Australian travellers heading to Europe will now face mandatory biometric registration as the European Union rolls out a new border-crossing process. The new digital Entry/Exit system (EES), which launched October 12, is an automated IT system used to register non-EU travellers to the 29-country Schengen area. The EES replaces manual passport stamps with a digital recognition process that requires a passport, fingerprint scans, and facial recognition. Director of Media at Australian Travel Industry Association, LJ Loch, said the process will improve travel speeds. “Once travellers complete their first registration, future crossings will be faster and more efficient,” Director Loch said. …
Author: Angelina Badrov
Australia has formally recognised Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, a decision Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a step towards reviving Middle East peace talks. Speaking at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr Albanese joined leaders from the UK and Canada in reaffirming support for a two-state solution and the Palestinian right to self-determination. The move has sparked mixed reactions among students and advocacy groups. UOW Palestine Society President Ryan Chapman said the decision won’t have any practical effects on the conflict. “I don’t think it’s going to change much at all. Recognition isn’t…
The Wollongong Croatian community is celebrating the 50-year anniversary of HFS Zagreb Wollongong, a folkloric dancing group, with an event on Saturday the 18th of October. The community aims to celebrate the traditional folk dancing that has helped many generations of Australian Croatians keep in touch with their roots whilst growing up in a multicultural Australia. President of HFS Zagreb Wollongong, Lidia Knez, says it’s more than just performance and continues to be an anchor to identity. “When you know your heritage and you know where your parents are from, your grandparents and extended ancestry, you feel like you belong,”…