EU to introduce declaration of amounts over €10,000
From June 15, 2007, all passengers departing or arriving in EU member states will be required to declare cash amounts over €10,000, said Belgian State Secretary for Combating Tax Evasion, Herve Jamar.
"The main purpose of this regulatory requirement, adopted on the recommendation of Europe, is to combat terrorism and money laundering," the official said. "But obviously, the fight against tax fraud will also be facilitated."
In February 2005, EU finance ministers decided to limit the free import of cash by individuals into the EU to €10,000.
Putin finds 15 million illegal migrants in Russia
The number of illegal migrants in Russia could reach 15 million people. This statement was made by Vladimir Putin during a meeting with the leadership of United Russia.
According to current estimates, the president said, out of 10 million foreigners working in the country, only 500,000 are registered. However, he noted that 10 million is not the final figure, as "no one knows how many people work here," and it could reach 15 million. Putin also said that other countries face the same problem. In Europe, by some estimates, there are 8 million illegal migrants, and "in the US, I recently discussed this issue with a colleague, there are 10-12 million such people," Putin said.
The president supported the changes to migration and administrative legislation adopted on the initiative of United Russia. "On the one hand, they simplify the registration of visitors, and on the other hand, they establish strict sanctions for illegal activities of foreign workers," Putin noted.
It should be recalled that on November 9, amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses came into force, sharply tightening migration legislation. The fine for a foreigner violating the stay regime in Russia is now from 2,000 to 5,000 rubles, an employer for using illegal labor must pay a fine of 250,000 to 800,000 rubles, and the company's activities may be suspended for three months.
Islamist takes charge of British migration oversight
Another scandal erupted around the British Home Office after it emerged that an activist from the Islamist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir got a job in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, The Times reports.
Hizb ut-Tahrir (Islamic Party of Liberation) is banned in a number of countries, but British authorities have not included it in the list of banned organizations. Despite this, British politicians and journalists believe that this is a clear miscalculation by the Home Office's personnel services.
Criticism of Hizb ut-Tahrir intensified after a recent segment on BBC Newsnight: journalists accused the organization of inciting interreligious hatred and promoting extremism among youth. Representatives of the organization, in turn, stated that they do not call for violence, but rather channel youth discontent "caused by government actions" into a "safe channel of political activity."
Since the beginning of 2006, the British Home Office has been repeatedly involved in major scandals. In May, it became known that several illegal immigrants were hired to work in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. It also emerged that about 1,500 Britons were mistakenly included in the government's criminal database. These revelations cost Home Secretary Charles Clarke his post; in May 2006, he was replaced by John Reid.
Validity of visa on arrival to Mauritius extended
Mauritius has extended the period of stay on its territory from 15 to 60 days. The new rule applies only to those who come to the country for tourist purposes, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mauritius.
A visa for 15 days (now 60) is issued directly at the airport. Upon entry, you must present a passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the stay in the country), a return ticket, an invitation from the host party or a tourist voucher, and fill out a special entry form. For independent travel, you need to obtain an invitation voucher from a resident of Mauritius or a document confirming a hotel reservation. A departure tax of $17 is charged when leaving the country.
According to a study of the popularity of African tourist destinations conducted by Tourism Global Players, South Africa took first place, second went to Tunisia, third to Uganda, and fourth to Egypt. Mauritius received the highest score for quality of tourism infrastructure.
French banned from smoking
The French government has published a decree banning smoking in public places and at work. Its text was published in the Journal officiel, the official printed organ of the French Republic.
The decree supplements the 1991 "Evin Law" (loi Evin) on restricting alcohol and tobacco use. It increases the amount of fines for violating the prescribed norms and also details the creation of special "smoking areas."
Starting February 1, smoking is completely banned in transport, healthcare facilities, as well as in schools, colleges, and lyceums, both public and private, not only indoors but also in courtyards. Entertainment venues and leisure places (cafés, bars, casinos, discos, hotels, restaurants, tobacco shops) will receive a reprieve – the new rules will come into force for them only on January 1, 2008.
For non-compliance with the rules, smokers will be fined €68, and owners of enterprises and establishments that allow violations of the anti-tobacco law on their premises will pay €135 per smoker. The decree also provides for the creation of special 'smoking rooms'. These must be 'enclosed spaces' intended exclusively for smoking, where nothing else can be done. Their area should not exceed one-fifth of the total area of the premises and is limited to 35 square meters. Children under 16 are strictly prohibited from entering smoking rooms. The decision to create 'smoking rooms' is made by the head of the enterprise or establishment with the consent of representatives of the working staff. At the same time, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin made it clear that he would not allow the creation of 'smoking rooms' on the premises of state institutions.
According to the French prime minister, 5,000 people die every year in France from diseases caused by passive smoking. 'Such a situation is absolutely unacceptable,' Villepin stated. At the same time, he noted that in the fight against smoking, the government is ready to show sufficient pragmatism: for example, no one is forbidden to smoke on a railway platform while waiting for a train or in a nursing home.
Istanbul to become European Capital of Culture 2010
Istanbul has been approved by the Council of Europe as the 'European Capital of Culture 2010'. Back in April, it surpassed the Ukrainian capital in the competition, but the final decision was up to the Council of Europe.
The EU will allocate a separate grant for concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events that will take place in Istanbul in 2010. Interestingly, if Turkey is not admitted to the EU by 2010, Istanbul will be the last city from non-EU countries to be awarded this title. Earlier, the EU decided that after 2010, only cities from EU member states can apply for the title of 'Cultural Capital' of the continent.
This honorary title has been awarded to various European cities since 1985. In previous years, it was granted to cities such as Weimar (1999), Genoa and Lille (2004). In 2000, nine cities were declared cultural capitals at once - the north of Europe was represented by Reykjavik, Bergen and Helsinki, the center of the continent by Brussels, Prague and Krakow, and Avignon, Bologna and Santiago de Compostela represented the European south. Liverpool was selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2008. Tallinn is a candidate for the title of 'Cultural Capital' for 2011, but the final decision on which city in Estonia will receive this title will be made in spring 2007 by an independent jury consisting of European culture experts.