Japan to Take Fingerprints of Foreigners upon Entry
Starting from November 20, 2007, all foreigners entering Japan will have their fingerprints taken, according to a statement from the Japanese embassy. The new procedure is introduced in accordance with the Law on Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition, which is to come into effect on November 23, 2007. One of the goals of its adoption is to strengthen counter-terrorism measures.
In addition to fingerprinting, during border control a special camera will take a photograph of the entering foreigner's face, after which an immigration officer may ask a few questions.
Children under 16, persons permanently residing in Japan and engaging in activities under the status of "diplomatic" or "official", as well as persons invited by heads of state administrative bodies, are exempt from fingerprinting and mandatory photographing upon entry. //RATA-News
Czech Republic to Tighten Rules on Foreigners' Stay
A new article of the law "On the Stay of Foreigners in the Territory of the Czech Republic", recently discussed by parliament deputies, provides for the tightening of certain rules.
For example, a proposal to introduce a Czech language exam for foreigners when applying for permanent residence is being considered. Measures applied to foreigners who do not leave the Czech Republic on time could become significantly stricter.
Former Foreign Minister and Social Democrat deputy František Bubela called some changes in the law inhumane. The bill is also criticized by public organizations, which believe it could affect attitudes toward refugees and complicate life for people in mixed marriages. At the parliament session, deputies from the Green Party will also try to partially soften the new rules. //Radio Prague
Air Transport Forecast
The volume of passenger air traffic worldwide in the next five years will grow by nearly a third – to 2.75 billion people in 2011 (from 2.13 billion in 2006). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) distributed this forecast. Freight transportation over the same period will increase from 28.5 million to 36 million tons, IATA forecasts.
International passenger traffic will increase from 760 million to 980 million people, an average of 5.1% per year. This is lower than in 2002-2006, when annual growth was 7.4%, IATA notes, explaining the slowdown by lower global economic growth. Domestic traffic, thanks to high demand in the Chinese and Indian markets, will grow faster in 2007-2011 – an average of 5.3% per year (from 1.37 billion to 1.77 billion passengers).
IATA predicts high growth rates for the Eastern European market: in some countries, such as Latvia, passenger air traffic will grow by more than 10%. //Interfax
Investors Attracted to London Real Estate
London real estate is becoming the most attractive for investment in Europe for the second year in a row, Reuters reports. LaSalle Investment Management published the European Regional Economic Growth Index (E-REGI), which evaluates European cities according to their level of economic development.
Munich took second place among economically attractive European cities, and Paris third. The top ten also included Dublin, Stockholm, Luxembourg, Helsinki, Stuttgart, Oslo, and Madrid. A total of 91 European cities were evaluated in the report.
As became known in early October, retail space in London surpassed New York shops in rental rates. On New York's Fifth Avenue, a square meter costs $15,000 per year, while the same indicator on London's Bond Street is $15,555. In addition, in May 2007, elite residential property in London was recognized as the most expensive in the world. In the city center, the cost per square meter of luxury housing reaches $49,000, while in New York it is $34,000. //Lenta.ru
First Baby Boomer Retiree Appears in US
School teacher Kathleen Casey-Kirschling from New Jersey became the first American from the largest generation of post-war "baby boomers" to apply for a state pension. According to The Times, the mass retirement of Americans born after World War II will trigger a sharp increase in pension spending.
Kathleen Casey-Kirschling was born on January 1, 1946, becoming the first newborn among the 76 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964. They now make up a third of the total US population. Casey-Kirschling became a symbol of her generation when Money magazine in 1985 recognized her as the first baby boomer.
Like all Americans, Casey-Kirschling was able to apply for a pension three months before her 62nd birthday. However, she will receive only 75% of the amount she could have received from the state if she had waited another four years. In 1994, the average age of baby boomers was 45-50 years, which is 66% higher than their parents' generation.
For the last 20 years, about 10,000 Americans have applied for pensions daily in the US. According to experts' forecasts, if the situation is not corrected, by 2041 the US social system will simply collapse.
It is expected that by 2045 the number of Americans over 65 in the country will double - from 37 to 80 million people, while the growth of the working-age population will be only 20%. At the same time, in the 1940s, for every American pensioner there were 42 people making contributions to the pension system. Now there are only three working-age Americans per pensioner, and by 2030 only two will remain. Earlier, the US Chief Financial Inspector David Walker said that the American government faces a crisis, citing the retirement of 'baby boomers' as one of its causes. //Lenta.ru
Drinking alcohol banned in center of Slovak capital
The authorities of the Slovak capital decided to ban the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the historic city center. The new law will come into force in November. Violators will be fined by police.
The fine for drinking beverages will be one thousand Slovak crowns (about €30, $42). Currently, in Bratislava, it is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages near schools, churches and the presidential palace.
Bratislava traditionally attracts European tourists with a combination of cheap beer and inexpensive air tickets. Pre-wedding parties in the Slovak capital are especially popular.
Many European Union countries have already introduced a complete ban on drinking alcohol outside specially designated premises. Slovakia joined the European Union in May 2004. //Lenta.ru
Ireland named the friendliest state
The popular guidebook Lonely Planet named Ireland the friendliest place in the world: locals are hospitable, good-natured and have a great sense of humor, reports The Independent.
According to a survey, most tourists are extraordinarily satisfied with trips to Ireland and communication with the Irish themselves - largely thanks to the excellent beer with which they generously treat foreign travelers. //Travel.ru