Intel supply chain will be conflict free this year
Intel’s entire supply chain and every product it produces will be free of conflict minerals from this year. The technology multinational set itself the goal two years ago after it eradicated from its processors any tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold that directly or indirectly finances or benefits armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. “We will achieve this goal,” CEO Bryan Krzanich said at the Consumer Electronics Show 2016 in Las Vegas. “Every product, every processor, every modem, every device, every system we ship, everything we sell will be conflict free.” From the second quarter of 2016, Intel will display a “conflict free” symbol on its products. Intel’s conflict mineral sourcing policy stipulates that it must exercise due diligence with its suppliers in line with OECD guidelines. The company must make publicly available reports on its progress and collaborate with suppliers and others to develop industry-wide solutions designed to eliminate DRC conflict minerals. (Supply Management)
Policy
EU scientists begin review of ban on pesticides linked to bee declines
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has begun a review that could pave the way for rolling back a pioneering EU-wide ban on three neonicotinoid pesticides, which are thought to have ravaged European bee populations. A formal announcement that the review is underway is due imminently but a commission spokesman said that it would not necessarily lead to any changes to the law. The expert panel could choose to tighten, as well as soften, the current ban on the use of pesticides, which was introduced following an EFSA ruling in 2012 that they posed an “unacceptable” danger to bees. That was seen as one of the hardest-won environmental victories of the last commission, which pitted over 2 million environmental petitioners against pesticide manufacturers such as Bayer Crop Science. The news follows a report from the US Environmental Protection Agency, which on Wednesday for the first time acknowledged that neonicotinoids can be harmful to bee colonies. (Guardian; Wall Street Journal)
White House, Silicon Valley to hold summit on militants’ social media use
Senior White House officials and US intelligence and law enforcement figures will meet with Silicon Valley executives to discuss how to counter the use of social media by militant groups. The meeting agenda will specifically focus on how to make it harder for militants to recruit and mobilise followers on social media, as well as helping ordinary users create, publish and amplify content that can undercut groups like Islamic State. In an escalation of pressure on technology firms to do more to combat online propaganda from groups such as Islamic State, the meeting follows attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, that underscored the role played by social media companies. Invited participants include White House Chief of Staff, the Attorney General, as well as FBI and National Intelligence directors. The meeting will focus on social media content, and not encrypted communications, another topic of discussion between Silicon Valley and policymakers. Internet firms expected to attend include Twitter, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft Corp and Dropbox. (Reuters)
Tax
John Lewis chief hits out at unfair Amazon tax breaks
The Managing Director of UK department store John Lewis has complained that an unequal tax environment is skewing trade away from indigenous British companies toward foreign competitors such as Amazon. The intervention comes after John Lewis paid £51 million in corporation tax on sales of £350 million, four times the amount paid by Amazon over the same period, with the Seattle-based business further benefiting from not having to pay business rates on any physical stores. Voicing frustration at the lack of progress made by the government in tackling the issue, Andy Street told ITV News: “If you think of two companies making the same profit, one of them pays corporation tax at the UK rate, one does not because it claims to be headquartered somewhere else. That is not fair.” The issue of business rates payable by foreign firms has become a hot political issue in the UK after Facebook paid out just £4,000 in corporation tax in its last financial year. (The Drum)
Energy
Pollution rules for pizza ovens spur outrage in Italian town
The mayor of a small Italian town in the Neapolitan hinterland has sparked outrage after banning the use of wood-fired stoves not equipped with filters that reduce toxic air pollutants. The ban affects family homes with chimneys as well as businesses like bakeries, restaurants and – most controversially – wood-burning pizzerias. Antonio Falcone was one of dozens of Italian mayors who adopted emergency measures last month after a prolonged dry spell repeatedly pushed air pollutants beyond legal limits. “We’ve even been compared to China,” complained Pasquale Tufano of Ristorante La Vigna, piqued that the town’s half-dozen pizzerias had been singled out and equated with a country whose capital, Beijing, announced its first-ever toxic smog red alert last month. The mayor has been attacked on social media and there have been public protests and calls for his resignation. “I became the anti-pizza mayor,” said Mr. Falcone. “I am responsible for the health of the citizens of this town. We had to start somewhere.” (NY Times)
COMMENTS