UK: Asylum Seekers Given Free Driving Lessons
Refugees and asylum seekers in the UK will be given free driving lessons in an effort to prevent illegal driving. A tax-funded GBP 50,000 grant will fund the service, and the Coventry Refugee Centre also plans to give them tips on car maintenance.
Some local residents have been angered by the scheme, because many drivers must pay a considerable sum for their own driving lessons. This controversy further intensifies a debate in the UK over the treatment of asylum seekers, and comes at a time when Home Secretary David Blunkett hopes to shed Britain’s image as a “soft touch” for illegal immigrants.
South Korea Plans International Free City in Cheju
In a meeting last November chaired by then Prime Minister Lee Han-dong, the government of South Korea endorsed plans to turn the Cheju island into a hub city for East Asia, allowing the free flow of human resources, capital and commodities. The plan includes the extension of visa-free passage for foreign arrivals, especially those from Southeast Asia. To expedite the development, the government plans to invest $2.9 trillion won in the construction of infrastructure such as airports, roads, industrial complexes, commercial and residential areas, and parks.
Albanian Deportee Strangles German Flight Attendant
An Albanian man being deported from Germany to Kosovo allegedly tried to strangle a flight attendant using his shoelaces last week. The incident took place aboard a 60-passenger flight from Duesseldorf to Pristina.
“One of the deportees on the plane asked to go to the toilet, where he took the laces out of his running shoes. He then came up from behind our stewardess . . . and tried to strangle her.” a spokesman for the airlines said.
A Montenegrin police officer subdued the attacker and the plane landed safely in Pristina. He was then placed under arrest.
Australia: Immigration Laws Face Court Challenge
Australia’s highest court held a hearing Tuesday for a case that could overturn tough new immigration laws introduced to stop asylum seekers arriving illegally on boats.
The challenge is brought by supporters of some 1,500 refugees being held in detention while their asylum applications are being considered. The amendments at issue limit the abililty of asylum seekers to appeal to Australian courts if their applications are turned down by immigration officials. Supporters argue that depriving asylum seekers access to courts of appeal was unconstitutional.
This case is the first challenge of new migration laws to be seen by the nation’s highest court.
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