Eiffel Tower Sets Attendance Record
In 2006, a record number of visitors – 6 million 700 thousand people – climbed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. These figures were provided by the company managing the tower. Up to 30 thousand tourists climb the tower per day. In the entire history of the Eiffel Tower, it has been visited by 230 million people. The tower has 1,665 steps, but tourists prefer to use the high-speed elevator.
Ukrainians to Undergo Migration Registration in Russia on Common Grounds
Citizens of Ukraine coming to the Russian Federation will have to register for migration according to the requirements of the new migration legislation.
This was reported by Konstantin Poltoranin, press secretary of the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation. He noted that the new procedure is more liberal, registration of migrants at their place of residence has been abolished, and instead a notification-based migration registration has been introduced.
Spain Temporarily Leaves Schengen Agreement
Spain announced the suspension of Schengen visas during the informal meeting of defense ministers of the 26 NATO member states held on February 8-9 in Seville, Spain.
The measure is due to security reasons, the alliance's press service reported. The validity of Schengen visas is temporarily canceled for more than 120 countries, including Russia and other CIS member states. Citizens of these countries will need to obtain a Spanish visa to enter Spain during the informal meeting of NATO defense ministers.
Visa Regime Abolished for Non-Citizens of EU Countries
A document abolishing visa obligations for non-citizens of European Union countries has come into force. From January 19, non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia can travel throughout the EU (except Ireland and the United Kingdom), as well as enter Norway and Iceland.
The decision to abolish visa restrictions for non-citizens of the EU was adopted by the European Parliament on December 20, 2006, and approved by all relevant commissions. The corresponding draft law was prepared by Latvian MEP Tatjana Ždanoka. Previously, non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia (persons holding a non-citizen passport) were equated to citizens of third countries and needed a visa to travel within the EU.
Only Norway, which is not an EU country, has so far stated that due to the imperfection of its internal legal framework, it is not yet ready to accept Latvian and Estonian non-citizens without visas. The Norwegian Embassy in Latvia said that the visa regime for non-citizens will be abolished a little later.
Currently, there are 400 thousand non-citizens in Latvia and about 200 thousand in Estonia.
Russian Authorities to Compile Dossiers on Passengers
The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in the second reading the draft law "On Transport Security". The law provides for the creation of a Unified State Information System for Transport Security, including a centralized database of passengers' personal data.
It is assumed that the database will include names, date and place of birth, passport data of passengers, as well as points of departure and destination, types of transport used, routes and travel dates. According to Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Vladimir Katrenko, "these databases pose no threat to law-abiding citizens" and are created primarily to counter criminals, who, as the deputy put it, "will find it much harder to cover their tracks in Russia's transport network."
In addition, the law establishes the procedure for organizing the protection of transport facilities and divides transport infrastructure objects and vehicles into certain categories depending on the degree of threat of committing "acts of unlawful interference" and their consequences. The law will come into force 180 days after its official publication.
France's Population Reaches 63.4 Million
As of January 1, 2007, the population of France reached 63.4 million people, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
According to data presented at a press conference by the institute's director Jean-Michel Charpin, the population of France, including its overseas departments and territories, increased by about 400 thousand people. At the same time, the number of newborns was 830 thousand 900, which is the highest figure in the last 25 years. According to INSEE experts, thanks to these indicators, France may become a leader among other European Union countries in terms of birth rate.
Millions of Chinese Men May Be Left Without Brides
The growing imbalance between male and female populations in China will result in approximately 30 million Chinese men finding it difficult to find a bride by 2020.
According to a report by the State Committee for Demographic Policy and Family Planning of the People's Republic of China, for every 100 girls born in 2005, there were 118.58 boys. As noted in the report, this gap will widen, writes China Daily.
Stockholm Public Transport to Become More Expensive
On January 29, ticket prices for Stockholm public transport will once again rise to incredible heights from which they were lowered a year ago. The cost of a single trip, currently at 20 kronor, will increase to 40 kronor ($5.7). The price of a day pass will increase from 60 to 90 kronor ($12.8). Both fares are among the highest in the world – something similar exists only in a few cities. A three-day pass will cost 220 kronor ($31.2), while the weekly pass price will barely rise, amounting to 230 kronor ($32.7).
Moreover, starting April 1, following the example of neighbors from Copenhagen, a zone system is being introduced in public transport. The first zone includes the main part of the city, the second – the near suburbs, the third – the far suburbs. For a trip within one zone, you will need to cancel two ticket coupons, for two zones – three, for three – four. One coupon will cost 20 crowns ($2.8), if purchased in advance – 13 crowns ($1.8), in a block of 10 coupons – 10 crowns ($1.4). This significantly increases the cost of a trip from the suburbs to the city center. At the same time, even a car will not become an alternative, since last year driving into central Stockholm became paid.
Thus, the Stockholm authorities, following the example of London, are trying to encourage the purchase of various travel passes instead of single tickets. And tourists probably should, if possible, choose a hotel in central Stockholm to get around the city on foot.
British schools to admit students by lottery
British urban schools are recommended to admit students based on lottery results. According to The Telegraph, this instruction is contained in new rules for admission to primary and secondary schools, published by the UK Ministry of Education and coming into force in 2008.
In accordance with the new norms, schools are also prohibited from taking into account the social status of parents when selecting students, conducting interviews with them, or forcing them to buy expensive uniforms.
British officials hope that the new rules for admitting schoolchildren will make good education accessible to the underprivileged as well. Currently, schools can refuse admission to a child, justifying their decision by place of residence or interview results. In some cases, an obstacle to education for low-income Britons is the expensive uniform that students of prestigious schools have to wear. This practice leads to the fact that the best schools are attended mainly by representatives of the middle class.