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Share on Pinterest A recent investigation has found that food and beverage companies are paying influencers on Tiktok and Instagram to spread misinformation and downplay health risks associated with the artificial sweetener aspartame. SrdjanPav/Getty ImagesAn investigation by Washington Post has revealed that many dietitians were paid to spread misinformation about aspartame by the food and beverage industry.Influencers used the #safetyofaspartame hashtag to discredit WHO warnings about the artificial sweetenerAccording to the WHO, aspartame is possibly carcinogenic when consumed in high quantities.Experts agree that its generally safe to consume in moderation, but you can cut back by substituting it with maple syrup, honey, or dates.

A Washington Post investigation has found that dozens of influencer dietitians on TikTok and Instagram were paid by the food and beverage industry to spread misinformation about the safety of the artificial sweetener aspartame.

The promotion was designed to blunt warnings from The World Health Organization (WHO) published in July that said aspartame is ineffective for weight loss and possibly carcinogenic.

Many influencers claimed the WHO warnings were clickbait and based on low-quality science. The campaign was shown to have reached 11 million followers and counting.

Aspartame is found in a wide range of foods and drinks, including sugar-free soda and diet foods.

Research indicates around 6,000 products are manufactured with aspartame.

The sweetener, often used as a weight-management tool, is about 200 times sweeter than table sugar, but low in calories, packing around four calories per gram.

However, health bodies recommend a daily limit of 40 mg/kg body weight to limit its potentially cancer-causing effects.

Nutritionist Rebecca Heald says its very concerning to hear that some dietitians are spreading misinformation about the safety of this popular artificial sweetener.

As a responsible source of nutrition information, dietitians should base their advice on credible scientific evidence. However, its not entirely surprising that this happens, as the internet and social media platforms have been known to amplify unverified claims and sensational information, she points out.

Misinformation may have caused confusion about the health risks posed by aspartame. So, just how safe is the sweetener? Health risks associated with aspartame

You may be relieved to know that in small quantities aspartame is unlikely to cause you any harm. However, there are some things to consider before including it in your diet.

Aspartame has undergone extensive safety testing and is considered safe for consumption by regulatory agencies like the FDA and EFSA. However, some individuals may have specific sensitivities or allergies to aspartame, resulting in adverse reactions, says Heald.

In very high doses, it can cause headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, and allergic reactions.

Whats more, it may not be the best appetite and weight management tool.

Some studies have suggested that artificial sweeteners like aspartame may disrupt the bodys natural appetite regulation mechanisms, Heald explains. This can potentially lead to overeating or cravings for sweeter, high-calorie foods, which, in turn, may affect gut health and contribute to weight gain.

Like Heald, clinic nutritionist Nishtha Patel agrees that aspartame appears to be safe in moderation, but doesnt necessarily recommend it.

A large number of scientific research and regulatory agencies around the world seem to agree that aspartame is safe for consumption when taken within the recommended daily intake, Patel points out.

Furthermore, it seems that the risk factors are most relevant to certain conditions such as phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder that stops you from metabolizing a specific amino acid found in aspartame called phenylalanine.

Still, Patel isnt sold on the benefits of adding artificial sweeteners like aspartame to your diet.

I personally do not like to use artificial sweeteners or anything artificial. My philosophy is to go as close to nature as possible, she says. How much aspartame is safe to consume?

If youre counting calories in a bid to lose or maintain weight, consuming foods and drinks that contain aspartame is one way to continue enjoying usually high-calorie and high-sugar treats like soda.

It may sound obvious to say that moderation is key, but when it comes to aspartame, what does moderation actually look like?

According to the WHO, a can of diet soft drink contains 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, and an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 914 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming no other intake from other food sources.

As the WHO guidance suggests, Heald says you dont need to eliminate aspartame completely unless you have an allergy or sensitivity.

Her advice?

Just be sure to maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods alongside it. How to limit artificial sweeteners

If you are looking to cut down on artificial sweeteners like aspartame, or hoping to eliminate them completely, Heald says getting curious about food labels is the best place to start.

You can identify aspartame on food labels by looking for its presence in the ingredient list, but if in doubt, its typically found in sugar-free or diet products, like diet drinks, sugar-free chewing gum, sugar-free desserts, and some low-calorie foods, she explains.

You might want to consider eating these less frequently or making room for the non-diet versions of these foods assuming you can enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.

Alternatively, if you want to avoid aspartame, you should choose products that are explicitly labeled as aspartame-free or no artificial sweeteners, Heald says.

And if you want to add a little sweetness to your food? Patel recommends a little maple syrup, honey, or dates as potential substitutes. Takeaway

In the social media age, misinformation can be difficult to spot and, when it comes to dietary advice, scrutiny is needed to assess the reliability of any claim.

Where aspartame is concerned, Heald says its essential to approach this topic with nuance and consideration for your individual tolerance and preferences.

Aspartame may allow you to enjoy foods and drinks that are conventionally off-limits while losing weight, but moderation is definitely key.

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‘At least 59 killed’ in Gaza after Israeli military opens fire near aid centre and carries out strikes

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'At least 59 killed' in Gaza after Israeli military opens fire near aid centre and carries out strikes

At least 59 Palestinians have reportedly been killed after the Israeli military opened fire near an aid centre in Gaza and carried out strikes across the territory.

The Red Cross, which operates a field hospital in Rafah, said 25 people were “declared dead upon arrival” and “six more died after admittance” following gunfire near an aid distribution centre in the southern Gazan city.

The humanitarian organisation added that it also received 132 patients “suffering from weapon-related injuries” after the incident.

The Red Cross said: “The overwhelming majority of these patients sustained gunshot wounds, and all responsive individuals reported they were attempting to access food distribution sites.”

The organisation said the number of deaths marks the hospital’s “largest influx of fatalities” since it began operations in May last year.

The IDF has said it fired “warning shots” near the aid distribution site but it was “not aware of injured individuals” as a result.

It said in a statement: “Earlier today, several suspects were identified approaching IDF troops operating in the Rafah area, posing a threat to the troops, hundreds of metres from the aid distribution site.

“IDF troops operated in order to prevent the suspects from approaching them and fired warning shots.”

Palestinians mourn a loved one following the incident near the aid centre. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Palestinians mourn a loved one following the incident near the aid centre. Pic: Reuters

Mother’s despair over shooting

Somia Alshaar told Sky News her 17-year-old son Nasir was shot dead while visiting the aid centre after she told him not to go.

She said: “He went to get us tahini so we could eat.

“He went to get flour. He told me ‘mama, we don’t have tahini. Today I’ll bring you flour. Even if it kills me, I will get you flour’.

“He left the house and didn’t return. They told me at the hospital: your son…’Oh God, oh Lord’.”

Asked where her son was shot, she replied: “In the chest. Yes, in the chest.”

Somia Alshaar, pictured with her daughter, says her son was shot dead. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Somia Alshaar, pictured with her daughter, says her son was shot dead. Pic: Reuters

‘A policy of mass murder’

Hassan Omran, a paramedic with Gaza’s ministry of health, told Sky News after the incident that humanitarian aid centres in Gaza are now “centres of mass death”.

Speaking in Khan Younis, he said: “Today, there were more than 150 injuries and more than 20 martyrs at the aid distribution centres… the Israeli occupation deliberately kills and commits genocide. The Israeli occupation is carrying out a policy of mass murder.

“They call people to come get their daily food, and then, when citizens arrive at these centres, they are killed in cold blood.

“All the victims have gunshot wounds to the head and chest, meaning the enemy is committing these crimes deliberately.”

Israel has rejected genocide accusations and denies targeting civilians.

Boys cry following the incident near the Rafah aid centre. Pic: Reuters
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Two boys mourn their brother at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Pic: Reuters

‘Lies being peddled’

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the controversial US and Israeli-backed group which operates the distribution centre near Rafah, said: “Hamas is claiming there was violence at our aid distribution sites today. False.

“Once again, there were no incidents at or in the immediate vicinity of our sites.

“But that’s not stopping some from spreading the lies being peddled by ‘officials’ at the Hamas-controlled Nasser Hospital.”

The Red Cross said its field hospital in Rafah has recorded more than 250 fatalities and treated more than 3,400 “weapon-wounded patients” since new food distribution sites were set up in Gaza on 27 May.

Read more:
‘At least 798 killed’ at Gaza aid points
’10 children killed’ waiting for Gaza health clinic to open
Israel says permanent ceasefire ‘questionable’

Palestinians inspect the wreckage of a gas station destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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Palestinians inspect the wreckage after an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah. Pic: AP

It comes after four children and two women were among at least 13 people who died in Deir al Balah, in central Gaza, after Israeli strikes pounded the area starting late on Friday, officials in Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the territory said.

Fifteen others died in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not responded to a request for comment on the reported deaths.

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Israeli has been carrying out attacks in Gaza since Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostages on 7 October 2023.

Hamas still holds 50 hostages, with fewer than half of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

US President Donald Trump has said he is closing in on another ceasefire agreement that would see more hostages released and potentially wind down the war.

But after two days of talks this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, there were no signs of a breakthrough.

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The latest fatalities in Gaza comes as a 20-year-old Palestinian-American man was beaten to death by settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday, the Palestinian Health ministry said.

Sayafollah Musallet, also known as Saif, was killed during a confrontation between Palestinians and settlers in Sinjil, north of Ramallah, the ministry said.

A second man, Hussein Al-Shalabi, 23, died after being shot in the chest.

Mr Musallet’s family, from Tampa Florida, has called on the US State Department to lead an “immediate investigation”.

A State Department spokesperson said it was aware of the incident but it had no further comment “out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones” of the reported victim.

The Israeli military said the confrontation broke out after Palestinians threw rocks at Israelis, lightly injuring them.

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Environment

This new wireless e-bike charger wants to be the future of electric bikes

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This new wireless e-bike charger wants to be the future of electric bikes

Forget fumbling with cables or hunting for batteries – TILER is making electric bike charging as seamless as parking your ride. The Dutch startup recently introduced its much-anticipated TILER Compact system, a plug-and-play wireless charger engineered to transform the user experience for e-bike riders.

At the heart of the new system is a clever combo: a charging kickstand that mounts directly to almost any e‑bike, and a thin charging mat that you simply park over. Once you drop the kickstand and it lands on the mat, the bike begins charging automatically via inductive transfer – no cable required. According to TILER, a 500 Wh battery will fully charge in about 3.5 hours, delivering comparable performance to traditional wired chargers.

It’s an elegantly simple concept (albeit a bit chunky) with a convenient upside: less clutter, fewer broken cables, and no more need to bend over while feeling around for a dark little hole.

TILER claims its system works with about 75% of existing e‑bike platforms, including those from Bosch, Yamaha, Bafang, and other big bames. The kit uses a modest 150 W wireless power output, which means charging speeds remain practical while keeping the system lightweight (the tile weighs just 2 kg, and it’s also stationary).

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TILER has already deployed over 200 charging points across Western Europe, primarily serving bike-share, delivery, hospitality, and hotel fleets. A recent case study in Munich showed how a cargo-bike operator saved approximately €1,250 per month in labor costs, avoided thousands in spare batteries, and cut battery damage by 20%. The takeaway? Less maintenance, more uptime.

Now shifting to prosumer markets, TILER says the Compact system will hit pre-orders soon, with a €250 price tag (roughly US $290) for the kickstand plus tile bundle. To get in line, a €29 refundable deposit is currently required, though they say it is refundable at any point until you receive your charger. Don’t get too excited just yet though, there’s a bit of a wait. Deliveries are expected in summer 2026, and for now are covering mostly European markets.

The concept isn’t entirely new. We’ve seen the idea pop up before, including in a patent from BMW for charging electric motorcycles. And the efficacy is there. Skeptics may wonder if wireless charging is slower or less efficient, but TILER says no. Its system retains over 85% efficiency, nearly matching wired charging speeds, and even pauses at 80% to protect battery health, then resumes as needed. The tile is even IP67-rated, safe for outdoor use, and about as bulky as a thick magazine.

Electrek’s Take

I love the concept. It makes perfect sense for shared e-bikes, especially since they’re often returning to a dock anyway. As long as people can be trained to park with the kickstand on the tile, it seems like a no-brainer.

And to be honest, I even like the idea for consumers. I know it sounds like a first-world problem, but bending over to plug something in at floor height is pretty annoying, not to mention a great way to throw out your back if you’re not exactly a spring chicken anymore. Having your e-bike start charging simply by parking it in the right place is a really cool feature! I don’t know if it’s $300 cool, but it’s pretty cool!

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Politics

‘Shameful’ that black boys in London more likely to die than white boys, says Met Police chief

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'Shameful' that black boys in London more likely to die than white boys, says Met Police chief

It is “shameful” that black boys growing up in London are “far more likely” to die than white boys, Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has told Sky News.

The commissioner told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that relations with minority communities “is difficult for us”.

Sir Mark, who came out of retirement to become head of the UK’s largest police force in 2022, said: “We can’t pretend otherwise that we’ve got a history between policing and black communities where policing has got a lot wrong.

“And we get a lot more right today, but we do still make mistakes. That’s not in doubt. I’m being as relentless in that as it can be.”

He said the “vast majority” of the force are “good people”.

However, he added: “But that legacy, combined with the tragedy that some of this crime falls most heavily in black communities, that creates a real problem because the legacy creates concern.”

Sir Mark, who also leads the UK’s counter-terrorism policing, said it is “not right” that black boys growing up in London “are far more likely to be dead by the time they’re 18” than white boys.

“That’s, I think, shameful for the city,” he admitted.

The Met Police chief’s admission comes two years after an official report found the force is institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.

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Police chase suspected phone thief

Baroness Casey was commissioned in 2021 to look into the Met Police after serving police officer Wayne Couzens abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard.

She pinned the primary blame for the Met’s culture on its past leadership and found that stop and search and the use of force against black people was excessive.

At the time, Sir Mark, who had been commissioner for six months when the report was published, said he would not use the labels of institutionally racist, institutionally misogynistic and institutionally homophobic, which Casey insisted the Met deserved.

However, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who helped hire Sir Mark – and could fire him – made it clear the commissioner agreed with Baroness Casey’s verdict.

After the report was released, Sir Mark said “institutional” was political language so he was not going to use it, but he accepted “we have racists, misogynists…systematic failings, management failings, cultural failings”.

A few months after the report, Sir Mark launched a two-year £366m plan to overhaul the Met, including increased emphasis on neighbourhood policing to rebuild public trust and plans to recruit 500 more community support officers and an extra 565 people to work with teams investigating domestic violence, sexual offences and child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Watch the full interview on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips from 8.30am on Sunday.

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