German visa applications launched online
From November 19, Ukrainian citizens can independently fill out and print their visa application forms online for short-term Schengen visas for temporary stay in the Federal Republic of Germany. The German Embassy recommends that Ukrainians actively use this opportunity, as it saves time for both sides.
Currently, the waiting time for an appointment to submit an application for a short-term visa for private or business trips is only three to four days. This became possible thanks to the introduction in spring 2007 of a new system for scheduling visa application appointments and simplifying the procedure for those who have previously received at least three Schengen visas or a visa to the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand.
Currently, a version of the visa application form in German is available. Its Ukrainian version will appear soon.
Russians who moved to the Czech Republic will not receive Czech pension
The Czech Republic will unilaterally withdraw from the bilateral Czech-Russian social security treaty. This was decided by the government, but the final answer is up to the parliamentarians.
According to the current treaty, a Russian citizen of retirement age permanently residing in the Czech Republic is entitled to a pension from the Czech state. In this case, the fact of whether this person ever worked in the Czech Republic was not taken into account. The treaty guarantees the same rights to Czechs living in Russia. However, no cases of Czech citizens receiving a Russian pension are known. But the number of Russians moving permanently to the Czech Republic is constantly growing. In this regard, the Czech side considers the treaty, signed back in 1959, disadvantageous.
If a new treaty is not proposed, only those Russians who have worked in the Czech Republic for at least 15 years will be able to receive a Czech pension. //Radio Prague
American airports found defenseless
Security services at some American airports are not sufficiently vigilant. This conclusion was reached by inspectors from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), who were able to carry components for making explosive devices onto aircraft.
In a GAO report obtained by CBS News, it is reported that bomb components were on the agents' bodies or in their carry-on luggage. GAO also made a number of recommendations for improving the airport screening system. For security reasons, specific information about the system's weaknesses is not disclosed.
Nevertheless, GAO representatives said that their agents, "using publicly available information," obtained all the necessary components for making a homemade bomb via the Internet and in local stores. According to them, creating an explosive device can cost as little as $150. As an example of the security system's imperfection, the report cites a case where a screener refused to let an agent board the plane after finding an unlabeled bottle of medicated shampoo in his luggage. However, another bottle containing a prohibited liquid that could be used in making a bomb went unnoticed by the security officer.
To strengthen airport security, it is planned to install new equipment that is currently being tested. Meanwhile, the vigilance of security services will be maintained through daily covert inspections.
Recall that the U.S. government assumed responsibility for airport security after the September 11 attacks. The latest equipment was installed for baggage screening, private agency screeners were replaced with government employees, and a system of fingerprint and iris scanning was introduced. Moreover, since 2002, a special fee has been levied on air passengers, the so-called "September 11 security fee." Nevertheless, despite the measures taken, annual inspections prove that there are many shortcomings in the airport security system. //Lenta.ru
Only three duty-free shops to remain in Belarus
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree "On the specifics of the operation of duty-free shops," the draft of which was considered back in the spring of this year. According to the decree, all duty-free shops will resume operations for three months. After the three-month period, only three duty-free shops will remain in the republic, all located at Minsk National Airport.
Passengers leaving Belarus will be able to purchase goods at the shops of the joint ventures "Bela Trading Duty Free" and "Somlen," the trade republican unitary enterprise "Dipmarket" belonging to the Administration of the President of Belarus, as well as at shops created by the Main Department for Servicing the Diplomatic Corps and Official Delegations "Dipservice" of the Administration of the President of Belarus. Other duty-free shops currently located at other border crossing points of Belarus or not meeting the requirements of the regulation must cease operations three months after the official publication of the decree, reports the Belarusian Telegraph Agency.
Recall that since July 1, 2007, the operation of duty-free shops was suspended due to the entry into force of the new Customs Code.
Natural disasters quadrupled
According to the British charity Oxfam, the number of annual natural disasters of certain types has quadrupled over the past 20 years, reports AFP.
In the early 1980s, the number of various natural disasters worldwide was about 120 per year. In 2007, there were about 500. The number of floods and hurricanes increased from 60 in 1980 to 240 in 2007. In addition, over this period, the number of victims of natural disasters increased by almost 70%. Specifically, from 1985 to 1994, the annual number was about 174 million people, and from 1995 to 2004, about 254 million people per year.
At the same time, the study notes that 2007 was not characterized by a sharp jump in the number of natural cataclysms. Their number has been gradually increasing over the past 20 years. Researchers believe that global climate change on the planet, caused primarily by the greenhouse effect, is to blame. This, in particular, is confirmed by the fact that the number of geothermal events (earthquakes and volcanic eruptions) has remained virtually unchanged over 20 years.
Oxfam Director Barbara Stocking called on governments of various countries to take measures to curb the rate of climate change on the planet. In addition, she called for accelerating the pace and increasing the volume of humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters.
The study by Oxfam was conducted based on data analysis from the ICRC, the UN, and studies from the University of Louvain in Belgium. //Lenta.ru
Christmas dinner becomes more expensive in the UK
The cost of a Christmas dinner has sharply increased in the UK, reports the Daily Mail. The price rise for 25 traditional Christmas products has outpaced inflation by three times.
The three largest supermarket chains in the country, Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's, have raised food prices by an average of 6%. Turkey has risen by 11%, potatoes by 19%, red wine by 41%, and beer by 24%. The cost of Brussels sprouts has soared by 203%.
Such a rapid increase in food prices is explained by the rise in their cost for producers, the publication clarifies. Part of it is caused by bad weather.
Food prices in the UK are rising at the fastest pace in 14 years. For example, the price of bread in large stores has reached 1.2 pounds sterling (?1.69) per loaf. 15 years ago, it was 13 times cheaper — nine pence. //Lenta.ru