German jobless rate up to 6.6 percent in December

Germany's jobless rate edged higher in December, but the overall picture in Europe's biggest economy remained positive as the average number of people unemployed last year was the lowest for two decades, official figures showed Tuesday.

The unadjusted jobless rate was up to 6.6 percent last month from 6.4 percent in November, the Federal Labor Agency said. The number of people registered as unemployed rose 67,000 to 2.78 million. Compared with December 2010, that was a decrease of 231,000.

It is common for unemployment figures to rise at this time of year as winter weather weighs on industries such as construction, though the agency said the increase was smaller than usual.

Germany's job market is in very good shape overall after two years of strong economic growth. Its strength contrasts with high unemployment in economically weaker countries that have been hit hard by the eurozone debt crisis - in the worst case, Spain, the jobless rate is above 20 percent.

The labor agency said the number of people out of work averaged 2.976 million over the course of last year, 263,000 fewer than in 2010 and the lowest overall figure since 1991.

Labor agency chief Frank-Juergen Weise said that "demand for labor was very high over the whole year." Last year's average jobless rate was 7.1 percent, down from 7.7 percent in 2010.

After a strong export-driven performance over the last two years, Germany is expected to see much weaker economic growth in 2012 because of the eurozone debt crisis and economic troubles elsewhere.

Tuesday's figures showed a still-positive underlying trend on the German job market, with the seasonally adjusted jobless rate dipping to 6.8 percent in December from 6.9 percent a month earlier. In adjusted terms, 22,000 fewer people were unemployed, following a similar decline in November.

Andreas Rees, an economist at UniCredit in Munich, said that the 6.8 percent figure was the lowest since German reunification in 1990, and noted that it was the 29th monthly decline in 32 months in seasonally adjusted unemployment. He added that the German labor market still has "substantial" momentum.

He said "companies are still sitting on a huge pile of backlog orders, thereby keeping the labor market going" despite signs of new orders decreasing.

"We expect job creation in the next few months to continue, which is good news for consumer expenditures in 2012," he said.

11:47 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Android Applications Downloaded 10 Billion Times

Android seems increasingly prevail. Reportedly more than 10 billion apps have been downloaded from the Android Market. However, some analysis suggests Google to address the programs that are less good.

Not only is Google’s operating system that is all the more brilliant, but it was interested in the Android Market applications is increasing.

Google will hold the celebration of ’10 billion ‘it for 10 days, and will provide a series of popular programs and provide a cheaper price.

Based on the data, as long as 22 months Android managed to reach 1 billion downloads, but then it only takes a month to increase from 9 billion to 10 billion.

Instead, Apple reaches 1 billion downloads after 9 months. “Apple announced a 15 billion times the download in July, so it is clear that the momentum of Android on the activation device to download applications and explain the use,” said Geoff Blabber, analyst at CCS Insight.

“We expect Android will overtake Apple to download the application in the first half of 2012,” he continued, as reported by the BBC (12/07/2011).

Blabber added, rapid growth has raised the challenge of how to help customers find the software useful of all that is offered.

“This is something that must be considered developers and consumers, but a significant opportunity for anyone who solved the first problem,” he continued.

11:30 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Rubens Barrichello Q&A: Williams in better shape than last year

After a hectic pre-season test schedule, Williams’ Rubens Barrichello is feeling positive about the British team’s 2011 chances. Feeling more at home in the FW33 than he did in its predecessor, Barrichello is targeting a top-ten grid slot and a points-scoring finish at the forthcoming Australian Grand Prix…

Q: How has the pre-season build up been for you?
Rubens Barrichello: This is my second year with the team and we are in much better shape than we were this time last year. Everything has been prepared well and the team are doing a really good job getting everything ready in time for Melbourne.

Q: How does the FW33 compare to last year’s car?
RB: I think we are better on performance than last year. The car is a different animal though so there is a different way of treating it, but I quite like it. How much faster it is, is very difficult to know, but the car feels better than last year’s to drive.

Q: What is your opinion about the tyre degradation we are seeing?
RB: It is difficult for everyone but it depends on the balance you have. It gets to a point where tyre performance has completely gone and you can’t bring it back. You have to look after them but even then you wouldn’t realistically be able make them survive a whole race.

Q: What would you consider to be a successful weekend for you in Australia?
RB: There is still a question mark about where we stand I know that we have improved but there are teams either side of us. I know how optimistic I am and I know how much I would love to say that we will do really well, but what I will say is that I want to be in Q3 and to score points, and I think that is achievable.

Q: What are your thoughts on the load on drivers in the cockpit now you have had some time testing both KERS and the moveable rear wing?
RB: Running with both KERS and the rear wing is tough. As soon as you do a lot of running you get used to the situation, but every new track will be a new challenge. Hopefully we will get a little bit more of an explanation as to how the wing will work, as originally it was only to be used at the start and in straight lines to overtake, but now it seems to be engaged at most corners. With KERS you have to look at the steering wheel to save as much as you want and to use it in the right places, so you’re not looking straight ahead all the time. This is one of the things we are taking about with Charlie Whiting and Jean Todt to try to improve.

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Oil jumps to $103 as allied Coalition Bombs Libya

Oil prices jumped to above $103 a barrel on Monday after Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi vowed a “long war” amid a second night of allied military strikes on the OPEC nation.

A coalition of the U.S., France, U.K. and other nations bombed tanks and anti-aircraft sites Sunday and deterred Libyan fighter jets from flying. Gadhafi said he would not resign and pledged to continue to attack the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

Fierce fighting during the last month has already shut down most of Libya’s 1.6 million barrels per day of crude output. Investors are now concerned international intervention could extend the conflict and keep Libya’s oil production out of the market longer than perviously estimated.

“The regime in Tripoli shows no sign of giving up,” Capital Economics said in a report. “The prolonged loss of Libyan oil could push prices all the way up to the highs above $140 seen in 2008.”

Gadhafi also warned that Western powers would not get Libya’s oil, suggesting his forces may sabotage crude installations. Some traders worry a cornered Gadhafi could lash out in a last stand that disrupts regional tanker shipments.

“A ‘scorched earth’ response from Gadhafi could cause disruptions to ships traveling the Mediterranean,” energy consultant The Schork Report said.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for April delivery was up $2.12 to $103.19 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 35 cents to settle at $101.07 per barrel on Friday.

In London, the May contract for Brent crude was up $2.14 at $116.07 a barrel on the ICE futures exchange.

While equity markets were boosted Monday by hopes that Japan was making progress in bringing under control radiation leaks at its Fukushima nuclear power plant, analysts said concerns about lower energy demand from the world’s third-largest economy would keep a ceiling over oil prices.

“The Japanese nuclear disaster seems to be coming to a close at an excruciatingly slow pace, meaning that the Japanese economic recovery will likely be slow and torturous,” said Edward Meir at MF Global in New York, adding that the situation “will continue to exert a drag on energy prices.”

In other Nymex trading for April contracts, heating oil was up 4.45 cents at $3.0688 a gallon and gasoline added 5.41 cents to $3.0035 a gallon. Natural gas gained 4.1 cents at $4.209 per 1,000 cubic feet.

11:36 PM | 0 comments | Read More

6 Steps To Make Your Cholesterol Level Lower Naturally

The increasing number of people with high cholesterol issues, along with the side effects of its medications, has begged an answer to the question "How to reduce cholesterol naturally?". Unsurprisingly, your lifestyle plays a vital role in increasing and decreasing cholesterol levels. Altering the way you live in certain ways can help you lower your cholesterol naturally, without the use of medications and prescriptions. Even if medication is necessary, a healthy lifestyle enhances the effect of your medication to reduce cholesterol faster and maintain its level.

Here are 6 steps to follow:

STEP 1 - Cut Down On Your Body Fat

Having extra fat in your body is just not recommended for cholesterol patients. Carrying even just a little excess weight can contribute detrimentally to your cholesterol health. Even a small decrease of 5 to 10 pounds of excess weight can have significant effects.

The very first aspect of losing weight is to honestly analyze your eating habits and daily routine. If you eat when you are frustrated or bored, try to divert your mind and take a walk instead. If your lunch and breakfast consist of fast food, strike it off from your lifestyle and pack something healthier from home. Watching television does not mean munching on potato chips, but instead you can try munching on carrot sticks.

Try to include more physical activity into your daily routine such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

STEP 2 - Eat Healthy Food

If you have been on an unhealthy diet for years, making a few changes in your diet can drastically reduce your cholesterol level. After all, cholesterol levels are substantially dependent on what you do and do not eat.

Healthy fats: the saturated fat found in red meat or dairy products can increase your cholesterol level by increasing the bad cholesterol in your body. It is recommended that you should not take in more than 10% of your daily calories from saturated fat. This is why you should choose low-fat dairy products and leaner cuts of meat. You can also switch to olive, canola and peanut oils for cooking.

STEP 3 - Avoid Trans Fats

Trans fat can be found in fried foods and many store-bought products such as crackers, cookies and snack cakes. Do not believe the labels on the packaging that claim the product is 'trans fat-free' as they might only be half truths. Instead, you can choose to look at the ingredients list and determine if those ingredients are high in cholesterol or not.

STEP 4 - Do Not Exceed The Daily Cholesterol Limit

A normal person can take up to 300 mg of cholesterol per day. If you have a heart disease or other cardiovascular problems you should only take less than 200 mg. Cholesterol levels are highly concentrated in foods such as egg yolk, cheese, processed meat, shrimps etc. Try to avoid such high cholesterol foods to keep within the recommended boundaries.

STEP 5 - Eat More Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in fibre which helps you to increase your metabolism rate and cuts down fat. Fibre also prevents the build up of cholesterol particles in your arteries. However, one must remember that dried fruit tends to have more calories than fresh fruit. Also, try to include more vegetables in your diet on a daily basis.

STEP 6 - Increase Your Physical Activities

Exercise always plays a vital role in general fitness and reducing your cholesterol level naturally. Exercising does not mean that you need to force yourself into high-intensity workouts. Simple moderate workouts done frequently can help you drastically. Choose exercises that keep your heart functioning faster like jogging, running, swimming and cycling.

High cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. Medications are certainly available to help you reduce your cholesterol levels but if you try to alter your lifestyle with these steps, you will be surprised with the results. This way you can stay away from all those terrible side effects that medicines can cause.

11:17 PM | 0 comments | Read More