Concerns are growing over the sugar content in infant cereals sold in parts of Africa and other regions of the Global South, following reports that some versions of baby food contain significantly higher levels of added sugar than similar products sold in Europe. The product at the center of the debate is Cerelac, manufactured by the multinational food company Nestlé. Comparisons circulating online and in consumer advocacy discussions suggest that Cerelac products sold in several African countries contain measurable amounts of added sugar per serving, while versions sold in parts of Europe reportedly contain none. Data highlighted in the comparison…
Author: Ohene Anochie
Oil production across the Middle East dropped significantly in March as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupted exports and shipping routes in the region. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil corridors, has been largely halted since fighting began at the end of February, severely restricting crude exports from major producers. According to a new report released by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, crude production among its member states fell by about 27 percent month-on-month to below 21 million barrels per day. The steepest declines were recorded…
The retrial of medical professionals who treated Argentine football legend Diego Maradona is set to begin Tuesday in Buenos Aires, nearly a year after the original proceedings collapsed due to a controversy involving a judge assigned to the case. Seven members of Maradona’s medical team will return to court to face charges of homicide with possible intent in connection with the football icon’s death in 2020. The defendants deny the allegations and could face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years if convicted. Maradona died at the age of 60 from heart failure and pulmonary edema while recovering at…
Rory McIlroy has claimed his second Masters title after surviving a tense final round at Augusta National, finishing with a one-shot victory to secure another green jacket and strengthen his place among golf’s elite. McIlroy ended the tournament at 12-under 276, holding off a late challenge from Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic finish that kept fans on edge until the final hole. The Northern Irish golfer entered the final round with momentum but saw his advantage slip as rivals Cameron Young and Justin Rose briefly took the lead during a fiercely contested Sunday showdown. McIlroy, however, regained control with crucial…
The United States military has announced plans to begin a blockade of all Iranian ports, escalating tensions in the Middle East after ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran ended without agreement. The blockade, which will be enforced by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), is scheduled to begin Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, equivalent to 5:30 p.m. in Iran. According to the military, the operation will be applied to vessels of all nations entering Iranian ports. However, ships traveling between non-Iranian ports will still be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, easing earlier threats to shut down the entire…
The Zambian government has declared the country’s fuel supply situation an emergency as the ongoing war in the Middle East continues to disrupt global oil shipments and drive up fuel prices. Although the conflict is taking place thousands of kilometers away, residents say its effects are being felt across Zambia due to supply disruptions linked to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. Motorists and business owners report long delays and reduced access to fuel as supplies tighten. Some residents say they now spend significant time searching for petrol and diesel…
A vibrant boat race held along Sierra Leone’s coastline has brought together coastal communities highlighting how residents are balancing environmental challenges, cultural heritage, and new economic opportunities through tourism. The Coastal Unity Boat Race, staged over the weekend in Freetown, featured 16 competing communities in a lively contest that blended tradition, competition, and celebration. The atmosphere was energetic as teams raced handcrafted boats, each representing the pride and identity of their coastal hometowns. For many participants, the competition was about more than just speed on the water. Teams competed fiercely for recognition and community pride, with supporters cheering from the…
Authorities in Finland have repatriated a minor boy from Iraq after years spent in the notorious Al-Hol Camp, officials confirmed on Friday. The Finnish foreign ministry said the child arrived in Finland following a decision by an Iraqi court on March 31 that cleared the way for his release and transfer to the Finnish embassy in Baghdad. Authorities confirmed the boy holds only Finnish citizenship. According to officials, the child had been taken to Syria in the mid-2010s and was placed in the al-Hol camp in February 2019 after the collapse of the territorial control of the Islamic State. He…
U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticised allied nations for failing to support the United States in its ongoing war with Iran, declaring that it is not America’s responsibility to secure the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on Tuesday, Trump said countries that depend on the waterway for oil supplies should take responsibility for keeping it open, after Iran moved to close the narrow passage that links the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through the strait during peacetime. The president suggested that the U.S. military offensive against Iran could conclude…
A wave of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure near the Gulf of Finland has significantly disrupted oil exports, halted port operations, and caused wider logistical challenges across the region. According to Russian authorities, at least 18 drones were intercepted overnight during a three-hour alert over the Leningrad region, with Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko stating that no casualties were recorded in the latest round of strikes. The attacks follow earlier hits on key oil facilities, including ports in Ust-Luga and Primorsk, as well as infrastructure in Vyborg and Kronstadt. Ukraine has also targeted the Kinef refinery in Kirishi, one of…