samhexum

Travelers from the United States, Canada and dozens of other countries who do not require visas to enter the United Kingdom will soon need to apply for digital authorization in order to visit or transit through the country. The electronic travel authorization, called ETA and linked to a traveler’s passport, costs 10 pounds, or around $13, and lasts two years. The requirement was introduced about a year ago for nationals of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and four other Gulf nations and will extend to more than 40 visa-exempt countries starting January 8. It will eventually apply to all visa-exempt travelers wishing to visit the United Kingdom, including those from the European Union. Travelers connecting through airports in the United Kingdom who have final destinations elsewhere will also need to apply for ETA, though this policy is currently under review. The ETA system is part of a mission to “deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system” that will enhance border security, according to a news release from the British Home Office. Here’s what you need to know about ETA and the process to apply. It’s not a visa. The ETA is for short-term visits under six months and only for visa-exempt travelers; the full list of applicable nationalities is available online. The ETA does not replace existing visa policies, which require citizens of dozens of countries and territories to apply for and receive a visa to enter the United Kingdom. British and Irish citizens, visa holders, and those granted permission to live, work or study in the United Kingdom do not need to apply for the ETA. The ETA doesn’t replace the need for passports to enter the United Kingdom. The application process has already opened up. For travel on or after January 8, applications are already being accepted online or through the ETA app. All travelers, including infants and children, will need ETAs, though applications can be submitted on behalf of other travelers. To apply, you’ll need the applicant’s passport and photo and payment. Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted forms of payment. You’ll be asked to answer a set of security questions and to provide contact information. Details about your travel plans are not necessary. Most decisions will be rendered within three days, according to the U.K. government, and travelers will be notified by email. The ETA is valid for multiple journeys over a two-year period, but if your passport expires earlier, so does your ETA. It’s linked to your passport, which means there is no physical document. Rejected applicants can apply again. Travelers who have their ETA applications rejected can apply again, and they will be told why their application was unsuccessful. However, applicants who are not granted an ETA will need to apply for a visa. There will be no appeal process. Europeans will be required to have an ETA as of April 2. Applications for travelers from 34 European nations will open on March 5. The ETA is distinct from ETIAS. The European Union is planning to enact a similar program for visa-exempt travelers, called the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS. That program has been repeatedly delayed, and is now expected to begin sometime in 2025. This travel authorization, required to enter 30 European countries, will cost 7 euros, or roughly $7. This will apply to an estimated 1.4 billion people from countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States who can currently travel visa-free throughout much of Europe. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/travel/uk-eta-visa.html I highly doubt I’m going to be traveling overseas again; there’s really no reason for me to go to Staten Island, Manhattan, or the Bronx. Even if I decide to for some reason, all I’ll need is my EZ-PASS.

From what I've learned from porn, men who've been to prison are great at (and love) gay sex.

The girl's parent, obviously. I'm frankly a little shocked that you couldn't figure that out.

Former Astoria resident Cormac Murphy to represent USA in pursuit of ‘Mr. Universe’ crown

I actually have a picture of my dad's giant cock.

then, alas, so did you...

So no jingle balls?

Who Is Olivia Ponton? All About the “Sports Illustrated” Model and Her Link to Joe Burrow https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/olivia-ponton-sports-illustrated-model-212408495.html

I'm so fucking healthy, it's sick... Went to the doctor today: A1C 5.9 (2+ years 6.4 or below) Down 9 pounds since September, 53ish since diagnosed in Jan 2022. (still too heavy by 20-25) No signs of diabetic damage in my eyes or feet BP 118/74

I'm so sorry for your loss and hope you are managing a tiny bit better every day.

An adorable trade rumor for @WilliamM: Story on MLB.com: Nolan Arenado has a no trade clause, but told the Cards he would waive it for only 6 teams: Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Phillies, Mets and Red Sox.

Let the over-reacting begin! Yanks sign Max Fried for 8 years.

Besieged automotive giant Nissan has suffered yet another blow, with news it is set to ax a number of showrooms under its luxury division, Infiniti. Infiniti is set to draw the curtains on a swath of stand-alone premises in the US and merge with existing Nissan dealerships across the country. The decision follows Nissan insiders revealing last month the brand had just “12 months to survive” after major European investor Renault signalled plans to scale back its interests in the company. A week later, Nissan CFO Stephen Ma became the first victim of the brand’s well-publicised money troubles. The Infiniti move comes amid news sales have dropped more than 50 percent in five years across the US, according to reports. The luxury brand services 197 dealers across the US but each site only averages 24 car sales per month. Infiniti data revealed the brand only sold 42,567 new vehicles in the US in the nine months to September this year – down from 87,934 vehicles sold during the same period in 2019. Nissan North America’s vice president for dealer network development told Automotive News the Infiniti changes were designed to ensure the survival of the brand. “Our evaluation, first and foremost, prioritises the health of the retailer and Infiniti business,” he said. “Additionally, we considered expected sales, cost and availability of automotive real estate, and size of existing facilities, among other factors.” The Infiniti woes are just the latest setback for the Japanese giant after news following the Renault leaks in November. Insiders claim Nissan, one of Australia’s best-selling car brands, only has one year to survive as the company scrambles to backfill the gaping hole Renault’s departure will leave in its finances. Nissan is now searching for a new investor to ensure its survival beyond 2025, according to reports. Two people with knowledge of the talks reportedly said Nissan was seeking a long-term, steady shareholder like a bank or insurance group to replace some of Renault’s equity holding. “We have 12 or 14 months to survive,” a senior official close to Nissan said. The news was swiftly followed by Ma’s departure, with the CFO stepping down days later on December 3. Ma’s loss also follows that of chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta in 2023 and the sensational arrest for former chief executive Carlos Ghosn in 2018. Nissan chief executive Makoto Uchida will also reduce his monthly salary by 50 percent as the automaker continues making moves to shore up its finances. The brand has promised to cut costs, sell off assets and prioritise research and development investment. Uchida said ”these turnaround measures do not imply that the company is shrinking”. “Nissan will restructure its business to become leaner and more resilient, while also reorganising management to respond quickly and flexibly to changes in the business environment,” he said. “We an aim to enhance the competitiveness of our products, which are fundamental to our success, and set Nissan back on a path of growth. “As a cohesive team, we are dedicated to working together to ensure the successful implementation of our plans.” Nissan has not been alone in its turmoil, with several other carmakers also struggling to cope with a shift toward electric cars, increased competition and weak demand from customers. Carlos Tavares, chief executive of Jeep parent company Stellantis, quit his post this month as well. Volkswagen is dealing with strikes in Europe amid plans to shut down factories as its cars shift from petrol to electric power. Other giants such as Ford and General Motors have openly struggled with investment in electric cars while trying to maintain production of traditional models. Last week GM revealed a shocking $US8billion ($12.4b) hit due to falling demand and profitability. GM’s sales and market share has been gradually declining as competition in China increases from local automakers. The loss includes $US5 billion in restructuring costs and a $US2.7 billion hit to GM’s joint venture with Chinese state-owned SAIC Motor.

ABBA Voyage has contributed £1.40billion to the UK economy, according to new figures. The virtual concert residency, which features digital avatars depicting the Swedish pop icons as they appeared in 1979, generated the sum between its opening in May 2022 to May 2024. During that time, the live concert experience has attracted over two million visitors, with 31 per cent travelling from outside of the UK. According to a new report by music, culture and creative economy consultancy Sound Diplomacy, attendees spent an average of £220 per day in London, as well as the cost of the ticket to the show at Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The most positive impact is felt in the local boroughs of Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, with local restaurants and bars receiving £51.26million, commercial shops gaining £27.28million and accommodation £66.38million. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said: “ABBA Voyage has been a phenomenal success story for London, boosting our economy by more than £1bn and showing again why our capital is a global leader for music and culture. “The fantastic show is an enduring testament to ABBA’s timeless popularity, as well as providing cultural, financial and social benefits. London is proud to host ABBA Voyage and we look forward to continuing to welcome fans from far and wide to see this unique concert as we build a better London for everyone.” In October, it was reported that the show grossed more than £100million in 2023, according to documents filed in the UK with Companies House by Aniara, the company behind the shows. A total of 1,097,597 visitors attended the shows across 2023, with an occupancy rate of 97.8 per cent. Revenue from ticket sales was £103,665,597, with a pre-tax profit of £6,065,402. This is more than double the £2,990,757 made in 2022, when the residency was on for seven months of the year. Standard tickets for the shows, in which the avatars are supported by a 10-piece live band, range in price from £27.50 to £319.50.

Again, speaking from personal experience, people have no idea of how debilitating and life-altering (physically AND mentally) chronic back pain can be. There are many days it would make me feel just a little bit better Edited by moderator

DEAR ABBY: I am a 43-year-old woman who has struggled with self-esteem and personal relationships my entire life. My fiance and I have talked in depth about past trauma, but it wasn’t until within the past year that I’ve realized how much of an impact my mother had on those aspects of my life. From as far back as I can remember, she always told me that from the moment I was born, she had a hard time connecting with me, and I wasn’t loving toward her. How could that have possibly been something I caused? I suspect she may have had postpartum issues, and she is now a fully diagnosed bipolar individual. I watch her have functional relationships with lots of other people, but still, to this day, we have almost no connection. I feel guilty about the state of our relationship but worse when I witness the way she treats others compared to me. Am I a terrible daughter? — DISCONNECTED IN OHIO DEAR DISCONNECTED: If what your mother said is true, remember that for the most part, children react lovingly toward people who are loving to them. You are not responsible for your mother’s diagnosed mental illness, which may be why she had so much trouble relating to you. You are not a terrible daughter. YOU’RE JUST AN IDIOT FOR NOT REALIZING THIS ON YOUR OWN YEARS AGO If you have any doubts about what I have written, please consult a licensed mental health professional who can help you understand that you have nothing to feel guilty about.FUCK YOU! GO TO HELL! EAT SHIT AND DIE! DEAR ABBY: My husband and I will soon celebrate our 11th anniversary. Together since we were 19, we’re now in our mid-30s with two children. Abby, I can’t seem to shake the feeling my husband is cheating on me. For the past two years all he wants is sex, on his time. If he doesn’t get it within his “timeline,” he gets angry and has an attitude. If he doesn’t get it at all that day, I’ll hear about it for days afterward. I love my husband with all my heart, but he is not a great dad. It kills me to see him brush the kids off when they are so excited to see him, hug him and play. But my husband doesn’t play with them, doesn’t snuggle with them on random days off or lounge around with them. I get jealous seeing dads playing with their kids and just being goofy for hours. He works all the time and worries about his work calls. All my life I wanted a husband who would be a great dad. What I’m trying to ask is, if he isn’t into our kids, is always stressed, isn’t playful in a non-sexual way with me anymore and only wants sex, is he seeing someone else to fulfill his needs? — HEARTBROKEN WIFE IN NEW JERSEY DEAR WIFE: There are plenty of issues in your marriage that need working on, but I doubt that a man who often wants sex with his wife is cheating. You stated that he doesn’t relate well to the children and is always stressed. Once you understand the reasons, things may improve. Marriage counseling might help you achieve that.NO, YOU MORON! HE JUST HATES HIS LIFE AND IS MISERABLY UNHAPPY.

Speaking from experience, I can say absotively, posilutely!

Twins can be very different sizes, you know...

I didn't see your post before today, but you posted it within an hour after I heard it as my brother in law was driving me home from an appointment while listening to America's Top 40 with Casey Kasem on Sirius XM. (A great roundtrip soundtrack... Send in the clowns, Isn't it time, Swingtown, Lying Eyes, a couple of other goodies within about an hour in the car)

Perfect ending. So few shows manage that. I still wish it would have been renewed.

Just call me Kreskin.

Believe it or not, I don't know if I ever saw the first season shows.

How a hip, happening guy spends his Saturday night… Updating and printing out his list of doctors and medications. Party Hardy!

Does anyone have the original 85 minute version? All I can find online is a 59 minute version that cuts off the last two scenes.