Euro area unemployment rate increases to 12.2%

The Euro Area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 12.2% in April 2013, up from 12.1% in March. The European Union (EU27) unemployment rate was 11.0%, unchanged compared with the previous month. In both zones, rates have risen markedly compared with April 2012, when they were 11.2% and 10.3% respectively.

With Spain recording an annual increase from 24.4% to 26.8% the country remains as having the second highest level of unemployment in the EU27. Greece remains in first position with an increase from 21,9% to 27.0% and Portugal comes in third recording an annual increase from 15.4% to 17.8%.

In April 2013, 5.627 million young persons (under 25) were unemployed in the EU27, of whom 3.624 million were in the euro area. Compared with April 2012, youth unemployment rose by 100 000 in theEU27 and by 188 000 in the euro area. In percentage terms, the youth unemployment rate was 23.5% in the EU27 and 24.4% in the euro area, compared with 22.6% in both zones in April 2012. The highest youth unemployment was in Greece (62.5% in February 2013), Spain (56.4%), Portugal (42.5%) and Italy (40.5%).

These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Muslims must reject jihad - Pat Condell

Hop-along-there.

It made me jump, my heart skip a beat, when I spotted this on the plant when I was pruning it. Having been disturbed it left our garden in leaps and bounds, vaulting over the wall.

The waste pipe system fights back!

It looks deceptively harmless.

A few days ago the time had come when I had to replace the leaking waste pipes, and the worn out mixer tap of the kitchen sink. I couldn't think of any more reasons to delay the inevitable replacement of the parts; the time had come to do battle and like King Canute try to stop the flow of unwanted water.

After several hours of talking to, questioning and answering myself - to explain and clarify that I knew what tactics and actions were needed – catching my knuckles with slipping adjustable spanners, stabbing my hand with a wayward screwdriver and twice getting stuck in the under-sink cupboard my tasks were completed. I had removed the stainless-steel sink, fitted the new tap, fitted the new waste system, replaced the sink, made the correct connections to the hot and cold water supply for the mixer tap, connected the soiled water pipes and tested for leaks. There did not appear to be any.

I sat on the kitchen floor looking into the under-sink cupboard admiring my completed work. I raised and lowered my clenched fist several times in a victory gesture exclaiming: “Well done my son: I knew you could do it if you tried.”

The next day my wife Natalie said to me: “There seems to be a leak under the sink again.”

Little did I suspect that a simple combination of plastic pipes and rubber seals would fight back!

During the last couple of days there have been several small dawn and dusk skirmishes between protagonists with adjustments of alignment of pipes, tightening and re-tightening of rubber seal couplings being made. Each episode being followed after a short while with a repeat of Natalie's words: “There still seems to be a leak under the sink again.”

In my defence, I point out each time that when the builders put in the main soiled waste water outlet pipe, and the plumbers positioned the sink with its waste, the two parts of the system were out of alignment by approximately 3 to 4 millimetres. This means there is built in tension between them when they're together.

There will be between Natalie and I if I don't sort the leak out.

Today I upped the ante. I revised the battle strategy. I dismembered the system, separating the white plastic pipes, rubber seals and couplings from each other for a short while and then reunited them under my terms and conditions. I had to put them in their place and show that I'm better than King Canute.

If the waste pipes fight back again I will have to bring in my ultimate, unstoppable weapon and ally – white silicone sealant.


© Elliot Sampford 2013

Jack Sparrow's Courtship

Jack (The Lad) Sparrow had been trying to impress some of the young ladies in his local area as he felt the time was right to find his own princess, and wife.

As the sun rose in the sky that morning he decided it was time to get himself spruced up as it was the day to perform his perfected chat-up song and dance routine.

Kate sat for a short while watching Jack getting ready for the day, before flying away as the need for breakfast was more important. Once Jack was satisfied his appearance would be irresistible he chose the best position to be poseur.

Kate returned later, her hunger vanquished, to let Jack try and impress her with his showman's act. He didn't appear to be getting on to well as she showed the first signs of her dis-satisfaction when she grabbed hold of his tail feathers and tugged them, making Jack fall off stage right. He quickly recomposed himself on stage left and continued with his routine. Kate was still not impressed. She flew away leaving Jack alone and perplexed by his failure to pull the bird that day.

Expats head home from Spain as they are forced to declare overseas assets.

Having read the article "Expats head home from Spain as they are forced to declare overseas assets.", on the 'This is Money.co.uk website, I posted a comment to it. I never imagined that my little contribution would become the 'best rated' (as at the time of writing) observation on this article.