Latest news with #Eurotrip
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
ePassport in India: How to apply, and watch out for these fake websites
Many don't give importance to their passports or give it a second thought in terms of a valid identity document, until they desperately need one. Whether it's for that long-awaited Eurotrip, a dream job abroad, or a last-minute travel plan, applying for a passport can either be a breeze or a hassle if you don't pay attention to details. On June 24, 2025, as reported earlier, during the 13th Passport Seva Divas, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted this and announced the launch of Passport Seva Programme (PSP) 2.0. This upgrade brings emerging technologies, improved transparency, and faster processing times to India's passport system. The global rollout of the PSP 2.0, including in Indian embassies and consulates, is already underway, further extending the benefits of ePassports to Indian citizens abroad. Read more: So, what is an ePassport? Is it different from the conventional passport? Well, an ePassport is essentially a smarter version of the conventional paper passport. It looks very similar to the standard passport, but comes equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an embedded antenna. These components are inserted into the back cover of the passport as an inlay. What sets it apart visually is a small gold-colored chip symbol printed below the front cover. This RFID chip securely stores personal details and biometric information of the passport holder, like photograph and fingerprint data, in a digital format. Why is the ePassport beneficial? One of the biggest advantages of the ePassport is its ability to prevent forgery and tampering. While the passport holder's information will still be printed on the physical booklet, the same data will also be digitally stored and signed on the chip. Immigration officers across the globe will be able to electronically verify the authenticity of this information using advanced systems. The technology behind this security is known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). It ensures that the data on the chip has not been altered and truly belongs to the passport holder. This makes it extremely difficult for criminals to create fake passports or tamper with existing ones, greatly enhancing international travel security. Additionally, ePassports speed up immigration checks, as contactless scanning of the chip allows for faster processing at eGates in many airports. Do you need to replace your current passport? If you already hold a valid Indian passport, there's no need to rush to replace it. Existing passports will remain valid until their expiry date. As the ePassport rollout continues, applicants who apply at ePassport-enabled Passport Offices will automatically receive the upgraded version. The government is implementing the ePassport system in phases, and full nationwide coverage will take a few more months. How to apply for an ePassport Applying for an ePassport is straightforward and follows the same steps as a regular passport application — with a few added digital upgrades: Visit the official Passport Seva website: Create an account or log in if you're an existing user. Fill in the ePassport application with accurate details. Choose your preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK (POPSK). Pay the application fee online. Schedule an appointment for biometric capture and document verification. Visit the chosen center at your scheduled time slot. Beware of fake passport service websites The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a warning about fraudulent websites mimicking official passport services. These websites often operate under domains like *.org, *.in, or *.com and may charge extra fees or steal user data. Some known fake websites include: To stay safe, always use the official portal: .
Business Insider
22-07-2025
- Business Insider
I traveled through 5 different airports during a summer trip to Europe. The best one surprised me.
Some would say it's crazy to squeeze four countries into a two-and-a-half week trip to Europe. That "some" would include my parents, but I've always liked a challenge. My June Eurotrip took me through five different airports, which provided five very different experiences. So I figured, why not rank them? It should go without saying that travel is unpredictable and experiences can vary widely due to weather, national strikes, and time of year — not to mention the size of the airport. This is more to help with your own Europe travel planning than anything else. 5. Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola in Florence, Italy My experience with the Florence Airport was rocky from the beginning. It was the first stop on our trip, and my fiancé and I decided to grab a cab to our hotel after a full day of traveling from Los Angeles. However, peak tourism season was already in full swing, and we waited almost 45 minutes outside for an available car. Our problems persisted when we returned to the airport four days later. There were no self-service kiosks for British Airways, which I was flying to London, or KLM, which my fiancé was flying to Amsterdam, leading to very long check-in lines. But that would be the least of our struggles. Florence Airport only has one short runway, frequently leading to diverted and canceled flights during bad weather. It was somewhat windy that day, leading 30 people — including my fiancé — to get kicked off the KLM flight. He waited at the airport for hours to get rebooked on a new flight at 6 a.m. the following morning, then was taken via bus to a hotel 45 minutes away. A spokesperson for the airport told me a project to modify the orientation and length of the runway is "currently undergoing approval." 4. Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom I studied abroad in Cambridge and lived in the UK during my 20s, so I've flown in and out of Heathrow at least a dozen times and have had fairly good experiences overall. It's also ranked 22nd in Skytrax's 2025 list for top 100 airports in the world, which is considered the Oscars of the aviation industry. But Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, can be chaotic. My first issue was during the self-service bag drop. This is a great time-saving feature at Heathrow, but my luggage got flagged for being one pound overweight. A nearby staff member told me the scales are extremely sensitive, and I'd have to shuffle some things around. It's not a huge deal, but definitely something to know if you're flying through this airport and happen to be a chronic overpacker (ahem, me). The staff member then said I could go to the north or south security zone. I opted for the north, only to be turned away because the entire zone had suddenly closed. This led to a massive rush of people heading to the south zone. The security line also took longer because of the general confusion around Heathrow's very strict policy for liquids in carry-ons. People held up the line as they tried to organize their bottles into plastic bags, and carry-ons kept getting flagged if a stray bottle was found. So, if you're heading to Heathrow soon, be extra careful with your luggage and liquids and bank some extra time in case of long lines. That way you won't have to be the person sprinting to their gate (ahem, me again). 3. Zurich Airport in Zurich, Switzerland Zurich, ranked 10th in Skytrax's top 100 list, was my connecting airport as I flew from LA to Florence. I was in the airport for less than two hours, but I was impressed with how they handled a lost item issue. I was just about to wander away from our gate and grab a snack when my iPhone alerted me that I "seemed far away" from my AirPods, which I had apparently left in the seat-back pocket on the plane. I was already in a different terminal, and my flight was set to board in 20 minutes. I went up to the first desk I saw, where an attendant was happy to help. She showed me how to submit the airport's lost item report, a quick form I could complete from my phone. Within two days, I received confirmation that my AirPods had been found and were being stored in the lost and found. I paid a fee to get them sent back to LA, where they were waiting for me when I returned from my trip. 2. Athens International Airport in Athens, Greece I spent a lot of summers as a kid at the airport in Athens, often snacking on a ham and cheese toastie while we waited for a connecting flight to visit Thessaloniki, my parents' hometown. So yes, I'm a little biased! But my most recent experience at Athens International Airport, ranked 88th on Skytrax's list, couldn't have been smoother. We were able to quickly grab our luggage and order an Uber when we landed, and the check-in and security process was a breeze when it was time to catch our flight home. What I really love about this airport is the dozens of shops where you can buy whatever Greek snacks you couldn't fit into your luggage, which in my case was a lot. I was so content browsing through the bottles of olive oil and shelves of cookies (Caprice wafers are always a must) that my Norse Atlantic Airways flight was halfway through boarding when I got to my gate. 1. Düsseldorf Airport in Düsseldorf, Germany I flew into Düsseldorf Airport — ranked 28th on Skytrax's list — for a wedding in Recklinghausen, and from the moment I landed, everything just felt so easy. I swiftly grabbed my checked bag and followed the signs to find the SkyTrain, a fully automatic railway that took me straight to the Düsseldorf Flughafen station to catch my train to Recklinghausen. The return journey was just as effortless. My fiancé and I were able to check in with the airport's self-service kiosks and bag drop, and this time, my luggage didn't get flagged by a sensitive scale. We didn't even have to wait in any lines! The security check was quick and efficient, and there were tons of great food and shopping options available at our terminal.
Miami Herald
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Real Housewives of Miami' stars spill all the tea at white-hot premiere party
It's that time of year again, when it's hot in more ways than one. The glamorous gang that make up Bravo's 'Real Housewives of Miami' was back together Tuesday night at Rosa Negra restaurant in Brickell. One by one, they walked the step-and-repeat with their own stories to tell. Rocking all-white outfits, the fabulous ladies — Alexia Nepola, Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, Guerdy Abraira, Larsa Pippen, Marysol Patton, Kiki Barth and Adriana de Moura — celebrated Season 7 of the reality show, which premieres at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Everyone seemed to be on their best (ish) behavior, drinking cocktails, taking selfies, dancing and hugging it out. But judging by the trailer, the drama is off the charts this go-around. Expect breakups as well as hookups; serious health issues; tested alliances; and a really fiery Eurotrip. Oh, and one newbie: Real estate tycoon, Stephanie Shojaee, who replaces anesthesiologist Dr. Nicole Martin. The self proclaimed small but mighty Colombiana (née Mejia) admitted trying to fit in with the already tight knit crew was no easy task. 'It was hard, I'm not gonna lie,' she told the Miami Herald with a laugh. 'You're coming in to a bunch of established friends, with their inside jokes and everything.' The welcome wagon wasn't exactly speeding down the tracks. 'It didn't start off amazing, but then it goes great, then s--t hits the fan. A little bit of all that,' teased the jetsetter who runs the Shoma Group with her husband, Masoud Shojaee (Shoma Bazaar, Sanctuary Doral Park, CityPlace Doral). 'They didn't realize how strong and opinionated I was, and I didn't realize how strong and opinionated they were!' Thanks to 'RHOM,' Shojaee will never forget her 40th birthday, which was spent in Spain. 'It was one of the best times in my life, and at the same time, the absolute worst,' she said, adding, 'Now I'm ready for the 'Real Housewives' ride, strapped in and buckled up. I hope everyone else is too, because I'm a handful!' One of Shojaee's rumored besties is Larsa Pippen, who has gone through her share of shenanigans (translation: boyfriends). Fans will now have a front row seat as to what went down between her and Marcus Jordan and why he's in the ex files. The 50-year-old entrepreneur has moved on with basketball player Jeff Coby, who was spotted towering over the crowd at Rosa Negra. Speaking of strong women, Guerdy Abraira had another reason to celebrate at the shindig — her successful battle with breast cancer. The event planner, 47, proudly showed off the scar on her chest from where doctors placed the chemotherapy port. 'I'm doing really good,' she reported. 'I'm trying to thrive and find my footing again. Every day is a blessing. I say, 'Thank you, God,' not, ''Why, God?' With that mentality, I was able to propel forward.' That's the good news. The not so great? Viewers will witness a key friendship fall apart, with the tension between the two a major plot point. It doesn't appear Abraira has patched things up with this unnamed individual and is fine with that. 'Having cancer humbled me big time, and it taught me to trim the fat, get rid of anyone who doesn't want to see you rise to the top,' said the Haitian stunner, wearing a gown of her own design. 'Like, don't play with me this season. For those people who create a storm, then not expect it to rain? Oh, I'll make it rain! I'm taking my power back.' Another one of the show's OGs who seems to have grown exponentially is Lisa Hochstein. The former model very publicly went through the divorce from hell from plastic surgeon Dr. Lenny Hochstein amid cheating rumors, and came through on the other side. How mature is she these days? The 42-year-old brought her ex mother-in-law, Marina, to Tuesday's event, along with her kids. The reality vet, who was also accompanied by beau Jody Glidden, even posed for pics with grandma. The two have beefed on more than one occasion. 'It's called adulting,' said Hochstein simply. 'And this is the way it has to be.' Big life changes are also afoot for Julia Lemigova, who is married to tennis icon Martina Navratilova. The couple document their journey adopting two young brothers this season. 'It's a really exciting time,' the budding opera singer gushed. 'I can't wait for everyone to see it.' Speaking of which, if you can't tune in to Wednesday's premiere, new episodes of 'RHOM' will be available to stream on Peacock the following day. READ MORE: Larsa Pippen is playing matchmaker these days
See - Sada Elbalad
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Michelle Trachtenberg's Cause of Death Revealed
Yara Sameh Michelle Trachtenberg died due to natural causes, as a result of complications from diabetes mellitus. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the results to People on Wednesday. Trachtenberg was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment on the morning of February 26. The 'Harriet the Spy' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' actress's family had declined an autopsy at the time after the NYPD determined that there was no evidence of foul play or criminality. Trachtenberg began acting at a young age, getting her start in commercials at three years old before landing her first TV role on the Nickelodeon series 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete' in the mid-'90s. At age 10, she scored her first major film role with 1996's 'Harriet the Spy,' in which she played the title character. In the early 2000s, Trachtenberg played Dawn Summers on the teen drama 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' which she joined in its fifth season and remained part of until its end in 2003. She also became well-known for her role on another teen drama, 'Gossip Girl,' as the villainous Georgina Sparks. Her character recurred throughout the show's run from 2007 to 2012, and reappeared on the short-lived 2022 reboot for two episodes. Her other film credits include 2004's 'Eurotrip,' 2005's 'Ice Princess,' and 2009's '17 Again' alongside Zac Efron. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Arts & Culture Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg died of complications from diabetes
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg died as a result of complications from diabetes, according to New York City's medical examiner. The office said in a statement that it amended the cause and manner of death for the 39-year-old New York City native following a review of laboratory test results. Trachtenberg, who was known for her roles in TV shows Gossip Girl, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Six Feet Under, as well as films like Harriet the Spy, Eurotrip and 17 Again was found unconscious and unresponsive in her luxury apartment tower in Manhattan on 26 February. Officials at the time said no foul play was suspected, and the medical examiner's office had listed her death as 'undetermined.' Trachtenberg's family had objected to an autopsy, which the medical examiner's office honored because there was no evidence of criminality. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Blake Lively were among the celebrities who mourned Trachtenberg when her death was announced. Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar) Her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star David Boreanaz said it was 'so very sad.. horrible news', while the show's Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow, wrote on her Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle's passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle's family and friends.'
