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The signs of Man City’s alarming decline were there for all to see

Jordan Morris made two free throws with one second left for UNC Asheville (2-3) to force overtime tied at 71. Fletcher Abee's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game at 79 and led to the second extra period. Michael Evbagharu's layup gave Central Arkansas (2-4) the lead in the second OT and Cato followed with a 3-pointer as the Bears outscored the Bulldogs 21-12 to pull out the victory. Cato added nine rebounds for the Bears. Layne Taylor totaled 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Brayden Fagbemi pitched in with 19 points, seven assists and five steals. The Bulldogs (2-3) were led by Fletcher Abee, who recorded 27 points. UNC Asheville also got 17 points from Josh Banks. Toyaz Solomon finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .None

Swiss National Bank lowered its position in Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. ( NYSE:CFR – Free Report ) by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 119,200 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 800 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank owned 0.19% of Cullen/Frost Bankers worth $13,334,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CFR. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co increased its position in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 47,534 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $5,350,000 after acquiring an additional 967 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers by 5.6% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 36,085 shares of the bank’s stock worth $4,063,000 after purchasing an additional 1,906 shares during the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC increased its holdings in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 18.8% in the first quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 1,021,559 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $114,994,000 after purchasing an additional 161,580 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its position in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 312,199 shares of the bank’s stock worth $35,144,000 after purchasing an additional 13,663 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 125.2% during the 1st quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 11,888 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,338,000 after buying an additional 6,610 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.90% of the company’s stock. Cullen/Frost Bankers Stock Performance Shares of CFR stock opened at $142.32 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $124.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $112.05. Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. has a 12 month low of $94.09 and a 12 month high of $144.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.13 billion, a PE ratio of 17.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.98. Cullen/Frost Bankers Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 29th will be paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.67%. Cullen/Frost Bankers’s payout ratio is 47.15%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CFR. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Cullen/Frost Bankers from $123.00 to $115.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Compass Point raised their price target on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $111.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $104.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $125.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Cullen/Frost Bankers from $118.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $123.86. Read Our Latest Research Report on Cullen/Frost Bankers Insider Transactions at Cullen/Frost Bankers In other Cullen/Frost Bankers news, CEO Phillip D. Green sold 14,358 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.96, for a total value of $1,980,829.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 94,423 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,026,597.08. This trade represents a 13.20 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, EVP Bobby Berman sold 3,506 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.31, for a total value of $442,842.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,661 shares in the company, valued at $3,367,550.91. The trade was a 11.62 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 21,864 shares of company stock worth $2,977,033 in the last quarter. 2.89% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About Cullen/Frost Bankers ( Free Report ) Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Frost Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking services in Texas. The company offers commercial banking services to corporations, including financing for industrial and commercial properties, interim construction related to industrial and commercial properties, equipment, inventories and accounts receivables, and acquisitions; and treasury management services, as well as originates commercial leasing services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cullen/Frost Bankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cullen/Frost Bankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Davis scores 15, Southern Illinois knocks off Florida Tech 81-54Manmohan Singh, India’s reluctant prime minister, dies aged 92

Zumiez Inc. to Report Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter ResultsWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.

Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?

Jonathan Kitchen There are a ton of "me-too" funds out there that essentially mimic the S&P 500. And for good reason - US large-caps have really been the only game in town for well over a decade. Still - from time to time, a fund pops up that does Get 50% Off The Lead-Lag Report Are you tired of being a passive investor and ready to take control of your financial future? Introducing The Lead-Lag Report, an award-winning research tool designed to give you a competitive edge. The Lead-Lag Report is your daily source for identifying risk triggers, uncovering high yield ideas, and gaining valuable macro observations. Stay ahead of the game with crucial insights into leaders, laggards, and everything in between. Go from risk-on to risk-off with ease and confidence. Get 50% off for a limited time by visiting https://seekingalpha.com/affiliate_link/leadlag50percentoff . The Lead-Lag Report Learn More Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. The Lead-Lag Report is provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC. All opinions and views mentioned in this report constitute our judgments as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time. Information within this material is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions, and should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any individual investor. Trading signals produced by the Lead-Lag Report are independent of other services provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC or its affiliates, and the positioning of accounts under their management may differ. Please remember that investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and past performance may not be indicative of future results. Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC, its members, officers, directors, and employees expressly disclaim all liability with respect to actions taken based on any or all of the information in this writing. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Elias Cato scores 23 as Central Arkansas tops UNC Asheville 92-83 in double OT

CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Elias Cato scored 23 points as Central Arkansas beat UNC Asheville 92-83 in double overtime on Sunday. Jordan Morris made two free throws with one second left for UNC Asheville (2-3) to force overtime tied at 71. Fletcher Abee's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game at 79 and led to the second extra period. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Missouri governor denies clemency, clears way for execution of man convicted of killing girlWhat Is The Administrative State?

Why the Vikings gave head coach Kevin O’Connell a game ballArticle content Premier Danielle Smith is making good on her promise to fight the federal government’s draft emissions cap regulations, saying she plans to pursue measures like withholding data related to emissions from the federal government unless approved by the province and barring any federal officials from entering oil and gas facilities. At a press conference on Tuesday, Smith said the province plans to invoke the Alberta Sovereignty Within A United Canada Act, which allows the province to push back against federal laws or policies that negatively impact Alberta. A motion could come as soon as Monday. “We’re telling Ottawa your cap goes too far,” Smith said. “This is not the way federal-provincial relations should be.” Miles ahead of the issue Postmedia spoke to Eric Adams, a law professor at the University of Alberta, about what this means, the timeline, and the necessity. Adams said the federal regulations are still only drafts and have not come into force yet. He said if the regulations were enacted, they would not have compliance requirements until 2030 at the earliest. He said in some ways, the province is announcing a future fight that “may not come to pass.” “I think it’s an attempt to get in front of the issue,” Adams said. “There (are) a lot of miles on the highway between now and then, and so the political context of this entire matter may change, and it may change dramatically, especially if there’s a change in government at the federal level.” On Nov. 4, federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault announced draft regulations that would force oil and gas producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about one-third over the next eight years. The regulations look to force emissions from upstream oil and gas operations to fall to 35 per cent less than they were in 2019 sometime between 2030 and 2032. Upstream oil and gas operations contributed around 31 per cent of Canada’s total emissions in 2022, according to Guilbeault. From 2019 to 2022, emissions from the sector fell by seven per cent. Motion needs to be debated, passed For the province to invoke the Sovereignty Act, a motion first needs to be introduced in the legislature that says the proposed federal emissions regulations are unconstitutional in the view of the legislature. Reporters were told this would likely happen next week. The motion would first be debated, and if it is passed by a majority vote of MLAs, it would trigger cabinet to make a series of orders. Smith outlined measures her government plans to pursue through a mix of police regulations and legislation but said other changes would also be considered: “If any of this comes to pass, many years from now, then I think those will be future lawsuits to be had, but in the meantime, I think (this is) intended to present a response that is demanded by the political constituency that supports getting tough on Ottawa,” Adams said. Alberta cannot pursue legal action against the federal government because the act has not been made into law yet. Feds push back In a joint statement to Postmedia, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada Jonathan Wilkinson and Guilbeault said under the regulations, production and jobs will increase while pollution goes down, calling it “a win-win-win.” “While we fight for workers, the only people Premier Smith is fighting for are oil and gas CEOs taking home multimillion-dollar salaries and declaring that Christmas is coming early for their shareholders,” the statement said. “We are very confident in the constitutionality of the regulations. The Supreme Court has confirmed the federal government’s role on environmental issues and the regulation of greenhouse gas pollution.” — with files from Matthew Black and Tyler Dawson ctran@postmedia.com @kccindytran Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters . You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton SunTaylor’s University launches country’s first Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree IN A world shaped by rapid advancements and complex challenges, the ability to connect ideas across various disciplines offers fresh perspectives, combining knowledge and skills from diverse fields to solve real-world problems innovatively. Multidisciplinary learning not only fosters creativity and encourages holistic thinking, but also equips individuals with the adaptability to tackle complex issues from multiple angles and thrive in an ever-changing landscape. To this end, Taylor’s University has broken new ground with the introduction of the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Honours) degree (PPE) – lauded to be the first multidisciplinary programme of its kind in Malaysia. This innovative three-year programme is designed to cultivate a new generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators, equipped to address complex global dynamics and industry challenges. Multidisciplinary programme for the future Taylor’s University has consistently been committed to educational innovation, and the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Honours) degree reinforces its role in shaping the future of higher education. The institution’s PPE programme addresses the growing demand for graduates who can think critically, analyse issues from multiple perspectives and make impactful decisions. By integrating these three interconnected disciplines, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how societies function and how they can shape the future. This will prepare them to manage global uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, economic challenges and ethical complexities across public and private sectors. The Taylor’s University Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) is led by its pro-vice-chancellor (external engagement) and former MP Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming. Global and regional relevance While the programme mirrors the structure and rigour of multidisciplinary degrees offered by world-renowned institutions, it incorporates unique Malaysian and Asian elements. This blend ensures that students gain a well-rounded education, equipping them with analytical, creative and adaptive skills that are highly valued by employers. They will explore global themes while engaging deeply with regional issues, making their education both globally relevant and locally impactful. By incorporating unique Malaysian elements, the programme positions graduates for diverse career paths in consulting, finance, think tanks, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public service, academia and more. Graduates will be well-positioned to navigate the complexities of industries worldwide, with a curriculum designed to bridge theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Industry insights A key highlight of the university’s PPE programme is its strong industry ties, featuring a prominent Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) led by Taylor’s University pro-vice-chancellor (external engagement) and former Member of Parliament (MP) Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming. The panel includes other distinguished figures such as Keluar Sekejap podcast co-host, former Minister and Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, former MP and political secretary to the Finance Minister Tony Pua, The Edge Media Group executive chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong and University of Nottingham Malaysia associate professor of practice and Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs former chief executive officer Dr Tricia Yeoh. This diverse panel will provide students with invaluable insights and real-world perspectives through guest lectures, interactive sessions and industry-driven curriculum enhancements, ensuring that the programme remains dynamic and relevant to the evolving demands of the public and private sectors. Yeoh emphasised the programme’s potential to produce graduates who are not only skilled but passionate about making a positive social impact. “I hope the PPE programme will produce graduates who are highly astute, skilful, curious, critical and analytical of the world around them. “I expect that after graduating, PPE graduates would be active in their respective communities and countries, playing a crucial role in innovating new solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, which their previous generations were unable to resolve,” she said. Another panel member, Allen Ng, echoed Yeoh’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of graduates who are in tune with societal challenges. “I hope the PPE programme can grow into a space where students develop a nuanced understanding of regional and global issues. “These individuals should possess the rare ability to connect the dots between regional and global trends with local impacts, armed with a toolkit of political savvy, philosophical depth and economic acumen,” said Ng. Taylor’s University’s Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Honours) degree is said to be the first multidisciplinary programme of its kind in Malaysia. Innovative pedagogy The PPE programme even integrates cutting-edge teaching methodologies to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st-century workplace. Tools such as AI chatbot and quantitative analysis software are incorporated into the curriculum to enhance students’ analytical capabilities. Additionally, students engage in policy podcasts, public forums and interactive case studies that hone their ability to communicate effectively and think critically. The programme encourages students to explore creative solutions to complex issues, fostering an innovative and pragmatic mindset.The forward-thinking curriculum promotes creative and critical thinking with a foundation in theory, offering customisation options to address Asian contexts and align with the standards of world-renowned institutions. Pathway to future leadership The PPE programme at Taylor’s University is more than just a degree – it’s a gateway to future leadership. By blending philosophy, politics and economics, it equips students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to navigate complex global challenges.As the institution continues to innovate in education, this programme stands as a testament to its commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders ready to shape a better future. For details on the institution’s Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Honours) programme, visit https://university.taylors.edu.my , or join Taylor’s Open Day on Dec 7-8, and 14-15.

NoneTyson Foods Inc. Cl A stock remains steady Friday, underperforms marketArsenal began life without Bukayo Saka by beating Ipswich 1-0 to move into second place in the Premier League and cut Liverpool's lead to six points on Friday. Kai Havertz scored the only goal as Arsenal failed to turn their dominance into a more convincing scoreline. The lack of a clinical goalscorer may ultimately cost Mikel Arteta's men a first league title in more than 20 years, but they took advantage of Chelsea's shock 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Thursday to become Liverpool's closest challenger. Saka is set to be sidelined for "many weeks" in the words of Gunners' boss Arteta with fears the England international could be out until March due to a hamstring injury suffered in last weekend's 5-1 victory at Crystal Palace. Arteta's solution was to start with Gabriel Martinelli in Saka's normal role wide right with Gabriel Jesus continuing up front after scoring five times in Arsenal's previous two outings. The home side were dominant in possession but had few clear-cut chances to show for it until the final quarter. Arsenal were frustrated by Everton in a 0-0 draw in their last league game at the Emirates so there was relief when Havertz broke the deadlock on 23 minutes. The German prodded high into the net from Leandro Trossard's low cross for his 12th goal of the season. Jesus did find the net once more with a cheeky finish between the legs of Arijanet Muric from an almost impossible angle, but was flagged offside. Arsenal's prowess from set-pieces has been well-documented and they should have added to their goals from corners this season. Gabriel Magalhaes headed against the outside of the post from point-blank range when it seemed easier to score. As Ipswich's ambition grew as the second half wore on, so the chances at the other end began to flow. Martin Odegaard had given the home crowd a scare by going down holding the left ankle that saw him sidelined by injury for two months earlier in the campaign. The Arsenal captain, though, was quickly back on his feet and weaving his way through the Ipswich defence with a mazy run and powerful strike that Muric tipped over. From the resulting corner, Declan Rice's powerful shot was blocked by Dara O'Shea. Havertz then wasted a glorious chance for his second and Muric saved once more from Mikel Merino to ensure a nervy ending. But Arsenal held out to leapfrog Nottingham Forest and Chelsea into second. Ipswich remain second from bottom, three points adrift of safety. Brighton missed the chance to move within one point of the top five as their poor run continued in a 0-0 draw at home to Brentford. The Seagulls are now winless in their past six games but they two remain two points above their opponents. Brentford had the ball in the net early on through Yoane Wissa but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Just Brentford's second point away from home all season is enough to edge the Bees ahead of Tottenham into 11th.National Consumer Helpline to introduce AI-based features, multilingual chatbots

The 250 delegates at the recent Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ) 44th annual leadership conference agreed that members had a significant role to play in Jamaica realising its goals under Vision 2030. This included developing a thriving work place, so as to achieve each employee’s fullest potential and a secure, just and cohesive society, in order for the Jamaican economy to be prosperous. The conference, held on November 14 and 15 at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston, focused on helping leaders and human resource management practitioners to better understand that their contribution is critical to organisational and national development. The two-day conference was under the theme “HR Revolution: Navigating The Future...2030 and Beyond.” Among the key topics covered were the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI); diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); work-life integration; work place flexibility, as well human-centric and adaptive leadership in navigating current and future complexities of a rapidly evolving work force. Attendees benefitted from future-focused discussions on emerging human resource trends and practices; expected challenges; strategies and opportunities to review real-world examples and success stories from local and international organisations. “HRMAJ is committed to elevating the ‘people profession’, which has expanded beyond what we typically once knew as the HR functions,” said HRMAJ President Dr Cassida Jones Johnson, Independent Executive Consultant with over 20 years’ experience in strategic human resource, talent management, people engagement and executive coaching. “With other roles emerging in preparation for the future workplace, which has been changing in definition, the significance of upskilling and reskilling in the field in preparation for the role and impact of AI provide opportunities to transition administrative functions and areas such as culture, engagement and human-centric leadership at the forefront of all organisations,” she continued. “In fact, our 44th conference has raised the anchor for navigating the seas ahead, with opportunities to collaborate with other associations across the region and in developed countries.” Conference Chair Dr Lois Parkes, Leadership Development Institutional Specialist for the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration, noted: “Conference 44 was a huge success, as it created the platform for deep discussions on critical human resource and leadership policy challenges affecting both the private and public sectors. Going forward, HRMAJ will continue to provide an avenue for further dialogue, policy guidance and capacity building to empower work organisations to address these challenges head on.” To encourage work-life balance, the delegates were treated to representations of Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage of film and comedy through the showing of the six winning films of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Short Film Competition 2024, the Laugh Lab and open mic with comedians Elias Fennell and Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley. There was also a wellness component by fitness advocate Shani McGraham-Shirley, who conducted exercise sessions. The conference was supported by such sponsors as Caribbeanjobs.com; Securys (Jamaica) Limited; HEART/NSTA Trust; Management Institute for National Development (MIND); National Housing Trust (NHT) and John Galt Insurance Brokers Limited. Exhibitors included: Dale Carnegie Training; Jamaica Stock Exchange e-Campus; Bioregeneration Integrated Medical Centre; Allied Insurance Brokers & GK Mutual Funds; Mona School of Business; Gift Tech Limited; University of Technology Jamaica (UTECH), Return on Investment Consulting (ROIC) Limited; Orbit360 & Roar Unleashed and Caribbean HR Solutions. Through advocacy, policy guidance and world-class training in many areas of human resource and leadership to build capacity, competencies and credibility for people professionals and emerging leaders, HRMAJ remains committed to promoting organisational growth, enhancing human capital development and increasing workforce productivity. The association may be reached through website www.hrmaj.org.A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the indictment of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani who has been charged in the US for alleged bribery and fraud, saying the move "unveiled malpractices carried out by the conglomerate".The plea has been filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari as an interlocutory application in the batch of pleas in the Adani-Hindenburg row over allegations of stock price manipulation by the Indian corporate giant.

Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff. Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and NATO member country, and the vote is expected to go to a second round on Dec. 8. Polls opened at 7.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and will close at 9.00 p.m. (1900GMT). Romanians abroad have been able to vote since Friday. By 8 p.m. local time (1800GMT), 9.2 million people — about 51% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, backed by Romania’s largest party, the Social Democratic Party or PSD. The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister. Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and has long been a controversial figure. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him from entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighbouring Ukraine. “I would like that in the next five to ten years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products,” he told reporters on Wednesday in the capital, Bucharest. “As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests.” Ecaterina Nawadia, a 20-year-old architecture student, said she voted for the first time in a national election on Sunday and hopes young people turn out in high numbers. “Since the (1989) revolution, we didn’t have a really good president,” she said. “I hope most of the people my age went to vote ... because the leading candidate is not the best option.” Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, says Sunday’s vote will be “a tight race” in which the diaspora will likely play a key role in which candidates make it to the runoff. “We are at a point where Romania can easily divert or slip toward a populist regime because (voter) dissatisfaction is pretty large among a lot of people from all social strata,” he told The Associated Press. “And the temptation for any regime, any leader — will be to go on a populist road.” He added that Romania’s large budget deficit, high inflation, and an economic slowdown could push more mainstream candidates to shift toward populist stances amid widespread dissatisfaction. Ciolacu told the AP that if he is elected, one of his biggest goals is “to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning” to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries. “Romania has a huge chance to become a developed economy in the next 10 years, where honest work is fairly rewarded and people have the security of a better life,” he said. “But for this, we need balance and responsibility ... I am running for the Presidency of Romania because we need a change.” Other key candidates include Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, or USR former NATO deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana, who is running independently and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the center-right National Liberal Party, which is currently in a tense coalition with the PSD. Geoana, a former foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, told the AP that he believes his international experience qualifies him above the other candidates. “I think I bring a lot of competence and experience and connections in this complicated world,” he said. Lasconi, a former journalist and the leader of the USR said she sees corruption as one of the biggest problems Romania faces and that she supports increased defence spending and continued aid to Ukraine. Romania has been a staunch ally of war-torn Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. But Simion of the AUR party said he opposes Romania — which has sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine — contributing further military aid and that he hopes Trump can “stop the war.” In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9% in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. Opponents have long accused Simion and AUR of being extremists, charges he denies. “We are sort of a Trumpist party in this new wave of patriotic political parties in Europe,” Simion said.An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionOffering patients an injection is more effective than the current care of steroid tablets and cuts the need for further treatment by 30%, according to a study. Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets specific white blood cells, called eosinophils, to reduce lung inflammation. It is currently used as a repeat treatment for severe asthma at a low dose, but a new clinical trial has found that a higher single dose can be very effective if injected at the time of a flare-up. The findings, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine, included 158 people who needed medical attention in A&E for their asthma or COPD attack (COPD is a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties). Patients were given a quick blood test to see what type of attack they were having, with those suffering an “eosinophilic exacerbation” involving eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) being suitable for treatment. Around 50% of asthma attacks are eosinophilic exacerbations, as are 30% of COPD ones, according to the scientists. The clinical trial, led by King’s College London and carried out at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, saw patients randomly split into three groups. One group received the benralizumab injection and dummy tablets, another received standard care (prednisolone steroids 30mg daily for five days) and a dummy injection, and the third group received both the benralizumab injection and steroids. After 28 days, respiratory symptoms of cough, wheeze, breathlessness and sputum were found to be better in people on benralizumab. And after 90 days, there were four times fewer people in the benralizumab group who failed treatment compared with those receiving steroids. Treatment with the benralizumab injection also took longer to fail, meaning fewer visits to a GP or hospital for patients, researchers said. Furthermore, people also reported a better quality of life on the new regime. Scientists at King’s said steroids can have severe side-effects such as increasing the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis, meaning switching to benralizumab could provide huge benefits. Lead investigator Professor Mona Bafadhel, from King’s, said: “This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD. “Treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations have not changed in 50 years, despite causing 3.8 million deaths worldwide a year combined. “Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to manage severe asthma. “We’ve used the drug in a different way – at the point of an exacerbation – to show that it’s more effective than steroid tablets, which is the only treatment currently available.” Researchers said benralizumab could also potentially be administered safely at home or in a GP practice, as well as in A&E. First author Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, clinical senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia, said: “Our study shows massive promise for asthma and COPD treatment. “COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide but treatment for the condition is stuck in the 20th century. “We need to provide these patients with life-saving options before their time runs out.” Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma and Lung UK, welcomed the findings but said: “It’s appalling that this is the first new treatment for those suffering from asthma and COPD attacks in 50 years, indicating how desperately underfunded lung health research is.” AstraZeneca provided the drug for the study and funded the research, but had no input into trial design, delivery, analysis or interpretation.