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International Development
World Bank names US-nominated Jim Yong Kim as president
The World Bank named Korean-born doctor Jim Yong Kim as its new president today amid criticism that the role had once more gone to a United States-nominated candidate. The 52-year-old president of Ivy League Dartmouth College beat Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to the post, the first time in the World Bank’s history that the United States candidate has faced a serious challenge. Sources close to the process claimed there had been “frantic arm-twisting” in a bid to achieve unanimity.
The Guardian p21 http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/apr/16/world-bank-president-jim-yong-kim?INTCMP=SRCH

Environment
Fracking for gas allowed in UK despite earthquakes
Fracking, the controversial natural gas extraction technique which sometimes causes earthquakes, can go ahead in Britain – but only with tight restrictions on the process, a panel of independent scientists will tell the Government today. In particular, a “traffic light” earthquake early warning system must be put in place, which would halt operations even in the case of very minor seismic movements, the group said.
The Independent p15 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fracking-for-gas-allowed-in-uk-despite-earthquakes-7648265.html?origin=internalSearch
G20 urged to boost green policies to stimulate economic growth
Developed countries, including the UK and United States, were urged to deliver clear and credible policies for stimulating green investments, as part of a major new report launched just days ahead of a crucial meeting of G20 finance ministers. The London School of Economics’ Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change launched a report suggesting green polices can stop the private sector from “squirreling away” record levels of savings into “risk-free” assets, such as solvent sovereign bonds.
Business Green http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2167721/g20-urged-boost-green-policies-stimulate-economic-growth

Supply Chain
Shell discovers more supplier code breaches, but terminates fewer deals
Oil and gas supermajor Shell cancelled 11 contracts with suppliers and recorded 226 violations of its code of conduct during 2011. The figures, reported in its latest sustainability report, showed while the number of violations increased from 205 in 2010, the number of contracts cancelled dropped from 40 in 2010. The report said: “We are working with our existing suppliers to implement the Shell Supplier Principles. Beyond what we consider minimum requirements, we will conduct due diligence checks starting in 2012 to identify the level of compliance of our suppliers and contractors with the principles.”

Supply Management http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2012/shell-discovers-more-supplier-code-breaches-but-terminates-fewer-deals/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_term=
Unemployment
Unemployment of Europe’s young people soars by 50%
Unemployment among Europe’s young people has soared by 50% since the financial crisis of 2008. It is rising faster than overall jobless rates, and almost half of young people in work across the EU do not have permanent jobs, according to the European Commission. Three policy papers obtained by the Guardian outline action to create 17.5 million jobs in Europe by 2020, but paint a grim picture of prospects for Europe’s youth and underline how the sovereign debt crisis of the last two years has widened the gap between the eurozone’s successful northern core and its failing periphery.
The Guardian p22 http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/apr/16/european-youth-unemployment-soars?INTCMP=SRCH
Employees

Flexible working at heart of UK cars’ revival

Across Western Europe, car plants are falling silent as they slow assembly lines or cut working days. Employees at Germany’s Opel, owned by General Motors, and France’s PSA Peugeot Citroën are bracing themselves for job cuts. Yet in Britain, two of the biggest carmakers, Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover, are hiring workers and launching round-the-clock production. While some of the British industry’s relative health owes to successful products, a competitive exchange rate and good luck, flexible labour looks to be part of the formula for an industry that struggles with high fixed costs and cyclical demand.
Financial Times* http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/151d1242-879b-11e1-8a47-00144feab49a.html#axzz1sC2fMiXw
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