Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) strengthens Business Diversity Development team

Business News

Rachel Johnson promoted to Director of Business Diversity Development at MNAA, leading diversity efforts in airport contracts and concessions.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA), which oversees operations at Nashville International Airport (BNA) and John C. Tune Airport (JWN), announce the promotion of Rachel Johnson to Director of Business Diversity Development.
“Rachel Johnson has quickly become an invaluable asset to our team, and we are excited to recognize her contributions with this well-deserved promotion,” said Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of MNAA. “With her leadership, we are confident in our ability to further our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that a wide range of businesses have the opportunity to thrive at our airports.”  
Memphis native Johnson brings nearly a decade of procurement and business diversity experience to the MNAA. Before joining the team over a year ago, she led Business Diversity initiatives at WeGo Public Transit. 
In this role, Johnson will lead the MNAA’s efforts to increase opportunities for diverse-owned businesses to participate in airport contracts and concessions. She will work closely with airport staff, contractors, and concessionaires to identify and implement strategies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the airport’s supply chain.
As infrastructure is critical to the region’s growth and prosperity, BNA is a vital asset for Middle Tennessee and serves as a gateway to Music City and beyond. According to a recent State of Tennessee study, in 2019 alone, BNA generated more than $9.9 billion in total economic impact. BNA supported more than 76,000 jobs in the region and produced more than $443 million in state, local and federal taxes. BNA receives no local tax dollars.
Located in West Nashville, only eight miles from downtown Nashville, John C. Tune Airport, also known as JWN, is the busiest general aviation airport in Tennessee. It serves the needs of regional, corporate, and private aircraft and is a reliever airport for Nashville International Airport (BNA). JWN has generated $92 million in economic impact and is owned and managed by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. JWN receives no local tax dollars.

Jamaica sets sights on becoming global health and wellness tourism leader

Travel

Jamaica aims to be a global leader in health and wellness tourism, leveraging its cultural and natural assets to attract transformative travel experiences.

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is positioning itself as a global leader in health and wellness tourism, combining its rich cultural heritage and natural resources to attract travellers seeking transformative experiences.
The Minister shared this ambitious vision yesterday (November 14) at the 6th Annual Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The event, themed “Beyond the Horizon: Embracing Innovation in Health and Wellness Tourism,” brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore opportunities in this fast-growing sector.
“Today’s travellers seek more than leisure; they are searching for experiences that enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said Minister Bartlett, who delivered the keynote address virtually. “Jamaica is uniquely positioned to meet this growing demand.”
He highlighted Jamaica’s abundant natural resources as a competitive edge, including over 100 rivers, 334 medicinal plants, nearly 700 miles of coastline, and mountains soaring beyond 7,000 feet. These natural assets, he stated, underpin the country’s burgeoning wellness tourism offerings.
The tourism sector’s impact continues to grow, with 4.3 million visitors expected in 2024 and projected revenue of US$4.5 billion. Minister Bartlett stressed that this success is about more than just numbers:
“This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about creating a sustainable future for our communities,” he said, outlining six global trends that Jamaica intends to capitalise on: personalised wellness experiences, technology integration, nature-based health tourism, luxury medical tourism, sustainable wellness practices, and cultural immersion.
The vision for Jamaica’s health and wellness tourism was reinforced by Dr the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, who delivered an impassioned address at the conference.
Dr Tufton argued that Jamaica is uniquely poised to lead the global wellness revolution, with its world-class resorts, rich cultural heritage, and unparalleled natural beauty. He also stressed the importance of integrating wellness offerings into community-based tourism, creating opportunities for visitors to engage with local culture while addressing their health and wellness needs.
To support this ambitious vision, significant investments are being made in Jamaica’s medical infrastructure. Plans include the rehabilitation of Cornwall Regional Hospital and the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital into a medical hub featuring over 800 beds and about 14 new operating theatres.
Dr Tufton also called for greater investment in education and training to solidify Jamaica’s reputation as a global wellness destination.
“I’d make a suggestion for integrating the expertise around building out wellness in the area of training for export… Jamaica’s reputation in the international space, whether represented by these products or more importantly by the people who create the products, is exceptional. I think we need to train more of them not just to offer a solution here but when they go abroad to offer that solution as ambassadors that will then eventually mean more people having an interest at home,” said Dr Tufton.
The event, organised by the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), aims to position Jamaica as a premier destination for health and wellness tourism. It also seeks to strengthen connections between the health and wellness industry and other sectors, particularly manufacturing and agriculture, while showcasing Jamaica’s distinctive health and wellness tourism products.

East Africa tourism devastated by the passing of Dr. Carmen Nibingira

Travel

Dr. Carmen Nibingira, a key figure in East African tourism, passed away, leaving the industry in mourning. Her pioneering work included the EA single visa and regional marketing.

News broke about the sad passing of Dr Carmen Nibingira and the Tourism Industry of East Africa have been messaging each other with shock and surprise.
“We are all devastated as East Africa tourism stakeholders” said Jacinta Nzioka who worked alongside Dr Carmen Nibingira for many years when she was at the Kenya Tourism Board.
Those who’ve been in the industry long know Dr Carmen Nibingira, pioneer CEO of the East Africa Tourism Platform. The tourism regional private sector around 2013-2016. It is during her tenure that  East Africa (EA) countries developed a joint marketing strategy, brand, EA single visa and actively marketing as one destination. She was a gentle soul, very loving, a true and dear friend of so many in the world of tourism.
When Dr Carmen Nibingira left the East Africa Tourism Platform (EATP) and relocated to Kigali, she was a consultant with Howarth, then Mastercard and still actively involved with tourism policy within the region. She is known to have been an astute reader and a respected academic. She often would write and was actively involved with tourism training in Kigali where she served as a guest lecturer and mentor. “My peer, accountability partner and dear friend” said Jacinta Nzioka of Kenya who was in tears.
Alain St.Ange, the Head of Saint Ange Tourism Consultancy and the former Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine said that Dr Carmen Nibingira was a true believer in Africa and of its tourism industry. “I met Dr Carmen in 2016 when I was running to be Secretary General of the UNWTO and she invited me to address a tourism industry event in Kampala in Uganda and to meet the continent’s press. I did not know Dr Carmen Nibingira at that time but was impressed by her desire for Africa not to miss the opportunity to lead the UNWTO and said that it was important for Tourism Africa to know the candidates coming from the African Continent”. and added that Africa had lost a tourism leader who worked with passion and with her heart.

Will Trump Victory Affect Oil and Gas Hiring in the USA?

Technology

The recent election of Donald Trump is poised to significantly impact hiring within the U.S. oil and gas sector.

That’s what Brian Binke, the President and CEO of Michigan based the Birmingham Group, an affiliate of Sanford Rose Associates, told Rigzone when asked if the U.S. election outcome will affect oil and gas hiring in the country.

“Trump’s commitment to expanding domestic energy production through increased drilling and fracking is expected to create numerous job opportunities in exploration, production, and related services,” Binke said.

“Industry analysts anticipate that deregulation under the new administration will further stimulate employment growth in this sector,” he added.

Binke also warned, however, that “it’s important to recognize that while federal policies can influence the energy sector, market dynamics, technological advancements, and global events also play crucial roles in shaping industry trends and employment opportunities”.

Dave Mount, the President of Louisiana based OneSource Professional Search, outlined to Rigzone that Trump’s win will initially be more positive for oil and gas hiring.

“A philosophy of less onerous/more predictable regulatory environment and a more positive view on oil and gas as an economic driver, and U.S. energy independence, favors oil and gas,” Mount said.

The OneSource Professional Search President also noted, however, that increased drilling via a Trump victory may suppress oil prices from increased supply.

“[The] previous Trump administration considered lower oil/gas prices good for the overall economy and did not overtly protect downside commodity price moves in oil and gas,” he highlighted.

“Ultimately, the combination of higher and somewhat stable commodity prices and a predictable regulatory regime will determine the profitability of oil and gas projects, which drives demand for new jobs,” he added.

Mount outlined to Rigzone that a Kamala Harris victory would have “likely continue[d] or perhaps accelerate[d] climate change regulation”, which he warned would “suppress long term investment in oil and gas exploration”.

Offering his view, Clark Conine, President and Recruiting Consultant at Texas based Energy Search Associates, outlined to Rigzone that “less regulation” from Trump’s win will “help investment”.

Rigzone also asked Gladney Darroh – an energy search specialist with 47 years of experience who developed and coaches the interview methodology Winning the Offer, which earned him the ranking of #1 technical and professional recruiter in Houston for 17 consecutive years by HAAPC – if the U.S. election outcome will affect oil and gas hiring in the United States.

Answering the question, Darroh said “the election itself won’t affect oil and gas hiring” in the country. 

“The reason is because it’s an administration’s policies and practices that are actually implemented and pursued that will affect hiring, not the rhetoric of campaigns,” the founding partner and president of Texas based Piper-Morgan Associates Personnel Consultants added.

“The oil and gas industry will adjust hiring to the reality of the next four years,” he continued.

In his response, Darroh outlined that he expects “impact will be to the upside” with Trump’s election victory.

According to the Texas Producers and Royalty Owners Association’s (TIPRO) 2024 state of energy report, which was released earlier this year, the U.S. oil and gas industry employed 2,043,855 professionals in 2023. The report highlighted that this figure represented a net increase of 56,373 direct jobs compared to 2022, “subject to revisions”.

“When incorporating direct, indirect, and induced multipliers for employment at the national level, the industry supported more than 24 million jobs last year,” the report noted.

“There were 385,662 direct U.S. upstream sector jobs in 2023, a net increase of 23,709 jobs compared to 2022,” it added.

The U.S. election took place on November 5. Trump won this election with 312 electoral votes to Kamala Harris’ 226, RealClearPolitics and 270towin, which both describe themselves as non-partisan, show. The total number of electoral votes is 538, with a minimum of 270 needed for a majority, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website outlines.

To contact the author, email [email protected]

Trump’s anti-science appointees ‘drive demonisation of scholars’

Science and Health

Researchers who have stood up against vaccine scepticism are likely to face increased threats as Donald Trump appoints “anti-science” figures to his administration, experts have warned.Since Mr Trump was elected US president on 5 November, high-profile scientists have been deluged with abuse on social media, most notably with renewed calls for Anthony Fauci, America’s former public health chief, to be prosecuted and “held responsible” for his advice during the pandemic.
There are concerns that the appointments of Robert F. Kennedy Jr – who has repeatedly made false claims about vaccines, autism and Covid, and has been picked as health secretary – and Elon Musk, another vaccine sceptic who is leading on government efficiency, may embolden anti-vaxxers, including in Congress.
Peter Hotez, the creator of a low-cost Covid jab and a target for anti-vaxxers for many years, has experienced an uptick in online abuse since Mr Trump’s victory, but the Baylor University biologist told Times Higher Education that he saw recent events as “mostly just more of the same”.
He was worried, however, that the “politically motivated anti-vaccine movement” that saw “200,000 Americans needlessly perish because they refused a Covid vaccine” was “extending to childhood immunisations”.
Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, believed the elevation of anti-vaxxers to government was deeply concerning because it would be seen to validate the views of those who have threatened Professor Hotez and other experts.
The threats against Professor Hotez from politicians have mostly amounted to “harassment thus far demanding correspondence and requiring him to testify before Congress”, but the anti-scientist sentiment stoked in Washington could have more serious consequences, Dr Baker continued.
Along with other scientists, Professor Hotez would be “worried that he will face a situation where the full fury of the anti-vaxxers is unleashed with no one in a position of authority prepared to stand up for him or for modern medicine and science more generally”.
“To be clear, there is corruption in the system – the opioid epidemic is the most visible evidence – but these [anti-vaccine] people are not interested in cleaning up corruption. They are interested in tearing down a system that has led to longer, better lives for billions of people,” said Dr Baker.
While Professor Hotez has called for scientists to receive “better support from the societies, college presidents [and] elected leaders who care”, Mr Trump’s explicit threat to tax university endowments and to fine institutions perceived to be pursuing “woke” agendas might make this support much harder to come by than it was in 2016, one university dean told THE.
Her institution was already monitoring internal correspondence given the “concern that whatever we circulate publicly could be used against the college at some point down the line”, said the school leader, who asked not to be named.
“There is a real concern about the censorship of any research and teaching engaged with issues that are out of alignment with the incoming government’s ideology,” she continued.
“It certainly seems likely that federal funds might be withheld if a college or university continues to offer degrees in gender studies, African American studies, et cetera. This is not 2016 – no one is in the streets protesting.”
[email protected]

Latest OTT releases this week (18th November to 24th November): 23 new movies and shows coming on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV+ and more

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

A new week has arrived with a fresh list of genre-bending titles (movies, web shows, documentaries and K-dramas) that promise to keep you entertained all along. This week, we’ve got many thrilling movies and web shows arriving on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, JioCinema, and other streamers. The list of latest OTT releases this week includes Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale, Zombieverse Season 2, Dune: Prophecy, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2, GTMAX, and other titles that will satiate your bingeing needs. Scroll down to browse through the complete list.Latest OTT releases this week (18th November to 24th November): 23 new movies and shows coming on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV+ and moreNovember 181. Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale – NetflixNayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale is an exciting documentary that focuses on popular actress Nayanthara‘s rise to stardom, personal struggles, and her relationship with filmmaker-husband Vignesh Shivan. 2. Dune: Prophecy – JioCinemaSet thousands of years before the rise of Paul Atreides, the upcoming sci-fi series follows two Harkonnen sisters, who combat powerful forces threatening the future of humankind. Soon, they establish a powerful sect known as Bene Gesserit, with members possessing superhuman powers and abilities. The series stars Tabu, Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson, Travis Fimmel, and Mark Strong, among others.November 193. Zombieverse Season 2 – NetflixNetflix returns with a new season of their exhilarating reality drama, Zombieverse, where a group of participants must overcome various challenges during a zombie outbreak in Seoul and come out alive.4. Interior Chinatown – Disney+ HotstarThe list of latest OTT releases this week includes an enthralling crime drama titled Interior Chinatown. It tells the story of an Asian-American actor entangled in a police procedural, whose life takes an exciting twist when he learns about his family’s buried history. The upcoming series, which stars Jimmy O. Yang in the lead role, is based on Charles Yu’s novel of the same name.November 205. Adoration – NetflixThis upcoming Italian series is based on Alice Urciuolo’s novel of the same name. The Netflix series focuses on the events that disrupt a small community after the disappearance of a teenage girl.6. GTMAX – NetflixThe action-packed heist movie helmed by Olivier Schneider follows a former motocross champion, who faces her deepest fears when her younger brother is recruited by a gang of notorious bikers for a high-profile heist in Paris. Other titles on the list of latest OTT releases this week include Interior Chinatown, A Man on the Inside, Joy, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2, and many more.7. Shahs of Sunset – NetflixShahs of Sunset is a reality drama that follows a group of Iranian American friends who try to balance their social and professional life in LA while dealing with familial pressure.8. Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy – NetflixThe list of latest OTT releases this week includes a binge-worthy documentary that exposes the tricks brands use to motivate their customers to buy — and how these tricks have a real impact on our lives.9. Campus Beats Season 4 – Amazon Prime VideoThe makers of Campus Beats are back with a new season starring Shantanu Maheshwari and Shruti Sinha in the lead roles. The plot picks up from where it ended in the past season, focusing on the growing tension between two dance groups, and the mystery behind the mysterious death of Netra’s father. November 2110. A Man on the Inside – NetflixApart from Joy, Shahs of Sunset, The Piano Lesson, and other titles, the list of latest OTT releases this week includes an edge-of-the-seat crime comedy series titled A Man on the Inside. It revolves around a retired professor who gets a new lease of life when a private investigator hires him for an undercover mission.11. Alien: Romulus – Disney+ HotstarAlien: Romulus is the seventh movie in the Alien franchise directed by Fede Álvarez. The plot centres around a group of young scientists and space colonisers whose lives are upended after a shocking encounter with one of the most terrifying life forms while scavenging a deserted space station.November 2212. The Helicopter Heist – NetflixThe upcoming Swedish mini-series is based on Jonas Bonnier’s 2017 novel of the same name. It follows two childhood friends, who decide to try one last heist — robbing millions from a cash depot. An engaging drama about one of the most spectacular heists in history.13. Joy – NetflixSet in the ’60s and ’70s, this movie focuses on a young nurse, a surgeon, and a scientist who overcome several hurdles to develop IVF (in vitro fertilisation) against all odds. The movie stars Bill Nighy, Thomasin McKenzie, and James Norton in lead roles.14. The Piano Lesson – NetflixAn adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, this movie delves into the lives of the members of the Charles family, who struggle with their family legacy and the fate of an heirloom piano that tests their bond.15. Transmitzvah – NetflixTransmitzvah tells the story of a Yiddish singer, who returns to her childhood neighbourhood in Buenos Aires to confront her family and past, after an unexpected tragedy. The movie stars Alejandro Awada, Gustavo Bassani, and Karina Bazán, among others.16. When the Phone Rings – NetflixThe list of latest OTT releases this week includes a thrilling Korean drama that promises to keep you hooked to the screen till the end. Titled When the Phone Rings, this upcoming drama revolves around a couple, a rising politician and his mute wife, whose marriage begins to unravel after a mysterious and threatening call from a kidnapper. The upcoming K-drama stars Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin, Heo Nam-jun, and Jang Gyu-ri.17. Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2 – NetflixPicking up from where the previous season ended, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2 focuses on Vikrant whose plan of starting a new life with Shikha is derailed by Purva. However, the kidnapping of Purva at the end of the previous season raised several questions. The new season will mark the return of Shweta Tripathi, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Aanchal Singh.18. Bia and Victor – Disney+ HotstarThis Portuguese romantic drama centres around two people, Bia and Victor, who navigate through their lives and relationships with people they thought would be their perfect partners. However, everything changes when they suspect that there may be something more between them. 19. Based On A True Story Season 2 – JioCinemaStarring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina in lead roles, the dark comedy thriller tells the story of a former tennis star, a realtor, and a plumber who grab an opportunity to capitalise on America’s obsession with true crime. The makers will be rolling out new episodes of the entertaining drama this week.20. Blitz – Apple TV+After a grand premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, filmmaker Steve McQueen’s historical war drama Blitz is scheduled to premiere on Apple TV this week. The movie centres around a young boy who embarks on an adventure through London during World War II. Soon, he lands in a complex situation, while his distraught mother continues to search for him. Another exhilarating option on the list of latest OTT releases this week.21. Greedy People – Lionsgate PlayGreedy People is a crime comedy movie which stars Himesh Patel, Lily James, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in pivotal roles. The plot of the movie revolves around the residents of a small island town who navigate through a murder and the discovery of a million dollars. However, after a series of bad decisions, the peaceful community lands in a complicated situation.22. Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point – TheatresDirected by Tyler Taormina, this comedy drama revolves around a family who comes together for their last holiday in their ancestral home. While the generational tensions arise, a young member manages to sneak out of the house with her friends to claim a suburb of her own. 23. I Want to Talk – TheatresDirected by Shoojit Sircar, the upcoming movie centres around a father-daughter duo whose regular life is rattled by an unexpected medical diagnosis. The upcoming movie stars Abhishek Bachchan and Banita Sandhu in prominent roles.