"New Europeans" want to go to Britain
Britain remains the main destination for migrants from the new EU member states, BBC reports. In the year since EU enlargement, one in three "new Europeans" who decided to go to Western European countries settled on British shores.
According to the German Institute for Economic Research, the total number of such migrants is up to 150,000 people. 50,000 of them moved to Britain. The reason is simple - it is easier for migrants from EU-joined countries to get a job in England than in other states, for example, in Austria, Germany and Italy.
True, the figures of the German institute differ from the data of the British immigration services, which say that there were at least 130,000 migrants from Eastern European EU countries over the past year. Another study conducted in Britain shows that there were even more migrants - 175,000. Experts in Berlin say the difference is explained by a different calculation method - their figures counted the movement of only those who had never been to Britain before.
In any case, the figures clearly do not correspond to the apocalyptic predictions of those who believed that with the EU enlargement, Britain and other prosperous EU states would be overwhelmed by a wave of migrants from poorer EU countries. And, as a study by German economists shows, countries with stricter migration policies lose potentially very valuable workers.
Refugee status must be applied for within five days
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a law according to which a person who wants to obtain refugee status and has crossed the Ukrainian border in accordance with the law must, within five working days, apply to the relevant migration service authority with applications for granting refugee status. 304 out of 416 deputies voted for the law on amendments to the law "On Refugees".
As Interfax-Ukraine reports, persons who, with the intention of obtaining refugee status, illegally attempted or crossed the border, must immediately apply to the migration service with applications for granting refugee status. If they do so without delay, they are exempt from liability.
The migration service authority may refuse to accept an application for granting refugee status if the applicant impersonates another person or if they were previously denied refugee status.
American schools have fallen victim to the second wave of the baby boom
At the beginning of the third millennium, the United States faced the consequences of the second wave of the baby boom. In 2003, American schools were filled with a record number of students - 49.6 million children, the New York Times reports.
According to the Census Bureau, the parents of these children were themselves born during the baby boom. In many ways, the rise in the birth rate is due to the influx of illegal immigrants into the country in the 1970s (48.7 million people). Today, at least one parent of 22% of students is a foreigner by origin.
Experts call the second wave of the baby boom the "echo effect" and note that the new demographic explosion could have been predicted. "We knew that all these children would also have their own children," said Mark Mather, an employee of the Bureau of Population Data.
As a result of the second wave of the baby boom, American schools faced a number of serious problems, including a shortage of teaching staff and the need to help children who do not speak English well. Federal funds are insufficient to solve these problems. The most intensive birth rate growth was observed in the western states, particularly in Nevada and California.
What documents Russians need for a vacation in Crimea
Russian citizens wishing to spend their summer vacation in Crimea can enter Ukrainian territory either with internal passports or with foreign passports. As RIA Novosti reports, this was announced by the head of the consular department of the Ukrainian Embassy in Russia, Ivan Kukhta.
At the same time, he noted that "nobody will put any stamps in internal passports." "We receive many calls from Russian citizens who are planning to enter Ukrainian territory by car. Such citizens must have an international insurance policy, which can be obtained either in Russia or purchased at the border," Kukhta said.
The head of the consular department of the Ukrainian Embassy in Russia also noted that if minor children travel to Ukrainian resorts without parents, the accompanying person must obtain a power of attorney for the child, which must be notarized. In addition, Russian citizens who take pets on vacation must obtain in advance a veterinary service document stating that the animal has received all necessary vaccinations.
Sweden has introduced a law banning smoking in public places
In Sweden, a law banning smoking in restaurants, cafes and bars comes into force on June 1. As RIA Novosti reports, the law allows bars and restaurants to have a special room for smokers, but it must be isolated from the rest of the premises, and eating and even drinking are prohibited in it.
As Swedish Health Minister Morgan Johansson emphasized, "this law is aimed at improving the working conditions of bar and restaurant workers." According to the minister, "previously, working behind the bar turned a person into a heavy smoker regardless of his desire, now this will be put to an end."
"Since 1993, the law has required employers to provide staff with a workplace where smoking is prohibited. Restaurants and cafes remained the last places that did not comply with this regulation," noted Paul Nordgren of the National Institute of Public Health.
The new law is a quite natural step for Sweden, since it was the first country in the world where the number of smokers, in accordance with the goal set by the World Health Organization, fell below 20%. This happened in 1998. Currently, no more than 18% of Swedish citizens smoke.
According to a poll conducted in early May by the research center "Temo", which involved more than a thousand people, 85% of Swedes support a ban on smoking in restaurants. 77% of respondents supported a ban on smoking in bars and nightclubs. Most surprisingly, two-thirds of smokers in Sweden support a ban on smoking in public places.
Exactly a year ago, Norway introduced a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, following the example of Ireland, where such a ban is very strict.
British police officers will get the right to fine children
From next month, British police officers will have the right to fine children aged 10 to 15, reports The Times. Fines of £30-40 will be imposed for minor administrative offenses. Children can be punished for vandalism, disturbing neighbors, or dropping litter.
Notices of fines will be handed directly to the parents of the offenders, who will also have their fingerprints and DNA samples taken.
These measures are being implemented by the British Home Office as part of a program aimed at preventing antisocial behavior among young people. Critics, however, are skeptical of this innovation, pointing out that even 30% of adults never pay fines for similar offenses. Financial penalties for such offenses were introduced in Britain three years ago. For adults, the fine is £80. Last year, fines began to be imposed on teenagers aged 16-18 as well.
The extension of the law to a younger age group is due to the fact that, according to the authorities, the majority of antisocial offenses are committed by children under 16. However, in this case, the police may face additional difficulties in issuing fines, because, according to departmental instructions, a suspect in an offense must agree with the charges and fully understand what is happening.