
Mastercard to Buy Stake in MTN’s $5.2 Billion Fintech Unit
MTN Group Ltd., Africa’s biggest wireless carrier, said Mastercard Inc. agreed to take a minority stake in its
2023-08-14 15:27

China Looks to Attract Foreign Investment as Its Economy Struggles
China’s latest attempt to reverse the nation’s foreign investment slump includes pledges to offer overseas firms better tax
2023-08-14 15:22

Niger Junta Vows to Prosecute President, But Says Open to Talks
Niger’s self-declared military leadership vowed to prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, even as it said it’s prepared to
2023-08-14 14:58

Lucozade addict drinks eight bottles a day and says it’s harder to quit than class-A drugs
A grandfather is addicted to Lucozade despite having three heart attacks, and said it's harder to give up than class-A drugs. Garry Johnson, 65, began drinking coffee aged 12 and loved the caffeine buzz. The now-retired painter and decorator took cocaine and amphetamines in his teens, and after 15 years of on-off drug use went “cold turkey” when his son Sam was born in 1992. Keen to stay energised, he took up drinking 380ml bottle bottles of Lucozade Original, and now gets through eight a day. He's had the habit for 29 YEARS and it currently costs him around £150 a month. And at today's prices, his nearly three decade habit would have cost him more than £42,800. He had three heart attacks between 2012 and 2014 because of a hereditary heart condition, and doctors encouraged him to ditch caffeinated drinks. He gave up dairy and every other form of caffeine - but he still necks more than three litres of Lucozade a day. He said Lucozade is proving harder to give up than class-A drugs - because of the "after effect - like that lovely feeling in your mouth after you eat an expensive bit of chocolate." Garry, from Basildon, Essex, said: "I took cocaine every day but it was a piece of cake to give up - but I'd find it really hard to ever give up Lucozade. "I love it - not just the taste but the affect on my body makes me feel great. If I do go two or three hours without one, I fancy one... God knows how I'd be after two days.” He stopped using cocaine aged 30, when his son Sam, now 31, was born and went cold turkey because being a new dad was "stimulant enough". He started drinking Red Bull but found himself with migraines, and eventually moved onto Lucozade. He initially drank six a day, but has had eight a day for the last seven years. Now he goes to Tesco every day and buys one or two four-packs - depending how many bottles he already has stacked up in the fridge ready to drink. "I've always needed some kind of stimulant and eventually I realised Lucozade is perfect for me," he said. "After my heart attacks they told me to quit the energy drinks but I recently had new heart tests and my results are better than they've ever been. "I guess I've just found one that suits my body." But Garry said he doesn't even want to give up because it's a "part of his identity" - like a person's favourite shirt or their daily breakfast. He justifies the cost because he doesn't drink alcohol or smoke. He said: "£5 a day - that's less than a pint of beer today in some places." If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, you can confidentially call the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website here for information about the programmes available to you. If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email or visiting their website here. SWNS Read More What I gained (and lost) by walking 10,000 steps each day for 5 months Husband ‘ruins’ dinner because of his wife’s typo: ‘The worst kind of control freak’ John Whaite says he ‘spent time apart’ from fiancé after ‘falling in love’ with Strictly pro
2023-08-14 14:51

Yuan Falls Toward This Year’s Low as Chinese Economy Sputters
China’s yuan fell toward its weakest level this year after a series of disappointing economic figures added to
2023-08-14 14:18

Taiwan vice president is 'troublemaker', says Beijing
William Lai's stopovers in New York and San Francisco on his way to Paraguay have riled China.
2023-08-14 13:55

Palestinian gunmen say they're fighting for Jenin, not foreign backers
By Ali Sawafta, James Mackenzie and Suleiman Al-Khalidi JENIN, West Bank Sitting in a bullet-scarred building in the
2023-08-14 13:16

The West's 'see no evil' approach to Serbia's Vucic is destabilizing the Balkans
When Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States and European Union accelerated their pivot towards Serbia. Rather than juggling the contradictory demands of pluralistic and fractious Balkan states, Western capitals focused the bulk of their efforts on a singular target.
2023-08-14 12:26

Embattled Peso Seeks Relief as Philippines to Weigh Rate Hike
A rebound in the dollar has hit the peso harder than most of its peers and the losses
2023-08-14 11:56

Ecuador Candidates Struggle to Stand Out After Rival’s Killing
Ecuador’s presidential candidates struggled to distinguish themselves in a bumpy debate on Sunday, marked by the absence of
2023-08-14 11:55

Outsider Milei Upends Argentina’s Election With Primary Win
Follow our live blog and see the live results as election data come in. Argentina’s outsider congressman Javier
2023-08-14 11:54

Hedge Funds Turned Long Aussie Dollar at Just the Wrong Time
Hedge funds turned the most bullish on the Australian dollar than they’ve been at any point this year,
2023-08-14 11:24