves and their household. In short, their income gain results in them being worse off financially than before the income gain (a benefits cliff), or no better off (a benefits plateau). And that can have significant consequences for families and communities: it can keep people in low-wage jobs, discourage them from joining the workforce and influence other decisions that hold them back from long-term financial success. Education and workforce readiness is one of Regions Bank's community engagement priority areas and the bank offers wide-ranging support to community partners that provide job readiness programs, skills training and career coaching. These organizations are well aware of the benefits cliff problem – and the lack of simple solutions. So, as part of its Important Insights series, the Regions Making Life Better Institute® recently hosted a webinar to provide tools and information to help community partners prepare their clients for some of the difficult realities of career advancement. Regions invited Alex Ruder, Community and Economic Development director and principal adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, to expand understanding of the benefits cliff. Ruder began the discussion with a case study that demonstrates the benefits cliff and plateau, by walking participants through a familiar example: A person working full-time in a near-minimum wage job participating in public assistance programs wants to enter the health care sector to increase their career and financial opportunities. He outlined points in the person's career trajectory where their net financial resources would actually decline or remain the same, even with pay raises, additional certifications and promotions. According to Ruder, there are three potential ways for nonprofits to assist clients who may face a benefits cliff in their journey from entry level to a living wage job. “Building skills, getting certifications and pursuing new roles are proven ways people can advance their career and increase economic mobility,” said Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement at Regions.“Engaging in dialogue with our community partners and workforce development experts helps foster prosperity in our communities.” The webinar participants, representing community organizations around the country, welcomed the discussion and resources. “This has been a terrific presentation and really makes me think of new ways to have conversations that are simple and purposeful that contacts can understand and feel confident regarding their future,” said Dr. Douglas Stewart of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. That's the reaction that Gina Sian, head of the Regions Making Life Better Institute, was hoping for. “Regions launched this program of free webinars four years ago to help our valuable community partners navigate challenges and provide technical assistance as they work toward their mission,” Sian said.“Investing in knowledge-sharing and skill-building opportunities like these deepen our understanding of the barriers that our communities face and helps us work collaboratively together toward meaningful solutions.” MENAFN13122024007202015466ID1108992037 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.California-based cannabis operator Gold Flora Corp. GRAM is on the brink of receivership (a legal process in which a court appoints an independent party to manage a company's assets and operations, often as a last-ditch effort to recover debts or restructure the business) as it struggles with significant financial challenges. As MJBiz Daily reported , the financial recovery firm Global Assets Liens & Foreclosure has filed an ex parte application for receivership in Santa Barbara Superior Court, citing more than $236,725 in unpaid invoices. The hearing is scheduled for November 27. Receivership Specialist Tapped Global Assets has requested Kevin Singer of Receivership Specialists, known for handling cannabis industry cases involving Herbl, High Times and StateHouse Holdings STHZF , to serve as receiver for Gold Flora. Currently operating under a limited receivership in Delaware, Gold Flora has reported losses exceeding $37 million. Liquidity Crisis And Cost-Cutting Measures Recent filings reveal that Gold Flora is grappling with severe liquidity issues. A proxy statement highlighted a 1-for-50 reverse stock split and plans for substantial share issuance as part of its survival strategy. The company is also implementing cost-cutting measures, including a 10% payroll reduction, according to chief financial officer Marshall Minor during a November 14 earnings call. Expansion Amid Financial Struggles Despite its financial instability, Gold Flora CEO Laurie Holcomb announced plans to expand the company's portfolio, emphasizing the launch of its new Gramlin cannabis products. This move comes as the company works to stabilize operations after its 2023 merger with TPCO Holdings , also known as The Parent Co. The merger, an all-stock deal, resulted in the formation of a new parent company, operating as Gold Flora Corp. It provided access to a $5 million line of credit from The Parent Co. at a 10% annual interest rate secured by Gold Flora's assets. The deal was projected to streamline operations and deliver annual savings of $20 million to $25 million, though the company's current financial state suggests those benefits have yet to materialize. The Road Ahead Gold Flora's financial troubles highlight ongoing challenges for cannabis operators navigating a competitive and highly regulated industry. The upcoming hearing could determine the company's future as it attempts to balance cost-cutting with expansion plans. Gold Flora shares traded up 4.91% at $0.043 per share at the time of this publication. Cover image made with AI © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Vladislav Goldin and Nimari Burnett each scored 17 points to lead Michigan to a 112-64 win over Western Kentucky in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sunday. Sam Walters scored 13 points off the bench, Tre Donaldson had 12 points and 11 rebounds, Danny Wolf had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Roddy Gayle Jr. added 11 points for Michigan (10-3). The Wolverines tied a program record with 19 made 3-pointers (on 40 attempts) and held a 54-27 rebounding advantage. Don McHenry scored 18 points, Julius Thedford had 11 points and Enoch Kalambay added 10 points in defeat for Western Kentucky (9-4), which shot just 5 of 25 from 3-point range. Michigan set the tone with a dominant first half, taking a 59-31 lead into the intermission in a sterling offensive performance. The Wolverines shot 57.6 percent from the field overall (19 of 33) and made 11 of 21 shots from 3-point range (52.4 percent) in the first half. It was season high for both points and 3-pointers made in a half for the Wolverines. Michigan also had a 27-9 rebounding advantage at intermission. The second half was more of the same, with Michigan opening up a 72-37 lead with 16:11 remaining in the game after a 3-pointer by Wolf. Michigan later took a 41-point lead at 87-46 with 10:23 to go after a 3-pointer by Walters. With 6:05 left, Wolf hit a 3-pointer to put Michigan over the 100-point mark and give the Wolverines a 50-point lead at 102-52. Michigan jumped on Western Kentucky from the beginning, taking a 13-2 lead just 2:41 into the game. Western Kentucky managed a run to cut its deficit to 18-14, but Michigan answered with a 10-2 run to take a 28-16 lead with 11:56 to go in the first half. The Wolverines built a 49-27 lead with five minutes remaining until halftime. --Field Level Media

UniUni, a South Korean startup, is gaining attention with its cutting-edge AI technology that prioritizes safety and comfort in privacy-sensitive environments. The company’s unique approach allows real-time detection of unusual situations without cameras. It is particularly well-suited for areas like restrooms, hospitals, and facilities for individuals with disabilities. Recently, UniUni launched a groundbreaking product called Savvy For Accessible, which addresses safety concerns in accessible restrooms. This innovative solution detects emergencies that may occur in these spaces, such as falls, and provides automatic updates on restroom availability. It’s designed to help users at risk of falls, ensuring a safer experience. AI-driven At the CES 2025 Global Media Meetup from December 9 to 13 at AVING News MIK Base Camp in Seoul, Daria, the Global Communication Manager at UniUni, shared exciting details about their products and technology. The foundation of UniUni’s offering lies in its AI-driven technology that integrates data from depth and temperature sensors. The company has installed its systems nationwide in over 500 locations, demonstrating the technology’s reliability and effectiveness. Unlike many competing solutions that depend on specialized sensors, UniUni differentiates itself with its ability to accurately analyze behavioral patterns, contributing to its rapid growth in the market. As UniUni looks to expand internationally, they have signed non-disclosure agreements and are conducting proof of concept (PoC) tests in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. They aim to launch these tests in one or two additional countries by the end of the year. To enhance its technology protection and facilitate entry into markets such as Europe, the U.S., and Japan, UniUni has secured seven patents and filed for approximately 20 more. The Savvy system boasts an impressive 99.6% accuracy rate for detecting high-risk situations, such as falls or violent incidents. When unusual behavior is detected, the system sends instant alerts to facility administrators, ensuring a quick response to emergencies. Privacy in restrooms Savvy Toilet is an AIoT-integrated platform designed to create a “safe, secure, and satisfying” restroom experience. This smart toilet system is engineered to detect unusual activities in real-time, enhancing security while preserving user privacy. By employing deep learning algorithms, the platform can identify unauthorized filming, falls, and other abnormal behaviors within just four seconds, leading to timely alerts for management. In addition to its core detection capabilities, Savvy Toilet features several important functionalities. These include: Combining security with privacy considerations, UniUni is blazing a trail in the AIoT landscape. Their commitment to ethical surveillance and effective safety solutions is reflected in the extensive patent protections they’ve established. UniUni’s products are set to impact the industry significantly, showcasing their groundbreaking technology at the upcoming CES 2025 event in Las Vegas this January. As they continue to innovate, the company highlights the potential of AI in transforming the way we think about safety and privacy in shared spaces.

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Recent viral assault video in Kelowna took place over a year ago: RCMPIndia News | Family Feuds See Candidates of NCP and Shiv Sena Win in Maharashtra(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .

A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House saysThe recently retired Andy Murray is going to team up with longtime rival Novak Djokovic as his coach, they both announced Saturday, with plans to prepare for — and work together through — the Australian Open in January. It was a stunning bit of news as tennis moves toward its offseason , a pairing of two of the most successful and popular players in the sport, both of whom are sometimes referred to as members of a so-called Big Four that also included Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal . Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other player in tennis history. Murray won three major trophies and two Olympic singles gold medals and finished 2016 atop the ATP rankings. He ended his playing career after the Paris Summer Games in August. Both men are 37 and were born a week apart in May 1987. They started facing each other as juniors and wound up meeting 36 times as professionals, with Djokovic holding a 25-11 advantage. “We played each other since we were boys — 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game-changers, risk-takers, history-makers,” Djokovic posted on social media over photos and videos from some of their matches. “I thought our story may be over. Turns out, it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome on board, Coach — Andy Murray.” Djokovic's 2024 season is over, and it was not up to his usual, high standards. He didn't win a Grand Slam trophy ; his only title, though, was meaningful to him: a gold medal for Serbia in singles at the Summer Games. Djokovic has been without a full-time coach since splitting in March from Goran Ivanisevic. “I’m going to be joining Novak’s team in the offseason, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open," Murray said in a statement released by his management team. "I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.” Their head-to-head series on tour includes an 11-8 lead for Djokovic in finals, and 8-2 at Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic beat Murray four times in the Australian Open final alone — in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016. Two of the most important victories of Murray's career came with Djokovic on the other side of the net. One was in the 2012 U.S. Open final , when Murray claimed his first Grand Slam title. The other was in the 2013 Wimbledon final , when Murray became the first British man in 77 years to win the singles championship at the All England Club. Next year's Australian Open starts on Jan. 12. AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

LAGOS – As the discussion on flight delays and cancellations among Nigeri­an airlines continues, experts in the country’s aviation industry have added their voices to the causes of the menace, saying airlines are not only the causes of flight delays and cancellations. The industry experts also advocated collaboration among regulators, operators and cus­tomers’ representatives without interference of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Develop­ment in resolving the issue. Mr. Amos Akpan, industry analyst, mentioned the various aviation agencies, government organisations, fuel suppliers, tele­communications, Very Import­ant Persons (VIP) movements, ground handling companies, including passengers as some the contributory factors to flight delays and cancellations in the industry. He also mentioned weather is­sues and deficient infrastructure provided by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other gov­ernment agencies as some of the causes of flight delays and cancel­lation in Nigeria. He added: “Unless we accept the impact of each of the above mentioned in the efficient deliv­ery of service to their consumers, we will remain in the complaint and blame zones without grow­ing. “My point is, if you know what each contributor is doing wrong, bring it to their notice, and ensure appropriate solution is applied to fix it. For instance, the Immigra­tion is fixing the menace of man­ual processes with the corruption it harbours. Our honourable minister of aviation is fixing the bottlenecks against dry lease of aircraft by Nigeria airlines. “Let each agency, each service provider, including the airlines take responsibility for their role in these flight delays. Those that pretend they don’t know how their activities contribute to flight delays should be told.” Akpan insisted that the air­lines could not magically pro­duce excellent services in an environment where other inputs were inefficiently served, calling on all organisations to up their games to operate to the industry standards. He emphasised that the best planning for flight operations was to input every activity in an oper­ations specification submitted to and approved by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). He added that availability of data would also go a long way to reducing flight delays and cancel­lations among the airlines, but regretted that most companies avoid giving out credible and ac­curate data to avoid paying appro­priate taxes to the government. He added: “Reason is because no airline or business in the sec­tor will survive by paying the cur­rent rates and number of taxes imposed by the various levels of government. Yet no sane manage­ment would intentionally break the law. “One of the burdens of too many taxes is that the taxed finds escape routes with the assistance of tax experts, especially when the infrastructure are far below expectations.” Engr. Chris Amokwu, anoth­er aviation expert, declared that flight delays are not entirely the fault of the airlines. He mentioned inadequate air­port and air space infrastructure, ground handling, availability of Jet A1 and weather as some of the issues, which impede negatively on the operations of airlines. Amokwu also expressed that for flight delays and cancellations to be properly addressed, there was the need for the categorisa­tion of causes of flight delays and cancellations in order to be fair to the airlines. He added: “This not excusing the airlines for their lapses. Blam­ing and pointing fingers at each other will not solve any problem, but rather collaboration between regulators, operators and custom­ers’ representatives without inter­ference of the ministry will go a long way towards resolving this problem.” The NCAA had last weekend in its statistics of flight delays and cancellations said that out of the 10,804 flights operated in Septem­ber and October 2024 by Nigerian airlines, no fewer than 5,415 of the flights, representing 48 percent of total flights were either delayed or canceled. The regulatory agency also threatened to impose sanctions on the airlines in compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regu­lations (NCARs) 2022 (Consumer Protection) Regulations 2023.EL SEGUNDO — Running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a sprained knee during the Chargers’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night and is likely to be sidelined for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday he “didn’t really know how to categorize” the injury, however. “He’s working through something with his knee,” Harbaugh added. The NFL Network, citing an unnamed source, said Dobbins would be out this week. Dobbins gained 40 yards on six carries before he was sidelined in the second quarter of the Chargers’ 30-23 loss on Monday. The Chargers turned to Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins in Dobbins’ absence in the second half, but relied almost exclusively on their passing game after trailing 14-13 at halftime. The Chargers (7-4) rushed only five times in the second half. Overall, Edwards had nine carries for 11 yards and one touchdown and Haskins had one carry for 3 yards. Quarterback Justin Herbert rushed four times for 29 yards and one touchdown, a 5-yard scramble on the Chargers’ first drive of the game. Edwards’ 1-yard touchdown run came on their final possession. “Gus is heating up,” Harbaugh said. “Great to have him back in there.” Edwards has rushed for 206 yards and one touchdown on 63 carries in seven games, spending four games on injured reserve because of an ankle injury. Harbaugh was uncertain whether Dobbins’ injury would force him onto the injured reserve list and a minimum of a four-game layoff. “Don’t know that yet,” Harbaugh said of the possibility of Dobbins going on IR. Haskins has rushed for 26 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries, primarily playing an impactful role on special teams. Rookie Kimani Vidal, another possible replacement for Dobbins, has rushed for 44 yards on 18 carries and caught three passes for 49 yards and one touchdown. Dobbins has rushed for a team-leading 766 yards (fourth in the AFC) and eight touchdowns on 156 carries. He and Edwards signed with the Chargers in the offseason as free agents after starting their careers with the Ravens. Dobbins, 25, has had an injury-plagued career, but hasn’t missed a game so far this season. His 2023 season ended early after he sustained a torn Achilles tendon in the Ravens’ season opener. Herbert is the Chargers’ second-leading rusher with 211 yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries, most coming on scrambles away from on-rushing defenders. He set a career-high with a 38-yard scramble in the first quarter of the Chargers’ 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 27. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. hasn’t played since the Chargers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, placed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. Harbaugh declined to speculate whether Samuel would be sidelined for the remainder of the season, referring questions to Samuel. Samuel isn’t required to speak to reporters while on IR. So, his extended absence has been something of a mystery. However, his absence has opened the door for rookies Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still to move into the starting lineup. Hart is sidelined by an ankle injury that required him to wear a protective boot while watching Monday’s game from the sideline. Still has been a reliable fill-in with 33 tackles and one interception. “No, I don’t expect him back this week,” Harbaugh said of Samuel. In somewhat related moves, the Chargers placed cornerback Eli Apple on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury suffered against the Ravens. They also claimed safety Marcus Maye off of waivers. Maye played 11 games this season with the Miami Dolphins, who cut him earlier this week. Maye started three games and had 30 tackles overall for the Dolphins. Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. started the season on injured reserve, but he hasn’t cracked the lineup consistently after recovering from a hip injury. Chark was active for only one game this season, the Chargers’ Nov. 10 victory over the Tennessee Titans , and he was on the field for only one snap. “The opportunity is there, the opportunity is there,” Harbaugh said of Chark, a seven-year NFL veteran. “I really like what I see. Every week, there’s an opportunity. Opportunities are guaranteed, and DJ has the license and opportunity to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Vladislav Goldin and Nimari Burnett each scored 17 points to lead Michigan to a 112-64 win over Western Kentucky in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sunday. Sam Walters scored 13 points off the bench, Tre Donaldson had 12 points and 11 rebounds, Danny Wolf had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Roddy Gayle Jr. added 11 points for Michigan (10-3). The Wolverines tied a program record with 19 made 3-pointers (on 40 attempts) and held a 54-27 rebounding advantage. Don McHenry scored 18 points, Julius Thedford had 11 points and Enoch Kalambay added 10 points in defeat for Western Kentucky (9-4), which shot just 5 of 25 from 3-point range. Michigan set the tone with a dominant first half, taking a 59-31 lead into the intermission in a sterling offensive performance. The Wolverines shot 57.6 percent from the field overall (19 of 33) and made 11 of 21 shots from 3-point range (52.4 percent) in the first half. It was season high for both points and 3-pointers made in a half for the Wolverines. Michigan also had a 27-9 rebounding advantage at intermission. The second half was more of the same, with Michigan opening up a 72-37 lead with 16:11 remaining in the game after a 3-pointer by Wolf. Michigan later took a 41-point lead at 87-46 with 10:23 to go after a 3-pointer by Walters. With 6:05 left, Wolf hit a 3-pointer to put Michigan over the 100-point mark and give the Wolverines a 50-point lead at 102-52. Michigan jumped on Western Kentucky from the beginning, taking a 13-2 lead just 2:41 into the game. Western Kentucky managed a run to cut its deficit to 18-14, but Michigan answered with a 10-2 run to take a 28-16 lead with 11:56 to go in the first half. The Wolverines built a 49-27 lead with five minutes remaining until halftime. --Field Level Media

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