EU introduces new rules for truck drivers' work and rest
A directive has come into force in EU member states that limits the working time of long-haul truck drivers from 74 to 56 hours per week. In addition, truck drivers are now required to rest at least 9 hours per day - one hour more than before, and after two weeks of trips they are entitled to a mandatory 45-hour rest.
Drivers are also required to take short breaks after being behind the wheel for 4.5 hours. Employers are responsible for mandatory monitoring of drivers' compliance with the work schedule. And the EU countries will monitor employers' compliance with the new rules, which aim to improve drivers' working conditions and reduce the number of accidents.
All these innovations apply exclusively to drivers of vehicles with a capacity of more than 3.5 tons.
President Bush doesn't know what to do with illegal immigrants
George Bush said that the United States does not have the ability to deport all 12 million illegal immigrants currently on American soil. 'The claim that we can find 11 to 12 million immigrants and send them home is practically unfeasible,' President Bush said in a speech to U.S. National Guard troops at the Yuma border center (Arizona) on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The American president's speech was entirely devoted to the issue of U.S. immigration policy and he did not touch on any other domestic or foreign policy topics. 'We are working closely with Republicans and Democrats to find a practical answer that lies between automatically granting citizenship to every illegal immigrant and deporting every illegal immigrant,' the U.S. president said.
A compromise solution, according to Bush, should be to allow illegal immigrants in the U.S. to apply for American citizenship provided that they pay a monetary fine for illegal presence in the country, pay taxes, demonstrate sufficient English proficiency, and confirm that they have a job where they have worked for several years. At the same time, the White House chief noted that his proposed plan 'is not an amnesty' for illegal immigrants and that granting them American citizenship 'should not be automatic'.
Bush said his administration is taking measures to strengthen security on the U.S.-Mexico border, where reinforced barriers equipped with the latest electronic surveillance equipment, as well as video cameras, night vision devices, and unmanned aerial vehicles, are being erected. The U.S. president stated that by the end of 2008, the number of troops guarding the U.S.-Mexico border will be increased from the current 9,000 to 18,000.
Immigration to the Netherlands becomes popular again
After a prolonged decline, the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Netherlands has again recorded an increase in immigration to the country. In 2000 and 2001, 130,000 immigrants arrived in the Netherlands. In 2002, the number dropped sharply; in 2005, 92,000 people immigrated to the Netherlands. In 2006, there was a change towards growth: about 100,000 people arrived in the Netherlands.
However, the increase in immigration is not observed in all immigrant groups. For example, from European countries that are not EU members, far fewer immigrants arrived than before. The influx from Africa and Suriname also decreased. The number of Turks and Moroccans coming to the Netherlands remained the same. But the number of people emigrating from the Netherlands continues to exceed the number entering the country: last year about 132,000 Dutch left the Netherlands. Emigration to neighboring countries – Belgium and Germany – has particularly increased, driven by lower real estate prices in those countries.
Over 400 foreigners stripped of Bosnian citizenship
By a decision of a special government commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than 400 foreigners permanently residing in the country have been stripped of Bosnian citizenship over the past few months.
This was stated to journalists in Sarajevo by the commission's chairman, Vekoslav Vuković. He emphasized that the main group are people from Asia and Africa who obtained Bosnian passports illegally during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992-1995. All of them fought against Serbs and Croats on the side of the Bosnian Muslim army.
According to Vuković, the commission he heads is currently reviewing about 1,200 more cases of foreigners, for which a thorough investigation is being conducted to determine the legality of their obtaining BiH citizenship. Representatives of counter-terrorism and organized crime services are involved, as there is irrefutable evidence of 'illegal' Bosnians participating in criminal groups.
At the same time, the media draw attention to the fact that the BiH authorities have not yet taken a single decision to deport those stripped of Bosnian citizenship and have not initiated any criminal cases against those who issued them passports without legal grounds.
In Spain, a group that exploited Russian women uncovered
An international criminal group that exploited women from Russia as sex slaves has been uncovered in Spain. This was stated by a representative of the Spanish police.
"Officers of the Catalan autonomous police have uncovered an international criminal network operating on the Costa Brava (northeastern coast of Spain) that was involved in bringing women from Russia and exploiting them in nightclubs and on the street," a police spokesman said. According to him, seven members of the organization have been arrested, including its leader, a citizen of Albania, as well as Russians. "Among the other arrestees, who are accused of exploiting women, facilitating illegal immigration and organizing a criminal group, there is another Albanian citizen, a native of Kosovo, and an Armenian," the police spokesman said, refusing to name the arrestees, citing the interests of the investigation.
According to the police officer, 40 women have been freed from sexual slavery. They were recruited mainly in St. Petersburg, where the group had two representatives who provided the women with documents and tickets for the trip to Spain. "In Spain, the gang forced the women into prostitution, taking half of their earnings. The women were constantly threatened and beaten by the criminals: they were even forbidden to go outside without the permission of the gang leader," the agency's interlocutor said.
London luxury housing prices hit record
In March, prices for luxury housing in London rose to a record level, Bloomberg reported, citing Knight Frank LLC. According to realtors, the main reason for the price increase is fierce competition between City of London financiers and buyers from Russia and the Middle East.
Russians account for 21% of all buyers of London homes worth more than £8 million. Another 13% come from the Middle East. The British themselves buy only 37% of such homes.
The average price of luxury houses and apartments in London rose by 3.1% in a month. Over the year, the price of such housing increased by 32%, which is the highest figure in 28 years. A luxury house in London costs on average nearly £5 million ($10 million), and apartments £2.5 million ($5 million). Meanwhile, an ordinary British house can be bought for just £100,000 (about $200,000).
Earlier, a similar study was conducted by the largest British mortgage company HBOS Plc. It showed that house prices rose by 11.1% in the first three months of the year alone.
The most expensive London project is a complex being built in Hyde Park. A square meter there will sell for about $9,000. For comparison, a square meter of the most expensive New York apartments costs only $7,000.