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The number of Russian asylum seekers in Finland increased several times over around the turn of the millennium. This can be partly explained by the Russian-Chechen war that started in 1999.
In a bid to replace up to 17 separate cards currently required for Medicare benefits, family tax, child-care and unemployment payments, pensions, Austudy and pharmaceutical and transport concessions, Australia is rolling out a biometric identity card plan. Persons may begin applying for the card in 2008, and they project is expected to be implemented by 2010.
The country is predicted to reach the landmark figure within two years.
An influx of Eastern European workers is expected to boost the figures, which had been starting to show signs of a slowdown in the continuous population increase.
New Zealand is lifting the caps on the number of immediate relatives that may be sponsored for residency, as well as some other changes that should simplify the process.
More than 800 immigration officers at South African airports are to go on strike between August 28 and September 1.
"The strike will adversely affect all points of entry and international airports," said Manie de Clercq, deputy general manager of the Public Servants Association (PSA).
The National Automobile Dealers Association estimates there are more than 100,000 jobs available at 20,000 dealerships across the United States, chairman William Bradshaw said. While many of the positions require fluency in English and culture, opportunities for high paying jobs also exist for immigrants that don't necessarily have full native fuency.