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US Embassy Opens Visa Call Center
On March 26, the US Embassy in Kyiv opened a call center where people can obtain information and schedule visa interviews. According to the embassy's press service, from March 26 to April 9, the call center will provide information and schedule non-immigrant visa interviews for free. Starting April 10, a fee of $12 per 8-minute call will be introduced for using the call center services. Contact phone: (044) 207-70-71.
UK Tightens Passport Issuance Procedures
In 2006, the UK Identity and Passport Service received 16,500 illegal or fraudulent applications for British passports, 10,000 of which were approved, The Times reports. Among those who fraudulently obtained not one but seven British passports was Al-Qaeda terrorist Dhiren Barot, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2006 for planning major terrorist attacks in the US and UK. In light of these events, the UK Home Office decided to tighten the procedure for issuing such documents. Previously, one could obtain a British passport by mail by sending the necessary documents to the Identity and Passport Service. Now, starting May 2007, passport applicants will have to undergo a 10-20-minute interview, during which they will answer some of the 200 questions prepared for this purpose, covering family life and financial status. Specifically, applicants may be asked to provide their previous place of residence, how long they lived there and with whom, the date and place of birth of their parents, their bank accounts, etc. At the same time, as noted by Identity and Passport Service Director Bernard Herdan: 'We will not ask questions to which we do not know the answers. Before the interview, the candidate's application will be checked against various databases.' The Home Office plans to open 69 interview offices across the country, including in cities such as Peterborough, Belfast, Glasgow, and Newport. And from 2009, all British passport applicants will be required to provide fingerprints.
EU Opens Skies to US Airlines
EU transport ministers unanimously approved the 'open skies' agreement, allowing US airlines to fly to any EU city and European airlines to fly to any US city. According to European Commission estimates, the economic benefit from the agreement will be up to €12 billion, AFP reports. Additionally, the document will allow an extra 26 million passengers to be transported across the Atlantic in the next five years, creating 80,000 jobs in both the EU and the US. However, the BBC notes that under the document, European companies will not receive equal rights with American companies on US domestic routes. The agreement was originally supposed to take effect in October 2007, but with the signing, the deadline shifted to March 2008. Washington is expected to sign it on April 30. Supporters of the agreement claim it will boost competition among airlines and ultimately lead to cheaper flights. British carriers opposed the document, which is aimed at simplifying transatlantic travel. Currently, transatlantic flights from the UK's largest aviation hub, Heathrow Airport, are controlled by only four airlines: BA, Virgin, American Airlines, and United Airlines. The agreement will allow other airlines to operate such flights. However, the total number of flights will not change.
Prague Landmarks Become More Expensive for Tourists
Before the start of the summer season, almost all major tourist attractions in Prague introduced new entrance fees. Their managers attribute this to rising electricity and gas prices and employee salaries, and also note that prices had remained unchanged for seven years. The Prague Information Service, which manages ten historical monuments, raised prices for four of them. Entry to the Old Town Hall, the Old Town Tower, and the Old Town Bridge Towers will increase by 10 crowns, and some discounts will be canceled. Visitors to the National Museum, the Botanical Garden, and the Zoo will also pay an additional 10 crowns. The city government continues to subsidize the zoo and garden, allocating about 100 million crowns per year. According to The Czech Walker, without subsidies, entry would cost not 100 crowns (as now) but 180, for everyone—adults and children alike.
Visa-Free Regime Established Between Russia and Thailand
On March 24, the Russian-Thai visa-free agreement came into effect. All holders of valid foreign passports can cross the border freely if the trip does not exceed 30 days. The agreement was signed by the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Thailand in December 2007 in Malaysia. A visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and service passports has been in effect since 2003.
Nevada Named Most Dangerous US State
The US state of Nevada has received the dubious title of 'most dangerous state in the country' for the fourth time. The safety problems are due to high crime rates: while nationwide there are just over five and a half murders per 100,000 residents per year, for Nevada this figure is 8.56. The situation is no better for other crimes. The situation is especially difficult regarding rapes, robberies, muggings, and car thefts. Moreover, 'rates are rising.'
Residents of Nevada can only console themselves that their neighbors are not much better off - New Mexico became the second most dangerous state, Arizona the third. The safest state in America, according to the police study, was North Dakota.
All retail outlets to be removed from the Great Wall of China
Chinese authorities have decided to completely ban trade on the Great Wall of China. According to the Associated Press, this is intended to restore the country's main attraction to "its original state".
Earlier, the Chinese government had already decided on a number of restrictions on the use of the Great Wall of China. Thus, from December 1, tourists are forbidden to collect soil and pebbles near the structure as souvenirs, plant trees there, carve inscriptions on the wall or apply graffiti to it. Also, vehicles cannot be used and entertainment events cannot be organized in areas closed to tourists.
Now not only trading tents, but also shops and restaurants are subject to demolition. All these establishments, according to the authorities, spoil the wall, so they will be moved to a special trade zone. Despite the fact that numerous tea houses, photo booths and souvenir shops bring significant income, the authorities believe that trade damages the Great Wall of China and spoils its appearance.