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On August 15th, Mexican President Jacques Sinbaum stated at a morning press conference on August 14th that the US decision to revoke the visa of the son of former Mexican President López Obrador was politically motivated and constituted interference in Mexicos internal affairs. Sinbaum emphasized that Mexico must remain steadfast in the face of such events, and that Mexico and the US should maintain a mutually respectful bilateral relationship. In fact, the US revoked the visas of at least six Mexican ruling party officials in 2026 alone. Simultaneously, citing involvement in drug trafficking to the US, the US requested the extradition of four current governors, mayors, and members of parliament, as well as six former officials, to the US for trial. The Mexican government rejected the US request, citing insufficient evidence from the US.UK Maritime Trade Organization: No damage assessment reported; environmental impact unknown.UK Maritime Trade Organization: A projectile struck the hull; crew reports safety.The UK Maritime Trade Organization: We have received reports that a bulk carrier was attacked by an unidentified object in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.On August 15th, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department reported that no foreign citizens were injured or killed in the earthquake. The department stated that a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Nagkeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) at 4:58:24 AM local time on August 15th. The epicenter was located approximately 38 kilometers northeast of Mbay, with a depth of 15 kilometers. The earthquake initially raised concerns about a potential tsunami, prompting the evacuation of some coastal residents. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reported that as of 11:00 AM Central Indonesian Time on August 15th, 111 aftershocks had been recorded since the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Nagkeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, with the most recent measuring 3.8. Seismic activity is ongoing, and the tsunami warning was lifted at 7:31 AM. The main risks in the area are currently aftershocks and secondary hazards such as damaged buildings.

Hershey, Nestle, and Cargill win the dismissal of a claim of child slavery in the United States

Charlie Brooks

Jun 29, 2022 11:06


Tuesday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C. dismissed a case brought by eight Malians claiming child slavery on Ivory Coast cocoa plantations against Hershey Co (NYSE:HSY), Nestle SA (SIX:NESN), Cargill Inc, and others.


U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich determined that the proposed class action plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue because they failed to prove a "traceable nexus" between the seven defendant companies and the individual farms where the plaintiffs worked.


She added that the plaintiffs did not adequately explain the role of intermediaries in the cocoa supply chain, and that the companies did not oversee actions in "free zones" where 70 to 80 percent of cocoa is farmed.


Mali and Ivory Coast share a border in West Africa.


The plaintiffs claimed they were trafficked as children after being approached by strangers who promised them employment for which they would be compensated, but did not pay them, threatened them with starvation if they did not work, and forced them to live in squalor.


Their attorney, Terry Collingsworth, said that the plaintiffs plan to file an appeal to "compel the businesses to keep their agreements and put an end to this dreadful system they have created."


Other defendants included Mars Inc, Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ), Barry Callebaut AG, and Olam International Ltd.


In court filings, the seven defendants said that they "strongly abhor the practice of forced labor" and that they were addressing non-forced child labor in cocoa supply chains.


However, they contended that the plaintiffs' too broad legal theory may hold too many parties liable for forced child labor, including consumers and merchants who would benefit from lower prices.


In accordance with the Reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the plaintiffs filed suit.


The Supreme Court of the United States rejected a similar case brought by six Malians against Cargill and Nestle under the Alien Tort Statute of 1789 in June of last year.


This was the most recent in a line of judgments denying access to federal courts based on human rights breaches occurring outside the United States.


Coubaly et al. v. Cargill Inc. et al., U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, case number 21-00386.