British passport holders heading to Greece this summer are now exempt from new EU biometric requirements.

All travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries are required to be photographed and fingerprinted at EU airports and border points under the new entry and exit system (EES), which was fully operational as of April 10.

Holidaymakers were warned of airport delays of up to four hours because of the EU’s new biometric entry and exit checks, but now, Greece is removing the requirement for UK citizens.

Eleni Skarveli, Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, said the move would ‘ensure a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece’ and slash waiting times.

Given that thousands of UK travellers arrive daily on islands such as Corfu, Crete and Rhodes, the move has been welcomed, and some believe other Mediterranean countries could follow suit, to avoid chaos.

Even as Greece drops the requirement, other countries could still see heavy delays for travellers.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta, the travel agent and tour operator association, said: ‘What we have said to customers is that, because of the checks, you might need to prepare for delays with extra water and snacks.’

Travellers already reported queues of up to two hours at passport control since EES started rolling out in some European countries late last year.

But airline groups have warned that these waits could double to four hours as holiday traffic increases into the peak summer season.

There are also concerns over IT glitches (remember the Crowdstrike outage), strikes and staff shortages during holiday periods.

What is the entry and exit EES system?

The entry and exit system is a digital system that replaces physical passport stamps at border points across the European Union.

People with passports from non-EU countries, including the UK, are required to use the system once it launches.

Most travellers from outside the EU, known as third-country nationals, will be required to register their passport details and biometric data when crossing into an EU country for the first time.

Biometric data includes fingerprints and facial pictures. Borders are likely to be kitted with self-service kiosks where passengers can input this information.

This data, as well as the entry and exit details, will be stored for subsequent visits.

Future visits will only require a verification of the biometric data, which can speed up the process.

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The road has since reopened to traffic

One person has been taken to hospital after a serious collision in North Belfast. Emergency services were called to the scene on the Crumlin Road shortly before 6pm on Saturday, April 18.

It followed a one vehicle crash in the area. Traffic on the road was being diverted at the junction of the Crumlin Road and Upper Hightown Road, with the road reopening on Sunday morning.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirmed one person was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital after initial treatment at the scene.

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A spokesperson for the NIAS said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 17:59 following reports of a RTC on the Crumlin Road, Belfast.

“NIAS despatched one Emergency Crew and 2 HART responses to the scene. The HEMS team was also tasked to the incident, responding in response car.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was taken to RVH.”

In a statement on Sunday morning, a PSNI spokesperson said: “The Crumlin Road in North Belfast, which was closed yesterday evening following a one vehicle road traffic collision in the area, has now re-opened.”

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An investigation has been launched after Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow was allegedly ‘firebombed’ on Saturday

Police have launched an investigation after a synagogue was allegedly “firebombed” last night.

Multiple arson or attempted arson attacks have been reported on Jewish property in north-west London in the past month.

The incident at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday night caused minor smoke damage to an internal room but no injuries or significant structural damage, the Community Security Trust (CST) said.

The building is close to a school and children’s playground, and police were seen searching a black SUV nearby on Sunday morning.

A large cordon is in place and a forensics officer, fire investigation dogs and several plainclothes officers were working at the scene. One marked and five unmarked police cars were outside the place of worship.

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A spokesperson for the CST, the charity which monitors antisemitism and provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said: “We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon.

“We want to thank the Met Police and London Fire Brigade for responding quickly and for all they are doing to protect the Jewish community during this unprecedented period.

“We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they investigate and seek to identify those responsible.”

A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson said: “Last night, another Jewish synagogue in London was firebombed, this time in Kenton. Thankfully, the damage was limited.” They added that this “is now terrifyingly becoming a spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community”.

A spokesperson for the CST, the charity which monitors antisemitism and provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said: “We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon.

The pub has ‘amazing views’ from its garden, according to previous customers

Home to two churches in one churchyard and a “cracking little pub” with “amazing views from the garden”, one Cambridgeshire village marries history with a modern feel. Swaffham Prior is a quaint village in East Cambridgeshire, around five miles from Newmarket.

The village is dominated by its twin churches within one graveyard – Church of St Mary and the Church of St Cyriac and St Julitta – which have served the parish since at least the 12th century.

St Mary’s Church is still a working church, but St Cyria & St Julitta offers its own unique charm. It has a 15th century octagonal bell tower and a ring of six bells.

Swaffham Prior is mentioned in the Domesday Book and features stunning houses dating back several centuries. It is also home to a local primary school and a pub called The Red Lion.

The quintessential English pub offers a selection of ales, fine wines, and home cooked food. Described by customers as a “cracking little pub” with “amazing views from the garden”, it appears to be loved by locals and visitors.

One guest wrote: “Cracking little pub. Good pints, proper food, friendly faces behind the bar. Feels like the heart of the village. Great if you want a relaxed drink or a decent feed.”

Another commented: “A true hidden gem in the heart of Swaffham Prior.” They continued: “From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed with genuine warmth by both the staff and locals. It’s got that rare blend of cozy charm and character, with a roaring fire in the winter and a lovely garden for summer evenings.”

Swaffham Prior Primary School is a co-educational Church of England school, located in the central area of the village. The school describes it as a place where “learning and values are not just sown in lessons but in the whole experience of living and growing together”.

Roz Foyer, general secretary of the STUC, also warned mainstream politicians in ‘last chance saloon’ to deliver for working people.

Scotland’s leading trade unionist has warned Nigel Farage’s Reform is a “gateway drug to fascism”, ahead of next month’s Holyrood election.

Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), said mainstream politicians are in the “last chance saloon” to deliver for working people amid the populist right surge.

It comes as Reform UK, led in Scotland by ex-Tory peer Malcolm Offord, looks set to win a significant number of MSPs on May 7 according to polls – and could beat Labour into second place.

Foyer claimed the rise of Reform would not improve voters’ lives but make them worse.

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Speaking ahead of the STUC’s annual congress in Dundee, starting tomorrow, she told the Sunday Mail: “We only have to look across the Atlantic to the state the US is in to see what some of those consequences could look like.

“The populist right always play the same game. They play on the dissatisfaction of people when mainstream politics fails to deliver and be bold enough to support ordinary people.

“But they are are multimillionaires bankrolled by billionaires. They’re going to cut taxes for the rich, cut our public services, cut jobs and cut away an awful lot of our rights as a population.

“They make things sound very reasonable, but ultimately parties like Reform are the gateway drug to fascism.”

The STUC, Scotland’s largest trade union body, is urging other Holyrood parties to adopt a bolder economic approach in response, tackling the cost of living and boosting jobs, industry and battered public services.

Key policies they back are scrapping and replacing council tax, increasing wealth taxes, and public ownership of energy.

Foyer added: “Our mainstream politicians are in the last chance saloon here. Working people are really angry.

“We need governments prepared to take on the bosses and the billionaires and take a more interventionist approach to the long-term security of energy, affordability, and our economic development.

“We don’t want more communities thrown on the scrapheap.”

Reform Holyrood candidate and councillor Thomas Kerr hit back: “This reads of utter delusion from Scotland’s token lefty.”

“We’ll take no lectures from the woman who owns five properties, but lectures working people for daring to want a tax cut so they have more of their hard earned cash.

“Reform is a gateway drug to common sense, Foyer is a gateway drug to 1970s socialism which has been thoroughly rejected before and will be again.”

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Audiences have described the BAFTA-winning film as “heavenly”.

A post-war film has been described as “one of the most beautiful movies ever made”. The picture follows a young Irish woman navigating between two contrasting worlds during the 1950s. Both critics and viewers have commended its emotional depth and enduring charm.

With an outstanding 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Brooklyn (2015) makes for ideal weekend viewing. The film is currently available to stream without charge on BBC iPlayer. Nevertheless, audiences have just 18 days remaining to watch it.

Set in the 1950s, young Irishwoman Eilis Lace (portrayed by Saoirse Ronan) departs her modest hometown for a fresh start in Brooklyn, attracted by the prospect of opportunities in America.

While she initially battles with homesickness, she slowly adjusts. Eilis subsequently falls in love in Brooklyn, and welcomes her newfound independence.

Yet, an unexpected family crisis summons her back to Ireland, where she finds herself drawn once more into the existence she had abandoned.

Torn between her history and her future, Eilis faces a choice between two nations and the distinctly different paths each presents.

Reviews

“In short, Brooklyn is one of the very best films of the past decade and worth looking back on,” penned Dave Giannini for InSession Film.

Awarding the film five out of five stars, Don Shanahan from Film Obsessive commented: “Brooklyn is a forthright, approachable, and esteemed historical drama where the dignity and honesty soar to heavenly heights to shine on the plights of love and independence.”

Viewers were equally effusive in their praise for the film. One remarked: “Beautiful story. One of the best movies. Moving.”

Another enthused: “Beautiful classic in every sense of the word. Outstanding performances. Atmospheric joy. Don’t miss it.”

A third wrote: “It’s a masterpiece, and profoundly moving, especially if you’re an immigrant yourself. The closing is one of the most beautiful romantic scenes ever. In my opinion.”

A final reviewer declared: “One of the most beautiful movies ever made. Colours, music, and reticence punctuate throughout. I have watched the scene in the dining room of the church 7,351,212 times.

“The man sings, the actress recognises brilliance amidst shuffles and anonymity, and then the director cuts to her chaperone listening to a radio. So god**** brilliant.”

Brooklyn is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer by clicking here.

I AM writing to The Press in the hope that readers might be able to help me reconnect with a dear old friend and classmate, Alan Wong (Wong Ka-kui), who emigrated from Hong Kong to York around 1991.

Alan and I were close friends during our school years at Ngau Tau Kok Catholic Primary School.

We lost touch shortly after he moved to North Yorkshire to start a new chapter over 30 years ago.

I often wonder how his life has unfolded in the beautiful city of York and would dearly love to catch up on the decades we have missed.

Alan would likely be in his 50s now. Given his distinctive Chinese name (shared with a famous Hong Kong musician), I hope he might be known to the local Chinese community or long-term residents in the area.

If Alan is reading this, or if anyone knows of his whereabouts or his family, I would be deeply grateful if you could contact me via email at swtcheng@gmail.com

Finding a friend after 35 years is no easy task, but I believe in the community spirit of York to help bridge this gap.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Tony Cheng Wai-Tung

—

‘We already get cheaper electricity from wind and solar’

REFORM and the Tories are doing a noisy sales job on new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.

In view of Trump’s war this would seem sensible – however, the facts point in the opposite direction.

The reality is that we already get cheaper electricity from wind and solar.

In March, we avoided the need for gas imports worth £1bn, thanks to record electricity generation from renewables.

Wind generation is growing year-on-year by 38 per cent – at the same time that electricity generation from gas falls annually by 25 per cent. And as a bonus, these clean sources avoid the environmental and health costs of burning fossil fuels.

Were the government to announce a fresh round of drilling licences, the impact on bills would be zero in the immediate term and minimal in the medium term.

Even if they sold straight away – which would be unlikely – it would take five to seven years for the wells to be productive.

And even if we could ringfence UK-produced energy for the UK market – which we couldn’t – it wouldn’t change the fundamental structure of that market, in which costs are predominantly set by international fossil fuel prices.

If the barrel cost of oil is surging worldwide, so is our unit price. It is ever more expensive to extract the ever smaller residual deposits from the North Sea. By the time they came onstream, electricity from renewables would be a third of the cost.

Peter Williams,

Newbiggin,

Malton

—

Why I agree with Trump

DONALD Trump rarely speaks sense but his advice to Ed Miliband for the UK to “drill, baby drill” is spot on, particularly so considering the turmoil countries worldwide are currently encountering.

Will Miliband react positively? Not a chance, neither will Reeves nor Starmer, common sense to them no longer exists, it has been replaced by a rash of costly vanity projects achieving absolutely nothing other than making everyone collectively poorer (that is apart from millions who have decided living off state benefits is more lucrative than working 40 hours per week).

Peter Rickaby,

Moat Way,

Brayton

—

A synagogue in north-west London was hit by an attempted arson attack overnight.

The Community Security Trust said Kenton United Synagogue has sustained caused minor smoke damage to an internal room but there were no injuries or significant structural damage.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow…