what is an official visit to a country

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Explained: State vs Official Visit

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Private and official visits: types and differences

One of the most common and important forms of diplomacy, which are also of fundamental relevance, are the visits that Heads of State or other members of governments and institutions make to other countries with which they maintain diplomatic relations. However, there are several different types of visits, depending on who makes them and their purpose. For example, a state visit is not the same as a courtesy visit, just as a visit by a king as head of state is not the same as a visit by a minister.

If we begin by defining those visits with a higher protocol importance , we have to start talking about State Visits . These are visits made by the Heads of State of a country to meet their counterpart in a different country. But, in addition, State visits have a series of very specific characteristics that differentiate them from the rest. They are appointments that respond to a prior invitation by the host State and that only take place once during the time that the Head of State (host) remains in office . This does not imply that visits by the same invited Head of State cannot be made again during this time, only that they will not be classified as State Visits.

The rest of the official visits are usually born of the initiative of the state that carries them out and not of the host, although this is not a rule and official visits may be made in response to previous invitations from the host state.

Included in the rest of the official visits are those known as " courtesy visits ", which respond upon an invitation to an international event held in another country, although they may also occur in reciprocal response to a previous visit or to a meeting of the leaders at an international event.

Official visits also include visits of interest , which are visits to supranational institutions of special interest to the State being represented; working visits , when they are mainly for economic or business purposes; or cooperation visits , of a humanitarian or social nature.

On the other hand, there are private visits, which are not included in official visits and which respond to a private and personal motivation of the members of governments and institutions, such as vacations. These visits are sometimes also used to strengthen ties between countries, as these persons visit their counterparts in the country where they are, although outside the exercise of their functions.

17 Facts about State Visits by Foreign Rulers to the White House Most People Don’t Know

State visits form the prestigious centerpiece of international diplomacy, bringing together the two heads of state from respective nations in a rare and intimate interaction. Designed to demonstrate the bonds of friendship between the two countries, these carefully orchestrated and engineered events serve as public expressions of bilateral relations. Involving strictly delineated ceremonies, following decades, if not centuries, old protocols, these extravagant occasions are auspicious, time-consuming, and costly endeavors. Despite this, understanding of the precise meanings and nuanced significance of many of the important moments of state visits is found habitually lacking; sometimes, even on those in attendance.

Here are 17 facts about state visits by foreign rulers to the White House:

17 Facts about State Visits by Foreign Rulers to the White House Most People Don’t Know

17. State visits, as the name suggests, are a privilege only granted to the formal heads of state from the respective visiting nation and under specific circumstances

State visits to the United States of America occur only when a foreign head of state visits whilst acting in their sovereign capacity. The latter stipulation separates a “head of state visit” from an “official visit”, denoting an occasion of uniquely special importance to the guest dignitary. An exception to this strict protocol was made in 1944 by President Roosevelt for General Charles de Gaulle, the leader of Free France: the French Republic’s government-in-exile during the Nazi occupation. Featuring “all the trappings of a visiting head of state”, due to America’s recognition of his status as the legitimate, if not formal, head of state of France, de Gaulle was respectfully provided with the formalities.

Although the same length as an official visit, four days, subtle differences exist between the two events. Despite recipients of both enjoying a flight-line ceremony, a White House arrival ceremony and dinner, the exchange of diplomatic gifts, an invitation to reside at Blair House, and flag street-lining, along with an opportunity – subject to negotiations – to make an address to Congress, minor alterations separate the occasions. For example, during a state visit the White House dinner is white-tie as opposed to black-tie for an official visit, whilst the arrival ceremony features as 21-gun salute instead of only a 19-gun salute.

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16. In an effort to preserve the auspicious value of a formal state visit, invitations are carefully distributed to prevent diplomatic incidents and maximize their effect

In order to preserve the significance of a state visit to the United States, great effort is taken to maintain their exclusivity and status. There is often only one or two state invites issued per year, with an informal rule also stipulating that no nation shall be hosted more than once every four years to prevent the appearance of favoritism; consequently, many close allies enjoy repeated official visits but only one state visit per administration. Every American President from Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) hosted at least one state dinner at the White House each year, a tradition that ran until 2017 when Donald Trump abandoned this convention and invited nobody.

Due to the resultant importance attached to state visits, their invitation has proved a controversial honor and statement over the years. In 1995, the Clinton Administration considered inviting the President of the People’s Republic of China. Facing a backlash from Congress, the invitation was downgraded to the less formal official visit or an official working visit. China, outraged, declined this revised offer, insisting that President Jiang Zemin should be afforded the same respect as other heads of state. Eventually, in 1997 Zemin enjoyed a state visit to the United States, visiting Hawaii, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles, as well as attending a state dinner in his honor at the White House.

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15. Declining an invitation for a state dinner to the White House is an immensely rare affront, breaching decades of carefully and precisely delineated protocol

Receiving an invitation to attend a state dinner in the United States is an extremely rare privilege, even for a head of state, and, consequently, declining said invitation is broadly perceived as an enormous repudiation of both the incumbent President and of the U.S. itself. Formal diplomatic protocol provides individuals invited to attend state dinners just four reasons to politely decline the solicitations of the American President: a death in the immediate family, a serious illness preventing attendance, a family wedding, or an “unavoidable” requirement for their absence from Washington D.C. Failure to provide a suitable excuse will be treated as a personal attack on the First Family or guest dignitary and future invites will be discontinued.

Due to the diplomatic repercussions of publicly rejecting an invitation, it is unknown exactly how many world leaders have declined an offer of a state visit. One known instance, occurring in 1986, involved King Hassan II of Morocco, who canceled a planned visit to Washington D.C. at the eleventh hour. Citing personal fatigue, the incident was widely interpreted as an expression of annoyance at America’s criticism of Moroccan relations with Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

14. The first state visit to the White House did not occur until 1874, almost 100 years into the United States’ existence

Despite the strategic and diplomatic importance of hosting foreign heads of state, it would not be until 1874, nearly a century after the founding of the United States of America, that one would visit the White House. In 1874, the newly elected King of Hawaii, Kalākaua, became the first when he visited Ulysses S. Grant at his official residence, enjoying the first state dinner ever hosted by an American President. Although another state dinner would not be held until 1931, when President Hoover hosted King Prajadhipok of Siam, the tradition of state visits had been started and the number swiftly increased.

Two years later, in 1876, Emperor Pedro II of Brazil became the first South American head of state to visit the United States. Although followed by President Justo Rufino Barrios of Guatemala, the first North American, in 1882, the geographical gap separating the American continent from the rest of the world would take decades to be broken down. It would not be until 1913 that a European head of state visited the United States: Prince Albert I of Monaco. After a pause to permit for the World War I and peacetime diplomacy to resume, the aforementioned visit of King Prajadhipok in 1931 saw the first Asian head of state visit, and, finally, in 1943, with President Edwin Barclay of Liberia, an African head of state completed the continental checklist.

13. Typically arriving at Joint Base Andrews, the head of state is met by an official delegation and a military honor guard consisting of exactly twenty-one soldiers

During modern state visits, the extravagant event begins with the arrival of the guest dignitary via aircraft at Joint Base Andrews: a military facility located in Maryland that serves as the home for the multiple aircraft known interchangeably as Air Force One. A red carpet is rolled out for the honored visitor and a military cordon, comprised of members from the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard, and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, forms on either side; this cordon includes precisely 21 individuals for heads of state.

Descending from the aircraft to the performance of “Arrival Fanfare Number One” by the U.S. Air Force Band, the visiting head of state is met by an American child offering a bouquet of flowers. The honored guest is subsequently greeted by a welcoming committee, led by the United States Chief of Protocol and including the American ambassador to the visiting nation, the ambassador from the visiting nation to the United States, the commanding general of Joint Base Andrews, in addition to two or three carefully selected persons representing the nature of the visit and the historic relationship between the two countries.

12. The “world’s most exclusive hotel”, Blair House serves as the Presidential Guest House and plays host to visiting heads of state during their respective visits

Following introductions at Joint Base Andrews, visiting heads of state are transported to the President’s Guest House, also known as Blair House. Located in Washington D.C, the present building, an amalgamation of Blair House, Lee House, Peter Parker House, and 704 Jackson Place, is actually larger than the White House. Constructed in 1824, Blair House was sold to the U.S. government in 1942 for use by visiting foreign dignitaries. A key motivation behind the purchase was the intrusive familiarity of Winston Churchill during his frequent stays at the White House; the British Prime Minister would, allegedly and to the dismay of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, wander into the private apartments and attempt to engage in conversation in the middle of the night.

During renovations of the White House under the Truman Administration, President Truman elected to reside at Blair House; it was in the course of this stay that Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo attempted to assassinate Truman in November 1950. Whilst a head of state is a guest at Blair House, their national flag or personal standard is flown atop the building as a reflection of their status. Should two foreign visitors of equal rank, for example two heads of state, be invited to Washington D.C. at the same time, neither is offered Blair House to avert any inference of personal favoritism.

11. The next day, the visiting head of state is greeted at the White House by the American President and an entourage in a formal display of pageantry

The following morning, allowing the traveled head of state an opportunity to recover from their journey and freshen up, their state visit begins in earnest with the Arrival Ceremony. Introduced to the pageantry of American traditions as recently as the 1940s, the President of the United States hosts an event on the South Lawn of the White House and greets his distinguished guests. Of note, for an official working visit, in contrast to a state visit, the guest dignitary is not received on the South Lawn but instead the arrival ceremony is held at the Pentagon’s parade ground; equally, instead of being greeted by the President, the Secretary of Defense serves as the presiding officer over the event.

After an exchange of formal greetings and pleasantries, the President introduces his guests to the remainder of the welcoming committee. Although varying in membership, the committee is obliged to include the Vice-President, the United States Cabinet, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but might also include senior members of Congress and other relevant figures from American political life. Following these introductions, the visiting nation’s anthem is performed by a military band, in the course of which a 21-gun-howitzer salute is fired by the Presidential Salute Battery, followed by the American national anthem in a show of deference and respect to their guests.

10. After meeting the gathered officials, it is customary for the visiting head of state to perform an inspection of an honor guard of military personnel from the host nation

As is traditional in state visits around the world, awaiting the honored dignitary is a ceremonial military guard of honor. In a reciprocal act of politeness, it is customary that the host and guest heads of state perform a brief inspection of the soldiers in attendance. Carried out to the performance of a military band, the two heads of state enact a short walk-by inspection of those assembled. Unlike a political gathering or informal occasion, conversation is not tolerated between either the heads of state or the politicians and military personnel; the inspection is a sacred formality, serving to display the authority of the president as commander-in-chief, not an opportunity to converse.

Following this brief close-up inspection, the heads of state climb a review stand to watch the fife and drum corps of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment conduct a pass-in-review. The troops march past the raised dais, allowing for an overview of the military personnel present. This procession is performed to the tune of Yankee Doodle – an American marching song dating to the American Revolutionary War. An exception is made during visitations by the United Kingdom, for which, reflecting the “Special Relationship” between the countries, the tune used is The British Grenadiers : a marching song popular during the 17th and 18th centuries among English regiments, particular in the Americas.

9. Following the military inspection, both the American and guest head of state makes brief addresses to those assembled

Following the review of the assembled troops, the President of the United States delivers a brief address welcoming his guests to the White House. Contrasting with the preceding seriousness of the military inspection, in addition to imparting sincere expressions regarding the bilateral relations between their countries this occasion is generally seized as an opportunity to lighten the mood and defuse any nerves between himself and his guests. Light-hearted remarks concerning historic rivalries form the basis of these exchanges, with their extent a close measure of the personal friendliness of the respective heads of state.

Following this polite introduction, the visiting head of state is then granted the opportunity to make his own address in response. Akin to their American counterpart’s statements, the visiting dignitary is expected to thank their hosts, speak on the subject of the enduring friendship between their nations, and express their hopes for the visit. Typically, the speech offered by the guest head of state is considerably shorter than the American President and possessing fewer prepared jokes to avoid any potential diplomatic incident. After completion, a procession is formed which enters the White House via the Blue Room.

8. After signing into the White House, the visiting head of state is taken to the Red Room for the traditional exchanging of diplomatic gifts between the two leaders as a sign of respect and friendship

In the Blue Room, the traveling head of state is asked to register their visit in the White House guest book. Traditionally this is used to keep a record of the comings and goings of the incumbent administration and allow the visiting dignitary to leave a polite note to the First Family and staff. The president and his guest subsequently retire to the Red Room, wherein diplomatic gifts are exchanged. The process of exchanging gifts is a formality, with the objects determined in advance and already in place; rather than truly exchanging these tokens of affection, they are merely viewed by the heads of state and politely accepted.

These gifts often retain a symbolic meaning between the two leaders or nations, with the most iconic being the Resolute Desk. Residing to this day in the Oval Office, the fixture was craved from timbers from the British ship H.M.S. Resolute which had become trapped in ice during an Arctic exploration and was gifted to the United States by Queen Victoria in 1880. However, not all presents possess such meaning or history, but instead can include more bizarre items, including in 1990 a Komodo dragon named “Naga” from President Suharto of Indonesia to George H.W. Bush whilst Theodore Roosevelt was gifted a zebra and a lion by Ethiopia.

7. Concluding the formalities of the arrival ceremony, a three-course luncheon is held for the honored head of state

After exchanging of gifts, the arrival ceremony concludes with a luncheon. The location of this meal is determined by the wishes of the guest and the purpose behind their visit. If the visiting head of state is an active executive, seeking to conduct formal business during their trip, they will typically be hosted at the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room. Located in the Harry S. Truman Building, the headquarters of the Department of State, prior to their departure a mock photo portrait is made at the White House as a courtesy. If not, and the individual is a non-executive head of state, for example Elizabeth II, they are hosted at the White House.

A luncheon at the White House is intimately hosted by the President and First Lady, whereas one at the Department of State is a much larger event co-hosted by the Vice-President and Secretary of State; in fact, the President does not even attend luncheons at Foggy Bottom. Consisting traditionally of three courses, before which the hosts and visiting dignitary make prepared speeches, the number in attendance can exceed 200, including senior members of Congress, the cabinet, and former diplomats. Despite being a luncheon, it is not uncommon for senior attendees, including the honored guest, to depart prior to the food being served.

6. On the evening of the second day, a state dinner is held at the White House with the visiting head of state as the guest of honor

In the evening of the same day, a formal state dinner is held at the White House in honor of the distinguished guest. As noted previously, the dress code for state dinners has traditionally been white tie, but recent years has seen a relaxing of these rigid rules. Visiting heads of state are permitted to wear national dress instead of Western evening dress, whilst leaders of socialist countries, notably Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Chinese President Hu Jintao, symbolically refused to wear formal evening dress. Involving approximately 120-150 individuals, with many of the seats predetermined by status, only a handful of invitations are sent out to non-official persons.

The dinner is traditionally held in the State Dining Room, with the adjoining Red Room available in the event of overflow and a requirement for additional seating capacity. If the weather is permitting, then state dinners are also sometimes held outdoors in the White House gardens. This unusual locale was used during state dinners in honor of West German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard in 1964 and Elizabeth II in 1976. Guests are seated at ten-person round-tables, the traditional number for a formal dinner. The use of round tables, as opposed to banquet tables, was initiated by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who wished for all of her guests to be able to converse with one another more easily.

5. As part of a carefully selected menu and dinner ceremony, since the Kennedy Administration non-American wines are not permitted to be served at the White House

Menus for state dinners, consisting of four courses and served on custom-made White House china, are painstakingly written by hand by the White House Graphics and Calligraphy Office. Pursuant to a policy implemented during the Kennedy Administration, only American wines are permitted to be served at the White House; consequently, guests are treated to sparkling wines rather than the customary champagne. This tradition has been maintained to this day, with First Lady Melania Trump selecting a Crémant from California as her choice of wine during the most recent state dinner in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Atypically for American society, state dinners at the White House have continued to employ the use of finger bowls between the third and final courses. This custom has been reputedly extremely confusing for some American guests in attendance, with staff placed on alert to assist anyone unsure. In fact, at a state dinner during the Roosevelt Administration a guest mistakenly believed the water to was to be drunk. Sparing her poor guest from ridicule, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt followed suit and drank from hers also. Furthermore, tables at state dinners at the White House have traditionally been segregated by gender. However, during the Carter Administration this policy was temporarily discontinued, allowing for married couples to be seated together if they so wished.

4. The President performs an important role as the host of the dinner, greeting all of his guests to the historic building and ensuring nobody is overlooked

Before the formal start of the dinner, an intimate reception is held in the Yellow Oval Room for those that will be seated at the head table. Following this, the president and the visiting head of state descend the Grand Staircase, accompanied by a rendition of “Hail America” as part of the Presidential Entrance March. Arriving guests are proclaimed individually by an announcer, whereupon they are directed to the Blue Room to be greeted personally by the two heads of state. Brief pleasantries are exchanged, before the guests are ushered into the State Dining Room to be seated.

In 2009, during a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, three gatecrashers managed to gain access to the White House. All three, despite not being appearing on the guest list, were allowed to enter and were introduced to Obama and Singh. Enjoying a full evening of entertainment, their appearance was only noticed by Secret Service after they bragged about it on social media. Once all the guests are seated, both the American president and his guest of honor deliver reciprocal toasts to both each other and their nations. The press is then removed from the room and dinner is served privately.

3. Guests then retire to the East Room for a musical performance by an American artist, before commonly dancing to live jazz in the Entrance Hall

After the final course has been consumed, the President of the United States, along with his guest of honor, lead a recession through the Cross Hall. Passing between a cordon formed by members of one of the military orchestras, the guests are serenaded as they enter the East Room of the White House. Here, a performance by a leading American musical celebrity, lasting for between twenty to thirty minute, is held. In recent decades, popular choices have ranged from Frank Sinatra, to Jennifer Hudson, to the Washington National Opera due to a political boycott by musicians.

Following this light entertainment, guests are invited to the Entrance Hall to be served sparkling wine. The United States Marine Band’s jazz ensemble provides live music and social dancing takes place. This section of the state dinner program is the only negotiable component, being frequently omitted should the visitor feel uncomfortable or unable to partake in a dignified manner. For example, during a state visit by the head of state for the Holy See, the Pope, dancing would be regarded as inappropriate and excluded from the itinerary.

2. For the rest of their time in Washington D.C., visiting heads of state routinely engage in tours of monuments, historic sites, and tourist attractions

For the remainder of their stay in Washington D.C., visiting heads of state usually engage in public social appearances at historic and tourist attractions of special relevance. A common locale for a head of state to visit is the Virginia estate of George Washington: Mount Vernon. Not only a suitable engagement, but the event also allows for the visiting dignitary to escape the city into the countryside whilst simultaneously paying their respects at the sarcophagus of George Washington.

Idyllically located on the banks of the Potomac River, the only state dinner in American history to not take place at the White House was hosted at Mount Vernon. During the state visit of Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan, in July 1961, President Kennedy elected to host his guest at the historic home of his first predecessor. Other locations commonly visited by foreign heads of state include Arlington National Cemetery, where General de Gaulle notably paid obeisance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1944, and Monticello, the home of President Thomas Jefferson, first visited by Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir in 1947.

1. Following their stays in Washington D.C., visiting heads of state commonly tour the wider United States for a period of between five to ten days

Due in no small part to the geographical distance separating the United States from the rest of the world, as well as the size of the nation itself, world leaders embarking on state visits to the U.S. commonly enjoy a prolonged stay. Traveling beyond just the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., foreign heads of state commonly seek to tour other cities as part of their visit. For example, Chinese President Jiang Zemin opened his state visit in 1997 by touring colonial Williamsburg followed by Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

It is expected that the offer of a state visit to the United States is duly reciprocated. After visiting in 1997, Zemin hosted President Clinton in 1998, where the American leader accompanied his host to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor to view the Terracotta Army. In recent years, as hostility has increasingly grown towards the United States throughout the world it has become difficult to always accommodate this tradition, with President Trump’s planned state visit to the United Kingdom cancelled in anticipation of mass protests.

Where do we find this stuff? Here are our sources:

“Satow’s Diplomatic Practice”, Ivor Roberts , Oxford University Press (2011)

“World: How The U.S. Ranks the Visits of Foreign Heads of State” , Julie Moffett, Radio Free Europe (August 9, 1997)

“White House Dinner, But What Kind?” , Marian Burros, The New York Times (November 24, 1993)

“King Kalakaua Goes to Washington, 1874” , Ishaan Tharoor, Time Magazine (January 10, 2011)

“The White House’s Dinner Theater” , Bob Colacello, Vanity Fair (May 11, 2010)

“Notable State Dinners at the White House”, White House Historical Association.

“Visits to the U.S. by Foreign Heads of State and Government: 1874-1939” , United States State Department”.

“When Leaders From Abroad Come to Call” , Barbara Gamareikan, The New York Times (July 20, 1986)

“Brazil’s Rousseff cancels state visit to U.S. over spying report” , Reuters (September 17, 2013)

“United States Protocol”, Mary Mel French, Rowman and Littlefield (2010)

“Yankee Doodle is Dandied!” , Lesa Jansen, CNN (March 12, 2012)

“Lincoln Didn’t Sleep Here But Clinton Friends Do” , Angie Cannon, Chicago Tribune (March 4, 1994)

“What’s it like to attend an official state luncheon for a visiting head of state” , Daniel Drezner, The Washington Post (September 28, 2015)

“A Brief History of White House State Dinners” , Time Magazine

“The White House: Actors and Observers” , William Seale, White House Historical Association (2002)

“White House: Serving Up Food and Emily Post” , Marian Burros, The New York Times (March 31, 1986)

“When Washington Was Fun” , Maureen Orth, Vanity Fair (December 2007)

“The Dinner Table can be a Wonderland” , Linda Brandt, Herald-Tribune (June 23, 2010)

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Everything You Need to Know About Official Visits

Going on official visits is one of the most exciting parts of the recruiting process. Not only do you have the opportunity to see a college campus in person but being invited also signifies that the coach is very interested in you as a recruit. This is your opportunity to get to know the campus, the culture, the team and the dorms and then decide if you would feel comfortable living there for the next four years.

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What is an official visit.

So, what makes a visit official? Any visit to a college campus in which any part is financed by the school is considered an official visit. Coaches usually save invitations for their top recruits and getting asked is a huge step on your recruiting journey. It’s important to prepare in advance for this crucial part of the recruiting process. We’ve put together everything you need to know to ace your next official visit.

NCAA official visit rules

Each division level has its own set of rules surrounding official college visits. Division I has the strictest regulations. The following are the rules you need to know:

The NCAA allows recruits an unlimited number of official visits to Division I schools. Recruits are limited to one per school, unless there is a head coaching change after their visit, in which they are permitted a second visit. Visits to Division II and Division III schools are unlimited.
The school can pay for the following for you and your parents/guardians: transportation to and from the campus, lodging throughout your visit, three meals per day and three tickets to a home sports event.
Schools may pay for a recruit’s transportation to and from campus. However, they can only provide transportation for parent/guardians if they travel in the same car as the recruit. Flights and separate bus or train tickets may not be purchased for parents.
At all levels, recruits can take only one official visit per school.
Each official visit may be up to 48 hours long, or the span of one weekend.
D1 men’s ice hockey recruits can begin taking official visits as early as August 1 of their junior year in high school.
D1 football recruits can begin taking official visits starting April 1 of their junior year of high school.
D1 women’s basketball recruits may begin taking official visits in April of their junior year of high school, beginning the Thursday following the Women’s Final Four tournament.
D1 lacrosse, softball and baseball recruits may begin taking official visits September 1 of their junior year of high school.
For all other DI sports, recruits can begin taking official visits starting August 1 before the athlete’s junior year of high school.
Official visits are not allowed to occur during recruiting dead periods.

Within these official rules, each school will have a slightly different way in which they conduct visits. Some schools will be able to finance your whole trip, paying for transportation, meals, lodging and tickets to a home game. But this is the maximum of what colleges can provide for their recruits. Some programs simply may not have the money to pay for your entire visit, opting to finance just a small portion of your visit. An official visit can also include having an on-campus lunch or dinner that is purchased by the coach. It doesn’t have to last the full 48 hours—again, that’s the maximum amount but not a requirement.

Generally speaking, the more money a coach spends on your official visit, the higher up on their list you are as a recruit. However, that’s not a reason to discount a program that’s trying to recruit on a budget. If you’re interested in a school, official visits can be the last piece of the puzzle to help you understand if it’s your best college fit.

What are the new recruiting rules around official visits?

Effective on April 13, 2023, the NCAA Division I Council announced that they will no longer limit the number of official visits recruits can make to NCAA member schools. Starting July 1, 2023, recruits are permitted an unlimited number of official visits to Division I schools, unless there is a head coaching change post-visit, in which case recruit is allowed to complete a second official visit to the same school. For men’s basketball, prospects still will be able to complete a second official visit to the same school, as long as it do not occur in the same academic year.

Effective May 1, 2019, the NCAA created a series of updated recruiting rules to slow down the recruiting process and cut back on the number of recruits getting verbal offers as eighth graders, freshmen and sophomores in high school. Athletes will now have more time to research colleges and focus on developing athletically and academically. Then, as juniors and seniors in high school, they will be better equipped to decide which college or university is right for them.

According to the new rules, DI recruits in most sports can now start taking official and unofficial visits starting August 1 before their junior year of high school. In the past, official visits weren’t permitted until the athlete’s senior year of high school and there were no restrictions on unofficial visits. While this is exciting news for recruits eager to visit campuses, these rule changes will also likely put more emphasis on athletes and families needing to be proactive early in the recruiting process. With top prospects being offered official visits their junior year, this means even more schools can lock down their recruiting classes early. As a recruit, you need to start the recruiting process as early as possible so you’re ready for official visit invites August 1 before junior year.

How does an official visit work?

Depending on the sport and division level, athletes can begin taking official visits junior year. A coach may extend an official visit offer to recruits during a phone call, email, text or direct message. Once a coach invites you, grab your family schedule and work out a weekend to take the trip.

While receiving an invite does indicate you are at the top of a coach’s recruiting list, it doesn’t mean you’ve locked in your spot just yet. This means the coach will be evaluating you during your entire official visit. Most importantly, visits are a great way for coaches to get a better understanding of your personality and character. They want to see if you are a recruit who will be a positive asset to their team and the school.

To learn more, check out our video on how to schedule your visits , where NCSA recruiting experts share what you can expect. This includes what travel expenses might be covered by the program, activities that coaches use to introduce you to the team and campus, and what coaches expect from recruits during a visit.

Insider Tip : Coaches will look at how you interact with your parents—are you respectful, courteous and kind? Or, do you brush them off and behave rudely? Do you answer the coaches’ questions thoughtfully or do you give one-word responses? While it may be intimidating to visit a college campus and get evaluated by the coaches throughout, it’s important to make an effort to put your best foot forward.

How to prepare for your official visit

Because official visits are more formal than unofficial visits, there’s a bit more prep work required from athletes before the visit takes place. Follow this checklist to make sure you’ve covered all your bases:

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center . Before your visit, the coach needs to know that you are eligible to actually compete at their school. If you’re visiting Division I and Division II schools, you need to get a Certification Account . Make sure that your parent/guardian is with you as you sign up, because there is a fee involved. This is a good step to take your sophomore year of high school, so you’re ready to start taking official visits your junior year. If you’re visiting a Division III school, sign up for an NCAA Profile page, which is the free version of the Certification Account. You only need a Certification Account if you’re actively getting recruited by Division I and/or Division II colleges. When you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center , you will receive your NCAA ID number. Many coaches will ask for your NCAA ID number before your official visit.
Have the coach add you to the Institutional Request List. This is another formality to ensure that you are eligible to compete at an NCAA school. Request that the coach add you to the IRL list, which will put your Eligibility Center application on a fast track to get cleared. Because the NCAA receives so many requests through its Eligibility Center, the Institutional Request List serves to make sure athletes who need to be cleared quickly will be.
Send the admissions office your transcript and a standardized test score. If you’ve already registered with the Eligibility Center, the school should be able to access your transcript and test scores. However, this step helps the admissions office ensure that your academic criteria are up to the standards of that school, while the NCAA Eligibility Center ensures that you’ve met the academic requirements mandated by the NCAA to compete in college sports.
Know how you will respond if you receive an offer. As mentioned earlier, offers are not guaranteed during official visits, but they do happen. To avoid freezing on the spot, go into your official visit with a game plan for how you will respond. If this is your top school and you’ve visited the other colleges you’re interested in, it might make sense to say yes as soon as possible. However, if you have other schools on your list, you can ask the coach when the offer will expire.

Put together your list of questions for the coach. During your official visit, you will have a chance to get all your questions answered, so take advantage of this opportunity. Sit down with your parents before the visit and brainstorm all your questions. Write down your questions for the coach and bring the list with you. This way, you don’t forget an important topic and you can impress the coach with your preparedness.

Read more: How to Maximize Your Summer Visits

Do parents go on official visits?

Parents are invited to go on official visits. The school can pay for three meals per day and tickets to a home sports match. However, the school is only allowed to pay for their transportation to and from campus if the parents are traveling in the same car as the recruit. Flights and separate bus or train tickets may not be purchased for parents. Parents have a very specific role throughout the official visit: Let the athlete be the focus of the experience.

For some parents, it might be hard to let go and allow their student-athlete to take center stage during this visit. However, parents should let their athlete ask questions and take control of the conversation. Give them an opportunity to hold a candid, uninterrupted conversation with the coach. Allow them to make their own opinions about the school before injecting your point of view. When the conversation turns to finances, scholarships and paying for college, this is where coaches typically expect parents to jump in .

For more on the topic, check out the video below featuring former sports broadcaster David Kmiecik and D1 and D3 swim coach Danny Koenig.

What happens on an official visit?

While every official visit will be slightly different, recruits can expect that the trip will include a campus tour. This is your chance to familiarize yourself with the campus and ask yourself if you would enjoy living there for four years. As you tour the campus, take notes. When you’re trying to remember what you liked—and didn’t like—about each of the schools you visited, you can refer back to your notes to help jog your memory about the trip. Use the following checklist to make sure you hit all the key spots on campus:

Check out the library and sit in on a class.
Visit the different housing options, both on and off campus.
Meet your future training staff.
Eat in the school cafeteria or food court.
Set up a meeting with an academic adviser.
Hang out on the campus grounds.
Stay off your phone and experience the campus.

Coaches typically will want you to meet a few members of the team—or the whole team—to see how your chemistry checks out. You may also be invited to participate in a workout or another team activity. According to NCAA rules, however, any kind of workout you attend on an official visit cannot be organized by the coach or coaching staff. Typically, the workout will be led by the team’s captains. Take this opportunity to see if you connect with your potential teammates.

Questions to expect from the coach on your official visit

You will also likely get some one-on-one time with the coach. This is a chance for you to ask any final questions that you have. Before your visit, write down some questions and keep adding to the list so you have something to go off of when you sit down with the coach. The coach will also probably have some questions for you, too. Here are just a few examples of questions to expect from a coach during your visit:

“What other schools are recruiting you?” Be honest here and tell the coach other schools you’re actively talking to. If it’s true, list schools that are rivals with or comparable to the school you’re visiting. This will make the coach want you on their team even more.
“What other colleges are you visiting?” Again, it’s important to be honest. If you have—or haven’t—visited any other schools yet, let them know.
“When can you commit?” While getting invited on an official visit doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get an offer, it certainly does happen. If this is your number one school and you have a good feeling about it, this might be the right time to lock down a commitment. If you have any other schools to visit before you make your decision, that’s OK, too. Simply make an educated guess when you think you will know. Ask the coach how long the offer stands and when they would like to know your answer.

Some coaches will arrange for you and your parents to attend a home sporting event. They might also have a teammate take you to dinner or walk you around campus again. Plus, you’ll get some free time to explore the area and learn more about the school.

What to bring on an official visit

A lot of recruits ask us what to wear on an official visit, and our best piece of advice is to err on the side of overdressing, rather than underdressing. You want to look neat and clean throughout your entire trip. For men, bring a collared shirt with nice jeans or khakis. For women, a skirt, dress, nice slacks or jeans are acceptable. Avoid wearing sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, flip flops and ripped jeans. Bring athletic clothes and shoes in case you get invited to work out with the team.

As mentioned before, it’s a great idea to come with some questions for the coach. When the moment comes to ask your questions, it’s easy to freeze up and forget them all. Having them written down will ensure you get the answers you need, plus it will show the coach that you are organized and responsible. Make sure you do your homework and read up on the school, too.

Your follow-up after the visit

Have you ever heard that the follow-up is the most important part? After each visit, make sure you follow up with the coach. Send them a “thank you” note, thanking them for their time and telling them some of your favorite parts of the visit. You can also let the coach know where you’ll be competing next if they’d like to watch you in person. The follow-up shows the coach you’re a thoughtful, courteous athlete, and it also keeps you top-of-mind as they assemble their roster.

Overall, enjoy your visit! This is your chance to get the “red carpet” treatment and get a taste of what life at that college will be like.

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Presidential trips: What you need to know

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Presidential trips: What you need to know

HEAD OF STATE. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, delivers a speech after taking oath as the 17th President of the Philippines, during the inauguration ceremony at the National Museum in Manila, Philippines, June 30, 2022.

Photo by Eloisa Lopez/REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will soon leave the Philippines for his first overseas trip as head of state, visiting Indonesia and Singapore for state visits from September 4 to 7.

Marcos’ travel abroad is expected to be the first of many as he steers the country’s relations with the international community as the chief architect of Philippine foreign policy.

What can Filipinos expect from these overseas trips? One of the factors that will determine this is the nature of the trips – whether it is a state visit, an official visit, or a working visit.

Here is a quick guide to the different types of overseas trips the President can take:

State visit

A state visit is a formal visit carried out by a head of state, upon the invitation of another head of state. It is considered the highest level of international visit, reflecting the honor and formality in relations between two countries.

Unlike other kinds of visits, state visits typically carry more pomp.

Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tess Daza said the level of ceremony seen in state visits can be observed in the welcome ceremonies extended. A state luncheon or state dinner is held, and other activities a host country may carry out as part of the official program can include wreath laying ceremonies.

“It also varies from country to country,” she said. Details of the type of hospitality to be extended are usually determined by the host country, Daza added.

In the Philippines, aside from a state lunch or dinner, leaders usually exchange gifts and toasts. Cultural presentations can also be done.

When traveling abroad, guest countries also determine details such as the size of the delegation that accompanies the head of state, as well as the cost of the trip.

For the Philippines, the President’s first state visit is traditionally done with a country-member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, emphasizing the importance the Philippines places on its relations with its neighbors in the region.

Official visit

During an official visit, a foreign government invites a high-ranking official or head of government to visit.

Ceremonies are not as detailed, but honors are usually given if the visiting official is a head of government. A state luncheon or state dinner may or may not be held. Delegations for official visits are also smaller.

Among foreign officials that have taken such kinds of visits to the Philippines during the current Marcos administration include Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US State Secretary Antony Blinken .

Working visit

For a working visit, a government official takes a trip to meet with his or her counterpart in a foreign government to tackle issues concerning their two countries.

The host country does not shoulder the cost of a visit and no invitation is needed to carry out the trip. – Rappler.com

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Harry ends his three-day official visit to the city today.

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Israel fears ICC will issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other top officials

TEL AVIV — Israel is greatly concerned that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior military officials as early as this week, an Israeli official told NBC News.

Israel is working through diplomatic channels to try to stop the warrants being issued, the official said Monday.

When asked about media reports of the arrest warrants, the ICC told NBC News that it “has an ongoing independent investigation in relation to the Situation in the State of Palestine" and that "we have no further comment to make at this stage."

The court launched an investigation three years ago into possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Palestinian militants going back to the Israel-Hamas war in 2014. It has given no public indication that arrest warrants are imminent, and it was not clear whether Israel was also expecting arrest warrants for any Hamas leaders.

The news comes as pressure mounts on Israel to halt its military offensive in Gaza, which officials in the Palestinian enclave say has killed more than 34,000 people since it was launched in the wake of the Hamas-led Oct. 7 terror attacks.

Netanyahu spoke with President Joe Biden on Sunday night, and Israel is awaiting a response from Hamas on a new cease-fire proposal .

Karim Khan, who serves as chief prosecutor of the ICC, visited the region in December and said that his investigation was “moving forward at pace, with rigor, with determination and with an insistence that we act not on emotion but on solid evidence.”

Any warrants would not mean that Netanyahu will end up in jail.

Neither Israel nor the United States recognize the court's jurisdiction, though any warrants would put Israeli officials at risk of arrest in other countries, including much of Europe.

“As we have publicly said many times, the ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation and we do not support its investigation,” a spokesperson for the National Security Council said.

They would also serve as a high-profile statement on Israel's actions in Gaza, and an embarrassing development that would put Netanyahu alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin as a major leader to face such action from the ICC.

Netanyahu said Friday that Israel “will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense.”

“The threat to seize the soldiers and officials of the Middle East’s only democracy and the world’s only Jewish state is outrageous. We will not bow to it,” he said in a post on X.

In a sign of the country's concern, its Foreign Ministry said late Sunday that it had informed Israeli missions of “rumors” that warrants might be issued against senior Israeli officials.

Such a move, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said, would “provide a morale boost” to Hamas and other militant groups.

The ICC — based in The Hague, the Netherlands — can charge individuals with war crimes and other related charges. It is separate from the International Court of Justice, which considers cases between states and is currently investigating whether Israel has committed acts of genocide in Gaza.

Israel and the U.S. have dismissed the accusation.

Raf Sanchez is a foreign correspondent for NBC News.

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Massachusetts Identification (ID) Requirements

To get a learner's permit, driver’s license, or Mass ID in Massachusetts, you’ll need to identification documents first. Learn what documents you can use below.

You’ll also need to decide between a Standard driver’s license/ID or a REAL ID driver’s license/ID. REAL ID is a federal ID that you can use to fly within the United States or enter federal buildings beginning May 7, 2025. To get one, you’ll need to provide additional documentation and come into an RMV service center. Learn more about REAL ID and whether or not you need one below.

Starting July 1, 2023 eligible residents in Massachusetts can obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver's license, regardless of immigration status, under the Work and Family Mobility Act. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/wfma.

Are you real id ready.

On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.

REAL ID or a Standard driver’s license/ID?

A REAL ID is a Federal Security Standard for IDs that was created in 2005 as a result of increased federal security measures after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities.

A Standard credential is a valid form of for driving or identification purposes but is not accepted for federal purposes.

Do I have a choice of driver license/ID types?

Whether you are getting a new driver's license/ID or renewing your existing credential, the first decision you’ll need to make is, Standard driver’s license/ID or REAL ID driver's license/ID?

The cost to obtain a REAL or Standard driver's license/ID card is the same.

What is a Standard driver's license/ID?

Is a valid driver’s license or identification card
Is not valid as a form of federal ID
Can be renewed online without going to the RMV
Has “NOT FOR FEDERAL ID” displayed on the card

What is a REAL ID driver's license/ID?

Is valid as a form of federal ID
Requires an in-person visit
Has a star displayed on the document to indicate that is a federally compliant card

Documents and Applications that Cannot be Accepted

The RMV reserves the right to not accept any application if it has a good faith reason* to believe any of the following:

Any document presented is not genuine or has been altered, defaced, or rendered unreadable to such an extent that it cannot be relied on.
Any document contains a photograph or photoimage of the applicant that bears little or no resemblance to the applicant.
The applicant is not the individual represented in the application and supporting documents.
The applicant does not satisfy the requirement for SSN, lawful presence/date of birth, or Massachusetts residency.
The applicant has presented an SSN that does not validate as being issued to him/her, or was not obtained in a lawful manner from the U.S. Social Security Administration.

*A “good faith reason” is one that is based on objective facts and observations, such as statements from the applicant, or information obtained from usually reliable sources.

The Registry will initiate electronic checks for most identification documents with national and state databases. This process provides validity responses back to the RMV within seconds for the vast majority. However, some checks will require additional time for research or may be subject to manual review. This does not mean that your transaction has been denied. It simply means the verifying information is not readily available and additional time is required. These cases are generally resolved within three to five business days, but in rare occasions may be up to twenty days. Your Customer Service Representative will provide you with additional instructions.

Review of Documents and Applications that are Not Accepted

If one or more of the documents you present when applying for a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or ID card is not accepted and your transaction is not processed because you do not have other acceptable documents with you, you have several options, as described in the next section.

Initial Decision and Your Options

After reviewing your documents, if the RMV Service Center Representative rejects your documents, or if your documents do not pass the electronic check, you may choose to correct the problem, such as by obtaining the appropriate documents and returning later with a new application. You may also seek further review by a supervisor. If the electronic checks require additional time for research, the Customer Service Center Representative will provide you with additional instructions. If the RMV cannot process your application, you will be provided a form indicating the reason(s). This is the Application Status Letter. You may appeal the RMV’s final decision within ten days of being denied.

Penalties for Presenting Fraudulent Documents

Severe penalties are imposed on a person who violates the law in obtaining or possessing a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or ID card. Following is a brief description of some of those penalties.

Whoever loans or knowingly permits his or her license or learner’s permit to operate motor vehicles to be used by any person, or whoever makes false statements in an application for such a license or learner’s permit, or whoever knowingly makes any false statements in an application for registration of a motor vehicle, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $20 nor more than $200 dollars or by imprisonment for not less than two weeks nor more than two years or both (MGL c.90, §24).
Whoever falsely makes, steals, alters, forges, or counterfeits or procures or helps another falsely make, steal, alter, forge, or counterfeit a learner’s permit, a license to operate motor vehicles, or an ID card or whoever has or uses such a permit, license, or ID card may be punished by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment in a state prison for up to five years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than two years (M.G.L. c.90, §24B).
Anyone who falsely impersonates the person named in the application for a license or learner’s permit, or anyone who procures or helps another to falsely impersonate the person named in the application, or who uses a name other than his or her own to falsely obtain such a license, or whoever possesses or uses a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle that was obtained in such a manner shall be subject to the penalties described in MGL c.90, §24B. Whoever is convicted of a violation of MGL c.90, §24B, shall also have his or her license, or right to operate, suspended for a minimum of one year.

Any person who swears or affirms falsely in regard to any matter or thing respecting which an oath or affirmation is required by the RMV or by MGL c. 90 shall be deemed guilty of perjury (MGL c.90, §28). In addition, falsification of any information provided to obtain, renew, transfer, or upgrade a driver’s license or learner’s permit may result in a suspension of driving privileges.

Start your application online

You can save time at an RMV Service Center by starting any driver's license or ID transaction online . You can even finish some online.

If you can’t finish online, at the end of the application you’ll get a summary of your application and a list of documents you’ll need to bring to a service center.

Use the RMV's Online Service Center to:

Find out what you need, including required documents, to complete transactions either online or in person
Check your eligibility for completely processing a transaction online and avoid going to the RMV
Complete many transactions online, and start other ones prior to visiting a service center
Save time and be successful in one trip when you need to visit an RMV location

Note: You can renew your driver's license/ID up to one year in advance of your expiration date.

Additional Resources

Required identification documentation: overview.

Once you’ve decided if you want a REAL ID or Standard driver’s license/ID, get the right documents together. You’ll need to prove your:

REAL ID, Mass ID, CDL

U.S. citizenship or lawful presence
Social Security number
Massachusetts residency

For a complete list of acceptable documents, see the REAL ID, Standard CDL, & Standard ID Card Documents Checklist .

Standard- Driver’s License

Proof of identity, date of birth
Social security number status

For a complete list of acceptable documents, see the Standard Class D or M Driver’s License Documents Checklist .

All documents must be originals, photocopies and laminated documents will not be accepted.

A document cannot be used to prove more than one requirement.

NAME MUST MATCH for REAL ID

If your current name doesn’t match the one that appears on your lawful presence document(s), you must prove your legal name change in order to qualify for a REAL ID driver’s license/ID card. If multiple name changes, documentation for each name change must be provided. You will need to provide one of the following:

Marriage Certificate (must be issued from the municipality)
Divorce Decree
Court Document

For a Standard driver’s license/ID card, a proof of name change document is not required.

You can start any driver’s license or ID transaction online . Starting online means you'll spend less time at an RMV Service Center.

Acceptable Identification Document Checklists

The Acceptable Identification Document Checklist is available in multiple languages.

REAL ID, Mass ID, CDL Acceptable ID Checklist

Standard Driver's License Acceptable ID Checklist

Other acceptable forms of federal ID for flights

You may also use an active passport, passport card, or even a Global Entry card to fly domestically. You’ll also be able to use these TSA-approved documents to get through airport security:

U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo IDs
Transportation worker identification credentials
U.S. Merchant Mariner credentials

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Child seriously hurt as number of dead rises after airstrike in Odesa seaside park

The Ukrainian authorities say the number of victims from a Russian airstrike in Odesa has risen, with many more injured. Listen to a Daily podcast on whether the UK should send troops to Ukraine as you scroll.

Tuesday 30 April 2024 11:19, UK

Number of victims from Odesa attack rises to five, with child badly hurt
Watch: Massive building in flames after attack
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Live events elsewhere mean we are leaving our coverage of the Ukraine war there for the day.

The main development this morning was the rise in the number of people killed in a Russian strike on Odesa yesterday to five.

Read more details in our posts below - and we'll be back with rolling updates and analysis of the war soon.

At least two people have been killed in another Russian strike, this time targeting the northeastern city of Kharkiv, local officials say.

Six more have been wounded in the attack, which Governor Oleh Synehubov says was carried out using guided bombs, according to preliminary information.

The attack damaged a residential building in one of the city districts, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

Emergency services are on the scene, local officials say.

Yesterday, a woman was reportedly injured after a "series of explosions" hit the city, according to the mayor.

Russia denies targeting civilians in the war that is now in its third year.

As we reported yesterday, a Russian missile attack targeted an educational institution in a popular seafront park in the Black Sea port of Odesa.

The number of victims from that airstrike has risen, with five people now reported to have died.

Local officials had initially said four were killed.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper said in addition to those killed in the attack, one man died after suffering a stroke attributed to the strike.

Another 32 are said to be injured, eight of whom seriously - including a four-year-old child.

A pregnant woman and another child are also among the injured.

"Monsters, beasts, savages, scum, I don't know what else to say," Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said.

"People are going for a walk by the sea and they are shooting and killing."

Video footage, which could not be immediately verified, showed people receiving treatment on the street alongside pools of blood.

One photo showed officials examining part of a missile.

Ukrainian navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said the strike was conducted by an Iskander-M ballistic missile with a cluster warhead.

Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian missile and drone attacks, particular port infrastructure.

Hello and welcome back to our coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Yesterday a Russian attack on the port city of Odesa killed at least four people, while dramatic footage showed a massive education facility ablaze in the aftermath.

Here are the other key events to get you up to speed on from the past 24 hours:

More than 30 Ukrainian conscripts have died while trying to cross the border illegally to avoid mobilisation, a Ukrainian official said;
The Duchess of Edinburgh met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine, in what marks the first visit to the country by a member of the Royal Family since the war begin;
Debris recovered from a missile that landed in the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv on 2 January was North Korean, according to the United Nations;
NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg visited Kyiv for a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy;
In a joint news conference, Mr Stoltenberg said NATO allies had "not delivered" on their military aid pledges to Ukraine in recent months, saying that "serious delays" had led to negative consequences on the battlefield;
Mr Zelenskyy also called for the delivery of Western weapons to Kyiv's troops to be sped up;
Russia's defence ministry claimed its forces have taken control of the village of Semenivka in the eastern Donetsk region;
European Council president Charles Michel said the Russian invasion of Ukraine has given "new impetus" to calls for the EU to be enlarged beyond the 27 members;
Germany's public prosecutor's office said it was assessing whether a political motive was behind the killing of two Ukrainian soldiers in Murnau.

As we reported a short time ago, the Duchess of Edinburgh has met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine, in what marks the first visit to the country by a member of the Royal Family since the war begin.

Sophie met the Ukrainian president and first lady Olena Zelenska and delivered a message to them on behalf of the King, Buckingham Palace said.

You can watch footage from her trip here...

Throughout the day, we've been reporting on a Russian attack on the city of Odesa in Ukraine, which has killed at least four people.

These images show a burning educational institution building, which was struck.

Airline Finnair has said it is pausing flights to Tartu in eastern Estonia for the next month, due to GPS disturbances in the area.

"Finnair will suspend its daily flights to Tartu, Estonia, from 29 April to 31 May, so that an alternative approach solution that does not require a GPS signal can be put in place at Tartu Airport," the Finnish airline said in a statement.

Finnair last week had to divert two flights back to Helsinki after GPS interference prevented the approach to Tartu airport, although a spokesperson said the company did not now where the interference came from.

However, Tallinn seems certain as where the issues are originating.

"It is a fact that Russia affects GPS devices in our region’s airspace," Estonia's foreign minister said via a spokesperson.

Margus Tsahkna added that Estonia will raise the issue of GPS interference with its neighbours, and intends to discuss it with the EU and NATO.

GPS jamming and spoofing have grown worse in eastern Europe, the Black Sea and the Middle East, all areas close to conflict zones, according to industry group OpsGroup.

More than 30 Ukrainian conscripts have died while trying to cross the border illegally to avoid mobilisation, a Ukrainian official has said.

Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, told Ukrinform that some men are prepared to pay "large sums" of money to groups promising to smuggle them across the border safely.

"Then they are faced with the fact that the route runs along a mountain river," he said.

Many conscripts have lost their lives after realising they didn't have the strength to swim the river, Mr Demchenko added.

"In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, about 30 people have died trying to cross the border illegally," he said.

Such attempts occur "every day", he said.

For context: Ukraine has been under martial law since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

It lets draft officers call up men of a certain age to fight on the front line.

In April, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed off a new law lowering the age of draft-eligible men from 27 to 25, in a bid to boost troop numbers in his depleted ranks.

The Duchess of Edinburgh has met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine, in what marks the first visit to the country by a member of the Royal Family since the war begin.

Her visit is aimed at demonstrating "solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war and in a continuation of her work to champion survivors of conflict-related sexual violence", the palace said.

Three women and a man have died after a Russian attack on Odesa.

A further 28 people have been injured, including two children aged five and 16. A pregnant woman has also been hurt.

This video shows the aftermath of the attack.

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FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes

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Today, the Federal Trade Commission issued a final rule to promote competition by banning noncompetes nationwide, protecting the fundamental freedom of workers to change jobs, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation.

“Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC’s final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.”

The FTC estimates that the final rule banning noncompetes will lead to new business formation growing by 2.7% per year, resulting in more than 8,500 additional new businesses created each year. The final rule is expected to result in higher earnings for workers, with estimated earnings increasing for the average worker by an additional $524 per year, and it is expected to lower health care costs by up to $194 billion over the next decade. In addition, the final rule is expected to help drive innovation, leading to an estimated average increase of 17,000 to 29,000 more patents each year for the next 10 years under the final rule.

Banning Non Competes: Good for workers, businesses, and the economy

Noncompetes are a widespread and often exploitative practice imposing contractual conditions that prevent workers from taking a new job or starting a new business. Noncompetes often force workers to either stay in a job they want to leave or bear other significant harms and costs, such as being forced to switch to a lower-paying field, being forced to relocate, being forced to leave the workforce altogether, or being forced to defend against expensive litigation. An estimated 30 million workers—nearly one in five Americans—are subject to a noncompete.

Under the FTC’s new rule, existing noncompetes for the vast majority of workers will no longer be enforceable after the rule’s effective date. Existing noncompetes for senior executives - who represent less than 0.75% of workers - can remain in force under the FTC’s final rule, but employers are banned from entering into or attempting to enforce any new noncompetes, even if they involve senior executives. Employers will be required to provide notice to workers other than senior executives who are bound by an existing noncompete that they will not be enforcing any noncompetes against them.

In January 2023, the FTC issued a proposed rule which was subject to a 90-day public comment period. The FTC received more than 26,000 comments on the proposed rule, with over 25,000 comments in support of the FTC’s proposed ban on noncompetes. The comments informed the FTC’s final rulemaking process, with the FTC carefully reviewing each comment and making changes to the proposed rule in response to the public’s feedback.

In the final rule, the Commission has determined that it is an unfair method of competition, and therefore a violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, for employers to enter into noncompetes with workers and to enforce certain noncompetes.

The Commission found that noncompetes tend to negatively affect competitive conditions in labor markets by inhibiting efficient matching between workers and employers. The Commission also found that noncompetes tend to negatively affect competitive conditions in product and service markets, inhibiting new business formation and innovation. There is also evidence that noncompetes lead to increased market concentration and higher prices for consumers.

Alternatives to Noncompetes

The Commission found that employers have several alternatives to noncompetes that still enable firms to protect their investments without having to enforce a noncompete.

Trade secret laws and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) both provide employers with well-established means to protect proprietary and other sensitive information. Researchers estimate that over 95% of workers with a noncompete already have an NDA.

The Commission also finds that instead of using noncompetes to lock in workers, employers that wish to retain employees can compete on the merits for the worker’s labor services by improving wages and working conditions.

Changes from the NPRM

Under the final rule, existing noncompetes for senior executives can remain in force. Employers, however, are prohibited from entering into or enforcing new noncompetes with senior executives. The final rule defines senior executives as workers earning more than $151,164 annually and who are in policy-making positions.

Additionally, the Commission has eliminated a provision in the proposed rule that would have required employers to legally modify existing noncompetes by formally rescinding them. That change will help to streamline compliance.

Instead, under the final rule, employers will simply have to provide notice to workers bound to an existing noncompete that the noncompete agreement will not be enforced against them in the future. To aid employers’ compliance with this requirement, the Commission has included model language in the final rule that employers can use to communicate to workers.

The Commission vote to approve the issuance of the final rule was 3-2 with Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew N. Ferguson voting no. Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter , Alvaro Bedoya , Melissa Holyoak and Andrew N. Ferguson each issued separate statements. Chair Lina M. Khan will issue a separate statement.

The final rule will become effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Once the rule is effective, market participants can report information about a suspected violation of the rule to the Bureau of Competition by emailing [email protected] .

The Federal Trade Commission develops policy initiatives on issues that affect competition, consumers, and the U.S. economy. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Follow the FTC on social media , read consumer alerts and the business blog , and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts .

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