00:00And in news overseas, new rules came into force requiring European visitors to the United Kingdom
00:06to buy an online entry permit as the government revised long-standing regulations to boost border security.
00:12Travelers from Europe now need a Digital Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, permit,
00:17which UK officials said they were rolling out to boost security and streamline entry processes.
00:22There will be a buffer period, which could last several months.
00:27The ETA has already been introduced for American, Canadian and other visa-exempt nationals visiting the UK,
00:33which left the European Union in 2020.
00:36The head of the UK's border force, Phil Douglas, said that the permit would speed up entry times
00:41and allow officials to check information including a traveler's immigration history or criminal record.
00:47The application, which can be made on a smartphone app or through the government website,
00:51has been open to Europeans since the start of March.
00:54It applies to nationals of some 30 European countries, including all those in the European Union except Ireland.
