All posts tagged: passport

Donald Trump slammed ‘moron’ after announcing new US passport | World | News

Donald Trump slammed ‘moron’ after announcing new US passport | World | News

Published by Sam Flores

Donald Trump has been slammed a ‘moron’ after unveiling a new commemorative passport online, featuring a photo of himself. The new limited edition US passport has been designed to commemorate America’s 250th birthday and Trump shared a photo of the newly designed pages on his social media. One includes an image of the president with his fists on the Resolute Desk with the Declaration of Independence in the background and his signature below. The limited passports will be available from July 6 and only while supplies last, the US State Department said. Although the image of Trump on the passport has received backlash, the words the US president claimed are on the new documentation became the focus of the announcement as people insisted he must be unaware of how a passport works. Trump introduced the new passport on Truth Social and said: “The U.S.A.’s New Passport, which says, ‘Welcome, but be good!’” although the text “welcome but be good” does not appear in the images of the passport pages that he shared in his post. …

My eight-year-old was refused a UK passport | Consumer affairs

My eight-year-old was refused a UK passport | Consumer affairs

Published by Sam Flores

I am a Briton living in Switzerland and my three children are British and Swiss nationals. When we found out via the Guardian that dual nationals, who live overseas, are now required to hold a British passport in order to enter the UK, we set about applying, so the children can continue to visit their English relatives. More than three months later we find ourselves in a nightmare with HM Passport Office (HMPO). We have provided all of the documents asked for, including three different birth certificates for each child (British, Swiss and a certified translation), we have spent countless hours on online helplines, and spent close to £800 on fees, translations and postage – to no avail in the case of our youngest child. His application has been refused despite the fact his siblings’ were accepted on the strength of the same documents. We now have to send antenatal records of his birth eight years ago, as well as our passports valid at the time of his conception. Those passports have long since expired …

Why King Charles doesn’t need a passport

Why King Charles doesn’t need a passport

Published by Daniella Wilson

Since ascending the throne in September 2022, King Charles has visited 10 countries – and did not need a passport for any of them. In fact, the King will never need to travel with a passport again because the reigning monarch is not required to have one. The rule is laid out on the monarchy’s official website and reads: “When travelling overseas, the Sovereign does not require a British passport. © POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe monarch is not required to carry their own passport “As a British passport is issued in the name of His Majesty, it is unnecessary for The King to possess one. All other Members of the Royal Family, including The Queen and The Prince of Wales, have passports.” The rule was also true for the late Queen Elizabeth II, who never carried a passport to any of the 117 countries she visited during her 70-year reign. Charles was required to travel with a passport when he was a prince. The first page of British passports contains a representation of the Royal …

‘Human dignity has no passport’

‘Human dignity has no passport’

Published by Sam Flores

LAS PALMAS, Spain (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV delivered a heartfelt speech addressing migrants on Thursday (June 11), reminding them of their worth and dignity even as they suffer at the hands of traffickers and mafias. He also spoke directly to the church and states — especially in Europe — underlining their duty to promote and protect migrants. Leo said those who exploit migrants are “monsters” — as are people who are indifferent to their suffering. He called for a “conversion,” allowing people to see migrants beyond mere statistics. “Only then can we understand that that little girl could be our daughter, and that those faces could be part of our family. Then, our conscience is left with no excuses,” he said. “Human dignity has no passport and does not lose its value when crossing a border.” He made his remarks at the port of Arguineguín, in Las Palmas in Gran Canary Island, where he listened to the stories of migrants and people who help them. Leo is visiting the Canary Islands for the last …

Is My UK Passport Valid For EU Travel? 10-Year Rule Check

Is My UK Passport Valid For EU Travel? 10-Year Rule Check

Published by Sam Flores

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) rules recently came into force, which left some UK fliers queueing for hours and even missing flights amidst airport chaos. This is meant to lead into the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will mean non-EU nationals hoping for a short stay in Schengen countries will have to apply to do so online. But there’s a lesser-known rule already in place that could affect UK passengers flying abroad, which Nick Caunter, the managing director of Airport Parking and Hotels, dubbed the ’10-year passport rule’. What is the 10-year passport rule? To travel to the EU and Schengen countries, UK fliers’ passports need to be under 10 years old at the time of arrival. This change came about after Brexit. And UK passports need to have at least three months remaining before they expire while travelling to these countries, too. If your passport was issued after 2018, it won’t stay valid for more than 10 years anyway, the Post Office explained. They’re usually valid for a decade exactly, meaning …

Wizz Air boss issues warning as EU border checks trigger ‘long delays’ | UK | News

Wizz Air boss issues warning as EU border checks trigger ‘long delays’ | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

Wizz Air’s boss has warned holidaymakers to arrive at airports in the EU three hours before their flights after new border checks led to long queues. Yvonne Moynihan said some passengers have missed return or connecting flights at certain airports in Europe. It comes as airports reported worsening queues resulting from the Entry Exit System (EES). The border control system is replacing passport stamping with face scans and fingerprints for people from outside the European Union. A spokesperson for the European Commission has insisted the system is working well. Ms Moynihan told the BBC the new border checks have had a fragmented impact across Europe. She said there has been some seamless travel in some places, hotspots including Spain, Portugal and France have seen long queues. Wizz Air‘s boss told the broadcaster to take a portable charger and water in readiness for queues on arrival. She went on the highlight the risk of long waits in line when travellers leave as EES information needs to be verified at that point. The airline’s managing director said …

What it’s like to travel with a weak passport: ‘There’s no dignity’

What it’s like to travel with a weak passport: ‘There’s no dignity’

Published by Sam Flores

International tourism sells the promise of a borderless world: open skies, new horizons, the freedom to explore. But for the holder of a weak passport, that promise rings hollow. The Henley Passport Index (HPI) ranks the world’s passports by the number of destinations their holders can visit visa-free. This may be affected by factors like a country’s economic and political stability, colonial history and association with risks or terrorism. Singaporean passport holders currently top the list, enjoying visa-free access to 192 destinations worldwide. Afghan nationals, at the other end – only 23. In a recent study, my co-author Samira Zare and I explored the challenges that tourists with low-ranking passports face at airport borders. Travelling with a weak passport is costly and time-consuming. Before a holiday even begins, tourists with a weak passport navigate visa applications months in advance. They may attend interviews, provide extensive documentation and still be rejected. Crossing a border is one of the most charged moments in any trip. Our research reveals that tourists regularly encounter both subtle and overt challenges …

PIP applicant ‘not willing’ to send DWP passport or driving licence in the post

PIP applicant ‘not willing’ to send DWP passport or driving licence in the post

Published by Sam Flores

A potential benefit claimant was asked to send their passport and driving licence to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) – but they said they were ‘not willing to do’ so. Their reluctance was due to fear their documents would get lost in the post, however they were told their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim would not be viewed until they did. They took to Reddit to question whether this was ‘normal’ as they looked for other ways to ‘speed things up’. READ MORE: DVLA cancels licences for drivers aged 70 to 79 with 10,700 affected so far Their post read: “Applied for PIP. And it said I need to provide two forms of ID. “Tried to do this process online but it said for all new applicants, you have to call. So I did. “And then they said they couldn’t verify my ID as they don’t have enough information. And that I now need to wait 14 days for a letter in the post with a code to verify my ID. “They said …

iPhone Ultra Rumors: Passport Design and ,000 Price Tag

iPhone Ultra Rumors: Passport Design and $2,000 Price Tag

Published by skeptic

Apple is poised to redefine the foldable smartphone landscape with the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra. This device is expected to merge innovative design, advanced technology, and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, offering a unique proposition in a competitive market. However, its premium pricing and potential trade-offs in features could shape its reception among consumers. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes the iPhone Ultra a significant step for Apple. The video below from The Tech Chap gives us more details on what Apple has planned. Design: Compact, Portable and Innovative The iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature a passport-style foldable design, balancing portability with functionality. This design is expected to include: A 5.5-inch cover screen for quick access to notifications, messaging and other essential tasks. A 7.8-inch inner display designed for immersive experiences such as gaming, video streaming and multitasking. Apple is reportedly prioritizing a thinner and lighter build compared to its competitors, making sure comfort and ease of use. Efforts to minimize the visibility of the fold crease aim to deliver a seamless …

Trump’s face doesn’t belong on U.S. passport, senators tell Rubio

Trump’s face doesn’t belong on U.S. passport, senators tell Rubio

Published by Sam Flores

A U.S. passport featuring an image and signature of U.S. President Donald Trump is seen in this rendering released by the State Department, in Washington, April 28, 2026. U.S. State Department | Via Reuters President Donald Trump’s face should not be printed on a special edition U.S. passport, a group led by Democratic senators said in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. The group, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., in the letter shared first with CNBC, called on Rubio to halt plans to issue a limited number of passports featuring Trump to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. “The U.S. passport has never — and should not now — feature an image of a sitting U.S. president. We ask you to halt these plans given the anti-democratic impact this decision will have,” the group wrote. The letter was signed by Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Angus King, I-Maine, who caucuses with Democrats. Read more CNBC politics coverage The State Department announced via X in …