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WASHINGTON — Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. “Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness," Trump wrote on social media, referring to Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a television interview that aired Sunday, Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO . Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Asked on NBC's “Meet the Press” if he were actively working to end the nearly 3-year-old Ukraine war, Trump said, “I am.” He refused to say if he had spoken to Putin since winning election in November. “I don’t want to say anything about that, because I don’t want to do anything that could impede the negotiation,” Trump said. Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Zelenskyy. It also marks Trump wading unusually deeply into efforts before his Jan. 20 inauguration to resolve one of the major global crises facing the lame-duck Biden administration. Trump made his proposal after a weekend meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, where many world leaders gathered to celebrate the restoration of Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. None of the advisers traveling with him appeared to have expertise on Ukraine. Kyiv would like to close a deal, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.” “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!” Trump added. He was referring to mediation efforts by China that many in the West have seen as favoring Russia. Zelenskyy described his discussions Saturday with Trump, brought together by French President Emmanuel Macron, as “constructive" but has given no further details. Zelenskyy cautioned that Ukraine needs a “just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few years.” “When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land,” he said Sunday in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump's post by repeating Moscow’s long-standing message that it is open to talks with Ukraine. Peskov referenced a decree by Zelenskyy from October 2022 that declared the prospect of any talks “impossible” as long as Putin was Russia's leader. That decree came after Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West said was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Trump’s former national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, warned there was no such thing as a quick fix to ending Russia’s war with Ukraine. “What I’m worried about is this kind of flawed idea that Putin can be placated, right, that Putin will come to some kind of a deal,” McMaster told “Fox News Sunday." “I think it’s really important for President Trump to adhere to his instinct in this connection ... peace through strength,” McMaster said, adding, “How about give them what they need to defend themselves, and then saying to Putin, ‘You’re going to lose this war?”’ While Trump has said before that he would like to see a quick ceasefire in Ukraine, his proposal Sunday was framed as a direct appeal to Russia. The quick responses from Ukraine and Russia demonstrated the seriousness with which they regarded the idea from the incoming American president. Both Trump and President Joe Biden pointed this weekend to Russia’s disengagement in Syria , where the Russian military largely moved out of the way while Syrian rebels overthrew the country’s Russian-allied president , as evidence of the extent to which the Ukraine war has sapped Russia’s resources. Biden said at the White House on Sunday that resistance from Ukraine had "left Russia unable to protect its main ally in the Middle East.” The Biden administration and other supporters of Ukraine have made a point of not being seen to press Ukraine for an immediate truce. Ukraine's allies fear a quick deal would be largely on the terms of its more powerful neighbor, potentially forcing damaging concessions on Ukraine and allowing Russia to resume the war again once it has built back up its military strength. Trump portrays himself as up to making fast deals to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that have frustrated many of the Biden administration's own mediation efforts. There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so — unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise affect current U.S. policy. The Logan Act bars private citizens from trying to intervene in “disputes or controversies” between the United States and foreign powers without government approval. But the 1799 statute has produced just two criminal cases, none since the 1850s and neither resulting in a criminal conviction. In the NBC interview taped Friday, Trump renewed his warning to NATO allies that he did not see continued U.S. participation in the Western military alliance as a given during his second term. Trump has long complained that European and the Canadian governments in the mutual-defense bloc are freeloading on military spending by the U.S., by far the most powerful partner in NATO. NATO and its member governments say a majority of countries in the bloc are now hitting voluntary targets for military spending , due in part to pressure from Trump in his first term. Asked whether he would consider the possibility of pulling out of NATO, Trump indicated that was an open question. “If they’re paying their bills, and if I think they’re treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely I’d stay with NATO,” he said. But if not, he was asked if he would consider pulling the U.S. out of the alliance. Trump responded, “Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.” Trump expressed the same openness when asked if Ukraine should brace for possible cuts in U.S. aid. “Possibly,” he said. U.S. arms and other military support are vital to Ukraine's efforts to fend off invading Russian forces, and Biden has been surging assistance to Ukraine before leaving office. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday announced nearly $1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine. Austin spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Sunday about the status of the war and U.S. military backing, the Pentagon said. Russian forces kept up their grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, taking the village of Blahodatne, according to a statement Sunday by Russia’s defense ministry. If confirmed, that gain would bring Russian forces a step closer toward capturing the town of Velyka Novosilka and disrupting a key logistics route for the Ukrainian army, military analysts said. Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today

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Fulks scores 23 as Milwaukee beats Akron 100-81Since his appointment as the Senior White House Policy Advisor for US President-elect Donald Trump, Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, has sparked significant debate. His views on immigration and green card limits have faced widespread criticism. However, despite the controversy, Elon Musk, one of the wealthiest individuals globally and a renowned tech visionary, has voiced his support for Krishnan. Washington: Since Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, was announced as the Senior White House Policy Advisor for US President-elect Donald Trump, he has become a topic of intense discussion. Many have criticised his stance on immigration and green card limits. Despite the backlash, Elon Musk, widely regarded as one of the world’s richest persons and a visionary tech entrepreneur, has came in support for Krishnan. Amid the criticism, a user on X shared a post featuring a photo of butter chicken alongside an image of Sriram Krishnan. The caption read, “ Here is what Sriram Krishnan would look like if he was butter chicken.” The butter chicken image appears to be AI-generated, covering Krishnan’s face and neck with the dish. David Sacks, Donald Trump’s newly appointed head of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency, stepped in to clarify Krishnan’s stance. He responded, “Point of clarification: Sriram didn’t say he wants to remove all caps on green cards. He said he wants to remove country caps on green cards...” Elon Musk agreed with Sacks’ explanation, He replied, “Makes sense.” Click for more latest World news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Adan Khan is an emerging journalist with a keen focus on crime and politics. With a talent for making complex issues accessible, he has quickly become known for his ability to clarify intricate topics. Now with a year of experience in the news industry, Adan remains committed to delivering the truth, regardless of its difficulty. His writing seeks to make critical subjects both clear and engaging, offering readers insightful perspectives and guiding them through challenging issues. Dedicated to continuous growth, Adan is here to inform, engage, and make a meaningful impact in journalism.

Mac Engel: Jake Paul’s PR statement denying fight with Mike Tyson was rigged misses the issue

LA Times owner plans to add AI-powered ‘bias meter’ on news stories, sparking newsroom backlashWhat we know about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that led the offensive to oust Syria's leaderGREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest's 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Forrest shot 12 of 18 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 7 from the line for the Aggies (4-10). Landon Glasper scored 25 points while going 7 of 17 from the floor, including 5 for 12 from 3-point range, and 6 for 6 from the line. Jahnathan Lamothe went 3 of 7 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with nine points, while adding eight rebounds. The Aggies stopped an eight-game skid with the win. Po'Boigh King finished with 21 points for the Eagles (6-10). Keishon Porter added 11 points and seven rebounds for North Carolina Central. Dionte Johnson also recorded 11 points. N.C. A&T took the lead with 1:28 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 46-39 at halftime, with Glasper racking up 18 points. Forrest scored 18 points in the second half to help lead the way as N.C. A&T went on to secure a victory, outscoring North Carolina Central by six points in the second half. NEXT UP Up next for N.C. A&T is a matchup Thursday with Elon at home. North Carolina Central hosts Saint Andrews (NC) on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

The Israeli military continued its bombardment of the Gaza Strip for the 429th consecutive day, resulting in the deaths of at least 38 Palestinians and injuries to dozens more in the past 24 hours. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza reported that the facility was directly shelled on Saturday by Israeli tanks. The attack caused fatalities and injuries among medical staff and patients, while the destruction of water, oxygen, and fuel tanks led to fires and a complete power outage at the hospital. The Gaza Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that Israeli forces carried out four massacres in the previous day, killing 44 civilians and wounding 74 others. This brings the total casualties since the beginning of the conflict to 44,708 killed and 106,050 injured. In parallel, Hamas leadership is engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing crisis. A senior Hamas official confirmed that the group held meetings with Qatari and Turkish representatives to discuss developments in Gaza. A delegation from Hamas is set to meet Egyptian officials in Cairo on Sunday to continue consultations on proposed ceasefire initiatives and discuss the possibility of a prisoner exchange deal involving Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners. The situation remains critical as diplomatic talks attempt to find a resolution amidst escalating violence in Gaza.WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. severely lags behind China in shipbuilding capacity, lawmakers and experts have warned, as the Biden administration tries to build up the country’s ability to develop and produce weapons and other defense supplies to fend off war. Speaking at a congressional hearing Thursday, Rep. John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said the country lacks the capacity to “deter and win a fight” with China and called for action. “Bold policy changes and significant resources are now needed to restore deterrence and prevent a fight” with China, Moolenaar said. China’s navy is already the world’s largest, and its shipbuilding capacity, estimated to be 230 times larger, dwarfs that of the U.S . Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking Democratic member of the committee, told Fox News last week that “for every one oceangoing vessel that we can produce, China can produce 359 in one single year.” The U.S. government has come to see China as its “pacing challenge,” and officials have warned that Beijing is pursuing the largest peacetime military buildup in history, raising concerns about how the U.S. would respond and ensure victory in case of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific, where tensions are high in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea . RELATED COVERAGE Paraguay kicks out a visiting Chinese envoy for urging its lawmakers to turn their backs on Taiwan Indonesia arrests a Chinese man wanted by Beijing over money laundering charges Chinese online retailer Temu suspended in Vietnam Krishnamoorthi on Thursday warned that a weak military industrial base could invite aggression and argued that strengthening it is necessary to avoid war with China. “History tells us we need a healthy defense industrial base now to deter aggression and make sure the world’s dictators think again before dragging the U.S. and the world into yet another disastrous conflict,” Krishnamoorthi said. National security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a “generational project” to fix the problem after the American shipbuilding industry had its “bottom fell out” in the early 1980s. “Part of it is we don’t have the backbone of a healthy commercial shipbuilding base to rest our naval shipbuilding on top of,” Sullivan said Wednesday at the Aspen Security Forum in Washington. “And that’s part of the fragility of what we’re contending with and why this is going to be such a generational project to fix.” The challenge in shipbuilding has been “especially immense,” stemming from the hollowing-out of the U.S. manufacturing base where its workforce shrank and suppliers left, Sullivan said. And it is part of the broader problem of a weakened U.S. military industrial base, as manifested in the weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, Sullivan said, when Kyiv in eight weeks “burned through a year’s worth of U.S. 155-millimeter artillery production.” “Decades of underinvestments and consolidation had seriously eroded our defense industrial base, and there was no way around it,” Sullivan said. The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, warned last month that the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East were eating away at critical U.S. weapons stockpiles and could hamper the military’s ability to respond to China should a conflict arise. He said providing or selling billions of dollars worth of air defenses to both Ukraine and Israel were hampering U.S. ability to respond to threats in the Indo-Pacific. “It’s now eating into stocks, and to say otherwise would be dishonest,” he told an audience at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Nov . 19. Several researchers at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said China’s rapid military buildup could allow the country to prevail over the U.S., especially in case of a prolonged conflict. “China’s massive shipbuilding industry would provide a strategic advantage in a war that stretches beyond a few weeks, allowing it to repair damaged vessels or construct replacements much faster than the United States,” the researchers wrote in June. On Thursday, the congressional panel heard suggestions from experts who said it would take time to rebuild the defense industrial base, but for quicker fixes, the U.S. could innovate to make low-cost and autonomous systems and tap resources of its allies. “We need to look at co-production of whether it’s munitions in Australia or shipbuilding in Korea,” said William Greenwalt, a non-resident senior fellow at the Washington-based think tank American Enterprise Institute. “We need to get numbers as fast as we can,” he said.Great politicians seem to have two main things in common: they pick the right time to be born and they pick the right time to leave office. Everything in between will be recast in their favour if they only get these two things right. Former German chancellor Angela Merkel recently released her memoir . She, without a doubt, picked the right time to be born. She was 35 when the Berlin Wall fell, creating a cause – an East German voice and self-determination in reunifying with the West – that impelled her into politics. She was undeniably smart, but also the right age and the right symbolic vehicle to catch chancellor Helmut Kohl’s eye and become his protegee. In just under 15 years, she became chancellor. If she’d left after one term – two at most – her greatness would never have been questioned. But after that, her legacy as a crucial advocate for East Germans in the process of unification and her historic ascent was overwritten by a series of decisions that have turned out to be disastrous for Germany, economically and geostrategically. A shadow has fallen over Anthony Albanese’s prime ministership in 2024. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen US presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton could also be said to have picked the right time to be born and, thanks to term limits in the US, also the right time to leave office. Reagan performed a necessary service in deregulating a sclerotic US economy, mired in stagflation, while presiding over the end of the Cold War. Clinton presided over a peaceful age of free trade and international co-operation. While neither was a flawless leader and the numerous mistakes they made can easily be identified, they avoided leading their nations into catastrophe. Anthony Albanese also picked the right time to be born: at the beginning of the ’60s, as the fruits of a social revolution against the rigid morality of the war generation were ripe and not yet spoiled. He was a beneficiary of the blossoming of the self-actualisation century, in which the chains of the traditional family were being rejected, to be replaced by a paternal social welfare state. As the child of a single mother, his timing was especially fortuitous; he and his mother were poor, but in highly relative terms historically. They lived in government-owned housing and his mother was entitled to (and received) a disability pension, as she was unable to work. His own university degree – nominally in political economy, mainly in ruthless campus politics – was free (to him, but of course not the taxpayer). Albanese was, as it were, born into a cause: to call for more of this, which made him possible: more social solidarity delivered by the state to replace the sticky ties of family and community obligation that had been found to be unreasonably oppressive by his generation and some in the one before it. Though it wasn’t visible at the time – transformations of this kind are mostly visible only with the benefit of hindsight – Albanese was in on the ground floor of the transformation of Labor from the party of the worker to the party of the left-liberal, the party of welfare. Operating the politics of this movement, Albanese gained the respect of his colleagues and parts of the public. In retrospect, his ideal moment to leave, with this legacy at its zenith, might have been the day in 2013 when he fronted cameras to lament the self-harm playing out within the Labor Party during yet another spill of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd era. Had he left then, he would have gone out channelling the disgust of Australians at the shenanigans of self-absorbed politicians, an avatar and hero of the people. Or maybe he could even have drawn it out a little longer and left a few years later, at the height of his “everyman” identity (according to The Daily Telegraph , which campaigned to “Save our Albo” in the face of a challenge to his seat from a group of further-left candidates). In either scenario, he would have been remembered as a likeable character in the soap opera of politics – good for future cameos to rally the faithful, positioned for a plum public role. Instead, he became prime minister. And the times have not suited him at all. I could talk about inflation and the cost of living, misjudging the mood of the nation over the Voice referendum, the war in the Middle East and antisemitism at home. Or his approach to change, which has been deemed too incremental by some, too radical by others. I could point to the grip in which he finds himself pinioned, between the forefinger of his younger self in Green-on-the-outside, red-on-the-inside ideologist Max Chandler-Mather and the thumb of John Setka loyalists and the rebellious union movement. But none of these things are as fatal to his legacy as the luck of timing, because Albanese is a man built for an era of liberal gentility, who became PM just as the liberal era was drawing to an end. Albanese can, at least in part, blame Merkel for ending it. The post-Cold War leader of Germany, which, as the largest European economy, has an outsized role in underwriting the European Union, placed her faith in diplomacy over energy security and military deterrence. Germany and Europe are now less able to stand up against Russian strongman Vladimir Putin ’s attempt to seize Ukraine because of her miscalculations. The chief foreign affairs columnist at the Financial Times , Gideon Rachman , also implicates former US President Barack Obama for compounding Merkel’s mistakes by responding weakly or seeking to appease dictators. He concludes that “decisions taken by the two leaders – or often the decisions not taken by them – had a damaging, if delayed, impact on global stability”. When even liberals like Rachman recognise that liberal heroes have made the world more dangerous, it is no wonder that voters around the world (who are usually quicker than FT columnists to sniff approaching dangers) are choosing a rougher cut of leader to champion them into the second quarter of the 21st century. Albanese will never be that. His political tradition is liberal largess, not protective menace. With the bad luck of timing hanging over him, whether he scrapes over the line at the coming election is moot. The politician he might have been remembered as has been overwritten. The question now is only whether his career is ended by his friends or his foes – with a bang, or with a long, drawn-out whimper. Parnell Palme McGuinness is managing director at campaigns firm Agenda C. She has done work for the Liberal Party and the German Greens. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter .MediciNova Presents Study Update and Interim Analysis of Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial of MN-166 ...

Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picks

Historic Change in Syria: Assad Flees as Rebels TriumphAltus Group Limited ( TSE:AIF – Get Free Report ) Director William Brennan purchased 300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 23rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$55.70 per share, for a total transaction of C$16,710.00. William Brennan also recently made the following trade(s): Altus Group Trading Up 0.0 % Shares of AIF opened at C$56.35 on Friday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is C$56.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$53.91. The company has a market cap of C$2.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 939.17, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 57.13. Altus Group Limited has a twelve month low of C$40.01 and a twelve month high of C$61.09. Altus Group Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages recently weighed in on AIF. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Altus Group from C$55.00 to C$56.00 in a research report on Friday, November 8th. CIBC boosted their target price on shares of Altus Group from C$52.00 to C$60.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, National Bankshares increased their price target on shares of Altus Group from C$50.00 to C$55.00 in a report on Thursday, September 19th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of C$57.11. View Our Latest Research Report on AIF About Altus Group ( Get Free Report ) Altus Group Limited provides asset and funds intelligence solutions for commercial real estate (CRE). The company operates through Analytics, Property Tax, and Appraisals and Development Advisory segments. The Analytics segment portfolio includes software, data analytics, market data, and consulting services; CRE asset and fund management services; ARGUS-branded, finance active-branded debt management, and valuation management solutions; technology consulting services, such as strategic advisory for front-to-back-office strategies, processes, and technology; and software services related to education, training, and implementation. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Altus Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altus Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

London – Internationally educated Nigerian nurses have expressed feeling “thrown out into the cold” by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after being caught up in an ongoing investigation into widespread fraud at a test centre in Nigeria. The incident, which according to affected nearly 2,000 Nigerian nurses, has led to job losses, financial turmoil, and severe emotional distress for many of those involved. The investigation was triggered by concerns over fraudulent computer-based test (CBT) results at the Yunnik Technologies Test Centre in Ibadan, Nigeria, which was part of the NMC’s certification process for international nurses. Nurses, including registrants and applicants, were found to have taken the test in unusually quick times, leading the NMC to conclude that the CBT had been obtained fraudulently. In response to the scandal, 16 individuals have admitted to using proxies to sit the CBT, while 7 nurses have been removed from the NMC register, and 185 applications have been rejected. The NMC’s actions have left many nurses in a state of limbo, unable to progress with their careers as they await hearings and appeals regarding their cases. Felicia Kwaku, a representative of a group campaigning for the affected nurses, told , “We have a number of vulnerable people that have lost jobs and livelihoods,” as many nurses face a bleak future while the investigation drags on. One such nurse, who spoke to under the condition of anonymity, shared the emotional toll the situation has taken on her. Nurse A, who passed the CBT in October 2022 at Yunnik, found herself in the UK working as a healthcare assistant while waiting for her application to join the NMC register. However, in September 2023, she received a devastating letter rejecting her application, accusing her of obtaining her CBT fraudulently. “When I had that rejection letter, I thought I had died,” Nurse A recalled. “I couldn’t breathe. I was literally given an inhaler for the first time in my life because of the panic attack.” Despite retaking her CBT in the UK and providing evidence of her competence and trustworthiness, the assistant registrar who reviewed her case upheld the NMC’s decision, believing it more likely that she had obtained her CBT fraudulently. This decision has had far-reaching consequences, as Nurse A was forced to switch her visa status, losing her ability to work as a healthcare assistant and struggling financially. “I can’t go to school now, I can’t go back and do my master’s, I can’t earn a decent living,” she said. “I’m still paying the debts I incurred through the process of coming here.” Some affected nurses have pointed out that the fast test times were due to the availability of practice materials online, which were similar to the actual questions on the CBT. Nurse A explained, “I practised for eight months. At some points, just reading the first two words, you already know the answer.” The NMC has denied that these online materials were identical to the actual exam questions, but the nurses argue that Pearson VUE, the company responsible for overseeing the test centre, failed to maintain proper oversight. According to a recent webinar hosted by the NMC, the Yunnik Centre had not been inspected properly since its opening, and it lacked essential security measures such as CCTV and biometric verification to prevent fraud. Nurse A has called on Pearson VUE to take responsibility for their failure to uphold the standards of the testing centre. “We’re sort of like collateral damage between the NMC and Pearson VUE,” she said. “Nigerian nurses feel scammed that the NMC took us to a centre that was not meeting standards, and now we are getting blamed for what happened.” The situation has left many affected nurses uncertain about their future, with some even considering legal action against the NMC. The regulator’s handling of the case has sparked a wider debate about accountability and the responsibility of testing centres to uphold rigorous standards to protect the integrity of the qualification process for international nurses.

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Monday, December 16, 2024 The inaugural International M.I.C.E. Summit (IMS24) opened in Riyadh with transformative announcements, cementing Saudi Arabia ’s position as a global hub for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry. Leaders from over 70 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, and India, gathered to shape the future of M.I.C.E., highlighting Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented growth in this sector. The opening day delivered 19 significant announcements, including the launch of 12 new marquee events set to debut in 2025 and the establishment of regional offices by three leading global Professional Exhibition Organizations (PEOs): RX Global , Messe Munich , and Clarion Events . These milestones reflect Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, emphasizing the role of the MICE industry in driving economic transformation and fostering global collaboration. His Excellency Fahd Al Rasheed, Chairman of the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), heralded the opening day as a resounding success: “The first day of IMS24 has reinforced Saudi Arabia’s position as the most exciting M.I.C.E. hub globally. The announcements, including new office openings by three of the top 10 global PEOs and the launch of 12 marquee events, underscore the sector’s potential to connect people, foster innovation, and create opportunities across all economic sectors in alignment with Vision 2030.” The 12 marquee events announced on Day One include internationally renowned exhibitions and conferences: These events are expected to attract a global audience and showcase Saudi Arabia’s growing expertise in hosting world-class exhibitions and conferences. Four pivotal Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed on the opening day between SCEGA and: These agreements aim to enhance investment opportunities, foster talent development, and promote collaboration across various sectors, further accelerating the growth of the M.I.C.E. industry in Saudi Arabia. IMS24’s first day featured keynote addresses and panel discussions by prominent global leaders, including: The discussions centered on fostering innovation, advancing sustainability, and unlocking new investment opportunities in the global MICE sector. Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar investments in the MICE sector are aligned with its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy and enhance its global standing. IMS24 is a testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a premier destination for international events, exhibitions, and conferences. His Excellency Fahd Al Rasheed emphasized: “The events and exhibitions sector serves as a catalyst for transformation, connecting global stakeholders and creating opportunities that drive economic progress and cultural exchange.” Day Two of IMS24 will focus on catalyzing investment, building state-of-the-art venues, and addressing global sustainability challenges in the MICE industry. Over 1,000 industry leaders will participate in discussions and networking sessions designed to foster partnerships and innovation. The International MICE Summit (IMS24) serves as a platform for global leaders, industry professionals, and organizations to collaborate on advancing the MICE sector. It provides insights into emerging trends, sustainable development, and innovative solutions for the global MICE industry. The Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), established in 2018, oversees the development and regulation of Saudi Arabia’s MICE sector. By promoting the Kingdom as a premier MICE destination, SCEGA aims to enhance economic growth, support talent development, and position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in events and exhibitions. IMS24 brought together representatives from over 70 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, and India. Their participation underscores the Kingdom’s growing influence in the MICE industry and its ability to attract global talent and investment.

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Saturday, November 23, 2024 Hilton, a global leader in hospitality, has teamed up with American Campus Communities, the largest developer and manager of high-quality student housing in the U.S., to enhance the living experience for students. This new collaboration will offer American Campus Communities residents who are Hilton Honors members special perks, including up to 15% off the best available room rates at Hilton hotels. Starting this spring, members will also have an expedited path to Hilton Honors elite status, providing access to exclusive travel benefits worldwide. “We’re committed to enhancing the student experience by creating communities that support students’ academic and personal journeys,” said Kimmy Kelley, chief marketing officer, American Campus Communities. “We believe that a fulfilling college experience extends beyond the classroom, and by partnering with Hilton, we’re proud to offer our residents great perks and rewards to help them make lasting memories along the way.” “This partnership is an opportunity for Hilton to enhance the stay for the residents of American Campus Communities,” said Mark Weinstein, chief marketing officer, Hilton. “We are excited to provide memorable stays for residents throughout their college experience—whether it’s during spring or winter break, travel to an away game, or a long weekend road trip to visit friends. We look forward to bringing the exclusive Hilton Honors perks to ACC residents and are excited for the opportunity for more young travelers to experience the Hilton stay.” Hilton’s new partnership with American Campus Communities enhances opportunities for guests to connect with and support local academic communities. This year, Hilton expanded its portfolio with the addition of Graduate by Hilton, offering travelers distinctive, locally inspired stays in close proximity to universities. Furthermore, Hilton strengthened its commitment to collegiate sports by becoming an official sponsor of The Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network, providing exclusive perks and experiences to student-athletes, team members, and college football fans alike.