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AJ Events and Productions based in the USA is extensively promoting Sri Lanka as a MICE and wedding destination helping to increase arrivals and most importantly bring in more FOREX to the country. The mentor behind this initiative Andrew Keith Bates, Director, AJ Events & Productions (Pvt) Ltd, said that the first they have already hosted many MICE events and the heat event for 2024 would be held at ITC Colombo. Pix by Sudath Nishantha “This is the InfoTech global leadership summit which will bring around 150 guests from all over the world. The event will be held for two days and many of the guests will stay back, joined by their families and friends and travel round the country.” Earlier we hosted the Johnson & Johnson Summit (A landmark corporate event showcasing innovation and collaboration), TVS Credit Event (A dynamic gathering focusing on financial services), L&T Global Summit (A multinational summit fostering business growth and strategic discussions), STN Conclave (A prestigious networking platform for professionals) and General Electric Healthcare India Event (A specialized event emphasizing advancements in healthcare technology). He said that for the first two months of 2025 two more such events would be held in Colombo bringing in more than 750 visitors. “We are also planning to host a major diplomatic event, bringing together international leaders for meaningful dialogue. we aim to organize an exclusive event featuring a leading Indian artist to create a unique cultural experience.” He said that Sri Lanka with its relaxed visa procedure, good airlines, quality hotels and services backed up by biodiversity is gaining popularity as a good MICE destination. The removal of the Minimum Room Rate too was a major plus point to market MICE to Colombo.’ People have now forgotten about the negative publicity the country received and are happy with both the political and economic stability the country processes. “Due to this we have now restarted marketing destination weddings to Sri Lanka and the response especially from India is overwhelming and we will be also opening a dedicated office in Delhi at the end of the year.” We are a PCO (Professional Conference Organizers) in Sri Lanka with experience in managing events, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), as well as a member of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau for all MICE events in Sri Lanka and abroad. He said that in a bid to cater to a diverse clientele across continents and personalized their services to its clients they opened two offices in India and most recently in the Maldives as well.” By January, we will open our next office in London early next year to further penetrate the European market. Our vision is to become a global leader in event management.” (SS)Harden Settling In, Coach Rankings, and Top Five CentersThousands Attend Funeral Of Afghan Ministerii777 。

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump pledged Monday to exact vengeance against Hamas militants who kidnapped Israelis, including some with dual American citizenship, if the group does not release every remaining Oct. 7, 2023 , hostage before the Republican gets sworn into office next month. Trump, in a social media post, said "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity" if all the hostages were not released by his inauguration on Jan. 20. He said that "those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit" in American history in the post, in which he did not go into specifics. The Biden administration said last week that it had negotiated a cease-fire deal with France between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The release of hostages in Gaza are a key condition of the cease-fire negotiations, which restarted last weekend , between Israel and Hamas. Both militants organizations are Iranian-backed proxy groups, and the U.S. has long asserted that a cease-fire in Lebanon could lead to one in Gaza. The threat from Trump on Monday was the latest instance in which he has sought to leverage his position as president-elect to force concessions from foreign actors prior to entering office and in ways that run counter to current U.S. foreign policy. He warned of coming tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada in social media posts last week. Trump's latest social media missive suggesting the U.S. could retaliate directly against Hamas followed an announcement on Monday from the Israeli Defense Forces that U.S.-Israeli citizen Omer Neutra had died during the militants' surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and his body was being held in Gaza. Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team. Neutra was a 21-year-old who served as a platoon commander in Israel's armored corps. He is among the 48 Americans who the State Department says were killed in the attack last year. News of Neutra's death came as Hamas released a hostage video of Edan Alexander , 20, an Israeli-American from Long Island. President Joe Biden, who had previously met with Neutra’s parents, said in a statement that he was “devastated and outraged" by his death. Biden's remarks, sent from Africa, where is traveling this week, addressed the families of those still held hostages in Gaza, many of them long frustrated and anguished by the lack of progress in negotiations, telling them, “We see you. We are with you. And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong." Contributing: Chris Kenning and Cybele Mayes-OstermanThe Post-Cold War Era Is Finished. Liberalism and Democracy Will Go On.

KUWAIT: Witnessing the plight of underprivileged families in Kuwait — where both parents may be unemployed, leaving no income to support their children, or encountering 13-year-olds unable to read or write — presents a harsh reality that remains largely hidden from public view. This somber truth was highlighted during the Voices of Service storytelling session held on Wednesday in honor of International Volunteer Day. Organized in partnership with UN Volunteers and in collaboration with Qesati, the event shed light on the challenges faced by marginalized communities. “People often overlook the struggles others endure, focusing solely on their own lives. We rarely see what happens behind closed doors,” said Muneera Al Jeeran, a Community Engagement Specialist with the Manara humanitarian team in Kuwait. Speaking during the session, Al Jeeran emphasized on the importance of cultivating selflessness through volunteering. On the sidelines of the event, she told Kuwait Times that addressing these societal issues requires breaking the cultural stigma surrounding volunteerism. “Many think, ‘I have a stable life, a job, and everything I need — why volunteer? I don’t have time,’” she noted. Al Jeeran stressed that even small acts of service can create a lasting and meaningful impact, urging more individuals to step forward and contribute to change. Addressing data gaps Another gap she highlighted in Kuwait, is the lack of data on underprivileged communities, which she believes is key to creating a sustainable change. “We need statistics and numbers to better understand people’s challenges and measure the impact of our efforts,” she emphasized. Understanding the struggles faced by underprivileged families “humbles you” and fuels a deeper desire to contribute more, according to Farah Al Ali, a member of Basta Non-Profit Company, during the discussion. Basta’s primary focus goes beyond merely providing aid, aiming instead to equip families with the skills and resources necessary for sustainable change. Al Ali emphasized that their mission centers on ensuring children’s education by covering tuition fees, highlighting education as a crucial tool to break the cycle of poverty. By gaining access to education, children acquire the knowledge and skills needed to secure jobs, support their families, and pursue better opportunities in life. Both Manara and Basta are open to everyone, regardless of age, accepting donations and encouraging volunteer contributions at various workshops and events they organize. You can access more information through their Instagram accounts, websites, and contact numbers. For further details, visit their Manara Instagram or Basta Instagram. Volunteerism as a graduation prerequisite Lulwa Al Sharrah, Senior Coordinator at LOYAC, a non-profit organization established with an aim of empowering youth to become impactful leaders in society, highlighted the growing significance of volunteerism, particularly within Kuwait’s educational sector. “In high school, we were required to complete 40 hours of community service to graduate. Now, at LOYAC, we’re working with several private schools that have already adopted similar requirements, with more schools following suit.” She noted that while mandatory service may seem demanding initially, it helps cultivate a lasting habit. “Over time, students often engage voluntarily, recognizing the value and sense of fulfillment it provides.” Dr Ghassan Al Othman, Consultant Pediatric Respirologist and Founder of Athr, an NPO aimed at empowering the community to build a healthy urban living, explored the scientific basis behind giving and volunteering, focusing on how certain brain chemicals — oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine — drive human behavior. “As social animals, we are inherently wired not to take, but to give,” he explained. Reward system behind volunteering Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” plays a role in bonding and trust, while serotonin influences mood and feelings of well-being. Dopamine is linked to reward and pleasure, particularly in response to acts of kindness, such as receiving gratitude or smiles from others. Al Othman emphasized that the positive feedback from helping others — such as a smile — releases dopamine, reinforcing a sense of humanity and connection. Volunteering in difficult situations not only provides support to those in need but also “fulfills an innate human desire for compassion and connection,” he said. Recognizing and encouraging these patterns helps create more compassionate, interconnected urban spaces, added Al Othman. Ghada Hatim Eltahir Mudawi, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kuwait, highlighted Kuwait’s leadership in volunteerism, emphasizing how volunteers, communities, and civil society organizations drive positive and transformative change. She expressed deep appreciation for Kuwaiti volunteers, praising their dedication and passion that inspire the UN team daily. The UN recognizes volunteers as key contributors to principles like “leaving no one behind” and sustainable development, she added.ServiceNow Inc. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors

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