Latest news with #REAL
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Needs results': New REAL CEO looks to stabilize finances
At the start of June, seven members of the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) as were laid off as part of restructuring the organization. A new president and Chief Executive Officer was also announced last week, in Rick Bennett. Monday was his first day on the job. 'When we start to look forward, there's a number of items that we hope to accomplish,' said Bennett. 'First of all, REAL doesn't need more reports, it needs results. We're really looking to ignite the passion for financial stability, a direction forward and clarity that's really going to stem around creating a plan that's sustainable. Bennett believes that it should also be backed by private sector investment. 'We obviously have a financial challenge and we're at that crossroads right now of where challenge meets opportunity,' he said. 'I think to the City of Regina, there's an expectation that we stabilize finances and that's been well underway. We've got a critically focused board of directors at this point who have communicated that mandate to the entire team.' Bennett hopes to see the diversification of programming on the overall site and would like to see that applied to the buildings on a regular basis. 'We've got a challenge in terms of the physical infrastructure reaching the end of its life cycle, and that's going to be one of our biggest nuggets to solve,' he said. Bennett also mentioned that the depth of infrastructure, hotel availability, roads, airport access, public transportation, all play a critical role in terms of activating the local space.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
World Day against Child Labour observed in Chittoor district
As part of the campaign held against child labour, the Chittoor-based NGO Rural Education and Liberty (REAL) on Thursday announced that its volunteers, in collaboration with Just Rights for Children (JRC), rescued as many as 40 children from exploitative labour across the district in the last one year. The REAL and JRC functionaries were taking part in the World Day Against Child Labour celebrations, here on Thursday. REAL director S. Rama Rao called on the Central and State governments to come up with proper funding and free education for up to 18 years, as the 'right deterrents against child labour issues,' and the creation of a dedicated rehabilitation fund for rescued children. He highlighted the growing efforts in combating child labour and stressed the importance and urgent need for strict enforcement, victim rehabilitation, and zero tolerance against child labour. JRC convenor Ravi Kant, meanwhile, said that India's commitment to International Labour Organisation Convention 182 held great importance. He said that the NGO had so far rescued over 85,000 children and initiated legal proceedings in more than 54,000 cases in two years across the country. The twin agencies said they had organised awareness campaigns across Chittoor, with undertakings from the community to eliminate child labour and usher in the right to education and dignity.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
5 hints from Rockstar's GTA 6 website that confirm the presence of influencer mechanics in GTA 6
(Image via Rockstar Games) GTA 6 isn't just about shootouts, heists, and car chases anymore; it's shaping up to reflect the world we live in today. And that world includes influencers, viral content, and social media fame. Rockstar's character reveal of Real Dimez, the bold rap duo signed to 'Only Raw Records,' strongly hints that GTA 6 may introduce influencer-style gameplay mechanics. Here are 5 clues that suggest social media stardom could be part of your next criminal empire. 1. Real Dimez Got Famous from Viral Videos The official Rockstar description says it loud and clear: Real Dimez rose to fame through viral videos and spicy rap tracks. That language points to a gameplay system where going viral might actually matter. If they can build clout through content, maybe players can too, through missions or mechanics tied to views, likes, or trending content. Who Are REAL DIMEZ? EVERYTHING We Know So Far 2. 'All My Dimes in This Club' Real Dimez aren't just rappers; they're strategists. Their quote, 'Meet my twin, make it a dub,' is more than just a catchy bar; it reflects how they use image, identity, and presence to control a crowd. That suggests a gameplay loop involving performance or audience manipulation, where the right outfit, act, or post could give you real in-game power or money. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 3. Dancers as A&Rs? That's Viral Marketing Dre'Quan, who manages Real Dimez, says: 'Dancers are like my A&Rs. If the record's a hit, DJs gonna be spinnin' it.' That flips traditional marketing on its head and could hint at a GTA 6 system where clubs, music, and social feedback create momentum. We could be getting a gameplay where your content spreads because the right people push it like dancers, DJs, influencers. 4. 'Signed to Only Raw Records' Means Music Meets Marketing Now that Real Dimez are signed, they're no longer just hustlers; they're a brand. Their arc could mirror influencer progression in the game: start from the streets, build a following, sign to a label, then dominate Vice City's music and nightlife scene. If Rockstar builds on that, players might get to manage an online persona, track engagement, or unlock opportunities through popularity. Real Dimez - 'One hit away from fame' #gta6 #gta6music #realdimez #onehitawayfromfame #rockstar 5. They're One Hit Away From Fame Rockstar closes Real Dimez's bio with this line: 'They're one hit away from fame.' That feels like a callout to the player. Whether you're making music, streaming crimes, or causing mayhem in a way the internet loves, GTA 6 might let you 'go viral' not just as flavor text, but as an actual progression mechanic. GTA has always evolved with the times. From bank robbers in GTA V to possible influencers in GTA 6, Rockstar seems ready to satirize today's fame-hungry culture. Real Dimez aren't just side characters — they may be the clearest sign yet that GTA 6 will let players chase clout just as hard as cash.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Transgender community faced with legal document hurdles
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Transgender people are still struggling to figure out their legal documents amid the Trump Administration changes to U.S. Passports. In January, President Trump issued an executive order stating that the federal government recognizes only two sexes, male and female. More Local News The U.S. State Department then eliminated the X gender as an option and stopped allowing transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people to change the sex field on their passports. The ACLU and other plaintiffs sued the Trump administration, arguing that the policy violated the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. A federal judge in Boston granted a preliminary injunction. The ruling means that six transgender and nonbinary plaintiffs can obtain passports reflecting their gender identity. While the case makes its way through the courts, Allie Bohm, with the New York Civil Liberties Union says 'one of the things people have been doing is going out and getting a REAL ID now in New York and in other states that will recognize the gender identity so that they have an accurate gender marker.' More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Taylor Hubbard, who is transmasculine, told PIX11 News, 'It is helpful to have a document that says, and affirms who I am. If I go to a bar and I'm dressed up very masculine, and they see my driver's license and they see female, at that point they now know I'm trans, and so it can also be a safety issue.' Robert Vitelli, the CEO of the LGBT Network, said, 'This country was based on freedom … what we're seeing is a rollback of true American values in terms of who were are.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
09-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
REAL appoints Rick Bennett as new CEO
A troubled Regina municipal corporation has announced Rick Bennett as its new CEO and President. Bennett joins Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) after working as a management consultant since 2017. He was previously with Aramark and Compass Group, according to his LinkedIn page. He'll now have the task of stabilizing a municipal corporation that has experienced a complete turnover in its board of directors and just last week dismissed seven of its senior managers. Jaime Boldt, chair of the REAL board of directors, touted Bennett as man with 20 years of international experience in hospitality, sports tourism and venue operations. The announcement comes just days after Regina city council approved a 90-year lease for a sports bar and music venue at the REAL campus in downtown Regina. "I'm honoured to join REAL at such a pivotal moment," Bennett said in a news release. "There's strong momentum already underway, and I'm excited to help accelerate that progress and shape a future our team and community can be proud of." REAL's new direction REAL is responsible for putting on events and promoting concerts while operating the Brandt Centre, the Co-operators Centre and Affinity Sportsplex in downtown Regina. City staff have already been directed by council to create a report examining the future of REAL, as it has struggled with a financial downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of major events and a business model that does not cover its expenses. Multiple scandals, including a failed bid to re-energize the city's tourism brand as Experience Regina, have not helped grow public support. The organization's entire board of directors was dismissed by city council in November 2023, while former CEO Tim Reid was dismissed without cause in January 2024. Those decision provided no relief for the City of Regina, which in 2024 provided the organization with $17.2 million: $5.2 million as part of the city's budget, $8 million to pay back the Canada Revenue Agency for a pandemic wage subsidy it inappropriately accessed and $4 million to help pay down its line of credit so it could continue operating into the first quarter of 2025. The organization's 2025 budget was passed at $11.2 million. The municipal corporation also carries with it $16.7 million in debt. Multiple reports have highlighted that REAL has no ability to service that debt on its own. Since all of REAL's loans are guaranteed by the city, Regina would ultimately be responsible for repaying that money. Since 2019, REAL has needed an estimated $44 million in facility maintenance. An updated facility maintenance assessment has been completed, Boldt confirmed last week. Boldt wouldn't comment on the details of the report, but inflation will only have pushed the cost of repairing REAL's facilities higher. The city report would weigh the benefits of fully or partially integrating REAL and its assets into the City of Regina, dissolving the municipal corporation altogether and having the city take over its assets, or keeping REAL as it is with a reduced mandate and better financial efficiency. REAL's board are also pursuing a new business model that could include outsourcing the management of its facilities or contracting out some of its responsibilities. The status of that review isn't clear, but the city and REAL are supposed to work together on the parallel tasks.
