67 - Average number of children between the ages of 7 and 15 who visit British casualty wards each weekend with broken bones
55 % - Percentage of average dropped on weekends after the two most recent Harry Potter were released
Monday, January 30, 2006
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Know your Stockholm
Random facts about the most beautiful capital in the world:
* Built on 14 islands connected by 52 bridges
* The archipelago has 24,000 islands, rocks and skerries
* 77 nationalities presented
* 70,000 people within the city every year (out of 1 million inhabitants; 2 million with suburbs)
* 20,000 people move to Stockholm every year
* 63 churches
* Has the world's first and only national city park
* The city of Stockholm employs 55,000
* 2,500 restaurants
* Stockholmers and Swedes are the second greatest consumers of coffee
* The underground is the world's longest art exhibition
* The City Hall organ is the largest one in Northern Europe with 10,000 pipes
* 106 hotels and youth hostels
* Only major city where hot-air balloon traffic is allowed over the centre
* The tallest building is Kaknästornet, 155 m
* Has more theatres than any other European city
* No downtown water is polluted, allowing for fishing and swimming
* The city seal, St Erik, from 1376, is the world's oldest
* 70,000 pupils attend school; 25,000 pre-school
* Stockholmers and Swedes buy more tulips than anywhere in the world
* The Globe is the world's largest spherical arena
* Regent Birger Jarl founded Stockholm in 1252
* The oldest buildings are Storkyrkan and Riddarholmskyrkan, both dating back to the 13th century
* 8 daily newspapers are published here
* Has 42 public libraries
* Stockholmers and Swedes are the leading consumers of bananas in the world
What about that?!
* Built on 14 islands connected by 52 bridges
* The archipelago has 24,000 islands, rocks and skerries
* 77 nationalities presented
* 70,000 people within the city every year (out of 1 million inhabitants; 2 million with suburbs)
* 20,000 people move to Stockholm every year
* 63 churches
* Has the world's first and only national city park
* The city of Stockholm employs 55,000
* 2,500 restaurants
* Stockholmers and Swedes are the second greatest consumers of coffee
* The underground is the world's longest art exhibition
* The City Hall organ is the largest one in Northern Europe with 10,000 pipes
* 106 hotels and youth hostels
* Only major city where hot-air balloon traffic is allowed over the centre
* The tallest building is Kaknästornet, 155 m
* Has more theatres than any other European city
* No downtown water is polluted, allowing for fishing and swimming
* The city seal, St Erik, from 1376, is the world's oldest
* 70,000 pupils attend school; 25,000 pre-school
* Stockholmers and Swedes buy more tulips than anywhere in the world
* The Globe is the world's largest spherical arena
* Regent Birger Jarl founded Stockholm in 1252
* The oldest buildings are Storkyrkan and Riddarholmskyrkan, both dating back to the 13th century
* 8 daily newspapers are published here
* Has 42 public libraries
* Stockholmers and Swedes are the leading consumers of bananas in the world
What about that?!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
It's a Dangerous World - for Half of the Population
Despite reports that the world is as peaceful as it's ever been, this is certainly not true for most women around the globe.
When looking at the female half of the global population, a depressing and bleak picture presents itself. According to the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces, the world is still very violent, and not just during times of war. Men still fight (and die in) wars but according to the Centre's new report "Women in an Insecure World", women and girls are subject to a 'hidden gendercide'. The report refers to everything from infanticide to rape, dowry related deaths, sex trafficking, rape and domestic violence.
The Centre estimates that up to 200 million women are demographically "missing", as a result of abortion and infanticide of girls; lack of food and medical attention; honour-killings and dowry deaths; and domestic violence in general. This is equivalent to 1.5-3 m women and girls perishing a year. In fact, females between the ages of 15 and 44 are more likely to be killed by men than through cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or general warfare.
So, no, the world is not a peaceful place, not even for women in the Western world, though it's obviously far more dangerous to have had to misfortune (from this perspective) of being born in Africa or Asia.
When looking at the female half of the global population, a depressing and bleak picture presents itself. According to the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces, the world is still very violent, and not just during times of war. Men still fight (and die in) wars but according to the Centre's new report "Women in an Insecure World", women and girls are subject to a 'hidden gendercide'. The report refers to everything from infanticide to rape, dowry related deaths, sex trafficking, rape and domestic violence.
The Centre estimates that up to 200 million women are demographically "missing", as a result of abortion and infanticide of girls; lack of food and medical attention; honour-killings and dowry deaths; and domestic violence in general. This is equivalent to 1.5-3 m women and girls perishing a year. In fact, females between the ages of 15 and 44 are more likely to be killed by men than through cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or general warfare.
So, no, the world is not a peaceful place, not even for women in the Western world, though it's obviously far more dangerous to have had to misfortune (from this perspective) of being born in Africa or Asia.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
One for the Environment
Today at 6.30 am Stockholm introduced congestion charges to limit the traffic to and from the centre of the city. I think it's a great idea! It's just a try-out period for six months, after which a referendum will take place, but I hope the charges are here to stay, considering they are needed and the investment made in the system, etc. Unfortunately it seems that most people do not share my enthusiasm for environmental tolls, so unless the trial is very successful, the vote will be negative... I will keep you posted.
The first day was a hit though! Apparently the traffic in and out of the central areas during the morning rush hour (6-10.15 am) was reduced by 16 %. However, there was a large, albeit not equal, increase of traffic (11 %) on Essingeleden, which is the main highway outside the congestion zone. Essingeleden is already heavily trafficated so this could potentially be a problem, but I'm hoping that it will cope, and also that more people will use public transport.
The computer system seems to have coped with the first day too. Those sceptical about the initiative are arguing that "it's so complicated!". What is so complicated?! You either use what they call a transponder, a sort of Easy pass, which bills you automatically, or it registers your license plate and sends you a bill which must be paid in 5 days. Bidding at eBay is more complicated! Most people would say "yes" to the question "do you want to save the environment?", but when it comes down to actually changing one's behaviour, people have so many excuses.
Sure, one could argue that this is just a small step and doesn't save the environment at all, or that it's the wrong method, or that we already pay taxes to use our roads, etc., but the fact is that we need to do something to alleviate both the problem of congestion, and its effects on the environment. I get especially annoyed with the Swedish Conservative Party, Moderaterna, which actually started the process with tolls back in the late 70s and supported them as part of the Dennis deal (transport plan; only part of the deal materialised), but today demonstrated against congestion charges together with the Swedish Automobile Association.
If you want to read more about the congestion charges, with a bit of humour thrown in, visit the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's special site: Smit från trängselskatten (available in Swedish only unfortunately) where you can get tips on how to avoid the charges or send in your best slogan for the charges (and chance at winning a scooter!)
The first day was a hit though! Apparently the traffic in and out of the central areas during the morning rush hour (6-10.15 am) was reduced by 16 %. However, there was a large, albeit not equal, increase of traffic (11 %) on Essingeleden, which is the main highway outside the congestion zone. Essingeleden is already heavily trafficated so this could potentially be a problem, but I'm hoping that it will cope, and also that more people will use public transport.
The computer system seems to have coped with the first day too. Those sceptical about the initiative are arguing that "it's so complicated!". What is so complicated?! You either use what they call a transponder, a sort of Easy pass, which bills you automatically, or it registers your license plate and sends you a bill which must be paid in 5 days. Bidding at eBay is more complicated! Most people would say "yes" to the question "do you want to save the environment?", but when it comes down to actually changing one's behaviour, people have so many excuses.
Sure, one could argue that this is just a small step and doesn't save the environment at all, or that it's the wrong method, or that we already pay taxes to use our roads, etc., but the fact is that we need to do something to alleviate both the problem of congestion, and its effects on the environment. I get especially annoyed with the Swedish Conservative Party, Moderaterna, which actually started the process with tolls back in the late 70s and supported them as part of the Dennis deal (transport plan; only part of the deal materialised), but today demonstrated against congestion charges together with the Swedish Automobile Association.
If you want to read more about the congestion charges, with a bit of humour thrown in, visit the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's special site: Smit från trängselskatten (available in Swedish only unfortunately) where you can get tips on how to avoid the charges or send in your best slogan for the charges (and chance at winning a scooter!)
Monday, January 02, 2006
Backward Progress
From the New York Times on December 30th:
FORBIDDEN VACCINE Ever year, about 500,000 women throughout the world develop cervical cancer. In the United States alone, the disease kills about 3,700 women annually. This year, scientists developed a vaccine against human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease that is the primary cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine produced 100 percent immunity in the 6,000 women who received it as part of a multinational trial. As soon as the vaccine is licensed, some health officials say, it should be administered to all girls at age 12. But the Family Research Council and other social conservative groups vowed to fight that plan, even though it could virtually eliminate cervical cancer. Vaccinating girls against a sexually transmitted disease, they say, would reduce their incentive to abstain from premarital sex.
Arrgh! This is just one of many areas where the US seems to be going backwards.
FORBIDDEN VACCINE Ever year, about 500,000 women throughout the world develop cervical cancer. In the United States alone, the disease kills about 3,700 women annually. This year, scientists developed a vaccine against human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease that is the primary cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine produced 100 percent immunity in the 6,000 women who received it as part of a multinational trial. As soon as the vaccine is licensed, some health officials say, it should be administered to all girls at age 12. But the Family Research Council and other social conservative groups vowed to fight that plan, even though it could virtually eliminate cervical cancer. Vaccinating girls against a sexually transmitted disease, they say, would reduce their incentive to abstain from premarital sex.
Arrgh! This is just one of many areas where the US seems to be going backwards.
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