News Bytes

Fingerprints and digital photo obligatory Same as citizens of all other countries, Germans now have to be fingerprinted at US airports upon admission as well as of October. This is done electronically without stamping ink. In addition, a digital photo will be taken of each traveler. This does not apply to travelers holding biometric passports. However, passports like these only exist in Canada and Mexico so far. In other countries, such as Germany, the introduction was not possible so far due to technical difficulties. They will probably be issued starting October 2005. Due to this new identification process, that doesn't take more than 15 seconds, several double applications for a US visa with false names have already been revealed.

17-year old student has been denied student exchange for the US A 17-year old student who wanted to participate in an exchange program together with 20 other students was recently denied admission into the US. The student, originally from Ethiopia, is currently attending the business school "Madame de Stael" in Switzerland. Initially, the US authorities didn't see any reason not to admit the student, that's why he obtained a visa on August 23 without any difficulty. However, because one of the officials made a mistake and didn't record the student's real birthday, he was suddenly denied entry into the US. The only statement the US authorities have made so far was that it might take between two months and three years to solve this case.

US and Berlin move closer together again Several airlines announced direct flights from Berlin Tegel to New York Newark starting in the summer of 2005. Outside of the peak season, tickets will be available for less than €400. The most attractive fact for frequent fliers is that Continental flies to 170 further destinations in North and South America from Newark, making it the perfect hub.

However, also the hopes for Berlin Tegel are very high, US operators called it one of the most promising markets in Europe. Also Berlin's mayor seemed very optimistic on a recent press conference. He said "we are looking forward to many visitors from the US!"

Anti-terror exercises in small town A university in New Mexico recently acquired the US small town Playas near the Mexican border - complete with bowling alley, bank, hospital and 58 inhabitants. The reason behind this - the town is to be used as a site for ant-terror exercises - simulated attacks, urban warfare, gas alarm, and trench warfare.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the project was financed by the US government, or by the US Department for Homeland Security to be precise. The university itself acts as a kind of intermediary tenant.

The 58 inhabitants of the small town Playas do not feel disturbed by the maneuvers. On the contrary - some of them can't wait to have to war against terror fought right in front of their doors. Because the place actually resembles a ghost town. In the past, more than 1,000 people lived here. However, when the copper mill was closed down in 1999 the workers moved away and the remains of Playas are disappearing into the desert of the far Southwest of the US.

New Dollar note available for download The US Bureau of Engraving and Printing wants to make the newly designed 50 Dollar note available for download on its website. Of course, this is not a license top counterfeit money, the note will only be available in low quality. With this step, they want to make the Dollar note available to advertising experts, artists, educators and students.

Due to a new printing and engraving technique, the note cannot be scanned. That way, counterfeiting is supposed to be more difficult in the future. This also means that high-quality files will only be available upon request.

Surfer rides whale instead of wave A 60-year old American surfer rode a whale instead of a wave by accident. The whale emerged to draw breath at the exact moment the surfer was over him. People on the beach watched the spectacle and reported that, after the collision, the whale gently lowered the surfer back to the water surface and returned back to the open sea (a little surprised, no doubt). The 60-year old surfer just injured his hand a little, while both his surf board and the whale remained undamaged.

US election campaign leads to weird alliances A short time before the November 2 elections, the race between the two candidates is still undecided. The mobilization of voters has taken on rather weird forms. At present, for example, Kerry-haters have initiated a campaign FOR Kerry. On the website http://kerryhatersforkerry.com the organization explains that while Kerry is extremely disagreeable, George W. Bush is definitely not an alternative and leaving him in office is absolutely unacceptable.

Another website that has been frequently mentioned in the media is www.jibjab.com, that is presenting a number of short animated films making fun of both candidates.

Psycho-actress Janet Leigh dies at the age of 77 Together with Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh made Hollywood history in 1960 when she was murdered in the shower in Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Psycho." As her spokeswoman told the press, Janet Leigh died in her house in California. She had died peacefully at the age of 77. Her daughters Kelly Curtis and Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband were with her. She also starred in the movies "Touch of Evil" and "The Manchurian Candidate."

Hollywood legend John Wayne put on a stamp One of the biggest warhorses of the American western movies from the 50s and 60s has now been depicted on a stamp. This makes John Wayne number 10 on the list of "Hollywood legends," a series of stamps by the US postal service. In his movies, John Wayne usually portrayed the just and courageous hero. He died at the age of 72 in 1979. He won the Academy Award for best actor for his film "True Grit" in 1968.

Roller coaster "Kingda Ka" - 206 kilometers per hour in 3.5 seconds The fastest and highest roller coaster in the world - Kingda Ka - is being built in the American theme park "Six Flags" in the state of New Jersey. The roller coaster will probably be opened at the beginning of next year. A park spokesman announced that the roller coaster would reach 206 kilometers per hour in 3.5 seconds, the highest point is at 139 meters followed by a 270 degree spiral. The entire ride takes about 50 seconds.

James Bond is now a US citizen Pierce Brosnan became and American citizen. As one of the reasons he stated that he could now vote for Kerry in the next presidential elections. On September 23, the 51-year old actor who is originally from Ireland took the oath in Los Angeles - just a few weeks before the elections. "I want to have a voice. I want to be able to vote for John Kerry," he said. After taking the oath, he returned to his house in Malibu where his wife Keely and his two children greeted him with a cake decorated with an American flag. Brosnan, who now had dual citizenship, added: "I found a whole new life and identity in America, but my heart and soul will be forever Irish."