There are times when you need to have your passport renewed quickly. Getting a renewal in one day is possible and in cases of emergency, you can get it renewed in just a few hours. There are a number of reasons a person might need to renew their documents in the same day. For example, they may need to plan a trip last minute and do not have a current passport. To get your pasport renewal expedited in the same day there are a few things you should know.
Renewed Travel Document
To begin with, you can only get a same day renewal at a regional passport agency. It is possible to get travel documents renewed through the mail in two to three weeks. However, this in not an option for individuals who need their documents in less time. For those people who need to renew right away, they will have to follow one of two procedures.
Options
You can select one of two procedures to get your travel papers renewed the same day you apply. One way involves going to the closest passport agency and the second is to hire a expediting agency. The process you select will depend on how near you are to a local office and the amount of time you have. If all you need is a U S passport replacement, the agency will handle that too.
Local Office
If you choose to visit your local regional office, you will first set up an appointment time. When you arrive for the appointment, you must show your confirmation and go through a security check. You will then get a number that will be announced when it is your turn. While waiting, you can finish the application that you will turn in with your supporting information.
Application
When you hand in your application, it must be accompanied by two photos and your recent travel papers. If your papers have been damaged, you will not be able to renew them, you will be required to apply for a new document instead. In the event your name has changed you can provide proof of the legal action by showing a marriage license or divorce papers.
Travel Itinerary
You will also be required to provide valid evidence that there is an urgency to renew the travel papers quickly. Also, the travel itinerary must be supplied that shows the departure date. If you are to travel the same say as your appointment, make sure to let the agent know.
Hiring Out
If you do not have the time to get to the regional agency, you can employ an expediting service to be sure that your travel papers are renewed right away. These professionals must register with the US Department of State to be able to provide the service. After you have completed the expediter’s application, it will be submitted by the service with all your documentation.
Most of the biggest Egyptian political parties have committed to delivering ambitious human rights reform in the country’s transition, but have either given mixed signals or have flatly refused to sign up to ending discrimination, protecting women’s rights and to abolishing the death penalty, Amnesty International said today.
Ahead of parliamentary elections which began in November, the organization asked political parties running in Egypt’s elections to sign a “human rights manifesto” containing 10 key measures to signal that they were serious about delivering meaningful human rights reform.
Amnesty International wrote to 54 political parties and sought meetings with 15 of the main ones, nine of whom signed up to the manifesto, either in its entirety or to some of the pledges. Three others gave oral feedback.
The Freedom and Justice Party, which won the most seats in the new People’s Assembly, was one of three parties not to respond substantively, despite considerable efforts by Amnesty International to seek its views.
“With the first session of the new parliament sitting this week, it is encouraging that so many of the major parties engaged with us and were prepared to sign up to ambitious pledges for change on combating torture, protecting slum residents’ rights and ensuring fair trials,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s interim Middle East and North Africa Director.
“But it is disturbing that a number of parties refused to commit to equal rights for women. With a handful of women taking up seats in the new parliament, there remain huge obstacles to women playing a full role in Egyptian political life.
“We challenge the new parliament to use the opportunity of drafting the new constitution to guarantee all of these rights for all people in Egypt. The cornerstone must be non-discrimination and gender equality.”
While the only parties to sign up to all of the pledges contained in the manifesto were the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and the Popular Socialist Alliance Party, nearly all of the 12 parties who responded agreed to all of the first seven points of the manifesto.
These included commitments on civil and political rights. Key promises included ending the three-decade-old state of emergency, combating torture, upholding freedom of expression and association, ensuring fair trials and investigating abuses committed under the rule of Hosni Mubarak.
Amnesty International also secured pledges from nearly all the parties to address the rights of those living in slums and to deliver economic, social and cultural rights for all Egyptians.
Reservations The eighth pledge, to end discrimination, was signed up to by most parties but several said they could not sign up to Amnesty International’s call for an end to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Comments from at least two parties suggested that the issue of discrimination against Copts, including in building churches, has been exaggerated.
A number of parties had reservations over the ninth pledge, which called for women’s rights to be protected, including for women to be given equal rights in marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance. Several parties invoked Islamic law to explain why they would not commit to this.
Most parties made reservations over the 10th point, which called for the abolition of the death penalty, either stating that this was in contradiction with Islam or that they were continuing to study the issue. Even the two parties inclined to abolish the death penalty said that this was a long-term goal not achievable in the coming years.
“The real test for political parties will be to translate these pledges into initiatives in parliament to abolish repressive Mubarak-era laws, reform the police and security services, and pass laws which protect human rights and break with the legacy of abuse,” said Philip Luther. “One of the first measures should be the lifting of the much-decried state of emergency. “Women and men stood side by side in the protests and have been instrumental in the movement that toppled President Mubarak and led to these elections. Denying equality would dash the hope that Egypt is entering a new era of respect for the rights and dignity of all.”
The 10 pledges in Amnesty International’s Human Rights Manifesto for Egypt are: 1. End the state of emergency and reform the security forces 2. End incommunicado detention and combat torture 3. Ensure fair trials 4. Uphold the rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression 5. Investigate past abuses 6. Realize economic, social and cultural rights for all 7. Uphold the rights of people living in slums 8. End discrimination 9. Protect women’s rights 10. Abolish the death penalty
Responses by Egyptian political parties to the Human Rights Manifesto for Egypt: In November Amnesty International sent letters to 54 Egyptian political parties inviting them to sign up to the manifesto. The organization sought meetings with the leaders of 15 of the biggest parties in November and December. Below are the responses obtained:
Egyptian Social Democratic Party (part of Egyptian bloc, which won 34 seats in parliament): signed up to all 10 pledges, but said it was premature to expect abolition of the death penalty in the absence of popular support.
Popular Socialist Alliance Party (part of Revolution Continues bloc, which won 7 seats in parliament): signed up to all 10 pledges, but said it was premature to expect abolition of the death penalty in the absence of popular support.
Egypt Youth Party: sent a letter with the signed manifesto, stating its commitment to human rights in general, but without giving details on the 10 pledges.
New Al Wafd Party (38 seats in parliament): signed with the exception of the abolition of the death penalty.
Democratic Front Party: signed with the exception of the abolition of the death penalty.
Reform and Development Party (10 seats in parliament): signed with the exception of the abolition of the death penalty.
Al Karama Party: agreed orally to all pledges with the exception of the abolition of the death penalty.
Al Nour Party (125 seats in parliament): agreed orally to all pledges with the exception of the abolition of the death penalty and protection of women’s rights.
Revolution’s Guards Party: sent a letter agreeing to the manifesto, with the exception of the abolition of the death penalty and protection of women’s rights, stating that they follow directions from Al-Azhar religious institutions on such issues.
Egyptian Liberation Party: signed with the exception of the abolition of the death penalty and protection of women’s rights, stressing its opposition to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW); agreed to commit to ensuring non-discrimination, with the exception of non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The Al-Wasat (Center) Party (10 seats in parliament): signed but expressed strong reservations to the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of women’s rights and ensuring non-discrimination. Expressed reservations on non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and according equal rights for Muslims and Copts in building houses of worship.
Egypt Revolution Party: party representatives raised concerns in a meeting over the need for “security” and the obligation to respect “Islamic values”, justifying the continuation of the state of emergency, although pledging to combat torture. They also said freedom of expression, association and assembly were important but only as long as they do not “threaten public security”. They said women’s rights should not be in contradiction with religion and that discrimination against Copts was an issue blown out of proportion. The party did not raise reservations over other pledges.
Free Egyptians Party (part of Egyptian bloc, which won 34 seats in parliament): did not respond to meeting request nor give feedback on manifesto.
Freedom and Justice Party (234 seats in parliament): did not respond to meeting request nor give feedback on manifesto. Amnesty International did not receive a substantive response to its last attempt to contact them in January 2012.
Justice Party (1 seat in parliament): did not respond to meeting request nor give feedback on manifesto.
Most of Egypt’s political parties have pledged human rights change, but have been ambiguous on some issues including women’s rights.
Christmas is long gone, New Year is a distant memory, the tennis is on TV and the summer break that saves the sanity of so many Australians is almost over. As usual in the lead up to Australia Day it’s time debate the health of the nation: where we stand internationally, and the slippery issue of our national identity. Your Rights At Work Blog Posts RSS
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Federal District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer today denied a motion to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit alleging that Northwest Airlines discriminated against graduate student Arshad Chowdhury by prohibiting him from boarding a flight at San Francisco Airport even after law enforcement professionals stated that he was not a security threat.
New rims, such as the XD Series rims, can spruce up your ride instantly. Rims may last forever but sometimes sticking with the manufacturer’s standard and boring selections just ruin the look of a good ride. Besides looks, another reason to choose aluminum alloy rims is to improve the performance of your vehicle.
A custom lifted truck or SUV just isn’t custom until you install some new, better-looking, alloy chrome wheels on it. This style of rim with its clean and uncluttered look enhances the appearance and beauty of your vehicle. Going a step further, some like to achieve a better look with plus-sizing. Plus-sizing is when you upsize the rim size and use low-profile tires. This allows the design of the rim to stand out, drawing attention and jealous stares by onlookers.
Besides allowing the design of the rims to stand out, plus-sizing also improves the overall performance and handling of your vehicle. A plus-sized rim helps the low-profile tire keep its shape, which prevents the sides from bulging when going around turns. This allows for better handling when taking tight turns as the steering response is better, which is needed with high performance tires or if a lot of aggressive driving is involved.
Whether plus-sized or not, alloy rims are lighter weight than steel which leads to better comfort and performance. Because they are lighter, it reduces the weight on the suspension, allowing for a better grip to the road and better steering response. That lightness also has another plus to it as it can provide better gas mileage, saving you a few cents in gas overtime.
These also can increase the lifespan of the brakes and reduces the risk of brake failure and fading. Alloy rims are better at conducting heat than steel ones. Their design allows for more airflow over the brakes which reduces the risk of overheating. That will improve the overall performance of the brakes, providing a safer ride and quicker braking time.
Not only does their construction allow them to dissipate heat better, it creates a stronger rim. That strength makes them more resistant to bending than steel and it minimizes cracking of the metal. They are also rust-resistant and easy to keep clean so they always look good. Another aspect of their construction is the low-pressure casting technique which allows them to be more adaptable and flexible. This is how they are able to have such unique designs.
These rims look so good that their popularity has grown tremendously. Because of that popularity, manufacturers have created an extremely large selection in choices. This can make it easier or harder in deciding which will enhance your ride better. Just keep in mind to check your bolt pattern. Unusual patterns have limited choices in these rims.
It is not easy deciding which XD Series chrome rims to choose today because not all rims are created alike. That is why you need to think about performance and handling in addition to how the tire and wheel packages over steel is a popular choice. Even manufacturers are fitting cars with them before they leave the factory. The XD series wheels do not only complement your ride’s appearance, they provide better driving of any vehicle they are fitted on.
SAN FRANCISCO – The ACLU of Northern California filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act seeking information about the government’s “no fly list” and other government watch lists today. The requests were filed on behalf of Jan Adams and Rebecca Gordon, who were told by airline agents that their names appeared on a “no fly” list at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The requests were filed with the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), the FBI in Washington D.C., and the FBI in San Francisco.
