Apple Supplier in China Pledges Big Labor Changes

Responding to a critical investigation of its factories, the manufacturing giant Foxconn has pledged to sharply curtail working hours and significantly increase wages inside Chinese plants making electronic products for Apple and others. The move could improve working conditions across China.

The shift comes after a far-ranging inspection by the Fair Labor Association, a monitoring group, found widespread problems — including at least 43 violations of Chinese laws and regulations, and numerous instances where Foxconn defied industry codes of conduct by having employees work more than 60 hours a week, and sometimes more than 11 days in a row. The group released a report Thursday with its findings.

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Kony 2012 Invisble Children - Act Now!

KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice. Thousands of kids in Africa are suffering and dying because of Kony. This injustice has been going on for too long. It is very sad to hear that our governments won't act because economics interests are not affected. It is very sad that the only way for them to listen is for us to shout at them and demand change. Fortunately there are heroes that are not scared to raise awareness, make our voice heard, try to change the world.
Watch the video, share it and take action. Help stopping this shame. Our governments will only act if people demand it.
For more info visit www.kony2012.com.
KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

P&G help kids in Philippines by donating free laptops

MANILA, Philippines — Students of Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School (MLQES) can now experience the full benefits of using computer technologies in their curriculum studies. Donated by Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines, XO laptops has touched more than 1,000 students from grades 4, 5 and 6, allowing for richer learning.

“With the XO laptop, children have the tool for creative expression and empowered learning. And with the connectivity that e.Studyante also provides through our partner Smart, students also have real-time access to the world’s knowledge. The laptop and internet connection become tools that expand students’ horizons and enable them to have a brighter future,” said Chad Sotelo, P&G Country Marketing Manager.

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Peter Diamandis: Abundance is our future

Onstage at TED2012, Peter Diamandis makes a case for optimism -- that we'll invent, innovate and create ways to solve the challenges that loom over us. "I’m not saying we don’t have our set of problems; we surely do. But ultimately, we knock them down.”

Nestle removes all artificial ingredients from products

Nestle, the company behind chocolate bars Kit Kat and Aero, has become the first major confectionery company to take out all artificial colourings, flavours and preservatives from its entire range.
The sweets and chocolate manufacturer has changed the recipe for all of its 79 products and replaced 80 man-made ingredients with natural alternatives. Concentrates of fruit and vegetables such as carrot, radish and lemon are now used to colour products like Smarties, the company said. This year marks the 75th anniversary of favourite chocolate sweets Smarties. The announcement came as Nestle Crunch became the last of the range to have its ingredients replaced with natural ingredients.
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North Korea will halt some nuclear activities

WASHINGTON (AP) — North Korea raised hopes Wednesday for a major easing in nuclear tensions under its youthful new leader, agreeing to suspend uranium enrichment at a major facility and refrain from missile and nuclear tests in exchange for a mountain of critically needed U.S. food aid.
It was only a preliminary step but a necessary one to restart broader six-nation negotiations that would lay down terms for what the North could get in return for abandoning its nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang pulled out of those talks in 2009 and seemingly has viewed the nuclear program as key to the survival of its dynastic, communist regime, now entering its third generation.
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China Set to Vigorously Develop Green Economy

BEIJING -- Due to growing urbanization and resulting environmental threats, China has invested nearly US$50 billion annually into its renewable energy sector since 2009. China's five-year investment in environmental protection is on track to reach 3.1 trillion yuan (US$454 billion). By 2015, its environmental protection industry is expected to top 2 trillion yuan (US$317 billion). 
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