A map of Prague in Russian has been released in the Czech Republic
In the Czech capital, a city map 'Prague at a Glance' has been released with comments in Russian. In addition to the classic layout of streets and attractions, the map contains practical information on how to use local transport, where and what kind of tickets to buy, where it is better to exchange currency, what precautions to remember, and where you can go on excursions besides Prague.
The compilers also recommend the best restaurants, pubs, clubs, casinos, bicycle and car rentals, discos, escort services in Prague and much more. 'Prague at a Glance' is distributed free of charge by guides, on the buses 'Letushka', 'Prague - Karlovy Vary', and also at the information offices of the company 'Aziana', located in the center of Prague and Karlovy Vary.
Britain to introduce American terror threat scale
The UK plans to introduce a terrorist threat warning system similar to the one in the United States. According to the Guardian, this initiative is to be proposed by parliamentarians on the intelligence and security committee, which is investigating last year's terrorist attacks on London transport.
Currently, the threat level is determined by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre. Critics of the system argue that its unclear assessment criteria also overlap with another threat scale that determines the required level of protection for public institutions and the transport system.
This color scale is based on recommendations from the MI5 security service, and the threat level warning is displayed in the lobbies of public buildings. In this scale, the lowest level of danger is marked in black, and the highest in red.
At the same time, in the system developed by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, the lowest level of threat is designated as 'moderate' and the maximum as 'particularly serious', meaning the inevitability of an attack. To avoid confusion, it is proposed to unify the warning system and publish information on the current threat level on the government website.
Estonia gets 'temporary' and 'long-term' residents
The Estonian Parliament recently passed amendments to the law on foreigners, which abolish the statuses of temporary and permanent resident of the country and introduce the concepts of 'temporary' and 'long-term resident'. As stated in the accompanying documents to the law, the amendments were made in order to 'harmonize laws in accordance with the directives of the Council of Europe concerning the granting of long-term resident status and family reunification'.
Unlike the previous law, the amendments introduce an additional 'integration requirement', according to which a foreigner wishing to obtain 'long-term resident' status will have to pass an Estonian language exam 'at least at a basic level'. Previously, such a requirement was not imposed on foreigners.
At the same time, foreign citizens who manage to submit an application for obtaining 'long-term resident' status before June 1, 2007, are exempt from taking the exam. Those who currently have permanent resident status will also not need to prove their knowledge of Estonian. They will automatically become 'long-term residents'.
Persons who have received 'long-term resident' status will be able to enjoy the same rights of movement within the European Union countries as citizens of other EU countries.
Mexicans to boycott American products
Millions of Mexicans have enthusiastically responded to the call by several local public organizations to refrain from buying American goods and services on May 1, writes the Financial Times.
According to the newspaper, a significant part of the country's population plans to join the 'Great Boycott of the USA', scheduled for that day. The action will be held in solidarity with illegal migrants from Mexico, who on May 1 plan to hold a 'day without immigrants' in the United States - that is, to refuse to work.
Mexicans believe that the effect of their mass walkout will force the American government to grant them legal status. Recall that the US Senate strongly opposes the wholesale legalization of all Mexicans who have secretly moved to the United States.
Poland to also ban smoking in restaurants
Starting next year, Poland may introduce a smoking ban in restaurants, bars, clubs and other 'catering establishments'. The Ministry of Health is currently drafting amendments to the current legislation.
The first attempt to introduce a smoking ban was made in 1999. But it proved unsuccessful because Polish restaurateurs actively resisted. In the end, a compromise solution was adopted - the law required establishment owners to set aside rooms for smokers.
British Airways cuts prices on European routes
British Airways has announced price cuts on 65 domestic and European routes. The fare reduction reaches 50%. Now the minimum price for these flights, including taxes, will be 29 pounds sterling ($52).
The company made this reduction under pressure from competition from budget airlines. Over the past ten years, the cost of the cheapest tickets on these routes has fallen by approximately 70%. In addition, the airline has provided the opportunity to exchange any of these tickets for a fee of 30 pounds. Previously, exchanging the cheapest tickets was impossible.
Number of millionaires in the US reaches record high
According to published data from the Chicago consulting firm Spectrem Group, 8.3 million families in America were registered last year with assets exceeding $1 million. That is about 800,000 more than in the previous year. Moreover, the study notes that the number of families with assets exceeding $5 million increased by more than 930,000 over the same period.
Assessing the wealth of Americans, the authors of the report meant the so-called “net financial position”, that is, after deducting debts and other monetary obligations. According to Spectrem Group managing director Catherine McBreen, one of the main explanations for the increase in the number of millionaires in the US is the steady growth of financial markets in 2005. “The wealthiest Americans,” she noted in a statement, “increased their fortunes mainly through more active participation in international markets and the use of alternative investment instruments.” The study was prepared based on a survey conducted by mail and online in the fall of last year. More than 1,000 people took part.
Based on materials from news agencies.