UK to Raise Passport Application Fees From April 2026
The UK government has announced planned increases to passport application fees effective from April 8, 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. Standard online applications within the UK for adults will increase from £94.50 to £102, while children's fees will rise from £61.50 to £66.50. Postal applications will also see an increase, with adult fees going from £107 to £115.50 and child fees from £74 to £80. The premium one-day passport application service, used for urgent requests, will rise from £222 to £239.50. Fee increases will similarly impact UK citizens applying from overseas, with online adult applications rising from £108 to £116.50... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 18 Mar 2026 18:12
China enacts law promoting Mandarin as national language, raising concerns over minority rights and cultural preservation
China has officially approved a sweeping new law that promotes what it terms "ethnic unity," drawing sharp criticism from rights advocates who argue that it undermines the cultural and linguistic rights of minority groups, particularly the Uyghurs. This law was passed by the National People's Congress during its annual session and emphasizes the promotion of Mandarin as the "national common language" across various facets of public life including education and official business. This legislation mandates that all children in China learn Mandarin, starting from before kindergarten and continuing through to the end of high school. Previously, students in regions predominantly... [Continue Reading]
