Apple: The boy died of pneumonia, the medical delegation said, after he apparently used someone else's ID to get a job at the Shanghai factory, which makes products for Apple, according to Reuters. The world's most valuable technology company commissioned an investigation of suppliers' Chinese factories last year by the Fair Labor Association FLA , which in a report on Thursday said working hours at Foxconn now comply with its standard and TAIPEI/SAN FRANCISCO - The death of a 15-year-old worker was not caused by working conditions at a Pegatron Corp factory, according to medical exports sent to the factory by Apple Inc. Apple has taken various measures in response to questions on whether its products are made in what amount to sweatshops. It acted after about a dozen suicides, starting in 2010, at its assembler Foxconn. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

China Mobile: Instead, China Mobile is banking on a free mobile app to appeal to Chinese ex-pats and businesses, according to Times Colonist. The Jego app gives iPhone and Android smartphone users a China-based phone number, free incoming calls and low-cost calling plans and MONTREAL - The world's biggest wireless carrier is looking for customers in Canada, but not with its cellphone service. China Mobile's international division has launched the app, Jego, to expand globally as it competes for customers with Microsoft's Skype as well as free voice over Internet protocol VoIP apps, said John Jiang, chief technology officer at China Mobile International. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

David Hutton: Its pretty shameful, David Hutton, the executive director for the Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform FAIR said in an interview on Thursday, according to The Star. Canada is essentially a wasteland when it comes to whistleblower protection, Hutton said and A new loyalty agreement for employees of members of Parliament makes government even more secretive at a time when transparency is sorely needed, critics say. Hutton said there is a need for protections for those who follow their consciences and expose wrongdoing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Kirkland Lake Gold: Among other things, the company blames interest and finance expenses in addition to increased depreciation and depletion costs, according to Times Colonist. The results come a week after Kirkland Lake Gold said it planned to reduce spending in the current fiscal year ending April 30, 2014 by $2.1 million to bring total annualized savings to about $5 million and KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. - Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. TSX:KGI says it logged a net loss of $3.9 million, or six cents per share, in the second quarter, compared to a loss of $1.8 million, or three cents a share, in the same period last year. During the quarter, the mine produced 31,387 ounces of gold from 105,670 tons of ore. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Michael Shields: VIENNA - Austria's mainstream pro-Europe parties agreed on Thursday to govern in coalition for the next five years, promising to ensure continued prosperity in the Alpine euro zone nation. , according to Reuters. But the two parties that have dominated post-war politics produced no surprises as they announced a compromise deal they said would allow them to consolidate state finances while still fuelling growth and employment. By Michael Shields and Georgina Prodhan The Social Democrats SPO and conservative People's Party OVP had promised a new, progressive approach to politics after September elections in which voters tired of party paralysis punished them and bolstered the far right. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Syria: The storm, dubbed Alexa, already has pounded much of Lebanon and parts of northern Syria, pushing temperatures below zero and dumping snow and heavy rains. In some parts of Israel and the West Bank, meanwhile, government offices and schools shuttered to wait out the winter weather, according to The Star. 5 questions about Syria AMMAN, JORDAN Syrians at a sprawling refugee camp in northern Jordan scrambled to batten down their tents against torrential rains and high winds as a blustery winter storm battered parts of the Middle East for a second day Thursday. More on thestar.com (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Jeffery Kendall Brown: Jeffery Kendall Brown, 30, was sentenced Thursday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax on a charge of theft under $5,000, according to The Chronicle Herald. If he fulfills the terms of his probation order, he wont have a criminal record and A Halifax man has been given a conditional discharge for stealing $200 from a woman after she d allegedly been drugged and sexually assaulted by another man. Brown will be on probation for one year, with conditions that he abstain from consuming alcohol, take part in any counselling deemed necessary by his supervisor, make restitution to the complainant, and perform 20 hours of community service. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Alix Goolden Hall: Handels Messiah goes without saying, and there are two options: the Civic Orchestras 15th annual sing-along performance Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Alix Goolden Hall, $10-$22 and the Victoria Symphonys usual pair Dec. 20, 8 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2:30 p.m.; Farquhar Auditorium, $35-$55 . This year, however, Bach is giving Handel a run for his money: On Dec. 1, the Victoria Symphony tackled his complete Christmas Oratorio, and he is the focus of two more coming concerts. , according to Times Colonist. On Dec. 21, the Victoria Bach Ensemble, now in its 10th season, presents its third annual Christmas concert 7:30 p.m., Church of St. John the Divine, $15/$10 . The all-Bach program will include violin and keyboard concertos, a trio sonata, and the joyous Cantata 51, a virtuosic showcase for soprano Eve Daniell and trumpeter David Barss. The ensemble also includes six string players and is led by keyboard player Michael Drislane. We are halfway through the classical Christmas music season, though the busiest weeks are still to come, with one concert scheduled as late as Christmas Eve. The first, Christmas in Bachs Leipzig, is the annual holiday concert of the Early Music Society of the Islands Saturday, 8 p.m., Alix Goolden Hall, $26-$32 . Jeanne Lamon, longtime director of the Toronto-based Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, will lead and perform in a program including the popular Cantata 61 and seasonal arias and chorales by Bach, along with works by Graupner, Vivaldi and Telemann. Also among the performers: soprano Nancy Argenta, tenor Benjamin Butterfield, and the Vox Humana chamber choir all fresh or exhausted? from the Christmas Oratorio , plus the Victoria Baroque Players. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

CMHC: And its a similar story for Manitobas urban vacancy rate, which is the average vacancy rate for its seven largest urban centres combined. It jumped to 2.4 per cent from 1.6 per cent in October of last year, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation CMHC said today in releasing the results of its Fall Rental Market Survey. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "Higher vacancies are also attributed to the continued movement of existing renters to homeownership due to favourable conditions such as low mortgage rates and a rising selection of active listings in the resale market," Himbeault added. Winnipegs apartment vacancy rate has jumped nearly a full percentage point over the past year, climbing to 2.5 per cent in October from 1.7 per cent a year earlier. "Rental demand has been impacted by a moderation in net migration to Manitoba as well as modest employment growth," said Dianne Himbeault, CMHC Senior Market Analyst for Winnipeg. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

China: CHENGDU, China -- The announcement that China was relaxing its one-child policy coincided with my arrival in Chengdu. That the draconian law, enacted in 1979 to slow population growth, was being reformed to allow two children was big news around the world, but it caused hardly a stir in Chengdu. Why was that? , according to Winnipeg Free Press. -- -- -- A 2008 survey showed 76 per cent of Chinese had adopted a one-child outlook. GERALD FLOOD / Photo Store (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.