Big Ben to fall silent for a month
One of London's most famous landmarks - the chimes that Big Ben sounds every hour - has fallen silent for a month. According to France Presse, during this time specialists are to upgrade the striking mechanism responsible for the chime, as well as the device that controls the clock's movement. The silence of the famous Big Ben (the clock on the Parliament building) began on the morning of August 11 and will last until early September. The clock will continue to operate during this time.
The planned procedure of replacing Big Ben's striking mechanism is carried out every five years. The current maintenance is part of the preparations for the celebration of the famous clock's 150th anniversary, which will be marked in 2009.
Council of Europe to address migrant children
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, has called for the development of a common policy on the protection of the rights of migrant children and stated that there is currently a lack of information on this issue.
The term "migrant children" refers to children who have fled persecution, war, and poverty. In addition, this category includes children who have been victims of human trafficking. "In general, there is extremely little data on the actual situation of migrant children in Europe," says the text of the commissioner's weekly commentary. Hammarberg believes that in order to develop a common policy to protect the rights of such children, it is necessary to have more information about such facts. "Statistical information and other relevant data are lacking in almost all aspects of migration cycles," he noted.
Noting the seriousness of the problem, the commissioner drew the attention of the Council of Europe member states to the need to respect the rights of migrant children, in particular the rights to health protection and education.
About 1 million foreigners want to work legally in Moscow
Some 953,000 foreigners are registered for migration in Moscow, which exceeds the quota for foreign labor set for 2007 by 143,000 people, said Yevgeny Chernetsov, head of the labor exchange department of the Moscow Committee for Interregional Relations and National Policy.
"Already, more people have registered for migration than the quota for this year provides. I think the total quota of 810,000 will be exhausted by the end of the year," Chernetsov said. He noted that "at the same time, 431,687 work permits have been issued."
Chernetsov also reported that in 2007 only nine individuals notified the relevant services that they had hired foreign workers and officially signed employment contracts with them. "That is, only a handful pay taxes for the hired labor of foreign workers. Meanwhile, migrants use the city's infrastructure and, according to Moscow laws, they have the right to free medical care and to receive education in Moscow," Chernetsov noted.
As the department head explained, "even if the quota of 810,000 is fully exhausted, this will not limit the influx of foreigners to Moscow." Under the law, any foreigner can come to the capital, for example, to visit relatives or simply as a tourist, and stay in the city for 90 days, the official reminded.
For 2007, the quota for foreign labor set in Moscow was 750,000 for countries with a visa-free regime with Russia and 60,000 for countries with a visa regime. For 2008, Moscow authorities set this quota at 250,000 foreign workers for countries with a visa-free regime and 50,000 for those with a visa regime. However, the Russian Federal Migration Service believes that such a reduction in the quota will cause an increase in illegal migration rates in the Russian capital.
The richest people live in Japan and Ireland
According to data presented by the Bank of Ireland, this country, along with Japan, leads in terms of per capita wealth. The annual study called "The Wealth of the Nation" covers a number of countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Japan and Ireland left behind Italy, Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Germany, and France.
At the end of 2006, the personal wealth of the average Irish person was €196,000 (in 2005 - €168,000). At the same time, in comparable prices, the average personal wealth of a Japanese resident is just over €200,000 (in 2005 - €182,000). The personal wealth indicator was calculated from the sum of the value of real estate, personal property, bank and pension deposits.
In addition, the study revealed an increase in the number of millionaires in Ireland: in 2006 there were 33,000 in the country (in 2005 - 30,000). Given that Ireland's population is 4.25 million people, it can be concluded that approximately every 130th Irish person has a personal wealth of more than €1 million.
Slovenia introduces smoking ban in institutions
In hotels and restaurants in Slovenia, smoking is now allowed only in specially designated areas. The new law also applies to hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.
For violating these rules, individuals will have to pay a fine of €125, and owners of violating establishments – up to €33,000. In addition, since August 5, it is forbidden to sell cigarettes to people under 18 in Slovenia. Previously, this ban applied to teenagers under 15.
Berlin Wall to be repaired
The Berlin Wall, which was one of the most famous symbols of the Cold War, is to be repaired, reports the Associated Press. Although the exact cost of the reconstruction has not been determined, it is expected that more than $1.8 million will be needed.
According to a representative of the city authorities, Jörg Flemig, the indicated funds are insufficient to carry out the repair completely, so the start of work scheduled for September will have to be postponed. Because of time and tourists constantly chipping off pieces of the wall for souvenirs, both the wall itself and the graffiti covering it have fallen into disrepair. To carry out the repair, it is necessary not only to strengthen it but also to restore the graffiti, which will require payments to artists. In 1990, the remaining piece of the wall after its demolition was painted by 118 artists.
The Berlin Wall was part of the post-war border between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. Its construction began in 1961. It consisted of 45,000 concrete blocks measuring 3.6 by 1.5 meters. It was destroyed in 1989 and received the status of a historical monument in 1991.
Most tourists hide the truth about their trips
According to a study conducted by Halifax, most tourists embellish stories about their trips.
The most common lie is about the weather: 19% of respondents admit that they always claim it was warm and sunny during their trip, even if a hurricane actually hit the resort. 9% lie about the quality of food and level of service. The list of popular 'fantasies' also includes stories about holiday romances, unexpected encounters with celebrities, and souvenirs purchased.
Halifax researchers claim that travel has become a new status symbol, like expensive watches or cars. 12% of respondents say they envy their friends' trips, 8% envy the dishes they tried abroad, and 6% envy the cars they rented.