These days every second person has '#Wanderlust'. Almost everyone is an 'explorer, adventure seeker and much more'. The tall claims in Instagram bio fall short either due to money or visa. Wanderlust is not enough after all when all you have to do is wander aimlessly outside embassy while you wait for visa.

The passport you have has a lot to do with how a free bird you are. Depending on the passport, travellers have to (or not) obtain visas to go to foreign countries. If you are lucky enough to have been born in a country the passport of which allows you visa-free travel to a large number of countries in the world, you may be said to possess a 'powerful' passport.

Needless to say that those passports allowing visa-free travel in limited number of countries isn't the most prized possession among those who like to travel.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-revealed-the-50-best-restaurants-in-the-world-2021-edition-418595">Revealed: The 50 best restaurants in the world 2021 edition</a>

London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley &amp; Partners has released passport rankings. They are called Henley Passport Index. The rankings have been made based on data from &nbsp;International Air Transport Association (IATA). The index has not considered temporary restrictions. These may be due to variety of reasons including Covid.As per the Henley Passport Index,

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-has-captured-image-of-eye-in-the-sky-418294">NASA has captured image of 'eye in the sky'</a>

Japan and Singapore have bagged the top spot. The passport of both of these countries in theory, allows visa-free travel to 192 countries. And which country is at the bottom? Well check out the two lists given below

Best passports as per the Henley Index&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li>Japan, Singapore (192 destinations)</li>
	<li>South Korea,&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;(190)</li>
	<li>Luxembourg, Spain,&nbsp;Italy,&nbsp;Finland (189)</li>
	<li>Denmark, Austria (188)&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Ireland, Netherlands, France, Sweden,&nbsp;Portugal&nbsp;(187)</li>
	<li>Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland (186)</li>
	<li>Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway, United Kingdom, United States (185)</li>
	<li>Canada, Australia&nbsp;(184)</li>
	<li>Hungary (183)</li>
	<li>Poland Lithuania, Slovakia (182)</li>
</ol>

Worst passports as per the Henley Index

109. North Korea (39 destinations) 
110. Nepal and Palestinian territories (37) 
111. Somalia (34) 
112. Yemen (33) 
113.Pakistan (31) 
114. Syria (29) 
115. Iraq&nbsp;(28) 
116. Afghanistan (26)

These days every second person has '#Wanderlust'. Almost everyone is an 'explorer, adventure seeker and much more'. The tall claims in Instagram bio fall short either due to money or visa.

These days every second person has '#Wanderlust'. Almost everyone is an 'explorer, adventure seeker and much more'. The tall claims in Instagram bio fall short either due to money or visa. Wanderlust is not enough after all when all you have to do is wander aimlessly outside embassy while you wait for visa. The passport you have has a lot to do with how a free bird you are. Depending on the passport, travellers have to (or not) obtain visas to go to foreign countries. If you are lucky enough to have been born in a country the passport of which allows you visa-free travel to a large number of countries in the world, you may be said to possess a 'powerful' passport. Needless to say that those passports allowing visa-free travel in limited number of countries isn't the most prized possession among those who like to travel. Also Read | Revealed: The 50 best restaurants in the world 2021 edition London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners has released passport rankings. They are called Henley Passport Index. The rankings have been made based on data from International Air Transport Association (IATA). The index has not considered temporary restrictions. These may be due to variety of reasons including Covid.As per the Henley Passport Index, Also Read | NASA has captured image of 'eye in the sky' Japan and Singapore have bagged the top spot. The passport of both of these countries in theory, allows visa-free travel to 192 countries. And which country is at the bottom? Well check out the two lists given below Best passports as per the Henley Index Japan, Singapore (192 destinations) South Korea, Germany (190) Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Finland (189) Denmark, Austria (188) Ireland, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Portugal (187) Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland (186) Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway, United Kingdom, United States (185) Canada, Australia (184) Hungary (183) Poland Lithuania, Slovakia (182) Worst passports as per the Henley Index 109. North Korea (39 destinations) 110. Nepal and Palestinian territories (37) 111. Somalia (34) 112. Yemen (33) 113.Pakistan (31) 114. Syria (29) 115. Iraq (28) 116. Afghanistan (26)

Check out latest rankings of best and worst passports around the world

Several people who were seeking to leave Afghanistan for medical treatment and other facilities, gathered outside the passport department in Kabul.

People complained about the passport department being closed and said that despite repeated promises to resume the operations of the department, the passport office is yet to open.

Many people who had gathered outside the closed passport office were among those who study abroad, work outside Afghanistan and the ones who are patients and have to leave the country to get medical attention, TOLOnews reported.

Pacha Gul, who travelled to Kabul from Paktia, southeastern province of Afghanistan said, "My Passport has expired, I have to go to Peshawar in Pakistan. I paid 700 dollars for only one gate pass, for the consulate. But the process doesn`t work there either and when I came here, the department is closed."

He said that he worked in Saudi Arabia. But now he is unable to travel because his passport stands expired.

Shafiq Hamdam, a university student said, "Let the passport department be opened. Some are medical patients here, some are having trade problems and some are facing educational problems."

Rostam Amerkhil, who is a resident of Afghanistan`s Wardak province urged the passport office to be reopened as it was causing trouble to the people.

"Everything is connected to the passport if they want to leave the country or stay. Let the passport office be open, don`t cause trouble for people," Amerkhil said.

The Interior Ministry of the Taliban-led government said that the department would resume its activities soon.

"Decisions have been taken in this regard. The process will begin soon," said Sayed Khosti, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry.

The upcoming cabinet meeting of the Taliban-led government would discuss the passport department`s activities, said TOLOnews quoting a source in the passport department.

Several people who were seeking to leave Afghanistan for medical treatment and other facilities, gathered outside the passport department in Kabul. People complained about the passport department being closed and said that despite repeated promises to resume the operations of the department, the passport office is yet to open.

Several people who were seeking to leave Afghanistan for medical treatment and other facilities, gathered outside the passport department in Kabul. People complained about the passport department being closed and said that despite repeated promises to resume the operations of the department, the passport office is yet to open. Many people who had gathered outside the closed passport office were among those who study abroad, work outside Afghanistan and the ones who are patients and have to leave the country to get medical attention, TOLOnews reported. Pacha Gul, who travelled to Kabul from Paktia, southeastern province of Afghanistan said, "My Passport has expired, I have to go to Peshawar in Pakistan. I paid 700 dollars for only one gate pass, for the consulate. But the process doesn`t work there either and when I came here, the department is closed." He said that he worked in Saudi Arabia. But now he is unable to travel because his passport stands expired. Shafiq Hamdam, a university student said, "Let the passport department be opened. Some are medical patients here, some are having trade problems and some are facing educational problems." Rostam Amerkhil, who is a resident of Afghanistan`s Wardak province urged the passport office to be reopened as it was causing trouble to the people. "Everything is connected to the passport if they want to leave the country or stay. Let the passport office be open, don`t cause trouble for people," Amerkhil said. The Interior Ministry of the Taliban-led government said that the department would resume its activities soon. "Decisions have been taken in this regard. The process will begin soon," said Sayed Khosti, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry. The upcoming cabinet meeting of the Taliban-led government would discuss the passport department`s activities, said TOLOnews quoting a source in the passport department.

Afghanistan: Passport department remains shut, trouble for many Afghans

Vaccine passports will now be required for nightclubs, mass events and large venues in England by the end of September, the vaccines minister has confirmed.&nbsp;

He said that would allow businesses to stay open during the winter months if COVID-19 surges.

Nadhim Zahawi said that the government wanted to “make sure the whole economy remains open” through the autumn amid fears that a return to school could lead to a new wave.

“We are looking at, by the end of September when everyone has had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated, for the large venues, venues that could end up causing a real spike in infections, where we need to use the certification process,” Zahawi told Sky’s Trevor Phillips.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-600-taliban-fighters-killed-in-panjshir-clashes-against-resistance-forces-410830">Also read |&nbsp;At least 600 Taliban fighters killed in Panjshir clashes against resistance forces</a>

He further added, “If you look at what the FA have done, they’ve done so brilliantly in terms of checking vaccine status to reopen football. That is the sort of right thing to do and we are absolutely on track to continue to make sure that we do that.”

Vaccine passports can be shown via the NHS app.

They have been fiercely opposed by some Conservative MPs.&nbsp;

Also, Zahawi assured that Boris Johnson was committed to the plan.

Zahawi also said that the parents of healthy 12 to 15-year-olds would be asked for consent if coronavirus jabs were approved for their children.

Vaccine passports will now be required for nightclubs, mass events and large venues in England by the end of September, the vaccines minister has confirmed. He said that would allow businesses to stay open during the winter months if COVID-19 surges.

Vaccine passports will now be required for nightclubs, mass events and large venues in England by the end of September, the vaccines minister has confirmed. He said that would allow businesses to stay open during the winter months if COVID-19 surges. Nadhim Zahawi said that the government wanted to “make sure the whole economy remains open” through the autumn amid fears that a return to school could lead to a new wave. “We are looking at, by the end of September when everyone has had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated, for the large venues, venues that could end up causing a real spike in infections, where we need to use the certification process,” Zahawi told Sky’s Trevor Phillips. Also read | At least 600 Taliban fighters killed in Panjshir clashes against resistance forces He further added, “If you look at what the FA have done, they’ve done so brilliantly in terms of checking vaccine status to reopen football. That is the sort of right thing to do and we are absolutely on track to continue to make sure that we do that.” Vaccine passports can be shown via the NHS app. They have been fiercely opposed by some Conservative MPs. Also, Zahawi assured that Boris Johnson was committed to the plan. Zahawi also said that the parents of healthy 12 to 15-year-olds would be asked for consent if coronavirus jabs were approved for their children.

Vaccine passports needed to keep venues in England open

The world stopped in 2020 when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus pandemic</a> hit,&nbsp;and many countries went into total or partial lockdowns. However, that led to disruption of lives and the downfall of the economy. To&nbsp;restart the economies, governments soon realised that travelling was an important process that needed to be kickstarted.

Governments all over the world came up with the idea of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/covid-19-vaccine?page=3">vaccine certificate</a>.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450" hreflang="en">COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant</a>

<h3>What is vaccine certificate?</h3>

These certificates are government-authorised documents that have become proof of whether or not a person has been vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus. In India, people get a temporary certificate after the first dose which also mentions the date of the first dose and the expected date range of the second dose.

Once the second dose is also administered, a new certificate is made available to the individual.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-vaccines-lets-help-in-breaking-myths-for-new-mothers-390613" hreflang="en">Covid, pregnancy, breastfeeding and vaccines: Let's help in breaking myths for new mothers</a>

This certificate can be downloaded by people through the Co-WIN portal. This certificate is extremely important as it not only serves as proof of vaccination but can also, in near future, act as a ticket to travelling abroad.

<h3>How to link vaccine certificate with passports?</h3>

The majority of the people may not have used a passport as a photo ID proof. For such cases, simply visit the official CoWIN website (<a href="http://www.cowin.gov.in">www.cowin.gov.in</a>) and click on “Raise Issue” from the "Account details" section.

After that, choose 'Add passport details' and wait till you are redirected to the page which will let you choose which member do you want to make changes for, and then choose the name. After that, carefully add the passport number in the “Enter beneficiary’s passport number’ column and tick the confirmation box before clicking on 'submit request'.

Immediately, you will receive a message on the registered mobile number and then you can go to the 'Account details' option, click on "Certificate" and download the new and updated vaccine certificate.

For those who have not yet registered themselves on the Co-WIN portal, you can simply choose passport as a 'photo ID' option.

The world stopped in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit, and many countries went into total or partial lockdowns. However, that led to disruption of lives and the downfall of the economy.

The world stopped in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit, and many countries went into total or partial lockdowns. However, that led to disruption of lives and the downfall of the economy. To restart the economies, governments soon realised that travelling was an important process that needed to be kickstarted. Governments all over the world came up with the idea of a vaccine certificate. Also read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant What is vaccine certificate? These certificates are government-authorised documents that have become proof of whether or not a person has been vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus. In India, people get a temporary certificate after the first dose which also mentions the date of the first dose and the expected date range of the second dose. Once the second dose is also administered, a new certificate is made available to the individual. Also read | Covid, pregnancy, breastfeeding and vaccines: Let's help in breaking myths for new mothers This certificate can be downloaded by people through the Co-WIN portal. This certificate is extremely important as it not only serves as proof of vaccination but can also, in near future, act as a ticket to travelling abroad. How to link vaccine certificate with passports? The majority of the people may not have used a passport as a photo ID proof. For such cases, simply visit the official CoWIN website (www.cowin.gov.in) and click on “Raise Issue” from the "Account details" section. After that, choose 'Add passport details' and wait till you are redirected to the page which will let you choose which member do you want to make changes for, and then choose the name. After that, carefully add the passport number in the “Enter beneficiary’s passport number’ column and tick the confirmation box before clicking on 'submit request'. Immediately, you will receive a message on the registered mobile number and then you can go to the 'Account details' option, click on "Certificate" and download the new and updated vaccine certificate. For those who have not yet registered themselves on the Co-WIN portal, you can simply choose passport as a 'photo ID' option.

How to link vaccine certificate to passport? WION explains

Britain plans to drop COVID-19 passports as a legal requirement for large events, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. 
 
The UK officials working on the review into COVID-19 status certificates believe there is no chance the law will be changed to mandate their use within the UK, the report added. 
 
A government spokesman said in an emailed statement that the COVID-19 vaccine certification review is still in process and no decision has yet been made. 
 
There has been mounting concern over the prospect of vaccine certificates voiced by the UK's Conservative Party, as well as opposition lawmakers and civil rights groups. In April, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also signaled the ethical issues posed by COVID-19 vaccine certification.

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain plans to drop COVID-19 passports as a legal requirement for large events, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. The UK officials working on the review into COVID-19 status certificates believe there is no chance the law will be changed to mandate their use within the UK, the report added.

Britain plans to drop COVID-19 passports as a legal requirement for large events, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. The UK officials working on the review into COVID-19 status certificates believe there is no chance the law will be changed to mandate their use within the UK, the report added. A government spokesman said in an emailed statement that the COVID-19 vaccine certification review is still in process and no decision has yet been made. There has been mounting concern over the prospect of vaccine certificates voiced by the UK's Conservative Party, as well as opposition lawmakers and civil rights groups. In April, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also signaled the ethical issues posed by COVID-19 vaccine certification. (With inputs from agencies)

UK vaccine passport plans to be scrapped: The Telegraph

You could hear the music from the sidewalk, high-spirited renditions of “Ice Ice Baby” and “MMMBop.”

It was ’90s night at Rumi, a ballroom and event space in the Chelsea section of Manhattan in New York City, and millennials and Gen Zers lined up to get inside. They dressed the part in tracksuits, neon crop tops, denim overalls and scrunchies.

To enter, they had to pass two checkpoints. First, a bouncer verified IDs and took temperatures. Then, Joseph Ko, one of the ballroom’s owners, confirmed that each person had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The process took about five minutes.

The crowd seemed happy, eager even, to comply. Some flashed their paper vaccination cards, protected in a plastic case or folded into their wallets. “I carry it around with me everywhere,” said Tom Allen, 25, a lawyer in Chelsea, pulling the card out from his passport. He was with eight friends who had been texting days earlier to make sure everyone had the proper documentation.

Catherine Fiorentino, 35, a lawyer who lives in downtown Brooklyn, used an Excelsior Pass, a digital “vaccine passport” created by New York state. “This is the first time I’m going to an Excelsior Pass event. It’s so cool,” she said. “I’m not just excited to get to my first party post-COVID, but I’m excited to spend it with other people who are also vaccinated.”

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now advises that fully vaccinated people can gather indoors without masks (and stand closer than 6 feet apart), the ballroom took extra precaution, per state guidelines: Each group was assigned to a designated area marked off by white tape. But within each group, it felt like old times: Patrons were dancing, singing at the top of their lungs and smooching on the dance floor.

“I feel like I can drink without a mask on, dance without a mask on and be a little less cautious,” Fiorentino said.

Vaccinated-only parties have started to pop up across the country, especially in and around New York City, where anyone over 16 has been eligible for vaccination since April 6.

Bar and club owners in New York are not required to check for vaccine cards, but there are benefits to doing so. On May 3, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that places where proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required can operate at a greater capacity.

Some partygoers say they feel safer knowing that others are vaccinated. That was the case at the Bear Party, a sex-positive gathering for men held in a midtown Manhattan loft. To its long list of house rules (no shirts, no pants, no alcohol) comes a new one: Patrons must be fully vaccinated.

In addition to a CDC card or an Excelsior Pass, patrons can also show documentation proving they “were part of a vaccine trial, were unblinded and did indeed receive real vaccine,” according to the Bear Party website. “Foreign vaccine card equivalents, Green Passes, etc. will be accepted too.”

At 6 p.m. on a recent Friday, about a dozen guests in gym clothes and jeans arrived at a nondescript door at a building in the West 30s between a construction site and a South American restaurant. Like well-behaved schoolchildren, they had their vaccine cards out and ready to show before entering the building.

“I will have more fun knowing everybody inside is vaccinated,” said a 35-year-old man who declined to give his name. He kept his vaccine card in a Ziploc bag. “Especially with sex, it’s important that people feel as safe as possible.”

Some patrons likened the process at some venues to showing off their IDs on their 21st birthday. Time will tell whether vaccine cards become the new velvet rope, or whether the novelty will last.

While New York state is encouraging bars and clubs to ask for proof of vaccination, other states are handling the situation differently. California does not have its own vaccine passport, but it does allow indoor events that check for vaccinations (or negative COVID tests) to operate at greater capacity. In Florida, however, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation this week making it illegal for businesses, schools and government offices to require proof of vaccination, with fines of up to $5,000.

Legal experts say that absent such a law, public establishments are allowed to require proof of vaccination for entry. “If you are a bar or club you can legally discriminate on the basis of someone’s vaccination status, but the law requires you to give reasonable accommodation to those persons who have a medical disability or sincerely held religious beliefs,” said Lee Jacobs, a partner at Helbraun Levey, a law firm that represents restaurants, bars and hotels.

Private parties are different. “If you are a private citizen, you can mandate everyone is vaccinated,” Jacobs added.

John Seitz, 45, an anesthesiologist in Manhattan, was invited to such a party last month. A friend was moving out of his apartment and invited 70 people for a last hurrah. “He sent out a thing on Facebook that said you have to have a vaccine or a negative COVID test,” Seitz said.

At the party, he was greeted by a bouncer who asked for a vaccine card. He showed him a photo on his phone in lieu of the real thing. (“If you lose it you are screwed,” he said.) Guests gathered around a bar stocked with beer, wine and liquor. A DJ played house music until 3 a.m.

Some hosts have resorted to more elaborate procedures, and have hired medical professionals to verify the vaccination status of guests.

“These are elite parties thrown by companies or people with a lot of money,” said Dr. Asma Rashid, who runs a medical concierge service in the Hamptons that was hired to vet guests for 10 events last month. “They are birthday parties, weddings, conferences. They send out invitations and have people send a proof of vaccination to us.”

“If you want to be in the social circle and you want to party it up,” she added, “you need to be vaccinated.”

You could hear the music from the sidewalk, high-spirited renditions of “Ice Ice Baby” and “MMMBop.” It was ’90s night at Rumi, a ballroom and event space in the Chelsea section of Manhattan in New York City, and millennials and Gen Zers lined up to get inside.

You could hear the music from the sidewalk, high-spirited renditions of “Ice Ice Baby” and “MMMBop.” It was ’90s night at Rumi, a ballroom and event space in the Chelsea section of Manhattan in New York City, and millennials and Gen Zers lined up to get inside. They dressed the part in tracksuits, neon crop tops, denim overalls and scrunchies. To enter, they had to pass two checkpoints. First, a bouncer verified IDs and took temperatures. Then, Joseph Ko, one of the ballroom’s owners, confirmed that each person had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The process took about five minutes. The crowd seemed happy, eager even, to comply. Some flashed their paper vaccination cards, protected in a plastic case or folded into their wallets. “I carry it around with me everywhere,” said Tom Allen, 25, a lawyer in Chelsea, pulling the card out from his passport. He was with eight friends who had been texting days earlier to make sure everyone had the proper documentation. Catherine Fiorentino, 35, a lawyer who lives in downtown Brooklyn, used an Excelsior Pass, a digital “vaccine passport” created by New York state. “This is the first time I’m going to an Excelsior Pass event. It’s so cool,” she said. “I’m not just excited to get to my first party post-COVID, but I’m excited to spend it with other people who are also vaccinated.” Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now advises that fully vaccinated people can gather indoors without masks (and stand closer than 6 feet apart), the ballroom took extra precaution, per state guidelines: Each group was assigned to a designated area marked off by white tape. But within each group, it felt like old times: Patrons were dancing, singing at the top of their lungs and smooching on the dance floor. “I feel like I can drink without a mask on, dance without a mask on and be a little less cautious,” Fiorentino said. Vaccinated-only parties have started to pop up across the country, especially in and around New York City, where anyone over 16 has been eligible for vaccination since April 6. Bar and club owners in New York are not required to check for vaccine cards, but there are benefits to doing so. On May 3, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that places where proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required can operate at a greater capacity. Some partygoers say they feel safer knowing that others are vaccinated. That was the case at the Bear Party, a sex-positive gathering for men held in a midtown Manhattan loft. To its long list of house rules (no shirts, no pants, no alcohol) comes a new one: Patrons must be fully vaccinated. In addition to a CDC card or an Excelsior Pass, patrons can also show documentation proving they “were part of a vaccine trial, were unblinded and did indeed receive real vaccine,” according to the Bear Party website. “Foreign vaccine card equivalents, Green Passes, etc. will be accepted too.” At 6 p.m. on a recent Friday, about a dozen guests in gym clothes and jeans arrived at a nondescript door at a building in the West 30s between a construction site and a South American restaurant. Like well-behaved schoolchildren, they had their vaccine cards out and ready to show before entering the building. “I will have more fun knowing everybody inside is vaccinated,” said a 35-year-old man who declined to give his name. He kept his vaccine card in a Ziploc bag. “Especially with sex, it’s important that people feel as safe as possible.” Some patrons likened the process at some venues to showing off their IDs on their 21st birthday. Time will tell whether vaccine cards become the new velvet rope, or whether the novelty will last. While New York state is encouraging bars and clubs to ask for proof of vaccination, other states are handling the situation differently. California does not have its own vaccine passport, but it does allow indoor events that check for vaccinations (or negative COVID tests) to operate at greater capacity. In Florida, however, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation this week making it illegal for businesses, schools and government offices to require proof of vaccination, with fines of up to $5,000. Legal experts say that absent such a law, public establishments are allowed to require proof of vaccination for entry. “If you are a bar or club you can legally discriminate on the basis of someone’s vaccination status, but the law requires you to give reasonable accommodation to those persons who have a medical disability or sincerely held religious beliefs,” said Lee Jacobs, a partner at Helbraun Levey, a law firm that represents restaurants, bars and hotels. Private parties are different. “If you are a private citizen, you can mandate everyone is vaccinated,” Jacobs added. John Seitz, 45, an anesthesiologist in Manhattan, was invited to such a party last month. A friend was moving out of his apartment and invited 70 people for a last hurrah. “He sent out a thing on Facebook that said you have to have a vaccine or a negative COVID test,” Seitz said. At the party, he was greeted by a bouncer who asked for a vaccine card. He showed him a photo on his phone in lieu of the real thing. (“If you lose it you are screwed,” he said.) Guests gathered around a bar stocked with beer, wine and liquor. A DJ played house music until 3 a.m. Some hosts have resorted to more elaborate procedures, and have hired medical professionals to verify the vaccination status of guests. “These are elite parties thrown by companies or people with a lot of money,” said Dr. Asma Rashid, who runs a medical concierge service in the Hamptons that was hired to vet guests for 10 events last month. “They are birthday parties, weddings, conferences. They send out invitations and have people send a proof of vaccination to us.” “If you want to be in the social circle and you want to party it up,” she added, “you need to be vaccinated.”

Want to party? You might need a ‘vaccine passport.’

Baseball is back across California. Tickets to see Bad Bunny early next year were snatched up in no time. The Musso &amp;amp; Frank Grill — the iconic, very much indoors Hollywood haunt — has announced it will reopen May 6.

That’s all been possible, officials and experts say, because increasing numbers of Californians are vaccinated.

And although the biggest hurdle for the state’s vaccine campaign has been a limited supply of doses, that’s changing quickly, officials say.

As of Monday, 1 in 4 Californians was fully inoculated and more than 40% of Californians have received at least one shot. All adults 16 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.

Many businesses have been allowed to reopen — but some can open at higher capacity if they require proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test. The state is also allowing larger groups to gather, if everyone is tested or fully vaccinated.

So how does one quickly and consistently prove they have been vaccinated? One option is what has come to be known as a “vaccine passport.”

Here’s what you need to know about what that would mean in California:

What is a vaccine passport?

Mostly, the term has been used to describe a digital certificate of vaccination.

Think of the boarding pass you would show on your phone to get through airport security, or of a digital concert ticket with a QR code.

You should receive a paper vaccination card when you get your first dose, but, of course, any kind of paper document is vulnerable.

Still, experts say that the term “passport” is misleading. It is actually more like vaccine verification — something that has long existed in various contexts and forms. (Schools and summer camps, for instance, often require children to be inoculated against certain diseases.)

“We’re not calling it a passport, because that implies it’s a government-issued document,” Dr. Christopher Longhurst, UC San Diego Health’s chief information officer, told me. “That’s not what we’re talking about.”

Why is there a debate over the use of vaccine passports?

As with most things that involve health data, there are concerns about privacy. And as with everything that involves sorting people into groups of haves and have-nots, there are questions about fairness and ethics.

There are wide disparities in vaccination rates among countries, and vaccine passports could make international travel much easier for residents of wealthy countries.

In the United States, conservative politicians have turned “vaccine passports” into a political and cultural flash point, arguing that they infringe on Americans’ freedom. Some states, like Texas, have barred organizations receiving state money from requiring vaccine credentials.

The White House has said the federal government will not support “a system that requires Americans to carry a credential.”

But legal experts have said that businesses like airlines, concert venues or warehouse operators are within their rights to require employees or customers to do things in the interest of public health. Many businesses have said they want to be able to assure customers that their fellow patrons are inoculated in order to coax them back.

Michael Jerrett, a professor of environmental health science at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, told me that as long as there is “equal access” to vaccines themselves, vaccine verification could be used to help prevent workplace outbreaks in the future.

Will I need a vaccine passport if I live in California?

Not exactly. As The Los Angeles Times reported, the state is effectively encouraging venues to require proof of vaccination, as they are allowed to bring in more people if they do.

But state officials have emphasized they will not require them.

So, Longhurst said, the state has effectively “tossed the ball” to private companies.

UC San Diego Health is partnering with the Vaccine Credential Initiative in an effort to ensure that whatever digital vaccine verification is required, there is an “open standard” that is consistent and secure no matter where you go.

“The worst-case scenario is that venues and stadiums all have a different approach,” he said.

Longhurst added that a collaborative, open approach could also prevent a single private company from becoming the sole provider of vaccine verification services, as has been the case for New York, which became the first state to launch a digital health certificate called the Excelsior Pass.

A Republican state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would block state or other government agencies from enacting digital health documentation policies, according to The Sacramento Bee — but the effort is unlikely to go far.

Baseball is back across California. Tickets to see Bad Bunny early next year were snatched up in no time. The Musso &amp; Frank Grill — the iconic, very much indoors Hollywood haunt — has announced it will reopen May 6.

Baseball is back across California. Tickets to see Bad Bunny early next year were snatched up in no time. The Musso &amp; Frank Grill — the iconic, very much indoors Hollywood haunt — has announced it will reopen May 6. That’s all been possible, officials and experts say, because increasing numbers of Californians are vaccinated. And although the biggest hurdle for the state’s vaccine campaign has been a limited supply of doses, that’s changing quickly, officials say. As of Monday, 1 in 4 Californians was fully inoculated and more than 40% of Californians have received at least one shot. All adults 16 and older are eligible to be vaccinated. Many businesses have been allowed to reopen — but some can open at higher capacity if they require proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test. The state is also allowing larger groups to gather, if everyone is tested or fully vaccinated. So how does one quickly and consistently prove they have been vaccinated? One option is what has come to be known as a “vaccine passport.” Here’s what you need to know about what that would mean in California: What is a vaccine passport? Mostly, the term has been used to describe a digital certificate of vaccination. Think of the boarding pass you would show on your phone to get through airport security, or of a digital concert ticket with a QR code. You should receive a paper vaccination card when you get your first dose, but, of course, any kind of paper document is vulnerable. Still, experts say that the term “passport” is misleading. It is actually more like vaccine verification — something that has long existed in various contexts and forms. (Schools and summer camps, for instance, often require children to be inoculated against certain diseases.) “We’re not calling it a passport, because that implies it’s a government-issued document,” Dr. Christopher Longhurst, UC San Diego Health’s chief information officer, told me. “That’s not what we’re talking about.” Why is there a debate over the use of vaccine passports? As with most things that involve health data, there are concerns about privacy. And as with everything that involves sorting people into groups of haves and have-nots, there are questions about fairness and ethics. There are wide disparities in vaccination rates among countries, and vaccine passports could make international travel much easier for residents of wealthy countries. In the United States, conservative politicians have turned “vaccine passports” into a political and cultural flash point, arguing that they infringe on Americans’ freedom. Some states, like Texas, have barred organizations receiving state money from requiring vaccine credentials. The White House has said the federal government will not support “a system that requires Americans to carry a credential.” But legal experts have said that businesses like airlines, concert venues or warehouse operators are within their rights to require employees or customers to do things in the interest of public health. Many businesses have said they want to be able to assure customers that their fellow patrons are inoculated in order to coax them back. Michael Jerrett, a professor of environmental health science at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, told me that as long as there is “equal access” to vaccines themselves, vaccine verification could be used to help prevent workplace outbreaks in the future. Will I need a vaccine passport if I live in California? Not exactly. As The Los Angeles Times reported, the state is effectively encouraging venues to require proof of vaccination, as they are allowed to bring in more people if they do. But state officials have emphasized they will not require them. So, Longhurst said, the state has effectively “tossed the ball” to private companies. UC San Diego Health is partnering with the Vaccine Credential Initiative in an effort to ensure that whatever digital vaccine verification is required, there is an “open standard” that is consistent and secure no matter where you go. “The worst-case scenario is that venues and stadiums all have a different approach,” he said. Longhurst added that a collaborative, open approach could also prevent a single private company from becoming the sole provider of vaccine verification services, as has been the case for New York, which became the first state to launch a digital health certificate called the Excelsior Pass. A Republican state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would block state or other government agencies from enacting digital health documentation policies, according to The Sacramento Bee — but the effort is unlikely to go far.

Will you need a vaccine passport in California?

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson risks triggering a major backlash among lawmakers if his government opts to use the "Covid passports" to help re-open the economy as it starts lifting lockdown restrictions.

More than 70 British lawmakers have signalled their opposition to the introduction of the so-called vaccine passports that the government is considering bringing in.

The government is reviewing the idea of asking people to show proof of a Covid vaccination to access crowded spaces such as pubs or sports events, with Johnson having already said that a certificate is likely to be needed for international travel.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Saturday that trials of Covid passports would begin within weeks during pilots at major sports events and possibly a music awards ceremony in the next two months to assess their impact.

Johnson, to this end, Friday said that a combination of immunity factors - if people have had the disease, a vaccination or had a COVID-19 test - would give businesses confidence.

“So those three things working together will, I think, be useful for us as we as we go forward,” Johnson said.

But there has been mounting concern from some in his own Conservative Party, as well as opposition lawmakers and civil rights groups, about the prospect of vaccine certificates.

“We oppose the divisive and discriminatory use of COVID status certification to deny individuals access to general services, businesses or jobs,” said a statement signed by a group of more than 70 lawmakers from across the political spectrum.

Under the government’s planned “roadmap” out of the pandemic, pubs will be allowed to serve people outdoors later this month, with a further easing of restrictions in mid-May before all measures are lifted near the end of June.

Johnson suggested last month that some pubs might require customers to produce vaccine certificates. Culture minister Oliver Dowden, meanwhile, has said that such certificates could help get more people into theatres.

No decision has yet been made and Johnson has instructed senior minister Michael Gove to review the possible role of certificates, saying there are deep and complex ethical issues to explore. Gove is due to report back shortly.

(with inputs)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson risks triggering a major backlash among lawmakers if his government opts to use the "Covid passports" to help re-open the economy as it starts lifting lockdown restrictions.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson risks triggering a major backlash among lawmakers if his government opts to use the "Covid passports" to help re-open the economy as it starts lifting lockdown restrictions. More than 70 British lawmakers have signalled their opposition to the introduction of the so-called vaccine passports that the government is considering bringing in. The government is reviewing the idea of asking people to show proof of a Covid vaccination to access crowded spaces such as pubs or sports events, with Johnson having already said that a certificate is likely to be needed for international travel. The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Saturday that trials of Covid passports would begin within weeks during pilots at major sports events and possibly a music awards ceremony in the next two months to assess their impact. Johnson, to this end, Friday said that a combination of immunity factors - if people have had the disease, a vaccination or had a COVID-19 test - would give businesses confidence. “So those three things working together will, I think, be useful for us as we as we go forward,” Johnson said. But there has been mounting concern from some in his own Conservative Party, as well as opposition lawmakers and civil rights groups, about the prospect of vaccine certificates. “We oppose the divisive and discriminatory use of COVID status certification to deny individuals access to general services, businesses or jobs,” said a statement signed by a group of more than 70 lawmakers from across the political spectrum. Under the government’s planned “roadmap” out of the pandemic, pubs will be allowed to serve people outdoors later this month, with a further easing of restrictions in mid-May before all measures are lifted near the end of June. Johnson suggested last month that some pubs might require customers to produce vaccine certificates. Culture minister Oliver Dowden, meanwhile, has said that such certificates could help get more people into theatres. No decision has yet been made and Johnson has instructed senior minister Michael Gove to review the possible role of certificates, saying there are deep and complex ethical issues to explore. Gove is due to report back shortly. (with inputs)

UK lawmakers oppose use of Covid-19 passports

Is the COVID vaccine passport set to become the new norm in 2021 and do we all need to have one soon? This is a pertinent question that is been asked after Israel became the first nation to introduce a certification system allowing those vaccinated against COVID-19 to get entitlement to certain facilities. Everything you need to know about COVID-19 'vaccine passport'.

What is a 'vaccine passport'? All you need to know

A polling station sent the Dutch health minister home to get a valid passport after he presented an expired one while trying to vote in a national election on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Hugo de Jonge, who heads the Netherlands'&nbsp;response to the coronavirus pandemic, was attempting to vote at a drive-through polling station in Rotterdam.&nbsp;

"And another piece of advice: take a VALID identification with you," he said in a statement on Twitter afterwards, with the hashtag&nbsp;'alittledumb'.&nbsp;

Dutch newspaper&nbsp;Algemeen&nbsp;Dagblad&nbsp;quoted the top official at the polling station as saying they could not bend the voting rules for a politician.&nbsp;

Wednesday was the third and final day of a national election that is seen as a referendum on the conservative government's handling of the pandemic. De Jonge is from a&nbsp;centre-right party in the ruling coalition that is expected to stay in power.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A polling station sent the Dutch health minister home to get a valid passport after he presented an expired one while trying to vote in a national election on Wednesday.

A polling station sent the Dutch health minister home to get a valid passport after he presented an expired one while trying to vote in a national election on Wednesday. Hugo de Jonge, who heads the Netherlands' response to the coronavirus pandemic, was attempting to vote at a drive-through polling station in Rotterdam. "And another piece of advice: take a VALID identification with you," he said in a statement on Twitter afterwards, with the hashtag 'alittledumb'. Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad quoted the top official at the polling station as saying they could not bend the voting rules for a politician. Wednesday was the third and final day of a national election that is seen as a referendum on the conservative government's handling of the pandemic. De Jonge is from a centre-right party in the ruling coalition that is expected to stay in power. (With inputs from agencies)

Rules are rules: Dutch health minister's passport rejected at polling station 

In a bid to reopen society, Denmark announced on Wednesday it plans to develop a digital coronavirus passport to allow foreign travel.&nbsp;

According to the country’s Finance Ministry, the passport would allow Danes to document that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 for business and other trips abroad.&nbsp;

The representatives of the confederation of Danish Industry, the Danish Chamber of Commerce and the cultural sector have been invited to be a part of the project. &nbsp;

Under the plan, people would be able to log on to a website and check their Covid-19 immunization status from February end. The development of a digital passport and an app is likely to take another three to four months. &nbsp;

For several months, it has been possible for Danes to display and print a document stating that they have recently tested negative for the virus. "It is absolutely crucial for us to be able to restart Danish society and that companies can get back on track. Many Danish companies are global companies," said Morten Bodskov, the country's acting finance minister.&nbsp;

"This is light at the end of the tunnel for very many companies," said the head of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, Brian Mikkelsen.&nbsp;

The passport would be used by people wishing to visit restaurants, conferences, music festivals and sports events. Many sections of Danish society remain closed until February 28, although pharmacies, grocery stores and supermarkets are still open. Bars, cafes and restaurants across the whole country are limited to takeaway orders. Till January 29, about 184,000 people in the country of 5.8 million have received their first vaccination dose.&nbsp;

Danish disease authorities said on Wednesday that the country saw a rise in the share of coronavirus cases containing a more contagious variant, despite seeing general infection numbers drop. &nbsp;

From several thousands of daily Covid-19 infections in December, only 425 cases have been registered in the last 24 hours out of more than 110,377 tested, according to SSI, meaning only 0.38% tested positive.&nbsp;

In a bid to reopen society, Denmark announced on Wednesday it plans to develop a digital coronavirus passport to allow foreign travel. According to the country’s Finance Ministry, the passport would allow Danes to document that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 for business and other trips abroad.

In a bid to reopen society, Denmark announced on Wednesday it plans to develop a digital coronavirus passport to allow foreign travel. According to the country’s Finance Ministry, the passport would allow Danes to document that they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 for business and other trips abroad. The representatives of the confederation of Danish Industry, the Danish Chamber of Commerce and the cultural sector have been invited to be a part of the project. Under the plan, people would be able to log on to a website and check their Covid-19 immunization status from February end. The development of a digital passport and an app is likely to take another three to four months. For several months, it has been possible for Danes to display and print a document stating that they have recently tested negative for the virus. "It is absolutely crucial for us to be able to restart Danish society and that companies can get back on track. Many Danish companies are global companies," said Morten Bodskov, the country's acting finance minister. "This is light at the end of the tunnel for very many companies," said the head of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, Brian Mikkelsen. The passport would be used by people wishing to visit restaurants, conferences, music festivals and sports events. Many sections of Danish society remain closed until February 28, although pharmacies, grocery stores and supermarkets are still open. Bars, cafes and restaurants across the whole country are limited to takeaway orders. Till January 29, about 184,000 people in the country of 5.8 million have received their first vaccination dose. Danish disease authorities said on Wednesday that the country saw a rise in the share of coronavirus cases containing a more contagious variant, despite seeing general infection numbers drop. From several thousands of daily Covid-19 infections in December, only 425 cases have been registered in the last 24 hours out of more than 110,377 tested, according to SSI, meaning only 0.38% tested positive.

In a first, Denmark to develop digital coronavirus passport

Cyprus on Tuesday scrapped a lucrative program granting citizenship to wealthy investors amid new allegations that a top state official and a veteran lawmaker were implicated in attempts to bypass strict vetting rules and issue a passport to a fictitious investor with a supposed criminal record. 
Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said the Cabinet accepted a recommendation by the minsters of the interior and finance to cancel altogether the “golden passport” program that has netted billions of euros over several years.

Koushos said the decision, which goes into effect Nov. 1, was based on the Cyprus Investment Program''s “long-standing weaknesses, but also the abuse” of its provisions.

He said the government would in due course look at different ways of attracting foreign investment.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-cyprus-to-reopen-disputed-ghost-town-with-turkish-backing-333109">Also read:&nbsp;North Cyprus to reopen disputed 'ghost town' with Turkish backing</a>

The allegations surfaced in an hour-long undercover report by Al Jazeera''s investigative unit that used hidden cameras to show Parliamentary Speaker Demetris Syllouris and lawmaker Christakis Giovanis pledging “full support” to granting a passport to a fictitious Chinese investor, despite a money laundering conviction against him.

The report also showed lawyer Andreas Pittadjis, real estate agents and others outlining to a man posing as a representative for the Chinese investor different ways to skirt background checks, including a name change or granting citizenship through his wife.

Both Pittadjis and Giovanis strongly denied the allegations, saying they were fully aware that the approach was bogus and that they only played along to extract more information from the “representative” in order to file a report with Cypriot law enforcement authorities.

Giovanis on Tuesday resigned his seat in the Cypriot parliament and quit his duties as a member of the communist-rooted AKEL party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyprus-to-bear-expenses-of-tourists-who-test-positive-for-covid-19-upon-visit-302026">Also read:&nbsp;Cyprus to bear expenses of tourists who test positive for COVID-19 upon visit</a>

Cypriot Attorney-General George Savvides said that he instructed police to initiate an “in-depth police investigation" to determine if any criminal acts had been committed.

European Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said the bloc''s executive body is looking into launching infringement proceedings against Cyprus.

“We watched in disbelief how high-level officials were trading European citizenship for financial gains,” Wigand told reporters in Brussels. European Commission “President (Ursula) von der Leyen was clear when saying European values are not for sale.” Wigand said the Commission had frequently raised concerns about such investor citizenship schemes and also directly with Cypriot authorities.

Outraged Cypriots took to social media to heap scorn on the officials, with many calling for Syllouris'' resignation.

In a statement on Tuesday, Syllouris said that he would step back from his duties as of next week until an investigation is completed. He apologized for the “unfortunate picture” and upheaval that the “staged and fragmented” report gave and which allowed his reputation and that of the institution of House Speaker to be sullied.

Cypriot officials had earlier accused Al Jazeera of an orchestrated smear campaign against the ethnically split island nation.

The program has attracted many foreigner investors because a Cyprus passport automatically grants its holder citizenship access to the entire 27-member European Union. Around 4,000 Cypriot passports have been issued to investors under the program, generating more than 7 billion euros ($8.25 billion).

The Cyprus government has conceded that “mistakes” were made and has beefed up eligibility criteria in recent years. The most recent changes that lawmakers approved in August include new anti-money-laundering vetting rules and making it easier to revoke the citizenship of investors involved in or convicted of a serious crime.

Despite the stricter rules, the program continued to be hounded by allegations of corruption, kickbacks and favoritism.

Cyprus'' Audit Office last month urged lawmakers to rethink legislation that empowered the government to grant citizenship to investors'' family members.

Cyprus Security and Exchange Commission recommended last month that authorities revoke citizenship from seven individuals who submitted forged documents in their application.

An independent committee has been set up to probe thousands of applications that were made since 2007. The investment program had gathered pace after 2013, when a financial crisis nearly brought Cyprus to bankruptcy.

Cyprus on Tuesday scrapped a lucrative program granting citizenship to wealthy investors amid new allegations that a top state official and a veteran lawmaker were implicated in attempts to bypass strict vetting rules and issue a passport to a fictitious investor with a supposed criminal record.

Cyprus on Tuesday scrapped a lucrative program granting citizenship to wealthy investors amid new allegations that a top state official and a veteran lawmaker were implicated in attempts to bypass strict vetting rules and issue a passport to a fictitious investor with a supposed criminal record. Cyprus government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said the Cabinet accepted a recommendation by the minsters of the interior and finance to cancel altogether the “golden passport” program that has netted billions of euros over several years. Koushos said the decision, which goes into effect Nov. 1, was based on the Cyprus Investment Program''s “long-standing weaknesses, but also the abuse” of its provisions. He said the government would in due course look at different ways of attracting foreign investment. Also read: North Cyprus to reopen disputed 'ghost town' with Turkish backing The allegations surfaced in an hour-long undercover report by Al Jazeera''s investigative unit that used hidden cameras to show Parliamentary Speaker Demetris Syllouris and lawmaker Christakis Giovanis pledging “full support” to granting a passport to a fictitious Chinese investor, despite a money laundering conviction against him. The report also showed lawyer Andreas Pittadjis, real estate agents and others outlining to a man posing as a representative for the Chinese investor different ways to skirt background checks, including a name change or granting citizenship through his wife. Both Pittadjis and Giovanis strongly denied the allegations, saying they were fully aware that the approach was bogus and that they only played along to extract more information from the “representative” in order to file a report with Cypriot law enforcement authorities. Giovanis on Tuesday resigned his seat in the Cypriot parliament and quit his duties as a member of the communist-rooted AKEL party. Also read: Cyprus to bear expenses of tourists who test positive for COVID-19 upon visit Cypriot Attorney-General George Savvides said that he instructed police to initiate an “in-depth police investigation" to determine if any criminal acts had been committed. European Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said the bloc''s executive body is looking into launching infringement proceedings against Cyprus. “We watched in disbelief how high-level officials were trading European citizenship for financial gains,” Wigand told reporters in Brussels. European Commission “President (Ursula) von der Leyen was clear when saying European values are not for sale.” Wigand said the Commission had frequently raised concerns about such investor citizenship schemes and also directly with Cypriot authorities. Outraged Cypriots took to social media to heap scorn on the officials, with many calling for Syllouris'' resignation. In a statement on Tuesday, Syllouris said that he would step back from his duties as of next week until an investigation is completed. He apologized for the “unfortunate picture” and upheaval that the “staged and fragmented” report gave and which allowed his reputation and that of the institution of House Speaker to be sullied. Cypriot officials had earlier accused Al Jazeera of an orchestrated smear campaign against the ethnically split island nation. The program has attracted many foreigner investors because a Cyprus passport automatically grants its holder citizenship access to the entire 27-member European Union. Around 4,000 Cypriot passports have been issued to investors under the program, generating more than 7 billion euros ($8.25 billion). The Cyprus government has conceded that “mistakes” were made and has beefed up eligibility criteria in recent years. The most recent changes that lawmakers approved in August include new anti-money-laundering vetting rules and making it easier to revoke the citizenship of investors involved in or convicted of a serious crime. Despite the stricter rules, the program continued to be hounded by allegations of corruption, kickbacks and favoritism. Cyprus'' Audit Office last month urged lawmakers to rethink legislation that empowered the government to grant citizenship to investors'' family members. Cyprus Security and Exchange Commission recommended last month that authorities revoke citizenship from seven individuals who submitted forged documents in their application. An independent committee has been set up to probe thousands of applications that were made since 2007. The investment program had gathered pace after 2013, when a financial crisis nearly brought Cyprus to bankruptcy.

Cyprus cancels maligned 'golden passport' scheme

Indian Government on Tuesday informed Rajya Sabha that 16 countries allow visa-free travel to Indian passport holders. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in a written reply to Rajya Sabha said that in addition to 16 countries allowing visa-free travel for Indians, there were 43 countries which provided visa-on-arrival facility and there were 36 countries that provided e-visa facility to Indians.

As per the information provided by the minister, these are the countries that provide visa-free travel to Indians.

<ol>
	<li>Barbados</li>
	<li>Bhutan</li>
	<li>Dominica&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Grenada&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Haiti</li>
	<li>Hong Kong SAR</li>
	<li>the Maldives</li>
	<li>Mauritius</li>
	<li>Montserrat</li>
	<li>Nepal</li>
	<li>Niue Island</li>
	<li>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines</li>
	<li>Samoa</li>
	<li>Senegal</li>
	<li>Serbia&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Trinidad and Tobago</li>
</ol>

As per the information given by the minister, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand were among the countries that provided e-visa to Indians.

Ease of travel with a particular passport also translates into 'power' of that passport. More a passport holder gets visa-free travel, more is considered to the power of the passport

Muraleedharan also said that the government was continuing its efforts to ensure that more and more countries in the world allowed visa-free travel to Indian passport holders. 
&nbsp;

Indian Government on Tuesday informed Rajya Sabha that 16 countries allow visa-free travel to Indian passport holders. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in a written reply to Rajya Sabha said that in addition to 16 countries allowing visa-free travel for Indians, there were 43 countries which provided visa-on-arrival facility and there were 36 countries that provided e-visa facility to Indians.

Indian Government on Tuesday informed Rajya Sabha that 16 countries allow visa-free travel to Indian passport holders. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in a written reply to Rajya Sabha said that in addition to 16 countries allowing visa-free travel for Indians, there were 43 countries which provided visa-on-arrival facility and there were 36 countries that provided e-visa facility to Indians. As per the information provided by the minister, these are the countries that provide visa-free travel to Indians. Barbados Bhutan Dominica Grenada Haiti Hong Kong SAR the Maldives Mauritius Montserrat Nepal Niue Island Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa Senegal Serbia Trinidad and Tobago As per the information given by the minister, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand were among the countries that provided e-visa to Indians. Ease of travel with a particular passport also translates into 'power' of that passport. More a passport holder gets visa-free travel, more is considered to the power of the passport Muraleedharan also said that the government was continuing its efforts to ensure that more and more countries in the world allowed visa-free travel to Indian passport holders.

Indian government says 16 countries allowed visa-free travel to Indians

The world had been enjoying great freedom of movement, allowing people to travel from one country to another with little formalities to be done. And then came the travel bans amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A new ranking of passports has hence found that US citizens have had their freedoms severely curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the latest Henley Passport Index, US passports have access to 158 countries, 27 less than before coronavirus and largely due to the EU's decision to temporarily ban travellers from the US.

Japan is top of the leaderboard, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 191 destinations around the world.

Singapore is in second place (with a score of 190) and South Korea ties with Germany in third place (with a score of 189).

The United States is currently placed seventh in official index, but under the current EU ban, Americans have around the same level of travel freedom as citizens of Mexico (No. 25 on Henley Passport Index, with a score of 159) and Uruguay (No. 28, with a score of 153).

India, with access to 58 countries, stands at the 85th spot.

<img alt="India ranking" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e02ade5-4a9b-4623-b24d-2a8f0d328a10" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/india%20rankking.jpg" />

The best passports to hold in 2020 are:

1. Japan (191 destinations) 
2. Singapore (190) 
3. South Korea, Germany (189) 
4. Italy, Finland, Spain, Luxembourg (188) 
5. Denmark, Austria (187) 
6. Sweden, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland (186) 
7. Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium (185) 
8. Greece, New Zealand, Malta, Czech Republic (184) 
9. Canada, Australia (183) 
10. Hungary (181)

Pakistan is one of the last four in the list of 109.

106. Pakistan (32) 
107. Syria (29) 
108. Iraq (28) 
109. Afghanistan (26)

The Henley Passport Index is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. It is updated in real time throughout the year, as and when visa policy changes come into effect.

The world had been enjoying great freedom of movement, allowing people to travel from one country to another with little formalities to be done. And then came the travel bans amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The world had been enjoying great freedom of movement, allowing people to travel from one country to another with little formalities to be done. And then came the travel bans amid the coronavirus pandemic. A new ranking of passports has hence found that US citizens have had their freedoms severely curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, US passports have access to 158 countries, 27 less than before coronavirus and largely due to the EU's decision to temporarily ban travellers from the US. Japan is top of the leaderboard, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 191 destinations around the world. Singapore is in second place (with a score of 190) and South Korea ties with Germany in third place (with a score of 189). The United States is currently placed seventh in official index, but under the current EU ban, Americans have around the same level of travel freedom as citizens of Mexico (No. 25 on Henley Passport Index, with a score of 159) and Uruguay (No. 28, with a score of 153). India, with access to 58 countries, stands at the 85th spot. The best passports to hold in 2020 are: 1. Japan (191 destinations) 2. Singapore (190) 3. South Korea, Germany (189) 4. Italy, Finland, Spain, Luxembourg (188) 5. Denmark, Austria (187) 6. Sweden, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland (186) 7. Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium (185) 8. Greece, New Zealand, Malta, Czech Republic (184) 9. Canada, Australia (183) 10. Hungary (181) Pakistan is one of the last four in the list of 109. 106. Pakistan (32) 107. Syria (29) 108. Iraq (28) 109. Afghanistan (26) The Henley Passport Index is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. It is updated in real time throughout the year, as and when visa policy changes come into effect.

US passport is now on par with Mexico

After its exit from the European Union, The Great Britain is switching the colour of its passport to blue. This report has more.

Gravitas: Great Britain gets a new passport

Britain will start re-introducing traditional blue passports next month, the interior ministry said on Saturday, replacing the burgundy European Union documents that have been in use since 1988.

Reverting to the dark blue of pre-EU days has been a point of pride for many Britons who voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum - even though the new passport will be made by a Franco-Dutch firm.

“By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one,” Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said in a statement.

Britain formally left the EU at the end of January and introduction of the new passport will be phased in from early March. From mid-2020, all new passports will be blue.

The blue cover is a return to the original appearance of the British passport, with the colour first used in 1921, the ministry said.

The back cover will also carry its own symbolic design – the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

The new passport will incorporate new security features, including a super-strength polycarbonate data page. It also includes printing and design techniques to give better protection against identity theft and forgery.

Awarding the 260 million pound ($335 million) contract to a foreign firm, Gemalto, with a French parent company Thales, generated some awkward headlines three years ago for then Prime Minister Theresa May.

"Sacre Bleu" commented the Daily Mail, while the former CEO of the British De La Rue printing company that lost the contract did not mince his words.

"I’m going to have to go and face (our) workers, look them in the whites of the eyes and try and explain to them why the British government thinks it’s a sensible decision to buy French passports not British passports,” Martin Sutherland told BBC radio at the time.

Britain will start re-introducing traditional blue passports next month, the interior ministry said on Saturday, replacing the burgundy European Union documents that have been in use since 1988.

Britain will start re-introducing traditional blue passports next month, the interior ministry said on Saturday, replacing the burgundy European Union documents that have been in use since 1988. Reverting to the dark blue of pre-EU days has been a point of pride for many Britons who voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum - even though the new passport will be made by a Franco-Dutch firm. “By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one,” Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said in a statement. Britain formally left the EU at the end of January and introduction of the new passport will be phased in from early March. From mid-2020, all new passports will be blue. The blue cover is a return to the original appearance of the British passport, with the colour first used in 1921, the ministry said. The back cover will also carry its own symbolic design – the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The new passport will incorporate new security features, including a super-strength polycarbonate data page. It also includes printing and design techniques to give better protection against identity theft and forgery. Awarding the 260 million pound ($335 million) contract to a foreign firm, Gemalto, with a French parent company Thales, generated some awkward headlines three years ago for then Prime Minister Theresa May. "Sacre Bleu" commented the Daily Mail, while the former CEO of the British De La Rue printing company that lost the contract did not mince his words. "I’m going to have to go and face (our) workers, look them in the whites of the eyes and try and explain to them why the British government thinks it’s a sensible decision to buy French passports not British passports,” Martin Sutherland told BBC radio at the time.

Back to blue: UK passports revert to old colour from next month

Bangladesh authorities have suspended an immigration official at the airport here for allowing a senior pilot of the national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines to fly abroad without his passport to bring back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Finland, said a media report on Sunday.

Deputy Inspector General of the Special Branch of Police Afzal Biswas announced the suspension of Sub-Inspector Qamruzzaman for letting Captain Fazal Mahmud of Biman Bangladesh Airlines to travel abroad without his passport on June 5 to bring back PM Hasina after her three-nation visit, the bdnews24.Com reported.

Mahmud was denied entry at the immigration of Doha International Airport in Qatar on Thursday after it was found that he travelled without a passport.

"He is accused of neglecting duty. He did not check the pilot's passport which was his duty,"&nbsp;Afzal was quoted as saying by the news website.

Following the incident, the government has formed two committees to investigate how Captain Mahmud travelled to Qatar without any passport to fly back Hasina, the website reported.

The prime minister returned home on Saturday morning from Finland on a special Biman flight operated by another pilot, the report said.

Bangladesh authorities have suspended an immigration official at the airport here for allowing a senior pilot of the national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines to fly abroad without his passport to bring back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Finland, said a media report on Sunday.

Bangladesh authorities have suspended an immigration official at the airport here for allowing a senior pilot of the national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines to fly abroad without his passport to bring back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Finland, said a media report on Sunday. Deputy Inspector General of the Special Branch of Police Afzal Biswas announced the suspension of Sub-Inspector Qamruzzaman for letting Captain Fazal Mahmud of Biman Bangladesh Airlines to travel abroad without his passport on June 5 to bring back PM Hasina after her three-nation visit, the bdnews24.Com reported. Mahmud was denied entry at the immigration of Doha International Airport in Qatar on Thursday after it was found that he travelled without a passport. "He is accused of neglecting duty. He did not check the pilot's passport which was his duty," Afzal was quoted as saying by the news website. Following the incident, the government has formed two committees to investigate how Captain Mahmud travelled to Qatar without any passport to fly back Hasina, the website reported. The prime minister returned home on Saturday morning from Finland on a special Biman flight operated by another pilot, the report said.

Bangladesh suspends immigration official for letting pilot travel without passport

The government has carried out elaborate liberalisation and simplification of the passport issuance process, and work is on for an e-passport facility, officials said Tuesday.

Speaking about the welfare of overseas Indians at the inauguration of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said passport and visa rules have been simplified and e-visa has made it much easier for them to travel.&nbsp;

"Our Embassies and Consulates are being connected to the Passport Seva Project worldwide. This will prepare a centralised system connected to the passport service for all of you. Now, one step ahead, work is also going on for issuing chip-based e-passport," Modi said.

Along with passports, the rules related to visas are also being simplified, he said.

Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Secretary, Consular, Passport and Visa division at the Ministry of External Affairs, at a briefing, said passport seva has seen a revolution in the past few years.

Over 290 passport centres have been opened in the country and the aim is to have such facilities in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, he said.

"There has been an elaborate liberalisation and simplification of the passport seva," he said.

The whole world is moving towards e-passports and India has also decided to go for it, Mulay said.

The government has carried out elaborate liberalisation and simplification of the passport issuance process, and work is on for an e-passport facility, officials said Tuesday.

The government has carried out elaborate liberalisation and simplification of the passport issuance process, and work is on for an e-passport facility, officials said Tuesday. Speaking about the welfare of overseas Indians at the inauguration of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said passport and visa rules have been simplified and e-visa has made it much easier for them to travel. "Our Embassies and Consulates are being connected to the Passport Seva Project worldwide. This will prepare a centralised system connected to the passport service for all of you. Now, one step ahead, work is also going on for issuing chip-based e-passport," Modi said. Along with passports, the rules related to visas are also being simplified, he said. Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Secretary, Consular, Passport and Visa division at the Ministry of External Affairs, at a briefing, said passport seva has seen a revolution in the past few years. Over 290 passport centres have been opened in the country and the aim is to have such facilities in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, he said. "There has been an elaborate liberalisation and simplification of the passport seva," he said. The whole world is moving towards e-passports and India has also decided to go for it, Mulay said.

Work is on for e-passport facility: Central government

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-ration-cards-digitised-80-linked-with-aadhaar-pm-modi-190441">Aadhaar cards</a> are now valid travel documents for Indians under 15 and over 65 travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, according to a Home Ministry communique.

Indians other than those in the two age brackets will not be able to use Aadhaar to travel to the two neighbouring countries, for which no visas are needed, clarified the communique issued recently.

Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don't need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo identity card issued by the government of India or an election ID card issued by the Election Commission, it added.&nbsp;

Earlier, persons over 65 and under 15 could show their PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card or ration card, but not the Aadhaar, to prove their identity and visit the two countries.

The Aadhaar card has now been added to the list, explained a senior Home Ministry official.

"Now, persons in the age group of over 65 years and below 15 years have been allowed to use Aadhaar as a valid travel document," the official told PTI.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It is being made mandatory for using a host of government services.

Giving details, the official said a certificate of registration issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, to Indian nationals is not an acceptable travel document for travelling between India and Nepal.

"However, the emergency certificate and identity certificate issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal will be valid for a single journey for travelling back to India," he said, citing the communique.

Teens between 15 to 18 years will be allowed to travel between India and Nepal on the basis of an identity certificate issued by the principal of their school in a prescribed form, the officer said.

In case of a family (like husband, wife, minor children and parents) travelling together, all persons will not be required to carry relevant documents (such as a passport or an election ID) if one of the adult members has valid travel papers, he said.

However, the other family members must have some proof of their identity with a photograph and their relationship as a family, such as a CGHS card, ration card, a driving licence or an ID card issued by school/college, the official explained.

Indian nationals travelling to Bhutan need to have either an Indian passport with minimum validity of six months or a voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India.

Bhutan, which shares borders with the Indian states of Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal, has about 60,000 Indian nationals, employed mostly in the hydroelectric power and construction industry.

In addition, between 8,000 and 10,000 daily workers enter and exit Bhutan every day in border towns.

About six lakh Indians live in Nepal, according to data by the Ministry of External Affairs.

These include businesspersons and traders who have been living in Nepal for a long time, professionals (doctors, engineers, IT personnel) and labourers (including seasonal/migratory) in the construction sector, it said.

Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states- Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Earlier, persons over 65 and under 15 could show their PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card or ration card, but not the Aadhaar while travelling Nepal, Bhutan.

Aadhaar cards are now valid travel documents for Indians under 15 and over 65 travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, according to a Home Ministry communique. Indians other than those in the two age brackets will not be able to use Aadhaar to travel to the two neighbouring countries, for which no visas are needed, clarified the communique issued recently. Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don't need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo identity card issued by the government of India or an election ID card issued by the Election Commission, it added. Earlier, persons over 65 and under 15 could show their PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card or ration card, but not the Aadhaar, to prove their identity and visit the two countries. The Aadhaar card has now been added to the list, explained a senior Home Ministry official. "Now, persons in the age group of over 65 years and below 15 years have been allowed to use Aadhaar as a valid travel document," the official told PTI. Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It is being made mandatory for using a host of government services. Giving details, the official said a certificate of registration issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, to Indian nationals is not an acceptable travel document for travelling between India and Nepal. "However, the emergency certificate and identity certificate issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal will be valid for a single journey for travelling back to India," he said, citing the communique. Teens between 15 to 18 years will be allowed to travel between India and Nepal on the basis of an identity certificate issued by the principal of their school in a prescribed form, the officer said. In case of a family (like husband, wife, minor children and parents) travelling together, all persons will not be required to carry relevant documents (such as a passport or an election ID) if one of the adult members has valid travel papers, he said. However, the other family members must have some proof of their identity with a photograph and their relationship as a family, such as a CGHS card, ration card, a driving licence or an ID card issued by school/college, the official explained. Indian nationals travelling to Bhutan need to have either an Indian passport with minimum validity of six months or a voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India. Bhutan, which shares borders with the Indian states of Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal, has about 60,000 Indian nationals, employed mostly in the hydroelectric power and construction industry. In addition, between 8,000 and 10,000 daily workers enter and exit Bhutan every day in border towns. About six lakh Indians live in Nepal, according to data by the Ministry of External Affairs. These include businesspersons and traders who have been living in Nepal for a long time, professionals (doctors, engineers, IT personnel) and labourers (including seasonal/migratory) in the construction sector, it said. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states- Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

MHA tweaks travel norms: Indians over 65, under 15 can use Aadhaar to visit Nepal, Bhutan

India jumps two positions in world's most powerful passports rankings

The lawyer for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of capital blasphemy charges, appealed on Tuesday to Germany to give her whole family citizenship to start a new life in Europe.

Saiful Mulook told a news conference in Frankfurt that Bibi was now free but she and her family needed a passport to leave the country.

Bibi, 53, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 over allegations she made derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. The Supreme Court acquitted her last month.

"The whole world is asking why she's not coming," Mulook told reporters. "The answer is first that to leave a country you need a visa or you require a passport of another country."

"If the German chancellor directs her ambassador to give a passport to her, her husband and her two daughters conferring German nationality, nobody can stop her for one second because she is no longer Pakistani," he added.

"So far, no government has come forward in such an open and free manner," he said.

It was unclear why citizenship, rather than a visa, was necessary for her to leave Pakistan, though Mulook said pressure from religious extremists was making it harder for Islamabad to arrange her departure.

She and her family are staying at a safe house in Pakistan, despite offers of asylum from countries including Canada.

Mulook said the status of a friend of Bibi's husband, who has a wife and five daughters, whom he would like to join them, was a sticking point. Another wife of Bibi's husband and her three daughters were not seeking to leave Pakistan with Bibi, he added.

German officials have said that they and a number of other countries are in talks with Bibi's family and the Pakistani government to find a way of rehousing her.

Mulook, who has himself sought refuge in the Netherlands after being threatened for taking on Bibi's case, said Bibi had no preference as to which country she would travel to for asylum.

The German government had no immediate comment on the request for a passport.

The lawyer for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of capital blasphemy charges, appealed on Tuesday to Germany to give her whole family citizenship to start a new life in Europe.

The lawyer for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of capital blasphemy charges, appealed on Tuesday to Germany to give her whole family citizenship to start a new life in Europe. Saiful Mulook told a news conference in Frankfurt that Bibi was now free but she and her family needed a passport to leave the country. Bibi, 53, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 over allegations she made derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. The Supreme Court acquitted her last month. "The whole world is asking why she's not coming," Mulook told reporters. "The answer is first that to leave a country you need a visa or you require a passport of another country." "If the German chancellor directs her ambassador to give a passport to her, her husband and her two daughters conferring German nationality, nobody can stop her for one second because she is no longer Pakistani," he added. "So far, no government has come forward in such an open and free manner," he said. It was unclear why citizenship, rather than a visa, was necessary for her to leave Pakistan, though Mulook said pressure from religious extremists was making it harder for Islamabad to arrange her departure. She and her family are staying at a safe house in Pakistan, despite offers of asylum from countries including Canada. Mulook said the status of a friend of Bibi's husband, who has a wife and five daughters, whom he would like to join them, was a sticking point. Another wife of Bibi's husband and her three daughters were not seeking to leave Pakistan with Bibi, he added. German officials have said that they and a number of other countries are in talks with Bibi's family and the Pakistani government to find a way of rehousing her. Mulook, who has himself sought refuge in the Netherlands after being threatened for taking on Bibi's case, said Bibi had no preference as to which country she would travel to for asylum. The German government had no immediate comment on the request for a passport.

Asia Bibi's lawyer says she needs German passport to leave Pakistan

Absconding diamantaire and PNB fraud accused Nirav Modi is reported to have fled London for Brussels.&nbsp;

The media had flashed the news that Nirav Modi had allegedly fled to the UK, where he is reportedly claiming political asylum, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing Indian and British officials.

However, now it is reported that he may have left London either on Tuesday or Wednesday for Brussels.

The diamond merchant, wanted in India's biggest-ever banking scam, is said to be travelling in and out of the UK freely, possibly on a Singapore passport, not an Indian one.&nbsp;

A non-bailable warrant was issued against Nirav Modi and 10 other accused, including his family members, in the case related to the fraud, after taking cognisance of a charge sheet filed against them by the ED last month.

The Ministry of External Affairs told the FT that the Indian government was waiting for that country’s law enforcement agencies to approach them before pushing for an extradition, which had thus far not happened. The Enforcement Directorate has also issued summons to diamantaire Nirav Modi and his family members to join the investigations.

Nirav Modi is reported to have left London either on Tuesday or Wednesday. He was reportedly claiming political asylum in England

Absconding diamantaire and PNB fraud accused Nirav Modi is reported to have fled London for Brussels. The media had flashed the news that Nirav Modi had allegedly fled to the UK, where he is reportedly claiming political asylum, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing Indian and British officials. However, now it is reported that he may have left London either on Tuesday or Wednesday for Brussels. The diamond merchant, wanted in India's biggest-ever banking scam, is said to be travelling in and out of the UK freely, possibly on a Singapore passport, not an Indian one. A non-bailable warrant was issued against Nirav Modi and 10 other accused, including his family members, in the case related to the fraud, after taking cognisance of a charge sheet filed against them by the ED last month. The Ministry of External Affairs told the FT that the Indian government was waiting for that country’s law enforcement agencies to approach them before pushing for an extradition, which had thus far not happened. The Enforcement Directorate has also issued summons to diamantaire Nirav Modi and his family members to join the investigations.

PNB scam: Nirav Modi reportedly flees London for Brussels

Pakistani authorities have suspended the national identity card and passport of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on the orders of a special court hearing a treason case against him, according to a media report.

Musharraf, 74, was indicted in March, 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in 2007 which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.

On March 18, 2016, the former president travelled to Dubai for medical treatment.

A few months later, the special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show in the case.&nbsp;

The court in March ordered the federal government to suspend his Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport.

The Express Tribune reported that the National Registration and Database Authority (NADRA) suspended Musharraf's CNIC which resulted in the default suspension of his passport.

It further reported that after his passport was blocked, Musharraf would not be able to travel in any country and even his stay in Dubai would be illegal.

Sources said that now he can either seek political asylum or have special documents arranged if he desires to return to Pakistan.

The special court in its order of March had stated that the ministry of interior and all other departments, divisions and agencies of the government of Pakistan must take positive steps to ensure his arrest.

Complying with these orders, the Minister of Interior by the end of May had asked the NADRA to suspend the CNIC of the former military ruler.

However, the media department of the NADRA, its spokesperson, and Chairman Usman Mobin were all unavailable for comment on the development.

A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He is wanted in Pakistan in several criminal cases including in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Musharraf was indicted on treason charges for imposing emergency in 2007 which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses

Pakistani authorities have suspended the national identity card and passport of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on the orders of a special court hearing a treason case against him, according to a media report. Musharraf, 74, was indicted in March, 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in 2007 which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges. On March 18, 2016, the former president travelled to Dubai for medical treatment. A few months later, the special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show in the case. The court in March ordered the federal government to suspend his Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport. The Express Tribune reported that the National Registration and Database Authority (NADRA) suspended Musharraf's CNIC which resulted in the default suspension of his passport. It further reported that after his passport was blocked, Musharraf would not be able to travel in any country and even his stay in Dubai would be illegal. Sources said that now he can either seek political asylum or have special documents arranged if he desires to return to Pakistan. The special court in its order of March had stated that the ministry of interior and all other departments, divisions and agencies of the government of Pakistan must take positive steps to ensure his arrest. Complying with these orders, the Minister of Interior by the end of May had asked the NADRA to suspend the CNIC of the former military ruler. However, the media department of the NADRA, its spokesperson, and Chairman Usman Mobin were all unavailable for comment on the development. A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He is wanted in Pakistan in several criminal cases including in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Musharraf's national identity card, passport suspended: Report

The Pakistan government today directed the interior ministry to block the national identity card (NIC) and passport of former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, a media report said today.

Complying with a special court's order, the government took the action to restrict the Dubai-based former president's travel and certain facilities available to him as he failed to appear before the court in the high treason case against him.

The National Data Base and Registration Authority (NADRA) and Immigration and Passport Directorate were directed to undertake the action, the Express Tribune reported.

Musharraf would not be able to travel abroad and would also be unable to avail the facility of banking transactions.

"He will also be barred from sale and purchase of his properties in Pakistan and abroad," the daily said quoting a source.

The special court had ordered the government to arrest the former president and confiscate all his properties while hearing the high treason case against the "proclaimed offender" for imposing emergency rule in the country in 2007.

The treason case was instituted on the charges of subverting the Constitution by imposing "emergency rule" on November 3, 2007.

On April 7, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar proposed fresh composition of the special bench, led by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali, but the federal government is yet to issue a formal notification.

Musharraf, 74, was indicted in March, 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in 2007 which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.

The special court had earlier directed the Interior Ministry to approach the Interpol for the arrest of Musharraf.

A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He is wanted in Pakistan in several criminal cases including in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Complying with a special court's order, the government took the action to restrict the Dubai-based former president's travel and certain facilities available to him as he failed to appear before the court in the high treason case against him

The Pakistan government today directed the interior ministry to block the national identity card (NIC) and passport of former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, a media report said today. Complying with a special court's order, the government took the action to restrict the Dubai-based former president's travel and certain facilities available to him as he failed to appear before the court in the high treason case against him. The National Data Base and Registration Authority (NADRA) and Immigration and Passport Directorate were directed to undertake the action, the Express Tribune reported. Musharraf would not be able to travel abroad and would also be unable to avail the facility of banking transactions. "He will also be barred from sale and purchase of his properties in Pakistan and abroad," the daily said quoting a source. The special court had ordered the government to arrest the former president and confiscate all his properties while hearing the high treason case against the "proclaimed offender" for imposing emergency rule in the country in 2007. The treason case was instituted on the charges of subverting the Constitution by imposing "emergency rule" on November 3, 2007. On April 7, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar proposed fresh composition of the special bench, led by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali, but the federal government is yet to issue a formal notification. Musharraf, 74, was indicted in March, 2014 on treason charges for imposing emergency in 2007 which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges. The special court had earlier directed the Interior Ministry to approach the Interpol for the arrest of Musharraf. A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He is wanted in Pakistan in several criminal cases including in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan government to block Musharraf's national identity card, passport

According to a report released by the Henley Passport Index on Wednesday, Singapore has been overtaken by Japan to have the world's most powerful passport.

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&nbsp;

This translates into the fact that the Japanese can now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a record 189 destinations.

Singapore now stands second giving its citizens access to 188 countries that don't require a visa beforehand.

India comes 81st on the list with 56 destinations.

South Korea, Finland, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden share the third stop while the United States and the United Kingdom were tied at number four.

Henley's previously published index, that came out in February, had both Singapore and Japan at the top with 180 destinations.

Germany stood second with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 179 destinations.

As many as 199 countries were surveyed for the index against 227 travel destinations across the globe.&nbsp;

Singapore now stands second giving its citizens access to 188 countries that don't require a visa beforehand

According to a report released by the Henley Passport Index on Wednesday, Singapore has been overtaken by Japan to have the world's most powerful passport. × This translates into the fact that the Japanese can now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a record 189 destinations. Singapore now stands second giving its citizens access to 188 countries that don't require a visa beforehand. India comes 81st on the list with 56 destinations. South Korea, Finland, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden share the third stop while the United States and the United Kingdom were tied at number four. Henley's previously published index, that came out in February, had both Singapore and Japan at the top with 180 destinations. Germany stood second with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 179 destinations. As many as 199 countries were surveyed for the index against 227 travel destinations across the globe.

Japanese possess most powerful passport in world, India on 81st spot

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In a recent media interaction, he said, &quot;We should always believe we are the best.&quot;

&quot;You need to think big. I always believe that nobody is better than me, out on the pitch at least,&quot; he said.

Suspended Cambridge Analytica CEO claims influence on US election, Facebook questioned The suspended chief executive of Cambridge Analytica said in a secretly recorded video broadcast on Tuesday that his UK-based political consultancy’s online campaign played a decisive role in US President Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory. Top leaders resign as Team Rahul gets set to take charge of Congress Resignations in the Congress have begun ahead of party President Rahul Gandhi's announcement of his new team. Actor-politician Raj Babbar has quit as chief of the party's UP unit. News reports added that Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki is also believed to have tendered his resignation to the party's central leadership. The reports added that a number of further resignations are expected. Now, ex-Playboy model wants to talk about affair with Trump A former Playboy model who said she had an affair with President Donald Trump filed suit in California on Tuesday to release her from a legal agreement requiring her to stay silent, becoming the second woman this month to contest an arrangement to keep quiet about an alleged extramarital relationship with Trump. Pakistan renews Pervez Musharraf's passport fearing he may not return Pakistan's former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf's diplomatic passport was renewed two months before its expiry as the government feared that he might not return to face the high treason case, the country's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said. Nobody better than me on the pitch: Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the secret of his success ahead of the FIFA World Cup. In a recent media interaction, he said, "We should always believe we are the best." "You need to think big. I always believe that nobody is better than me, out on the pitch at least," he said.

WION Morning News Brief, March 21, 2018

Pakistan&#39;s former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf&#39;s diplomatic passport was renewed two months before its expiry as the government feared that he might not return to face the high treason case, the country&#39;s Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said.

The former military ruler has been declared &quot;proclaimed offender&quot; by courts, including in the high treason case and the Benazir Bhutto assassination case.

A special court had recently ordered the government to arrest the Dubai-based former president and confiscate all his properties as it heard the high treason case against him for imposing emergency rule in the country in 2007.

The 74-year-old military dictator&#39;s passport was to expire on March 16, but he sought an early renewal as international travel, in many cases, was not possible with a passport having less than six-month validity.

Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf was issued a new passport two months before the expiry of his travel document, and it was again a diplomatic passport for which he was entitled to being a former head of state, Mr Iqbal was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.

He said that Mr Musharraf&#39;s diplomatic passport was renewed out of fear that he might use it as a pretext for not returning home to face the treason case.

&quot;He needs a passport to travel back to Pakistan. He would have contended that without a passport he cannot travel and would have blamed the government for blocking his return,&quot; the Minister said.

On March 16, the special court hearing the high treason case against him authorised the government to suspend his passport as well as his computerised national identity card (CNIC). The court had earlier directed the Interior Ministry to approach the Interpol for the arrest of the former president.

Initially, the government was reluctant to renew his passport and also withheld his application for nearly two months but it was finally renewed from Dubai on January 5 for the next five years, the report said.

According to a source in Mr Musharraf&#39;s party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), the Foreign Office (FO) was holding the application but when the former president&#39;s aide-de-camp Major Shehryar &quot;contacted someone&quot;, the process went ahead.

The authorisation for the issuance of a diplomatic passport is given by the FO as per the Passport and Visa Manual 2006, the source said.

The report also said that any correspondence regarding renewal of Musharraf&#39;s passport could not be traced in the FO&#39;s consular section.

Musharraf&#39;s case was referred to the FO by the Pakistani consulate in Dubai seeking approval in view of the high-profile cases against him.

The former military dictator had expressed willingness to return home to avoid possible suspension of his CNIC and a diplomatic passport.

Mr Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008.

The former military ruler has been declared "proclaimed offender" by courts, including in the high treason case and the Benazir Bhutto assassination case

Pakistan's former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf's diplomatic passport was renewed two months before its expiry as the government feared that he might not return to face the high treason case, the country's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said. The former military ruler has been declared "proclaimed offender" by courts, including in the high treason case and the Benazir Bhutto assassination case. A special court had recently ordered the government to arrest the Dubai-based former president and confiscate all his properties as it heard the high treason case against him for imposing emergency rule in the country in 2007. The 74-year-old military dictator's passport was to expire on March 16, but he sought an early renewal as international travel, in many cases, was not possible with a passport having less than six-month validity. Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf was issued a new passport two months before the expiry of his travel document, and it was again a diplomatic passport for which he was entitled to being a former head of state, Mr Iqbal was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper. He said that Mr Musharraf's diplomatic passport was renewed out of fear that he might use it as a pretext for not returning home to face the treason case. "He needs a passport to travel back to Pakistan. He would have contended that without a passport he cannot travel and would have blamed the government for blocking his return," the Minister said. On March 16, the special court hearing the high treason case against him authorised the government to suspend his passport as well as his computerised national identity card (CNIC). The court had earlier directed the Interior Ministry to approach the Interpol for the arrest of the former president. Initially, the government was reluctant to renew his passport and also withheld his application for nearly two months but it was finally renewed from Dubai on January 5 for the next five years, the report said. According to a source in Mr Musharraf's party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), the Foreign Office (FO) was holding the application but when the former president's aide-de-camp Major Shehryar "contacted someone", the process went ahead. The authorisation for the issuance of a diplomatic passport is given by the FO as per the Passport and Visa Manual 2006, the source said. The report also said that any correspondence regarding renewal of Musharraf's passport could not be traced in the FO's consular section. Musharraf's case was referred to the FO by the Pakistani consulate in Dubai seeking approval in view of the high-profile cases against him. The former military dictator had expressed willingness to return home to avoid possible suspension of his CNIC and a diplomatic passport. Mr Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008.

Pakistan renews Pervez Musharraf's passport fearing he may not return

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday reversed its decision to issue orange-coloured passports for those who require emigration checks. The government also went back on its decision to discontinue the practice of printing the last page of passports.&nbsp;

A decision was taken by the Ministry of External Affairs on the recommendations of a three-member Committee comprising officials of MEA and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, not to print the last page of Passport Booklet.

MEA also took the decision to issue a passport with an orange colour jacket to passport holders with ECR status, with a view to help and assist them on priority basis.&nbsp;

The MEA has received several individuals and collective representations requesting to reconsider these two decisions.&nbsp;

At a meeting chaired by Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister, on 29th January 2018, in the presence of General&nbsp;Dr&nbsp;VK&nbsp;Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, the decision of the MEA on both these issues was reviewed in the light of these representations.

After comprehensive discussions with the various stakeholders, the MEA has decided to continue with the current practice of printing of the last page of the passport and not to issue a separate passport with orange colour jacket to ECR passport holders.&nbsp;

The Kerala High Court had issued a notice on Monday to the Centre based on a Public Interest Litigation plea challenging its decision to introduce orange-coloured passports.

A decision was taken by the Ministry of External Affairs on the recommendations of a three-member Committee comprising officials of MEA and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, not to print the last page of Passport Booklet

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday reversed its decision to issue orange-coloured passports for those who require emigration checks. The government also went back on its decision to discontinue the practice of printing the last page of passports. A decision was taken by the Ministry of External Affairs on the recommendations of a three-member Committee comprising officials of MEA and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, not to print the last page of Passport Booklet. MEA also took the decision to issue a passport with an orange colour jacket to passport holders with ECR status, with a view to help and assist them on priority basis. The MEA has received several individuals and collective representations requesting to reconsider these two decisions. At a meeting chaired by Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister, on 29th January 2018, in the presence of General Dr VK Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, the decision of the MEA on both these issues was reviewed in the light of these representations. After comprehensive discussions with the various stakeholders, the MEA has decided to continue with the current practice of printing of the last page of the passport and not to issue a separate passport with orange colour jacket to ECR passport holders. The Kerala High Court had issued a notice on Monday to the Centre based on a Public Interest Litigation plea challenging its decision to introduce orange-coloured passports.

No orange-coloured passport for ECR passport holders, rules MEA

A Pakistani national has been detained for staying in a temple here after assuming a false identity.

An Aadhaar card and a PAN card issued in his name, and a Pakistani passport have been seized from him.

As per the passport, his name is Raja and he is a resident of Hindu Colony, Larkana, in Pakistan&#39;s Sindh province, the police said.

&quot;Raja, a Hindu, came to India in 2013 and his visa expired last year. He had been living in Iskcon temple in Bahadurgarh for the past nine months,&quot; superintendent of police, Jhajjar, B Satheesh Balan said.

The date of birth on his passport is different from what is mentioned on Aadhaar and PAN cards, the police said.

(PTI)

A Pakistani national has been detained for staying at a temple in Haryana under an assumed identity

A Pakistani national has been detained for staying in a temple here after assuming a false identity. An Aadhaar card and a PAN card issued in his name, and a Pakistani passport have been seized from him. As per the passport, his name is Raja and he is a resident of Hindu Colony, Larkana, in Pakistan's Sindh province, the police said. "Raja, a Hindu, came to India in 2013 and his visa expired last year. He had been living in Iskcon temple in Bahadurgarh for the past nine months," superintendent of police, Jhajjar, B Satheesh Balan said. The date of birth on his passport is different from what is mentioned on Aadhaar and PAN cards, the police said. (PTI)

Pakistan national living with Indian identity held in Haryana

Chile is fast developing as a hub of human trafficking. For the last 10 years, the country has witnessed an unprecedented rise in migration. Most of these immigrants came from Central America, the Caribbean islands and the neighbouring countries of South America. As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Trafficking Report (2014, 2016), Chile is also receiving a significant number of immigrants from Asia, particularly India and China. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Instances of trafficking of Indian citizens to Chile was first reported in 2014. 
&nbsp; 
In a very trendy Indian restaurant, located in one of the central neighbourhoods of the capital city, Santiago, the owner who was an Indian himself was found subjecting 12 other Indian citizens to forced labour. The 12 Indians were brought by the owner under false promises of work and were held in miserable conditions. They lived in the restaurant, basically with no payment, no contact with the outside world as they were unable to communicate due to language barrier (none of them spoke Spanish) and with inadequate sanitary and health provisions. When discovered, one of the victims was suffering from tuberculosis, a disease that had been wiped out of Chile, a long time ago.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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<h5>Located in one of the central neighbourhoods of the capital city, Santiago, the owner who was an Indian himself was found subjecting 12 other Indian citizens to forced labour.</h5>
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&nbsp;

The Indian owner of the restaurant and his Chilean manager were criminally charged with for human trafficking and sent to police custody. The defendants appealed, and the Court, unfortunately, subjected the defendants simply to house arrest. In the appeal&rsquo;s hearing, the Indian defendant was accompanied by his ambassador, who testified in his favour, praising the accused&#39;s remarkable character, who he knew on a personal level. 
&nbsp; 
Four victims were eventually repatriated. There has been no news regarding updated outcomes of the case. 
&nbsp; 
Last April, another Indian citizen, owner of two local Indian restaurants in Vina del Mar, a city in the central coast, was detained and charged with the crime of trafficking 11 Indian citizens who were brought under false promises of work. The defendant had forged their migration papers and had sent false documentation to the Chilean embassy in India. Although the prosecutor had required the accused to be held in custody, the judge set the defendant free, and summoned him to a future hearing. 
&nbsp; 
That same month, two Indonesian women accused an Indian citizen, owner of a shop in the Free Trade Zone of Southern Chile (Magallanes), of having trafficked them for domestic servitude when they were minors, forging their passports and lying about their final destination. The women were held under his control for more than three years, and brought under false promises of work and good salaries. They originally reported the case in 2011 with no response from the local prosecutors and are currently trying to reopen the case. 
&nbsp; 
All these cases were brought to the attention of the authorities because the victims themselves had the chance to escape and report their exploitation to police officers or labour inspectors. According to local residents in Magallanes, the situation of servitude and forced labour among migrant population in the Free Trade zone was something everybody knew, but nobody talked about.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Chile is quite new in the&nbsp;international anti-trafficking enterprise. It incorporated the crime in the way it is prescribed by the Palermo Protocol (2000) as recently as in 2011. In 2008, Chile created a Committee against Trafficking in Persons which is a national intersectoral multiparty task force. But it was not until the modern law of human trafficking -Law No. 20.507- was enacted that the Committee came to be fully functional. During 2013-2014, the Committee designed and implemented the first national plan of action that covered strategic dimensions of awareness-raising and training, including details about detection and prosecution, victim assistance and international co-operation. 
&nbsp; 
What prompted the government&rsquo;s response was not only the need to fulfill its international obligations but to address an unprecedented phenomenon: an actual increase in cases involving the recruitment, transportation and exploitation of foreign citizens within the Chilean territory. 
&nbsp; 
The magnitude of the problem is great and if appropriate measures are not taken immediately we face great risks.

&nbsp;

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<h5>Long distances and cultural differences are no obstacles for people recruiting others under fraud or coercion from anywhere in the world</h5>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp; 
Trafficking has become a globalised crime. Stories of trafficking between Chile and India, distant countries with a different history and culture, constitute just one example of the globalised character of the crime. The UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (2016) shows victims are trafficked along a multitude of trafficking flows; within countries, among neighbouring countries or even across different continents. More than 500 different trafficking flows were detected between 2012 and 2014. Countries in Western and Southern Europe detected victims of 137 different citizenship. 
&nbsp; 
There are no boundaries anymore for the global market of human commodity. Long distances and cultural differences are no obstacles for people recruiting others under fraud or coercion from anywhere in the world despite the potential costs involved. 
&nbsp; 
Human trafficking is, after drug trafficking and arms trafficking, the third biggest illicit market. However, trafficking is not necessarily a manifestation of complex organised crime; it has transformed into private transactions between individuals. Parallel to criminal entrepreneurial industry, trafficking has come to manifest in a more subtle way, as a kind of private labour recruiting system, performed by individuals who live perfectly normal lives, with normal jobs, that &ldquo;employ&rdquo; workers using the techniques of fraud and coercion in a smaller scale. 
&nbsp; 
This is a particularly dangerous and complex trait. Facilitated by globalisation of poverty and migration restrictions, there is a huge market of cheap labour force, willing to take risks to achieve the dream of a better life. They are recruited on a one-by-one basis, accepting work offers from individuals that will employ them in exploitative conditions. According to International Labour Organisation, forced labour in the private economy generates US$ 150 billion in illegal profits per year. 
&nbsp; 
Unfortunately, there is a systematic failure to understand trafficking from the operators of the criminal justice system. Due to a misperception of what constitutes the core of the crime, there is a failure in detecting and convicting the traffickers. For instance, public officials are keen to book cases but fail to recognise situations of abuse that happen in domestic settings where no extraordinary, movie-like conditions take place. 
&nbsp; 
The UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocols against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants was a landmark in the fight against trafficking in persons. But since the Convention, the focus has turned towards fighting complex organised criminal activity at the expense of detecting more domestic and silent exploitation taking place in private settings. 
&nbsp; 
Nevertheless, and more seriously, blindness to certain situations of trafficking has to do with the fact that there is a massive normalisation of mistreatment in employment relationships. There is a tendency to normalise abuse by viewing it as a legitimate social dynamism of relationship. Legitimate in the sense that it expresses a cultural practice, explicitly or implicitly consented or at least tolerated by the members of the community.

&nbsp;

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<h5>In today&acute;s globalised inequality, the employment relationship carries in itself a trait of subordination and dependence that is taken as a given thing</h5>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp; 
Among communities, cultural differences act as a barrier that impedes detecting the abuse from the part of the local criminal justice operators or even the general public. The submissive behaviour of foreign workers is interpreted as a natural behaviour relevant to a particular culture. There is no further questioning and, more dangerously, there is an implicit approval of the situation under the idea of &ldquo;they are worst off in their own countries&rdquo;. As if that, in some strange way, would authorise conditions of abuse that the bystanders themselves would not tolerate or would not delay signalling it as exploitation if it had happened to them. 
&nbsp; 
Trafficking is occurring as a private, domestic practice because we are tolerating and accepting abuse in the way we relate to each other. And we are tolerating and accepting abuse because, in some level, we believe we are not equal, and therefore we do not deserve the same. In today&acute;s globalised inequality, the employment relationship carries in itself a trait of subordination and dependence that is taken as a given thing, a fact as natural as a storm, or an earthquake. 
&nbsp; 
This given fact of unequal power to set the conditions for mutual exchange, consciously or unconsciously. It authorises and legitimises hierarchies between individuals. In absence of internal ethics or external controls of law and enforcement, abuse and exploitation get justified. The massive naturalisation of abuse operating under the belief we are not truly equal gives no space to detect trafficking: it is the way things are. 
&nbsp; 
Thus, any real attempt to combat human trafficking will require a radical ethical shift: &nbsp;to recover the age old principle of commutative justice, that is, recovering the notion of what is fair and just in exchange of what two or more people in their private capacities is an equivalence in the benefits: each party of the relationship deserves the same. Arithmetically the same. 
&nbsp; 
I am saying nothing new. This was stated by Aristotle, and by Ulpian and the Stoics before him. But as Andre Gide used to say, everything that has to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything has to be said again.

(WION)

As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Global Trafficking Report, Chile is receiving a significant number of immigrants from Asia, particularly India and China

Chile is fast developing as a hub of human trafficking. For the last 10 years, the country has witnessed an unprecedented rise in migration. Most of these immigrants came from Central America, the Caribbean islands and the neighbouring countries of South America. As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Trafficking Report (2014, 2016), Chile is also receiving a significant number of immigrants from Asia, particularly India and China. Instances of trafficking of Indian citizens to Chile was first reported in 2014. In a very trendy Indian restaurant, located in one of the central neighbourhoods of the capital city, Santiago, the owner who was an Indian himself was found subjecting 12 other Indian citizens to forced labour. The 12 Indians were brought by the owner under false promises of work and were held in miserable conditions. They lived in the restaurant, basically with no payment, no contact with the outside world as they were unable to communicate due to language barrier (none of them spoke Spanish) and with inadequate sanitary and health provisions. When discovered, one of the victims was suffering from tuberculosis, a disease that had been wiped out of Chile, a long time ago. Located in one of the central neighbourhoods of the capital city, Santiago, the owner who was an Indian himself was found subjecting 12 other Indian citizens to forced labour. × The Indian owner of the restaurant and his Chilean manager were criminally charged with for human trafficking and sent to police custody. The defendants appealed, and the Court, unfortunately, subjected the defendants simply to house arrest. In the appeal’s hearing, the Indian defendant was accompanied by his ambassador, who testified in his favour, praising the accused's remarkable character, who he knew on a personal level. Four victims were eventually repatriated. There has been no news regarding updated outcomes of the case. Last April, another Indian citizen, owner of two local Indian restaurants in Vina del Mar, a city in the central coast, was detained and charged with the crime of trafficking 11 Indian citizens who were brought under false promises of work. The defendant had forged their migration papers and had sent false documentation to the Chilean embassy in India. Although the prosecutor had required the accused to be held in custody, the judge set the defendant free, and summoned him to a future hearing. That same month, two Indonesian women accused an Indian citizen, owner of a shop in the Free Trade Zone of Southern Chile (Magallanes), of having trafficked them for domestic servitude when they were minors, forging their passports and lying about their final destination. The women were held under his control for more than three years, and brought under false promises of work and good salaries. They originally reported the case in 2011 with no response from the local prosecutors and are currently trying to reopen the case. All these cases were brought to the attention of the authorities because the victims themselves had the chance to escape and report their exploitation to police officers or labour inspectors. According to local residents in Magallanes, the situation of servitude and forced labour among migrant population in the Free Trade zone was something everybody knew, but nobody talked about. Chile is quite new in the international anti-trafficking enterprise. It incorporated the crime in the way it is prescribed by the Palermo Protocol (2000) as recently as in 2011. In 2008, Chile created a Committee against Trafficking in Persons which is a national intersectoral multiparty task force. But it was not until the modern law of human trafficking -Law No. 20.507- was enacted that the Committee came to be fully functional. During 2013-2014, the Committee designed and implemented the first national plan of action that covered strategic dimensions of awareness-raising and training, including details about detection and prosecution, victim assistance and international co-operation. What prompted the government’s response was not only the need to fulfill its international obligations but to address an unprecedented phenomenon: an actual increase in cases involving the recruitment, transportation and exploitation of foreign citizens within the Chilean territory. The magnitude of the problem is great and if appropriate measures are not taken immediately we face great risks. Long distances and cultural differences are no obstacles for people recruiting others under fraud or coercion from anywhere in the world × Trafficking has become a globalised crime. Stories of trafficking between Chile and India, distant countries with a different history and culture, constitute just one example of the globalised character of the crime. The UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (2016) shows victims are trafficked along a multitude of trafficking flows; within countries, among neighbouring countries or even across different continents. More than 500 different trafficking flows were detected between 2012 and 2014. Countries in Western and Southern Europe detected victims of 137 different citizenship. There are no boundaries anymore for the global market of human commodity. Long distances and cultural differences are no obstacles for people recruiting others under fraud or coercion from anywhere in the world despite the potential costs involved. Human trafficking is, after drug trafficking and arms trafficking, the third biggest illicit market. However, trafficking is not necessarily a manifestation of complex organised crime; it has transformed into private transactions between individuals. Parallel to criminal entrepreneurial industry, trafficking has come to manifest in a more subtle way, as a kind of private labour recruiting system, performed by individuals who live perfectly normal lives, with normal jobs, that “employ” workers using the techniques of fraud and coercion in a smaller scale. This is a particularly dangerous and complex trait. Facilitated by globalisation of poverty and migration restrictions, there is a huge market of cheap labour force, willing to take risks to achieve the dream of a better life. They are recruited on a one-by-one basis, accepting work offers from individuals that will employ them in exploitative conditions. According to International Labour Organisation, forced labour in the private economy generates US$ 150 billion in illegal profits per year. Unfortunately, there is a systematic failure to understand trafficking from the operators of the criminal justice system. Due to a misperception of what constitutes the core of the crime, there is a failure in detecting and convicting the traffickers. For instance, public officials are keen to book cases but fail to recognise situations of abuse that happen in domestic settings where no extraordinary, movie-like conditions take place. The UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocols against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants was a landmark in the fight against trafficking in persons. But since the Convention, the focus has turned towards fighting complex organised criminal activity at the expense of detecting more domestic and silent exploitation taking place in private settings. Nevertheless, and more seriously, blindness to certain situations of trafficking has to do with the fact that there is a massive normalisation of mistreatment in employment relationships. There is a tendency to normalise abuse by viewing it as a legitimate social dynamism of relationship. Legitimate in the sense that it expresses a cultural practice, explicitly or implicitly consented or at least tolerated by the members of the community. In today´s globalised inequality, the employment relationship carries in itself a trait of subordination and dependence that is taken as a given thing × Among communities, cultural differences act as a barrier that impedes detecting the abuse from the part of the local criminal justice operators or even the general public. The submissive behaviour of foreign workers is interpreted as a natural behaviour relevant to a particular culture. There is no further questioning and, more dangerously, there is an implicit approval of the situation under the idea of “they are worst off in their own countries”. As if that, in some strange way, would authorise conditions of abuse that the bystanders themselves would not tolerate or would not delay signalling it as exploitation if it had happened to them. Trafficking is occurring as a private, domestic practice because we are tolerating and accepting abuse in the way we relate to each other. And we are tolerating and accepting abuse because, in some level, we believe we are not equal, and therefore we do not deserve the same. In today´s globalised inequality, the employment relationship carries in itself a trait of subordination and dependence that is taken as a given thing, a fact as natural as a storm, or an earthquake. This given fact of unequal power to set the conditions for mutual exchange, consciously or unconsciously. It authorises and legitimises hierarchies between individuals. In absence of internal ethics or external controls of law and enforcement, abuse and exploitation get justified. The massive naturalisation of abuse operating under the belief we are not truly equal gives no space to detect trafficking: it is the way things are. Thus, any real attempt to combat human trafficking will require a radical ethical shift: to recover the age old principle of commutative justice, that is, recovering the notion of what is fair and just in exchange of what two or more people in their private capacities is an equivalence in the benefits: each party of the relationship deserves the same. Arithmetically the same. I am saying nothing new. This was stated by Aristotle, and by Ulpian and the Stoics before him. But as Andre Gide used to say, everything that has to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything has to be said again. (WION)

Exclusive: Increasing number of Indians are trafficked to Chile everyday

In recent years, offering citizenship or permanent residencies has grown to become a lucrative business opportunity for countries. With more and more countries joining the list of those that offer immediate citizenship, people have a chance at moving beyond borders, more than a tourist.

Here is a list of countries that sell their citizenship, if you have the money to buy it:

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Countries and their citizenship program (Table) (WION)
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<ul>
	<li>Bulgaria</li>
</ul>

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A pedestrian walks past a puddle near a tree decorated with Christmas lights in Sofia, Bulgaria (AFP)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 153 countries 
The country ties up your cash for 5 years interest free. It will take two years to get the passport and you will be required to visit Bulgaria twice. Residence is granted only after a clean background check. Bulgaria is only one of two countries where the principal amount can be returned to you.

<ul>
	<li>Hungary</li>
</ul>

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Sz&eacute;chenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary (Others)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 152 countries 
It has one of the fastest application processes, which can be completed within 30 days. It is a guaranteed investment plan that can be returned after 5 years. The passport gives free movement throughout Europe&#39;s Schengen zone.

<ul>
	<li>St. Lucia</li>
</ul>

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St Lucia, Caribbean Island (Others)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 121 countries and 180 days in the Schengen area 
Instead of paying the amount, you could also invest $550,000 and get a passport immediately. The capital will be returned in 5 years. &nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Cyprus</li>
</ul>

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Paphos castle at night in Cyprus (Others)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 166 countries 
Cyprus is the third smallest nation in the European Union. It started its citizenship program after the country faced a severe economic recession in 2013.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Dominica</li>
</ul>

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Typical landscape near the sea along the eastern coast of Dominica (Others)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 91 countries 
It is the least expensive of all the passports in this list.

<ul>
	<li>Antigua and Barbuda</li>
</ul>

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Antigua, Carlisle Bay, Caribbean (Others)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 132 countries

<ul>
	<li>St. Kitts and Nevis</li>
</ul>

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View of St. Kitts from a ship on the coast (Others)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 132 countries, which includes Brazil as the latest addition 
St. Kitts and Nevis recorded the highest number of passport sales in the last year. Just pay the money or invest in property and you will be given a passport without even a visit.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Grenada</li>
</ul>

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Grenada (Others)
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Allows: Visa-free travel to 110 countries 
It is the second passport on this list apart from St. Kitts that is not necessarily on everyone&rsquo;s radar and where transaction can be completed in private.

In many nations, foreigners can now purchase citizenship legitimately in return for an investment. There are, however, two forms of residency programs - one that is immediate and one that entails &ldquo;staying for a minimum period of time.&rdquo;&nbsp;The recent spurt&nbsp;in the number of applications&nbsp;for residency in&nbsp;these countries has&nbsp;proven that people are increasingly&nbsp;keen to move and experience a new life in places that might be far removed from their countries of birth. This works well for these host countries too, as the influx of foreign money helps build their infrastructure and economies.&nbsp;

(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Writing one cheque can give you a new identity and visa-free travel to more than 100 countries around the world

In recent years, offering citizenship or permanent residencies has grown to become a lucrative business opportunity for countries. With more and more countries joining the list of those that offer immediate citizenship, people have a chance at moving beyond borders, more than a tourist. Here is a list of countries that sell their citizenship, if you have the money to buy it: Countries and their citizenship program (Table) (WION) × Bulgaria A pedestrian walks past a puddle near a tree decorated with Christmas lights in Sofia, Bulgaria (AFP) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 153 countries The country ties up your cash for 5 years interest free. It will take two years to get the passport and you will be required to visit Bulgaria twice. Residence is granted only after a clean background check. Bulgaria is only one of two countries where the principal amount can be returned to you. Hungary Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary (Others) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 152 countries It has one of the fastest application processes, which can be completed within 30 days. It is a guaranteed investment plan that can be returned after 5 years. The passport gives free movement throughout Europe's Schengen zone. St. Lucia St Lucia, Caribbean Island (Others) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 121 countries and 180 days in the Schengen area Instead of paying the amount, you could also invest $550,000 and get a passport immediately. The capital will be returned in 5 years. Cyprus Paphos castle at night in Cyprus (Others) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 166 countries Cyprus is the third smallest nation in the European Union. It started its citizenship program after the country faced a severe economic recession in 2013. Dominica Typical landscape near the sea along the eastern coast of Dominica (Others) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 91 countries It is the least expensive of all the passports in this list. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua, Carlisle Bay, Caribbean (Others) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 132 countries St. Kitts and Nevis View of St. Kitts from a ship on the coast (Others) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 132 countries, which includes Brazil as the latest addition St. Kitts and Nevis recorded the highest number of passport sales in the last year. Just pay the money or invest in property and you will be given a passport without even a visit. Grenada Grenada (Others) × Allows: Visa-free travel to 110 countries It is the second passport on this list apart from St. Kitts that is not necessarily on everyone’s radar and where transaction can be completed in private. In many nations, foreigners can now purchase citizenship legitimately in return for an investment. There are, however, two forms of residency programs - one that is immediate and one that entails “staying for a minimum period of time.” The recent spurt in the number of applications for residency in these countries has proven that people are increasingly keen to move and experience a new life in places that might be far removed from their countries of birth. This works well for these host countries too, as the influx of foreign money helps build their infrastructure and economies. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

These 8 countries sell their citizenship. Any takers?

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