Coca-Cola, Pespi, Five Others Agree to Adjust Sugar Content of Drinks

Seven major drinks companies including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo will limit the sugar content of drinks they sell in Singapore, as part of the city-state’s campaign to fight diabetes.

Singapore is one of the first countries in Asia to target sugary drinks, bringing it in line with many Western nations that have sought to mitigate the health risks associated with sugar through measures such as taxes and warning labels.

Globally, beverage firms have been reworking recipes, racing to cut sugar and introduced more options to cater to increasingly health-conscious consumers.

On Tuesday, Singapore’s ministry of health said the seven firms had signed an industry pledge to remove by 2020 drinks that contain more than 12 percent sugar from their portfolios of sugar-sweetened beverages.

As well as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, the companies include F&N Foods, Malaysia Dairy Industries, Nestle, Pokka and Yeo Hiap Seng.

“In addition to this industry commitment, Coca-Cola Singapore is making an additional commitment to reduce the sugar content in our portfolio of sugar-sweetened beverages by 10 percent by 2020,” Coca-Cola said in an email to Reuters.

It said it had been reducing sugar and calories across many of its brands, and offering more new drinks with low sugar content or no added sugar.

Daily sugar consumption per capita from soft drinks has risen since 2010 to 6.08 grammes in Asia-Pacific in 2016, with Singapore at 11.99 grammes, according to market research firm Euromonitor.

Consumption has been trending lower in Europe and the United States, but it is still higher than in Asia-Pacific.

 “Governments in Asia are actively promoting healthy consumption, such as Malaysia which launched its Healthier Choices Logo in April 2017,” said Euromonitor International analyst Nathanael Lim.

“Consumers also have an increasing preference for beverages containing natural ingredients with zero sugar.”

The World Health Organisation said in 2016 drinking fewer calorific sweet drinks was the best way to curb excessive weight and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, although fat and salt in processed foods were also to blame.

Among Asian countries, the Philippines has slapped levies on sugar-sweetened beverages, while Indonesia and India have been considering similar taxes.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned the drinks makers’ agreement in a speech on Sunday, in which he also urged people to drink water, eat wholemeal bread and brown rice, but did provide details

 



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Guys Here are Some Important Tips on How to Make Your Girlfriend Love You More?

Life is not a video game, but there are still some tried and true ways you can impress your significant other. Check out some tips on how to make your girlfriend love you even more than she does now!

File photo

 

What can make your girlfriend love you more? Here are some practical tips that will help you.

 

1. Listen to what she has to say. It might seem obvious to many, but some people still manage to miss this simple but crucial step. If you are having a conversation, really listen to her. Do not just pretend to listen and then make excuses as to why you did not hear her last sentence.

 

According to the old Russian saying, ‘women love with their ears’. However, women also appreciate being listened to. Even if she just has to vent about her annoying co-workers, pause your work and offer a sympathetic ear. We guarantee that it will not go unnoticed.

 

2. Compliment her. Women do love with their ears, so a well-timed compliment will do wonders for your romance. Do not focus only on appearance, although occasional mentions of how good her hair looks are important too.

 

Play to her strengths, compliment her on things she is most proud of. It can be a promotion, a successful meal, a win in a marathon, or anything she worked hard for. You can also try to reduce her personal insecurities by saying how much you love them and appreciate them for making her who she is.

 

3. Ask her advice. Almost any person loves being helpful and important. Your girlfriend will definitely appreciate it if you ask her help in resolving a difficult situation. This tip would work great if it is her area of expertise. However, it might be hard to think of what to ask the PhD of Quantum Physics. What is the meaning of life, maybe?

 

4. Be her support system. Every woman needs someone she can turn to when things do not go her way. In this situation, that person is you! If you see that she is upset about something, ask her about it. Nevertheless, do not press if she refuses to answer. Simply say that you are there when she needs you. Eventually, she will tell you, and you can figure it out together.

 

5. Do not be afraid of her tears. Many people feel very uncomfortable when they see open displays of intense emotions. But if you want to be the best partner you can be, set your feelings aside and offer your shoulder to cry on.

 

6. Leave the past in the past. Unless your girlfriend initiates the ‘ex talk’, do not ask her about her exes. You do not need to know who she was with before. You should only care about the relationship at hand. However, when she asks you about the people you used to date, do not compare them to her. Describe them as if you were describing one of your friends.

 

7. Have a good relationship with her family and friends. It does not mean that you have to be best friends with all of them. Be as nice as you can, even if your views on life are incompatible. If you absolutely hate all of them, try to limit your communication with them. Do not make your girlfriend choose between you and them. It is an unfair choice, and you will most likely loose.

 

8. Surprise her. This encompasses all of the cutesy romantic behaviour you can think of. Leave cute notes around the house, plan surprise dates, or show up at her workplace during lunch hour. However, make sure that she likes surprises beforehand. Do a ‘trial run’ in a safe environment or just ask her outright. Because nothing is worse than an unwanted surprise.

 

9. Treat her. This does not necessarily mean you need to spend ridiculous amounts of money just to please her. Make her favourite meal, take her to her favourite theatre, or massage her feet when she gets home. Little things like that will work better than any words. Although occasional big gestures like a luxurious romantic trip for two will be great for the both of you.

 

If you live together, do not think that she has to do all the housework. Divide the chores between you, and if she works more than you, offer to take over her responsibilities.

 

10. Give her space. You do not have to be together 24/7. Even though it is your partner we are talking about, you have no right to control her in any way. Let her have her moments of solitude, encourage her to hang out with her friends.

 

A good loving relationship should be built on trust. This means that you two can have your separate lives and still love each other immensely. Staying apart for a while will do you both some good. In those moments, try to calm your jealousy. Do not look for signs of cheating if they are not there.

 

11. Be yourself. This is the most important part many people forget about. If she is your girlfriend, it means that she already loves you. You do not have to jump out of your skin and demand the impossible. Just be the nicest version of yourself you can be. As long as you are a decent human being, she will love you with all you strengths and weaknesses.

 

These are all very generic tips. If you want to know what will definitely work for your girlfriend, why don’t you ask her? There is no definitive guide to how to make girls love you. Every woman is different, so do not be surprised if your typical wooing fails.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

(Must Read)-How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down, but after reading this article, you'd be glad we shared it.

Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you might avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Here are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.

1. Watch your waistline

Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea), which further raises your blood pressure.

Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilogrammes) can help reduce your blood pressure.

 Besides shedding pounds, you generally should also keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure

Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimetres while women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 centimetres).

These numbers vary among ethnic groups. Ask your doctor about a healthy waist measurement for you.

2. Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity — at least 30 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure by four to nine millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It’s important to be consistent because if you stop exercising, your blood pressure can rise again.

If you have slightly high blood pressure (prehypertension), exercise can help you avoid developing full-blown hypertension. If you already have hypertension, regular physical activity can bring your blood pressure down to safer levels.

The best types of exercise for lowering blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing.

Strength training also can help reduce blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about developing an exercise programme.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg.This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet.It isn’t easy to change your eating habits, but with these tips, you can adopt a healthy diet:

4. Keep a food diary

 Writing down what you eat, even for just a week, can shed surprising light on your true eating habits. Monitor what you eat, how much, when and why.

Consider boosting potassium. Potassium can lessen the effects of sodium on blood pressure. The best source of potassium is food, such as fruits and vegetables, rather than supplements. Talk to your doctor about the potassium level that’s best for you.

Be a smart shopper. Read food labels when you shop and stick to your healthy-eating plan when you’re dining out, too.

5. Reduce salt in your diet

Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg.

The effect of sodium intake on blood pressure varies among groups of people. In general, limit sodium to less than 2,300 milligrammes (mg) a day or less.

However, a lower sodium intake — 1,500 mg a day or less — is appropriate for people with greater salt sensitivity, including: African-Americans, anyone age 51 or older, anyone diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

6. Limit alcohol intake

Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health. In small amounts, it can potentially lower your blood pressure by two to four mm Hg.

But that protective effect is lost if you drink too much alcohol — generally more than one drink a day for women and for men older than age 65, or more than two a day for men age 65 and younger. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by several points. It can also reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.

–Mayoclinic

 



When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Rats Chased President Buhari from Office - BBC

BBC has reported that as Nigerian President, Muhamamdu Buhari resumes work after spending over 100 days in London, the British capital on medical vacation, the president will be working from home. BBC Pidgin reports that Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant, SSA on Media mata to President Muhammadu Buhari say rodents don damage di President office and dis na why im dey work from home.

"After im no dey for office for about three months, rodents don cause plenty damage for di furniture and air conditioning units wey dey for im office and dis na why e dey work from home for now," Shehu tell BBC.

Shehu tell BBC say dis na one of di reason why dem dey clean and renovate di office now.

After over 100 days in London where im dey on medical vacation, President Buhari return to Nigeria on Saturday, August 19. Im address di nation on Monday morning, come send letter to di National Assembly say im don resume work.

But, on Monday, di President still work from home and people come dey ask wetin cause this one.

Shehu say dem just dey clean di office and dis na why di President dey work from di office wey im get for di residential area of Aso Rock villa, wey bi seat of government for Nigeria.

Source: BBC Pidgin

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Man Sells Wife on Facebook

 

A 56-year-old man has ended up being defrauded after he was scammed by a husband who allegedly sold his wife to him for marriage.

 

30-year-old man identified as Brian Nkatazo Mathe, reportedly hatched a plan along with his 22-year-old wife, Stephanie Pullen, to steal from men by opening a Facebook account where the latter would lure potential husbands. 

 

According to a report by H-Metro, a 56-year-old man identified as Nyakanyaka Msipani, fell into the trap and met Pullen who introduced Nkatazo as her brother capable of receiving her bride price. 

 

Msipani is yet to stay with the woman he paid bride price for and any attempt to have quality time with Pullen would hit a snag of Nkatazo who was introduced as brother. 

 

Msipani said; “I phoned Pullen after admiring her on Facebook and we met and agreed to marry each other giving me a condition that I was supposed to meet her brother for lobola issues. 

"I never had time to caress or kiss Pullen as she kept on visiting me in the presence of Nkatazo demanding money that at one time I gave him my bank card and pin to withdraw money to use at a funeral.

 

"He disappeared with the money and bank card for some time and I phoned Nkatazo’s sister and she is the one who disclosed to me that the two were husband and wife. 

"I lost more than $5 000 in total apart from the $4 000 he demanded as lobola and I paid through bank transfers. I feel sorry for them. If I am the first victim it is better to spare them from jail because I will lose the wife and money at the same time,” said Msipani who wants Pullen as per the bride price agreement.

 

While speaking to a correspondent, Nkatazo, who is gainfully employed said that economic conditions forced them to hatch the plan for financial gain. Pullen refused to entertain a reporter saying the three are in agreement. 

“We are all agreeing and I do not see the need for you here. Ibvai pano,” said Pullen. 

 

Pullen and Nkatazo who were detained at Harare Central police station and are expected to appear in court today.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Grace Mugabe Breaks Silence, Explains why she Beat the Hell Out of South African Model

Zimbabwe's first lady, Grace Mugabe has given reasons why she was forced to assault a model in South Africa.

Zimbabwe's First Lady, Grace Mugabe

 

Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe claims she hit 20-year-old Gabriella Engels with an extension cord in an act of self-defence. Her two sons were not spared a beating either. Mugabe has told South African officials that she was in fact the victim in the attack that happened last Sunday in a flat in Sandton. This allegedly took place in the presence of numerous body guards.

This is according to highly-placed sources privy to the case. “She is adamant on the issue of protecting herself because she feels she was attacked. She says she was attacked by the victim and that she also has her own injuries which she is not going to publish in the media,” said one source.

The assault, which happened last Sunday has Zimbabwean and South African officials scurrying behind the scenes to try to defuse what has become an embarrassing international incident that has brought the diplomatic relations between the two neighbours under intense scrutiny.

Engels claims that Mugabe assaulted her after she found her with her sons, Robert jr and Chatunga Bellarmine. But it appears that the pair, known for their high-rolling lifestyles, also faced their mother’s wrath that night.

“People are not talking about the fact she did the same to her kids. She beats her kids too,” the source said.

Engels received cuts and bruises and had to crawl out of the room to escape, she claimed. She said that Mugabe’s bodyguards stood by and watched.

Since the attack, civil rights organisation AfriForum, has decided to represent Engels and the “Bulldog” advocate Gerrie Nel has taken the case and is hoping to get the Zimbabwean first lady in the dock, despite government’s fears of diplomatic fallout.

When asked why Mugabe didn’t open a police case against Engels, the official said that Mugabe didn’t see it that way. The official explained how the incident had placed the SAPS in a predicament.

“Yes, clearly it was a difficult situation, a predicament because it was a high-profile matter and all the things came colliding. It was a mad house, and we had to ensure we don’t break the international law on how to treat important delegates. In cases like this, you want to collect all the information from all sides.”

The first lady is apparently still holed-up in South Africa and is waiting for the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) to issue her diplomatic immunity. Then she can leave.

If this happens, this will be the second time that Mugabe has used this legal loophole to escape prosecution.  In 2009, she was given diplomatic immunity by the Chinese after she assaulted a journalist in Hong Kong. Dirco spokesperson Nelson Kgwete said that a decision had yet to be made about giving Mugabe diplomatic immunity.

AfriForum on Friday said that they were waiting to see if Mugabe would be given diplomatic immunity. If she was, Willie Spies, the organisation’s legal representative said the organisation would launch a review application in the high court in Pretoria to have the decision set aside.

He said that Engels had opened a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against Mugabe, which was serious enough to warrant her not being given immunity.

“You must remember that Mrs Mugabe visits South Africa very often,” said Spies.

“She does have interests and assets in South Africa so it makes it possible for us to get hold of her or pursue her at a later stage.”

Mugabe has in recent months allegedly been on a multimillion dollar spending splurge on Joburg property.

“If the review application fails,we have committed ourselves to challenge this up to the Constitutional Court,” Spies said.

Another source said the matter had to be dealt with delicately.

“Everything was colliding into everything else and he (minister Fikile Mbalula) has had to think deeply. You can imagine if the police just went in there, guns blazing, she is guarded by a dozen guards."

“There is no law that is higher than the other. We also had to consider the international complexities because you have had our diplomats thrown out of countries. That is the complexity.”

Meanwhile, the woman at the centre of the incident is recovering. Engels’ mother Debbie on Friday said: “She is not getting trauma counselling as yet, but she is on the mend.”

The assault charges against Mugabe are set to be discussed in Parliament. 

In the meeting of the programming committee on Friday, MPs agreed that the case, along with that of Deputy Higher Education Minister Mduduzi Manana, deserves special attention when Parliament debates gender-based violence this month.

The debate was supposed to have been held last Tuesday but had to be held over because of the motion of no-confidence against President Jacob Zuma.

MPs from across the political spectrum agreed that Manana and Mugabe should be the focal point of their deliberations.

 

-IOL

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

HOFNA Hits Another Milestone, Organises Girls Leadership Booth Camp

*****With report from N.S. Jean Marie

HOFNA Empowering the girl child

Some 40 young girls aged 13-19 have been armed with knowledge on how they can better lead their peers and effectively become leaders in the society. This was during a three day all girls leaders boot camp that held in Bamenda from August 17-19, 2017. Holding with the theme “inspiring the next generation of female leaders”, the young girls selected from the two Anglophone regions were availed with basic knowledge on how to overcome inferiority, be assertive, master their bodies and the need to go back to school and remain in school.

Opening the three day event, the Board chair of Hope for the Needy Association, HOFNA, Yaa Gladys Viban reminded the girls that to be leaders in the society, they must be proactive, ready to take risk, have sense of direction, cultivate the habit of problem solving and identify role models that they look up to them in life. She emphasized that for them to become leaders, they must be academically strong, have the knack to serve, as well as develop the love for volunteer or just doing something for nothing. “We need to make the girls to start seeing themselves as full participation in nation building and as partners in the development process” She said.

 On her part, Chongwain Christelle Bay Nfor, director of HOFNA, said the girls were selected on their expressions of possessing leadership skills. She explained that HOFAN launched a call for applications and “we asked what they think about leadership and their visions and their responses guided us to do the selections”. HOFNA Director reiterated that fact that after the three days boot camp, the girls shall be assigned mentors to guide them in their leadership journeys in order to make sure they realize their dreams.

It should be recalled that the young girls were schooled with practical knowledge on how to address gender based violence, making good decisions, healthy friendships, team work and entrepreneurship, knowledge on female body changes like how pregnancy happens, how to communicate with a partner and prevent unwanted pregnancies and STI/HIV and how to produce local detergents that can make them financially viable.

Through interactive presentations, Comfort Musa cautioned them not to do online what they cannot do offline, like sharing nude pictures online and charting late in the night with opposite sex online.

Hope For the Needy Association, HOFNA it is worth mentioning is a not for profit making organization that focuses on leadership, development education promotion, advocacy on sexuality and reproduction related issues and the environment. Organized by HOFNA the girls’ leadership Boot camp was realized with additional funding from the Israeli embassy in Cameron.

HOFNA Director Chongwain Christelle Bay Nfor

PARTICIPANTS

VIPs at the girls leadership booth camp

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)