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Do you now need ETA to travel to the UK?!

Do you now need ETA – Electronic Travel Authorisation – to travel to the UK?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-09-12
Originally posted @ 2023-09-02

Claim : You now need ETA to travel to the UK!

A video clip called New UK travel requirements has gone viral on WhatsApp and social media. It warns that people who travel to the UK on or after 15 November 2023, must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

This has led some people who already booked their flights to the UK to panic, as they were not aware of such requirements.

Truth : UK is rolling out ETA over time

Here is what you need to know about the UK ETA programme, and what countries are affected.

UK ETA video is genuine

First, I would like to point out that the video is genuine, and was originally posted by the UK Home Office on 9 March 2023.

It appears to have been edited and shared by Homely Stay UK on WhatsApp and social media, where it was shared without context, leading to mass panic.

UK will soon require ETA for non-visa travellers

The warning is, of course, true – the United Kingdom will soon require non-visa travellers to apply and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

The ETA scheme is part of the UK’s plan to fully digitise its borders by 2025. But note that the ETA only applies to travellers who currently do NOT require a visa to travel to the UK.

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will soon be a requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK. It will give you permission to travel to the UK, and it will be electronically linked to your passport.

You’ll need an ETA to:

come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study
come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
transit through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control

Once it is fully implemented, these travellers will not require an ETA to travel to the UK:

a British or Irish passport
permission to live, work, or study in the UK
a visa to enter the UK

Only Qatar was affected in November 2023

What the video does not reveal is that only travellers from Qatar must have an ETA to travel to the UK from 15 November 2023 onwards.

No other country is affected by this 15 November 2023 deadline, only Qatar. So stop panicking!

If you’re from another country : You do not need to apply for an ETA now. More nationalities will be added to the scheme later.

Even if you are a resident of Qatar, there is no need to panic – you can only apply for an ETA from 25 October 2023 onwards.

UK will roll-out ETA through 2024-2025

The United Kingdom will slowly roll out its ETA programme throughout 2024-2025.

From 22 February 2024 onwards, travellers from these six countries in the Middle East will need an ETA to travel to the UK:

Bahrain
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

Even travellers from these countries do not need to apply until 1 February 2024 onwards.

All non-visa travellers from all other countries will need an ETA by 2025. On 10 September 2024, the UK government finally revealed its schedule for 83 new countries to apply for ETA in 2025.

How much does UK ETA cost?

Each traveller will require his or her own ETA, including children and babies. Each ETA will cost £10 per applicant.

How long does each ETA last?

Your ETA will last for 2 years, and can use it to make multiple visits to the UK. However, you should know that having an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

In addition, the ETA is not transferrable to a new / renewed passport. If your passport expires in less than 2 years, you will need to get a new ETA for your new / renewed passport.

How to apply for UK ETA?

You can apply for your UK ETA through the UK government ETA application portal, or using the UK ETA mobile app which you can download from the App Store and Google Play Store.

You will need to take and upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK, and scan your face. You will also need to take and upload a photo of yourself, and answer some questions.

You will then have to pay for your UK ETA application using a credit card, a debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Please note that you will need to complete your UK ETA application within 20 minutes, or it will time out and you will need to start the whole process over again.

You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but there may be delays if the UK government needs to make further checks

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Did the US attack + bomb these 26 countries since WW2?!

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Did the US attack and bomb these 26 countries since World War 2?! Take a look at the viral video, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : US attacked + bombed these 26 countries since WW2!

People are sharing a video on TikTok and WhatsApp, which purportedly shows the US attacking and bombing 26 countries since World War 2!

Have you ever wondered how many countries the United States has bombed since World War 2?

Countries bombed by the US

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Countries-bombed-by-US-since-WW2.mp4?_=1

Truth : US did not attack + bomb all 26 countries since WW2!

This is yet another example of propaganda created and/or promoted by the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛) and/or pro-CCP netizens, and here are the reasons why…

Let me start by pointing out that the video isn’t accurate. The United States did not attack and bomb all those 26 countries.

The list also lacks context for any bombing that might have occurred, making it look like the US was being the aggressor, attacking those countries without reason.

Let’s go through the list of countries in the video, and provide you with the necessary facts and context:

Cuba (true) : On 15 April 1961, eight B-26 bombers attacked Cuban airfields to support the Bay of Pigs Invasion by Cuban exiles. There was the only airstrike, and no civilians were targeted.

Dominican Republic (false) : The US intervened in the Dominican Civil War of 1965, but never bombed the country as it was defending the military-installed government against a coup.

Guatemala (false) : The US armed, funded, and trained Guatemalan rebels in deposing democratically-elected President Jacobo Árbenz, and installing the military dictatorship of Carlos Castillo Armas. However, the US did not bomb Guatemala during the coup.

El Salvador (false) : The US did not bomb El Salvador as it was supporting the government of El Salvador against the communist FMLN groups in the Salvadoran Civil War of 1979 to 1992.

Nicaragua (false) : The US funded and aided the Contras in its campaign to topple the Sandinista Administration. However, it never bombed Nicaragua.

Panama (true) : The US invaded Panama in December 1989 to depose and arrest General Manuel Noriega for racketeering and drug trafficking, and restoring Panamanian democracy. Its bombing was limited to military targets – F-117A Nighthawks, for example, dropped a 2,000 pound bomb between two Panama Defense Force (PDF) barracks at Rio Hata.

Grenada (true) : The US and six Caribbean nations invaded Grenada in 1983 after receiving a formal appeal for assistance from the Organisation of Easter Caribbean States, which received an appeal of assistance from the Governor-General of Grenada Paul Scoon, after the Prime Minister of Granada, Maurice Bishop, was arrested and executed by the Revolutionary Military Council. Bombing by airstrikes and artillery was limited to military targets, although US Navy A-7s accidentally bombed a mental hospital, killing 18 people.

Peru (false) : The US never bombed Peru.

Congo (false) : The US supported the Democratic Republic of the Congo, together with the United Nations, but it never bombed the Congo.

Libya (true) : The United States bombed Libya on 15 April 1986 in retaliation for the West Berlin discotheque bombing. The airstrikes targeted military assets like the Bab al-Azizia Barracks, and the Murat Sidi Bilal training camp for naval commandos.

In 2011, NATO forces including the US, bombed Libya as part of its military intervention, under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (UNSCR 1973) during the First Libyan Civil War. Since then, the US has continued to bomb terrorist camps in Libya.

Libyan people celebrating attack on Muammar Qaddafi’s main military compound in Tripoli, August 23, 2011
Photo credit : AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini

Somalia (true) : The US has conducted airstrikes and drone strikes against al-Shabaab militants in support of the Federal Government of Somalia since 2016. To be clear – these bombings were conducted with the agreement, and coordination, of the government of Somalia.

Sudan (true) : On 20 August 1998, the US Navy launched cruise missiles at the al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, Sudan, on bad intelligence which suggested it may be used in VX nerve gas manufacturing, and had financial ties between the factory and Osama bin Laden.

Serbia (true) : NATO forces, including the US, launched airstrikes against the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999, to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Albanians. Yugoslav President Milošević was later indicted for war crimes (like Russian President Vladimir Putin).

Bosnia (true) : NATO forces, including the US, launched airstrikes to support United Nations Protection Force protecting safe areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina against the Army of Republic Srpska. The United Nations requested NATO assistance to support its efforts to prevent a genocide in 1995.

Lebanon (false) : The US did not bomb Lebanon, because it intervened in the 1958 Lebanon crisis at the request of President Camille Chamoun. Together with Lebanese government forces, American troops successfully occupied the Port of Beirut and Beirut International Airport. After the crisis ended three months later, the United States withdrew.

Iran (false) : While the US has arguably conducted clandestine operations against Iran, it has not actually bombed Iran. Even when Iran shot down a US drone in June 2019, the US did not retaliate militarily.

Iraq (true) : In 1991, 42 countries including the United States, launched airstrikes against Iraq, during the liberation of Kuwait.

In 2003, the US, UK, Australia, Poland, and Iraqi rebels invaded Iraq to oust Prime Minister Saddam Hussein. Massive airstrikes allowed the coalition to conclude major combat operations in less than a month.

Kuwait (false) : In 1991, 42 countries including the United States, launched airstrikes and artillery bombardments against Iraqi forces during the liberation of Kuwait. However, I chalk this as false, as they were not targeting Kuwait.

Syria (true) : Since 2014, the US, UK, France, Jordan, Turkey, Canada, Australia and other countries have been launching airstrikes against the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front forces inside Syria.

Afghanistan (true) : The US, UK, Canada, and other countries, bombed and invaded Taliban-ruled Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Vietnam (true) : The US conducted extensive bombing of North Vietnam after attacks by North Vietnamese guerrillas, and North Vietnam attacked South Vietnam in a massive Easter Offensive in 1972.

Laos (true) : The US dropped 260 million bombs on Laos, to try and cut North Vietnam’s logistical trail known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Cambodia (true) : The US dropped 214 tons of bombs on Cambodia from 1965 to 1968, in attacks on the sanctuaries and base areas of North Vietnamese and Viet Gong forces during the Vietnam War.

Indonesia (true) : Despite President Eisenhower’s orders that no Americans be involved, the CIA bombed Indonesia’s outer islands on 19 April 1958, during its failed attempt to overthrow the Sukarno government.

North Korea (true) : The US, as part of the United Nations Command, carried out an extensive bombing campaign of North Korea during the Korean War of 1950-1953, which started after North Korean troops attacked South Korea on 25 June 1950.

China (false) : The US never bombed China.

This is really nothing more than yet another example of propaganda created or promoted by the infamous Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛), and/or pro-CCP netizens. Here are some other examples I fact-checked recently:

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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The Brief Kiss That Got Lightyear Banned In 14+ Countries!

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Take a look at the scene that got the Disney-Pixar movie, Lightyear, banned in 14 countries, and likely China too!

Lightyear Movie Banned In 14 Countries + Maybe China Too!

Lightyear – the long-awaited Toy Story prequel from Disney-Pixar – has been banned in 14 Asian and Middle Eastern countries, and quite likely China too!

The ban started in the UAE, whose Media Regulatory Office of the Ministry of Youth and Culture announced on 13 June 2022 that Lightyear was banned from screening in all cinemas for “its violation of the country’s media content standards“.

A Variety report claimed that the UAE initially approved Lightyear for release, but revoked the licence after social media posts accused the movie of insulting Muslims and Islam.

That ban was then followed by other countries. The current list includes, but is not limited to :

United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Lebanon
Oman
Qatar
Kuwait
Bahrain

Although not confirmed yet, it is very likely that Lightyear will also not be allowed to screen in China.

Lightyear producer, Galyn Susman, said that Chinese authorities “asked for cuts”, which Disney declined to make. So she assumed that the movie would not be allowed to screen there either.

I’m assuming it will not make it to China. I know we’ve gotten requests for things to cut, Disney isn’t going to modify the material.

We’re not going to cut out anything, especially something as important as the loving and inspirational relationship that shows Buzz what he’s missing by the choices that he’s making, so that’s not getting cut

The Brief Kiss That Got Lightyear Banned In 14+ Countries!

The reasons why Lightyear has been banned in at least 14 countries, and possibly China too, is over a brief kissing scene.

In the first 30 minutes of Lightyear, Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) – a female space ranger and a close friend of Buzz Lightyear – shares a brief kiss with her same-sex partner.

That kiss was part of a scene showing milestones in the couple’s relationship. It also shows the couple’s son, although it is not known if he was adopted or conceived through assisted reproduction.

But it was the brief kiss between two fictional characters that broke the camel’s back for censors in those countries. They demanded that the scene be cut from the film.

Normally, Disney would quietly cut such a controversial scene from the movie to comply with “local sensibilities”, since it doesn’t affect the plot.

However, Pixar employees had earlier penned a letter complaining that Disney corporate executives were censoring “nearly every moment of overtly gay affection” in their projects.

We at Pixar have personally witnessed beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were.

Nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar.

Disney caved to the pressure, and decided not to censor the kiss from Lightyear. And so, all those countries refused to grant a licence to screen the movie in theatres.

Lightyear Stars On Why Lightyear Was Banned…

Chris Evans, who voiced Buzz Lightyear in this prequel, labelled such objections as “frustrating”.

It’s great that we are a part of something that’s making steps forward in the social inclusion capacity.

But it’s frustrating that there are still places that aren’t where they should be.

He also told Variety magazine that he was frustrated that news coverage of the movie would be focused on such an issue :

It’s tough to not be a little frustrated that it even has to be a topic of discussion. That it is this kind of ‘news.’

The goal is that we can get to a point where it is the norm, and that this doesn’t have to be some uncharted waters, that eventually this is just the way it is.

Taika Waititi, who voices the character of Mo Morrison in the film, added :

We’re hoping for a time when we don’t even have to have this conversation. We can watch a movie and we don’t even have to bat an eyelid.

We don’t have to think ‘Oh wow, weird’. It’s not weird, it’s normal and it should be normalised.

Whenever you have these small steps that studios are making – sometimes they may feel small but also, they are steps – and it’s steps towards normalising humanity and love. I really feel sorry for countries who don’t want this film because of a tiny, weird little thing like that

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Lightyear Movie Banned In 14 Countries + Maybe China Too!

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The Disney-Pixar movie, Lightyear, has been banned in 14 countries, and quite possibly China too!

Here is what we know so far…

Lightyear Movie Banned In 14 Countries + Maybe China Too!

Lightyear – the long-awaited animated feature film from Disney-Pixar – has reportedly been banned in 14 Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

The ban started in the UAE, whose Media Regulatory Office of the Ministry of Youth and Culture announced on 13 June 2022 that :

The Media Regulatory Office announced that the animated film Lightyear, which is scheduled for release on 16th June, is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards.

A Variety report claimed that the UAE initially approved Lightyear for release, but revoked the licence after social media posts accused the movie of insulting Muslims and Islam.

That ban was then followed by other countries. The current list includes, but is not limited to :

United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Lebanon
Oman
Qatar
Kuwait
Bahrain

Although not confirmed yet, it is very likely that Lightyear will also not be allowed to screen in China.

Lightyear producer, Galyn Susman, said that Chinese authorities “asked for cuts”, which Disney declined to make. So she assumed that the movie would not be allowed to screen there either.

I’m assuming it will not make it to China. I know we’ve gotten requests for things to cut, Disney isn’t going to modify the material.

Why Lightyear Was Banned In Those Countries…

In Lightyear, the character of Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) shares a brief kiss with her same-sex partner.

That’s it – a little kiss between two fictional characters. Unfortunately, it was a kiss too far for those countries.

Normally, Disney would quietly cut such a “controversial” scene from the movie to comply with “local sensibilities”, since it doesn’t affect the plot.

However, Pixar employees had earlier penned a letter complaining that Disney corporate executives were censoring “nearly every moment of overtly gay affection” in their projects.

We at Pixar have personally witnessed beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were.

Nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar.

Disney caved to the pressure, and decided not to censor the kiss from Lightyear. And so, all those countries refused to grant a licence to screen the movie in theatres.

Lightyear Stars On The Movie Ban By 14+ Countries