eznews.in
A passport is essential for international travel, serving as proof of identity and nationality. In 2024, passport costs vary significantly, ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 19,000, according to data from Compare The Market. Mexico holds the title for the most expensive passport, with a 10-year passport priced at Rs 19,464, and its three- and six-year options also ranking among the top ten. Australia follows as the second most expensive at Rs 19,023, while the U.S. passport costs Rs 13,899. In contrast, the United Arab Emirates offers the cheapest passport at Rs 1,492, with India's passport also being affordable at Rs 1,523. Notably, the Indian passport is deemed the best value due to its long validity and visa-free access to 58 countries, ranking 82nd in the Henley Powerful Passport Index 2024. 
Published: Nov 22 2024, 11 ameznews.inLondon's Metropolitan Police conducted a controlled explosion outside the United States embassy on Friday after discovering a suspicious package in the area. The incident occurred in Nine Elms, just south of the River Thames, where police established cordons as a precaution while they investigated the package. The force confirmed the "loud bang" heard nearby was part of their operation, and they are continuing their inquiries. The US embassy acknowledged the situation on social media, stating that local authorities were actively investigating the matter and that a nearby road had been closed for safety. Police have indicated that cordons will remain in place until further notice as they ensure the area is secure. Updates from the Metropolitan Police are expected as the investigation progresses.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 5 pmeznews.inA rare deep-sea creature known as the ‘doomsday fish’ has washed ashore at Grandview Beach in Encinitas, California, spotted by Scripps Institution of Oceanography doctoral student Alison Laferriere while walking her dog. Initially mistaken for debris, the creature was identified as an oarfish, measuring approximately 9 to 10 feet long. This marks the second oarfish to appear on California shores this year, prompting researchers to investigate potential links to changing ocean conditions, including the recent weak El Niño and red tide. Ben Frable, manager of the Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection, noted that samples from the specimen will enhance understanding of oarfish biology and life history. Oarfish, with their distinctive long bodies and bright fins, are steeped in folklore, particularly in Japan, where their sightings are believed to predict earthquakes, a superstition that gained traction after multiple oarfish were found ahead of the 2011 earthquake.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 3 pmeznews.inIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue defending Israel despite an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a video statement, Netanyahu dismissed the ICC's decision as a "dark day in the history of nations," claiming it has become an "enemy of humanity" by making "utterly baseless" accusations against him and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC cited "reasonable grounds" for believing they bear criminal responsibility for war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare, amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza that has resulted in over 44,000 deaths, predominantly civilians. Netanyahu criticized the court for ignoring what he termed "real war crimes" committed against Israel while mocking the warrant issued for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, whom Israel claims was killed in an airstrike last year.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 3 pmeznews.inWomen’s rights are facing alarming erosion globally, with significant setbacks observed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United States. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has enforced stringent laws limiting women's freedoms, including a ban on public speaking and education for girls, leading to a situation described as “gender apartheid.” Meanwhile, Iraq's parliament is considering an amendment that could lower the age of consent for marriage to nine, further entrenching child marriage and stripping women of legal rights. In the US, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has resulted in widespread abortion restrictions, reflecting a broader trend of diminishing women's rights. These developments underscore the precarious status of gender equality worldwide, with UN Women estimating it could take 286 years to close existing legal gender gaps. As women continue to resist these oppressive measures, the fragility of their rights remains starkly evident.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 3 pmeznews.inThe UK is preparing for severe weather as Storm Bert approaches this weekend, bringing heavy snow, rain, and strong winds. The Met Office has issued a yellow alert for snow and ice until Friday, November 22, prompting the closure of over 100 schools in Scotland and nearly 200 in Devon and Cornwall. Wind gusts could reach up to 70 mph, with some areas in Wales and Southwest England expected to receive as much as 100 mm of rain, raising concerns of flooding and travel disruptions. Local authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution, with reports of collisions already emerging in Devon and Cornwall. The storm, named by Ireland's Met Eireann, is expected to deliver continued snow showers to Scotland, particularly affecting regions like Angus and Perth and Kinross, alongside dropping temperatures that may lead to icy conditions.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 2 pmeznews.inNetflix has launched its new nature documentary series "Our Oceans," narrated by former US President Barack Obama. The five-episode series explores the world's five oceans: the Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, Arctic, and Southern. In an Instagram video, Obama is seen recording his voice-over, inviting viewers to "explore new worlds just below the surface." The series is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker James Honeyborne and produced by Higher Ground Productions, the company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama in 2018. Higher Ground has released around 18 projects to date, including the animated series "Waffles + Mochi" and the docuseries "Working: What We Do All Day." Notably, Obama previously narrated the natural history docuseries "Our Great National Parks," for which he won a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 2 pmeznews.inSEOUL: In a significant development, North Korea has reportedly received anti-aircraft missiles from Russia in exchange for deploying over 10,000 troops to support Moscow's war in Ukraine, according to South Korea's top security advisor, Shin Won-sik. This military collaboration is viewed as an attempt by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to obtain advanced technology and combat experience for his forces. In addition to missile supplies, North Korea has reportedly gained various forms of economic support and is pursuing satellite technology following a failed launch in May. The strategic partnership treaty signed between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June obligates both nations to provide military assistance to one another. Analysts suggest that North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine may signify a shift in its foreign policy, potentially allowing it to bypass reliance on China while gaining access to Russia's natural resources.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 2 pmeznews.inUS President-elect Donald Trump has begun assembling a diverse cabinet comprising allies, provocateurs, and conventional figures, with many appointments requiring Senate approval. Among his notable selections is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic, as Health Secretary, while TV celebrity Mehmet Oz will oversee public health insurance programs. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been nominated as Attorney General, following Matt Gaetz's withdrawal. Tech mogul Elon Musk is set to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, targeting substantial budget cuts. Senator Marco Rubio has been chosen as Secretary of State, and Fox News host Pete Hegseth will head the Pentagon. Other key appointments include Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary and Linda McMahon as Education Secretary. The cabinet reflects Trump's commitment to a hardline approach on immigration and government restructuring, with several nominees linked to his previous administration and political allies.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 12 pmeznews.inKing Charles III's coronation in May 2023 cost British taxpayers £72 million ($90.7 million), according to official accounts released on Thursday. The expenditure has drawn criticism, with many arguing that such spending is excessive amid ongoing economic challenges and public austerity. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) accounted for £50.3 million of the total, while policing costs from the interior ministry reached £21.7 million. Despite the lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey and a subsequent concert at Windsor Castle, the final bill, initially projected to exceed £100 million, is likely to intensify backlash from anti-monarchists who highlight the royal family's substantial public funding and wealth. Polls indicate that over half of Britons believe government funding for the coronation was unwarranted, prompting calls for greater transparency and reform regarding royal finances amid rising living costs and inflation.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 12 pmeznews.inIn a notable diplomatic gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dispatched over 70 animals, including an African lion, brown bears, and yaks, to Pyongyang, reinforcing the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea. The animals were flown from the Moscow Zoo to the Pyongyang Central Zoo, accompanied by veterinarians, as part of a broader initiative to enhance cooperation in nature conservation and scientific exchange. Russian Minister of Natural Resources, Alexander Kozlov, emphasized that this initiative goes beyond economic collaboration, while Moscow Zoo's General Director, Svetlana Akulova, highlighted plans for joint educational activities. This exchange follows previous animal transfers and military cooperation, including the deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russian forces in Ukraine. Despite these gestures, North Korea continues to face severe humanitarian challenges, including food shortages and the need for essential resources, amid ongoing international sanctions.
Published: Nov 22 2024, 12 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact