Apple and Google named in US lawsuit over Congolese child cobalt mining deaths
Annie Kelly
A landmark legal case has been launched against the world’s largest tech companies by Congolese families who say their children were killed or maimed while mining for cobalt used to power smartphones, laptops and electric cars, the Guardian can reveal.
Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in Washington DC by human rights firm International Rights Advocates on behalf of 14 parents and children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The lawsuit, which is the result of field research conducted by anti-slavery economist Siddharth Kara, accuses the companies of aiding and abetting in the death and serious injury of children who they claim were working in cobalt mines in their supply chain.
The families and injured children are seeking damages for forced labour and further compensation for unjust enrichment, negligent supervision and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
It is the first time that any of the tech companies have faced such a legal challenge.
Cobalt is essential to power the rechargeable lithium batteries used in millions of products sold by Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla every year. The insatiable demand for cobalt, driven by desire for cheap handheld technology, has tripled in the past five years and is expected to double again by the end of 2020. More than 60% of cobalt originates in DRC, one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.
A landmark legal case has been launched against the world’s largest tech companies by Congolese families who say their children were killed or maimed while mining for cobalt used to power smartphones, laptops and electric cars, the Guardian can reveal.
Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in Washington DC by human rights firm International Rights Advocates on behalf of 14 parents and children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The lawsuit, which is the result of field research conducted by anti-slavery economist Siddharth Kara, accuses the companies of aiding and abetting in the death and serious injury of children who they claim were working in cobalt mines in their supply chain.
The families and injured children are seeking damages for forced labour and further compensation for unjust enrichment, negligent supervision and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
It is the first time that any of the tech companies have faced such a legal challenge.
Cobalt is essential to power the rechargeable lithium batteries used in millions of products sold by Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla every year. The insatiable demand for cobalt, driven by desire for cheap handheld technology, has tripled in the past five years and is expected to double again by the end of 2020. More than 60% of cobalt originates in DRC, one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.
Why & Why Not....
Fear-Doubt-Indecision
By: W Mitchell Lumpkin
WHY…do you allow fear doubt and indecision to rob you of your LIFE? I have come to realize that these three words initiated by my personal negative thinking has led to the creation of a lot of my UNWANTED realty, (As A Man Thinketh…So Is He! by James Allen) And, like most of you I could not UNDERSTAND how I got here.
The Thought of Fear
noun: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that some one or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat
verb: be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.
It seems that FEAR is the foundation upon which we structure failure. While FEAR is a needed for protection of our EGO as well as our physical bodies, it reeks havoc on our “Spiritual Being”.
Although the thought of fear is identified as the culprit, it goes deeper. The “DISEMPOWERING BELIEF OF UNWORTHINESS” can be identified as the contractor who pours the concrete that forms this foundation upon which fear is constructed. That’s another story, to be address at another time.
Anyway, there are many kinds of fears, but I think that the fear of failure is uppermost for this discussion about quality of Life.
Why…do you allow fear to control your life?
WHY…do you allow fear doubt and indecision to rob you of your LIFE? I have come to realize that these three words initiated by my personal negative thinking has led to the creation of a lot of my UNWANTED realty, (As A Man Thinketh…So Is He! by James Allen) And, like most of you I could not UNDERSTAND how I got here.
The Thought of Fear
noun: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that some one or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat
verb: be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.
It seems that FEAR is the foundation upon which we structure failure. While FEAR is a needed for protection of our EGO as well as our physical bodies, it reeks havoc on our “Spiritual Being”.
Although the thought of fear is identified as the culprit, it goes deeper. The “DISEMPOWERING BELIEF OF UNWORTHINESS” can be identified as the contractor who pours the concrete that forms this foundation upon which fear is constructed. That’s another story, to be address at another time.
Anyway, there are many kinds of fears, but I think that the fear of failure is uppermost for this discussion about quality of Life.
Why…do you allow fear to control your life?
The Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic: The Real Danger is “Agenda ID2020”
What is the infamous ID2020? It is an alliance of public-private partners, including UN agencies and civil society. It’s an electronic ID program that uses generalized vaccination as a platform for digital identity.By Peter Koenig
Global Research, March 12, 2020
Theme: Intelligence, Media Disinformation, Science and Medicine 26K 1822 1145
Global Research, March 12, 2020
Theme: Intelligence, Media Disinformation, Science and Medicine 26K 1822 1145
It seems, the more there is written about the causes of the Coronavirus – the more the written analyses are overshadowed by a propaganda and fear-mongering hype. Questions for the truth and arguments for where to look for the origins and how the virus may have spread and how to combat it, are lost in the noise of wanton chaos. But isn’t that what the “Black Men” behind this intended pandemic want – chaos, panic, hopelessness, leading to human vulnerability – a people becoming easy prey for manipulation?
Today WHO declared the coronavirus COVID-19 a “pandemic” – when there is not the slightest trace of a pandemic. A pandemic might be the condition, when the death to infection rate reaches more than 12%. In Europe, the death rate is about 0.4%, or less. Except for Italy which is a special case, where the peak of the death rate was 6% (see below for further analysis).
Today WHO declared the coronavirus COVID-19 a “pandemic” – when there is not the slightest trace of a pandemic. A pandemic might be the condition, when the death to infection rate reaches more than 12%. In Europe, the death rate is about 0.4%, or less. Except for Italy which is a special case, where the peak of the death rate was 6% (see below for further analysis).
Education OR Indoctrination?
Written by: W Mitchell Lumpkin
There is a quote I ran across that goes something like this:
“Education up to the point at which you realize your purpose, is simply Indoctrination” “Uncle Yah Yah” by Al Dickens
Todays education system exemplifies exactly that! Let’s take a look.
Let’s begin as usual with an UNDERSTANDING of the two words:
Got The Quarantine Blues?
by W Mitchell Lumpkin The advent of the “Corona Virus Pandemic” has and will continue to create problem after problem. These problems are of epic porpotion. These problems affect each and every one of us! We are at the mercy of this world wide crisis. All your life you have heard that circumstances lead to opportunities. That is to say, “Problems Create Opportunities”, “Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining”, “ When Things Get Tough, The Tough Get Going”. Please, do understand that every circumstance carries within it a hidden reward. None of us can make light of these extremely devastating circumstances. All of us must forge a path for our unified and personal survival. First we must collectively accept and acknowledge the reality. Consequently, we then must adhere to the guidelines developed to arrest the situation . Mandated and self imposed quarantine policies are now being activated. Therefore, many of us have been forced to remain at home. Creating a whole new set of personal problems. At the top of this list regains financial concerns centered on the potential loss of income. Running a very close second is the creative use of forced down time. In the midst of tackling that most dreaded “honey do list” your mind is constantly entertained by devastating economic thoughts. Survival becomes your utmost concern. What can I do? Now, may be a good time to consider entrepreneurship. Now, may be the time to pursue your passions. This, may be the time to create the lifestyle you have been dreaming of. There is no greater happiness than “Self Fulfillment”. Pick Your Path All business must address problems and or pain points for their customers. In your contemplation of starting a new business of any kind you should naturally begin with an understanding of this concept. After that, ask yourself these questions; What do I like to do? What gifts/talents do I possess? What is my purpose in life? Put it all together and you should come up with what I call a “Definite Purpose”. Then ask yourself; What products or services can you provide to solve problems for your customers? DO WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO!!!!! |
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Fear-Based Manipulation: How Politicians, Marketers and the Media Create Panic to Control the Masses
BY SOFO ARCHON
theunboundedspirit.com
theunboundedspirit.com
“Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely under the influence of a great fear.” ~Bertrand Russell
Fear. Without it we wouldn’t be able to survive.
Why? Because it’s the emotion that warns us about potential threats to our survival and urges us to protect ourselves from them.
Let me give you an example to illustrate what I mean.
Imagine that you’re walking outside in the dark and suddenly you see a snake jumping right in front of your feet. Immediately fear kicks in. You start sweating, your heart rate goes up, and your cortisol as well as adrenaline levels increase. The snake could be poisonous so you immediately need to protect yourself from it.
In such a dangerous situation, your natural response is most likely going to be one of the following:
Fear. Without it we wouldn’t be able to survive.
Why? Because it’s the emotion that warns us about potential threats to our survival and urges us to protect ourselves from them.
Let me give you an example to illustrate what I mean.
Imagine that you’re walking outside in the dark and suddenly you see a snake jumping right in front of your feet. Immediately fear kicks in. You start sweating, your heart rate goes up, and your cortisol as well as adrenaline levels increase. The snake could be poisonous so you immediately need to protect yourself from it.
In such a dangerous situation, your natural response is most likely going to be one of the following:
- Run away from the snake.
- Injure, kill or somehow immobilize the snake.
- Freeze in hopes that the snake will be undisturbed by your presence and leave you alone.
Wireless Industry Confesses: "No Studies Show 5G is Safe"
Originally published on www.takebackyourpower.net
Last week, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal grilled wireless industry representatives, who admitted the industry has done ZERO health & safety studies on 5G technology. Meanwhile, dozens of independent studies indicates that 5G is a risk to all biological life. Watch the video above, on YouTube here, or on Facebook here
[WASHINGTON, DC]— During today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on the future of 5G wireless technology and their impact on the American people and economy, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) raised concerns with the lack of any scientific research and data on the technology’s potential health risks.
Blumenthal blasted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—government agencies jointly-responsible for ensuring that cellphone technologies are safe to use—for failing to conduct any research into the safety of 5G technology, and instead, engaging in bureaucratic finger-pointing and deferring to industry.
Last week, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal grilled wireless industry representatives, who admitted the industry has done ZERO health & safety studies on 5G technology. Meanwhile, dozens of independent studies indicates that 5G is a risk to all biological life. Watch the video above, on YouTube here, or on Facebook here
[WASHINGTON, DC]— During today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on the future of 5G wireless technology and their impact on the American people and economy, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) raised concerns with the lack of any scientific research and data on the technology’s potential health risks.
Blumenthal blasted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—government agencies jointly-responsible for ensuring that cellphone technologies are safe to use—for failing to conduct any research into the safety of 5G technology, and instead, engaging in bureaucratic finger-pointing and deferring to industry.
Disclaimer
The information and or articles shared via this website are not necessarily the views or opinions of the editors of this site.
The intent of all articles is to initiate thought about the various subjects related to the world and the inhabitants of this universe.
We simply hope that our readers will be enlightened, informed, and entertained.
Health Wealth & Love To ALL!
"Namaste"
The information and or articles shared via this website are not necessarily the views or opinions of the editors of this site.
The intent of all articles is to initiate thought about the various subjects related to the world and the inhabitants of this universe.
We simply hope that our readers will be enlightened, informed, and entertained.
Health Wealth & Love To ALL!
"Namaste"
