Ad astra per aspera
The number of teenagers out of school and out of work has risen dramatically, fuelled by unemployment rates not seen since the early 1990s.The proportion of 16- to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training increased from 9.7% at the end of 2007 to 10.3% at the end of 2008. "This is due to reduced employment amongst young people not in education or training," government statisticians said.Young men are the worst affected with twice the rate of 16-year-old boys not in work or school than girls. In total there are more than 208,000 teenagers not in training or employment - more than one in ten of the total.It comes despite record numbers of teenagers staying on at school or college to escape the recession, indicating that it is employment prospects for teenagers that have hit record lows.
The number of teenagers out of school and out of work has risen dramatically, fuelled by unemployment rates not seen since the early 1990s.
The proportion of 16- to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training increased from 9.7% at the end of 2007 to 10.3% at the end of 2008. "This is due to reduced employment amongst young people not in education or training," government statisticians said.
Young men are the worst affected with twice the rate of 16-year-old boys not in work or school than girls. In total there are more than 208,000 teenagers not in training or employment - more than one in ten of the total.
It comes despite record numbers of teenagers staying on at school or college to escape the recession, indicating that it is employment prospects for teenagers that have hit record lows.
Of course I blame government for causing schools, particularly in the 5 - 11 year age group, to have effectively abandoned that 10% - 20% who aren't going to meet the targets and spoil that statistics. But society still has to cope with them. Somehow. keep to the Fen Causeway
Meh, having lived within stumbling distance of the most dangerous neighborhood in the Murder Capital of the United Kingdom -- where the murder rate is still 1 per 100k lower than that of New York (which is, if I remember correctly, lowest among the big American cities) -- I have to say that my impression is of the Brits being afraid of the bogeyman.
Not to say the the kids aren't occasionally a problem, but mostly the annual Missing White Women Invasion of the Yobs season seems be more of a matter of old people being afraid of young people. It's quite common in college towns here.
The fear of kids over there puzzled me. Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin
There are gaps in the social security systems and if you fall threw them, can not find a job and do not have (or is to proud to use) family and friends you can leech of, you are just about out of legal options. Of course, you can argue that there are better criminal options then the violent ones, but that would depend on your particular set of skills. A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
The only exception is if you're a drug addict. Then you do need to commit crimes to finance your habit.
The problem here is dual, one that Sweden has a War on Drugs mentality that would make the US proud, and two, because all the massive centralised insitutions (mental hospitals, narcotics clinics etc) were closed in the 80's because they were considered "inhumane". Which well, was partly true. But the principle was sound, the practice was just a little harsh at times, and they could have been reformed. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
Unfortunately, the ones who don't give a damn at 14 didn't give a damn at seven, either. I reckon, even if I can't prove, that we can almost always tell when a child is supported at home. You do get children who are keen to learn despite parents who don't much care, but not many of them. And wits' end just about covers it some days. I'm far enough down the food chain that Sats results don't worry me much as a statistic. But in terms of individual achievement, they're terrifying. I was told in my initial training that 85% of children who get level 4 (the government target) at age 11 will get "five good GCSEs". 85% of children who don't, won't. That's one hell of a motivation to get the best out of every child you can.
Russia last night vetoed a plan to extend the UN's mission in Georgia, causing an angry response from the west and setting Moscow on a collision course with Washington ahead of a visit to Russia by Barack Obama. Russia rejected an attempt to extend the mandate of UN observers in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia. The UN has maintained a small but effective presence there since separatist rebels established a de facto state following the 1992-93 war. The US said it "deeply regrets" Moscow's veto. The move strengthens Russia's grip over Abkhazia following its invasion of Georgia last August. Moscow now says that Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia's other breakaway region, are independent states. The rest of the world - with the exception of Nicaragua - insists the two territories remain part of Georgia. Russia's attempts to persuade other former Soviet states to follow its lead in recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia have so far failed, even with close allies, such as Belarus. "There is no point in extending [the UN's mission in Abkhazia] because it is based on old realities," Vitaly Churkin, Russia's UN ambassador, told the UN security council. The US and European governments had proposed extending the UN's mission until agreement could be found.
Russia rejected an attempt to extend the mandate of UN observers in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia. The UN has maintained a small but effective presence there since separatist rebels established a de facto state following the 1992-93 war.
The US said it "deeply regrets" Moscow's veto. The move strengthens Russia's grip over Abkhazia following its invasion of Georgia last August. Moscow now says that Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia's other breakaway region, are independent states.
The rest of the world - with the exception of Nicaragua - insists the two territories remain part of Georgia. Russia's attempts to persuade other former Soviet states to follow its lead in recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia have so far failed, even with close allies, such as Belarus.
"There is no point in extending [the UN's mission in Abkhazia] because it is based on old realities," Vitaly Churkin, Russia's UN ambassador, told the UN security council. The US and European governments had proposed extending the UN's mission until agreement could be found.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Any attempt by EU leaders this week to formally nominate Jose Manuel Barroso for a second term as European Commission will come a cropper in the European Parliament on procedural grounds, a senior MEP warned on Tuesday (16 June). Daniel Cohn-Bendit, head of the Greens faction, said he believed there was a "sufficient majority" in the EU assembly to block Mr Barroso when the issue goes to vote in mid-July. "If we are to vote in July, then the debate will be on procedure," he said, adding that an alliance of "Liberal Democrats, Greens, Socialists and the far left" would be enough. Parliament is up in arms because a decision this week by EU leaders to formally back Mr Barroso would fall under the current Nice Treaty rules, whereas it voted in May by overwhelming majority to appoint the commission president under the yet-to-be-ratified Lisbon Treaty.
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, head of the Greens faction, said he believed there was a "sufficient majority" in the EU assembly to block Mr Barroso when the issue goes to vote in mid-July.
"If we are to vote in July, then the debate will be on procedure," he said, adding that an alliance of "Liberal Democrats, Greens, Socialists and the far left" would be enough.
Parliament is up in arms because a decision this week by EU leaders to formally back Mr Barroso would fall under the current Nice Treaty rules, whereas it voted in May by overwhelming majority to appoint the commission president under the yet-to-be-ratified Lisbon Treaty.
Incoming EU presidency Sweden says it wants full formal backing for Mr Barroso so it has a real partner to work with on major issues such as climate change when it takes over on 1 July. But Germany and France are reluctant to do this so they continue to have leverage over Mr Barroso when it comes to choosing portfolios for their future commissioners as well as over any plans he has for the commission's five year programme. The issue will be played out at the two-day council in Brussels, beginning Thursday. In the face of strong opposition from the parliament, EU leaders are set to give Mr Barroso only political backing at the summit. They are then due to consult political leaders in the parliament next week. The question is whether there will still be an attempt to give Mr Barroso legal certainty in July after the concerns of different factions in the parliament have been taken into account.
Incoming EU presidency Sweden says it wants full formal backing for Mr Barroso so it has a real partner to work with on major issues such as climate change when it takes over on 1 July.
But Germany and France are reluctant to do this so they continue to have leverage over Mr Barroso when it comes to choosing portfolios for their future commissioners as well as over any plans he has for the commission's five year programme.
The issue will be played out at the two-day council in Brussels, beginning Thursday. In the face of strong opposition from the parliament, EU leaders are set to give Mr Barroso only political backing at the summit. They are then due to consult political leaders in the parliament next week.
The question is whether there will still be an attempt to give Mr Barroso legal certainty in July after the concerns of different factions in the parliament have been taken into account.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman ended his first EU visit on Monday (15 June) evening without securing a previously planned "upgrade" in EU-Israel relations. EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg earlier in the day had said that an offer by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to create a demilitarised Palestinian state was welcome but insufficient to warrant any significant advance in bilateral relations. Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip at the beginning of the year saw the EU put the planned upgrade on ice (Photo: Amir Farshad Ebrahimi) Print Comment article The phrase repeatedly used by EU officials - echoing similar language from Washington - was that Mr Netanyahu's offer, made during a speech on Sunday night, was a "good step," but only a step.
EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg earlier in the day had said that an offer by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to create a demilitarised Palestinian state was welcome but insufficient to warrant any significant advance in bilateral relations.
Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip at the beginning of the year saw the EU put the planned upgrade on ice (Photo: Amir Farshad Ebrahimi) Print Comment article The phrase repeatedly used by EU officials - echoing similar language from Washington - was that Mr Netanyahu's offer, made during a speech on Sunday night, was a "good step," but only a step.
Israel's behaviour renders all US attempts to change the relationships in the Middle East futile. Yet the US needs these relationships changed for overpowering domestic reasons, reasons that should absolutely command all aspects of foreign policy: ALL aspects. Yet the US cannot bring itself to rein in this turbulent ally. keep to the Fen Causeway
Further, I think that we would find that congress people who are of Jewish persuasion, even those who are on the far left of the American dial, have failed to stand up on this issue [turns out that there is already an acronym for it - PEP Rep; Progressive Except on Palestine]...and who knows where they stand on it, or if they could survive if they did stand up for a sane Israeli policy.
It is the perfect issue for pretend liberals though (like Dianne Feinstein and Adam Schiff), who can use it as a "we democrats are tough on defense" issue and a jobs issue - "We must help them defend against Hamas' rockets; send them more F-18s."
From 30 minutes of internet research for this post this morning, I submit that there is no hope for someone in the American Congress standing up on this issue. And without a terrific debate on the issue, I don't know if your statement Helen of "but the democrats are surely well enough informed to recognise the contradictions involved" is true. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro could be allowed visa-free travel to the European Union as early as the end of this year, EU foreign ministers said on Monday (15 June). "The [EU foreign] ministers encouraged the European Commission to start dismantling the visa requirement for all countries that have met all benchmarks with a view of achieving a visa-free regime with them ideally by the end of this year," Czech foreign minister Jan Kohout, whose country presides over the EU until the end of this month, said at a press conference after the ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. EU candidate Macedonia is said to be the most advanced and to have met all necessary conditions - including "document security, public order and security, external relations and fundamental rights" - for its citizens to be allowed to travel visa-free into the European Union.
"The [EU foreign] ministers encouraged the European Commission to start dismantling the visa requirement for all countries that have met all benchmarks with a view of achieving a visa-free regime with them ideally by the end of this year," Czech foreign minister Jan Kohout, whose country presides over the EU until the end of this month, said at a press conference after the ministers' meeting in Luxembourg.
EU candidate Macedonia is said to be the most advanced and to have met all necessary conditions - including "document security, public order and security, external relations and fundamental rights" - for its citizens to be allowed to travel visa-free into the European Union.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU foreign ministers discussed the legal guarantees being sought by the Irish government on the Lisbon Treaty on Monday (15 June) but disagreement remains over how they will be presented. The Irish government is keen that the legal guarantees in the areas of taxation, neutrality and social affairs be attached as protocols to the next available treaty - possible Croatia's accession treaty - and then ratified by all member states, enshrining the guarantees into European law. However some member states - such as the UK - fear this could reopen the domestic debate on the Lisbon Treaty. They are instead pushing for a legal declaration from EU leaders at a European Council later this week (18-19 June). Czech European Affairs Minister Stefan Fule confirmed on Monday that a number of details related to the guarantees - including their "legal form" - needed further discussion.
The Irish government is keen that the legal guarantees in the areas of taxation, neutrality and social affairs be attached as protocols to the next available treaty - possible Croatia's accession treaty - and then ratified by all member states, enshrining the guarantees into European law.
However some member states - such as the UK - fear this could reopen the domestic debate on the Lisbon Treaty. They are instead pushing for a legal declaration from EU leaders at a European Council later this week (18-19 June).
Czech European Affairs Minister Stefan Fule confirmed on Monday that a number of details related to the guarantees - including their "legal form" - needed further discussion.
Gazprom warns on delays to key field Russia's Gazprom, the world's largest gas producer, warned on Tuesday it could delay the development of a flagship project crucial for future European supplies by one year in order to help cut spending by 15 per cent.
Russia's Gazprom, the world's largest gas producer, warned on Tuesday it could delay the development of a flagship project crucial for future European supplies by one year in order to help cut spending by 15 per cent.
Oooooh, the evil Russians are going to cut off our gas supplies!! Except that, not really...
The Russian state-controlled monopoly, which supplies 25 percent of Europe's gas needs, has been hit hard by sharply falling demand in Europe, Ukraine and at home, while the heavily-indebted energy giant's finances are being squeezed by falling prices for gas, which follow the oil price with a lag of about six months. Gazprom's output fell 34 per cent year on year to its lowest level in more than a decade in May due to the drop in worldwide demand. (...) Mr Nesterov said a decision to delay Bovanenkovo would show Gazprom was being sensible in cutting spending as it faces a sharp drop in cash flow. "This will help stabilize the financial situation of the company," he said.
Gazprom's output fell 34 per cent year on year to its lowest level in more than a decade in May due to the drop in worldwide demand.
(...)
Mr Nesterov said a decision to delay Bovanenkovo would show Gazprom was being sensible in cutting spending as it faces a sharp drop in cash flow. "This will help stabilize the financial situation of the company," he said.
So Gazprom is just sensibly reacting to lower demand by adjusting its investment plans - but somehow that's turned into a "delay to a field crucial for Europe," and the narrative of the evil Russians using the energy weapon is further insinuated in unsuspecting readers' minds.
Grrrr. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
More than 100 Romanians have fled their homes in Belfast in the wake of racist attacks and are now being cared for in a church hall. About 20 families were helped by police to evacuate their homes in the Lisburn Road area of south Belfast and seek safety.Police and community leaders have condemned racism in the area, which culminated on Monday night in an attack by youths on an anti-racism rally in the area during which youths hurled bottles and make Nazi salutes.
More than 100 Romanians have fled their homes in Belfast in the wake of racist attacks and are now being cared for in a church hall.
About 20 families were helped by police to evacuate their homes in the Lisburn Road area of south Belfast and seek safety.
Police and community leaders have condemned racism in the area, which culminated on Monday night in an attack by youths on an anti-racism rally in the area during which youths hurled bottles and make Nazi salutes.
