41.   Germany and the Netherlands account for the biggest chunk of overall asylum applications in the EU from all nationalities.

42.   German immigration authorities rejected the asylum applications of most deserters last year.

43.   From there, the refugees will be flown to New Zealand and the tiny Pacific republic of Nauru where their asylum applications will be processed.

44.   He said his plan would make asylum applications more efficient by increasing the number of appeals heard each month, tightening time limits and dismissing meritless appeals.

45.   Hong Kong now rejects most asylum applications and repatriates all Vietnamese who arrive without proper papers.

46.   Hundreds more have since been intercepted by Australian navy ships and sent to the island, where international immigration officials assess their asylum applications.

47.   Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock on Tuesday denied trying to pressure Australian judges to stay out of appeals cases involving rejected asylum applications.

48.   In line with government practice, Interior Ministry officials declined to give any details about asylum applications.

49.   Iraqi refugees had been staying at the hotel while waiting for American authorities to process asylum applications, according to relatives.

50.   Iraqi refugees have been staying at the hotel while waiting for American authorities to process asylum applications, according to relatives.