Latest news with #Kellogg
IOL News
a day ago
- General
- IOL News
Mandela Day: Old age home thanks Big Save, Pretoria News for making 'big, big difference'
On Mandela Day, Pretoria News and Big Save joined forces to uplift the elderly residents of Mamelodi Old Age Home, donating food hampers and spreading kindness in honour of Nelson Mandela's legacy. The leadership of Pretoria News and Big Save believe that everyone deserves a good life and that every act of kindness – big or small – counts during this Mandela Month and beyond. The two brands, both rooted in the communities they serve in the Tshwane region, demonstrated this when they joined hands to celebrate this year's International Nelson Mandela Day on Friday with the residents of the Mamelodi Old Age Home in Mamelodi East, Pretoria. Pretoria News and retail partner Big Save donated 67 food hampers to the old age home. The outreach function on Friday was a heartfelt gesture to honour the late former president. Mandela Day, commemorated annually on July 18, encourages South Africans and the world to dedicate their time to acts of kindness, reflecting on Mandela's 67 years of service to the nation. In that spirit, Pretoria News and Big Save stepped in with practical support offering not only food but dignity and care to senior citizens often overlooked. The Mamelodi Old Age Home houses 56 elderly residents aged 60 and above, many of whom rely on limited government grants and small family contributions to make ends meet. The 67 food parcels were each packed with 12.5kg maize meal, samp, salt, sugar, tea, and Kellogg's Corn Flakes will go a long way in easing their burdens.
The Hill
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Belarus courts the west as its opposition keeps fighting
On June 21, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an authoritarian who has ruled the nation since 1994, freed 14 political prisoners, including the husband of exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. This happened hours after Lukashenko received U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg in the capital of Minsk. The release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski — known as ' Minsk's number one political prisoner,' who had received the regime's harshest verdict of 18 years — underscores the high-profile nature of the gesture. Kellogg's visit was not his first. On Feb. 12, soon after his initial trip to Belarus, the authorities pardoned three political prisoners, including an American citizen. The June amnesty therefore builds on a pattern linking each wave of releases to Kellogg-brokered diplomacy. The end of the isolation of the Lukashenko regime, however, does not necessarily mean abandonment of Belarusian opposition. Every year since she emerged in 2020, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has used major international platforms — from long-form journalism and television interviews to speeches at parliaments, security conferences and her own social channels — to repeat the same demand: freedom for all Belarusian political prisoners. The consistency of that message underlines that freeing everyone, not a token few, is non-negotiable for the democratic movement she leads. Posting on social media, Tsikhanouskaya thanked President Trump, Kellogg and other partners for securing her husband's freedom. She added, 'We're not done,' and urged that the remaining 1,186 political prisoners be released as well, a demonstration that the fight against the regime will persist. With so many political prisoners still behind bars, Lukashenko's selective pardons fall far short of systemic change. Yet they signal a calculated bid to shed pariah status and rebalance Belarus's dependence on Russia and Vladimir Putin. Belarus is the world's third-largest producer of potash, a key component of fertilizer, but sanctions and Lithuania's 2022 ban on its using the port of Klaipeda have cut it off from Western buyers. Almost all Belarusian potash now travels by rail through Russia to China and other Asian customers. Because Russia controls this sole export route and competes with Belarus in the same fertilizer market, it can charge premium transit fees, squeezing Belarusian profits and deepening Lukashenko's dependence on the Kremlin. Putin's leverage helps explain why Lukashenko trades high-profile prisoner releases for talks on easing sanctions and restoring cheaper sea access. Sending Kellogg to Minsk lets Trump advertise an early foreign-policy win: a humanitarian deal, plus a possible opening for Ukraine peace talks. To pull Belarus even slightly out of Putin's orbit strengthens Trump's argument that his personal diplomacy can keep Russia in check. Over 90 percent of the potash used in the U.S. is imported. Top countries for potash exports include Canada, Belarus, China and Russia, with the last three accounting for more than 40 percent of global supply. Belarus has turned eastward since Western sanctions cut off its traditional routes: China's share of Belarus's potash sales surged from 17 percent in 2021 to more than 70 percent in 2023. President Xi Jinping hailed Lukashenko as a 'true friend' during the Beijing summit on June 4. For Trump, who has pursued a consistently hardline stance toward Beijing, the June deal that freed Tsikhanouski also serves as proof that his direct, transactional diplomacy can peel partners away from Beijing while advancing U.S. security aims — whether that is diversifying fertilizer supply chains or kick-starting Ukraine peace talks. While economic and political calculations may shape how the Trump administration engages with Lukashenko, they do not equate to an end of international criticism of the Lukashenko regime or support for the Belarusian opposition. On March 27, the EU added 25 more officials and seven entities to its Belarus list of 310 individuals and 46 entities under asset freezes and travel bans, keeping Belarus under the same scrutiny as before the prisoner-release diplomacy began. High-level political platforms remain open to Tsikhanouskaya and her allies, and foreign legislatures and multilateral bodies still push accountability. This international pressure helps to keep the opposition's cause alive and ensures that the struggle for democracy in Belarus still has external backing. Tatsiana Kulakevich is an associate professor of instruction in research methods and quantitative analysis at the University of South Florida.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
How to choose an organic mattress that's actually eco-friendly, according to a sustainability expert
It's estimated that Americans throw away 18.2 million mattresses a year into landfills, where these beds can take hundreds of years to decompose and emit toxic chemicals. With that sobering fact in mind, you may be planning to make your next mattress an organic one. Thanks to their high-quality materials and support, sustainable mattresses appear in both our best mattress 2025 guide and our best organic mattress guide. However, like a lot of products that claim eco-friendly benefits, some mattresses may just be using eco-friendly buzzwords to jump on the sustainability wagon. That's why we've asked sustainability guru Kathryn Kellogg, founder of Going Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, to tell us how to choose an organic mattress without the greenwashing gimmicks. According to Kellogg, the first thing to do when choosing an eco-friendly mattress is to know what type of materials it should be made from. "The best eco-friendly mattresses use natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton," says the plastic-free advocate. "Natural latex offers incredible comfort and durability without the synthetic chemicals." Kellogg also highlights both the practical and comfort benefits of organic wool. "Wool naturally regulates temperature and acts as a fire barrier, and organic cotton keeps things soft and breathable," she tells us. Memory foam is found in both the best memory foam mattress and the best hybrid mattresses, but Kellogg says you should avoid this material if you want your bed to be entirely sustainable. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "Avoid synthetic memory foams and polyurethane-based mattresses, especially if they don't disclose what's inside," she explains. "Many are treated with flame retardants or adhesives that can off-gas for years and aren't recyclable at end of life." While it can be easy to fall for catchwords such as "green" and "sustainable", Kellogg says it's important to stay focused on concrete credentials that prove the mattress really is better for the planet. "Look beyond buzzwords like 'natural' or 'eco'," says the sustainability author. "Instead, look for third-party certifications like GOTS for organic textiles, GOLS for organic latex, or MADE SAFE which ensure low toxins and safe indoor air quality." The best mattresses in the box have dominated online bed shopping, and a lot of them are brought to you by eco-luxury brands. However, with more "sustainable" brands appearing out of nowhere, it can be hard to know which ones are making a solid commitment to using eco-friendly materials. "Brands like Avocado and Naturepedic are generally solid options, backed by certifications and a real commitment to transparency," Kelloggs says. "Birch leans into more natural materials too, though it's less customizable." A post shared by The Futon Shop (@the_futon_shop) A photo posted by on Kellogg also has a preference for a San Francisco-based family-owned business. "I love my mattress from the Futon Shop," she reveals. "They handcraft mattresses, futons, and sofas using locally sourced organic materials like GOTS/GOLS-certified latex, wool, cotton, coconut coir, and hemp with zero petrochemicals or polyurethane foam." Okay, so you've found an organic mattress that uses materials like organic cotton, wool and natural latex. Now all you need to do is make sure the comfort and support is right for you. You can find more information for finding the right bed in our guide on how to choose a mattress for your sleep position, but here's a quick breakdown:
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Analysis-Ferrero poised to revive WK Kellogg sales for health-conscious Americans
By Savyata Mishra (Reuters) -Nutella spread maker Ferrero, armed with experience in health-regulated European markets and a track record of revamping struggling brands like Keebler cookies, has a good chance of reviving WK Kellogg's legacy cereal brands with its $3.1 billion take-private deal announced last week. Ferrero, which makes sugary treats like Kinder chocolate eggs, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tac, has pursued an aggressive global expansion to boost revenue and diversify its portfolio beyond sweets into snacks, baked goods, and now breakfast cereals. Under Chairman Giovanni Ferrero, the company has invested heavily in product innovation, reformulation and packaging redesign to turn around some challenged brands it previously acquired such as Keebler from Kellogg. Meanwhile, demand has fallen for products made by WK Kellogg, whose cereals include Special K, Corn Flakes and sweetened offerings such as Froot Loops, Honey Smacks and Frosted Flakes. Consumers have traded down from its pricier cereals even as Kellogg has come under scrutiny for using artificial food dyes. "Ferrero's creativity can help jump-start sales in a sleepy (albeit higher margin) category," said Hank Cardello, executive-in-residence at the Business for Impact center at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business. Ferrero's expertise in cookies and confectionery could help create distinct new versions of cereal products, he added. Ferrero could reinvigorate WK Kellogg's portfolio which also contains healthier options such as Special K and Raisin Bran, touted for their high fiber content, as well as nutrient-rich cereals, granola and waffles under its Kashi brand. "I expect that (Ferrero) will preserve Kellogg brand recognition without too much dilution while also marketing a healthier and more consumer-friendly and appealing product line," Amrita Bhasin, CEO of logistics food and beverage company Sotira, said. In 2018, Ferrero bought Nestle's confectionery business for $2.8 billion, adding brands such as candy bars Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, and 100 Grand to its portfolio. In just a few years, Ferrero relaunched Butterfinger with higher-quality ingredients including peanuts, cocoa and milk and revamped packaging. The steps helped grow demand for the salted caramel bars. In 2019, Ferrero made a $1.3 billion acquisition of Kellogg's cookies, snacks and ice cream business. The Italian company revitalized these products by investing in new packaging and more marketing. In 2023, it also bought Fresystem Group and used the acquisition to grow its frozen food business and launch Nutella muffins and other baked goods. Ferrero declined to comment on the strategy for WK Kellogg. In April, WK Kellogg said it was reformulating its cereals served in schools to not include artificial dyes. Other packaged food makers such as PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz and Hershey have also started working to remove synthetic food dyes from their products, under pressure from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA campaign. Analysts and industry experts noted that Ferrero has spent decades dealing with European regulators that have pushed back on additives, coloring and sugar. This could give the confectionery giant an edge dealing with Kennedy's MAHA campaign, they said. "Ferrero has been a pioneer in marketing smaller portions, which would fit in well with MAHA," Cardello said. For instance, as a founding member of the Always a Treat initiative in 2017, Ferrero committed to ensuring that half of its single-serve packs contain 200 calories or less to help consumers manage their sugar intake. As a private family-owned company, Ferrero is insulated from the pressures of quarterly earnings, giving it more flexibility to invest in long-term brand building and product innovation. Analysts said this could be critical in reshaping WK Kellogg's product lineup over the next few years. Still, MAHA could boost costs for Ferrero as it makes its expansion push in North America. "Ferrero will have to grapple with MAHA requirements across the company, not just in cereal, since much of its business is based on candy and sugary snack foods," said Sky Canaves, an analyst with market research firm Emarketer. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Recorder
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Zelenskyy talks air defence in ‘productive' meeting with US envoy
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Monday with US special envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv and discussed air defence and sanctions on Russia during a 'productive' conversation, the Ukrainian leader said. Kellogg's visit – more than three years into the Kremlin's invasion – comes as Russian forces killed three civilians in eastern Ukraine and launched dozens of long-range drones at targets across the country. The envoy arrived in Kyiv just one day after US President Donald Trump announced new Patriot air defence systems supplies to Ukraine, in a U-turn that has underscored concerns in Kyiv over the consistency of American support. 'We discussed the path to peace and what we can practically do together to bring it closer,' Zelenskyy wrote on social media. 'This includes strengthening Ukraine's air defense, joint production, and procurement of defence weapons in collaboration with Europe,' he added. The Ukrainian president also called for fresh sanctions on Russia and countries that aid its war efforts, and urged US leadership on confronting Moscow. Russia says foreign minister Lavrov met Kim Jong Un 'It is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its unreasonable ambitions are curbed through strength,' Zelenskyy said. Washington said this month it would pause some arms deliveries to Kyiv but Trump has changed tack, criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin for intensifying attacks as US-led peace talks stalled. 'Better late than never' Trump said this weekend Washington would also supply Kyiv with more Patriot air defence batteries, but added that the United States would not pay for them. One Ukrainian solider deployed in the war-scarred east of the country, who identified himself by his call sign Grizzly, welcomed Trump's announcement. 'Better late than never,' he told AFP. 'Because while we are here defending the front line, our families are unprotected. Thanks to the Patriots they are giving us, our families will be safer,' the 29-year-old added. Kellogg's visit comes as the US president is set to meet with NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington later on Monday. Trump says US will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine Trump has said he would issue a 'major statement' on the war on Monday. Russian forces meanwhile said on Monday they had claimed new territory in eastern Ukraine with the capture of two villages, one in the Donetsk region and another in the Zaporizhzhia region. Moscow claimed to have annexed both almost three years ago despite not having full military control over them. Its forces also killed at least three civilians in the eastern Kharkiv and Sumy regions on Monday, regional Ukrainian officials announced. Moscow has stepped up aerial strikes on Ukraine over recent months, launching hundreds of drones almost on a daily basis. The Ukrainian air force said Monday Russia had launched 136 drones and four missiles at Ukraine.
