🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Babacar Béye of ITA disputes alarming interpretation of rice contamination study
via SeneNews5 min read
Babacar Béye, head of the Mycotoxin Laboratory at the Institute of Food Technology ITA, has challenged the alarming interpretation of a recent study concerning aflatoxin contamination in rice in Senegal. According to Béye, analyses conducted at the ITA found contamination levels to be in compliance with Codex Alimentarius standards, an international reference used by many countries. He suggests the controversy arose because the study's results were evaluated against the stricter standards of the European Union, despite the products being intended for the Senegalese market. Béye clarified that the analyzed rice was imported, not local, and that the detected levels are not alarming except under extreme storage conditions of humidity and temperature. He also noted that aflatoxins are thermoresistant, meaning cooking does not eliminate them completely. While acknowledging regular sanitary controls, Béye advocates for their reinforcement to better protect consumers and ensure the quality of food products on the market. He declined to comment on a separate study regarding bacteria in sachet water, stating he was not involved in that work.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Senegalese artist Amadeus has released "Boulma Seetaan," the third single from his upcoming album, which addresses the sensitive topic of women who become pregnant after experiencing sexual assault. The song tells the story from the victim's perspective, highlighting the painful memories, sleepless nights, societal judgment, and a potential distrust of men that can follow such trauma. Amadeus also sheds light on assaults committed by close relatives, where innocence is shattered by those who should protect. Beyond honoring victims, "Boulma Seetaan" aims to raise awareness, urging parents and families not to conceal these incidents for the sake of appearances but to seek justice. The artist emphasizes the critical need for psychological support for victims, stressing that family support and specialized care are essential for survivors to overcome trauma and prevent long-term psychological consequences. This emotionally powerful track gives a voice to those who often suffer in silence, underscoring the importance of listening, justice, and protecting victims of sexual violence.
Spain's victory in the 2026 World Cup could see a portion of their prize money, approximately $50 million from FIFA, redirected to the US Treasury. This is due to US tax law, which allows the Internal Revenue Service IRS to tax income earned from activities conducted on US soil, even for foreign nationals. The majority of the expanded 48-team tournament matches were held in the United States, a co-host with Canada and Mexico. This potential taxation is not limited to players; coaches, technical staff, and even referees who officiated during the tournament could also be affected. Some estimates suggest that nearly half of the prize money could be withheld. As of now, neither FIFA, the Spanish Football Federation, nor the IRS has confirmed the specific terms or amount of any potential taxation, leaving the exact extent of the levy uncertain.
Blaise Diagne International Airport AIBD recorded 1,481,529 passengers between January and June 2026, marking a 4.30% increase compared to the previous year. This growth reinforces its position as a key regional hub in West Africa. Passenger traffic included 687,305 arrivals, up 4.19%, and 720,840 departures, up 4.76%. Direct traffic accounted for 1,408,145 passengers, a 4.48% rise, representing nearly 95% of total traffic. Transit passengers numbered 73,384, a slight increase of 0.84%. Europe remained the primary market with 693,468 passengers, growing by 7.62%, followed by Africa with 581,971 passengers, up 3.33%. Beyond passenger numbers, cargo activity also saw significant growth, with 22.3 million kilograms of goods processed in the first half of the year, an increase of 17.93%, driven by a 26.57% rise in exports. These results highlight the efforts of LAS Limak AIBD Senegal, the airport's manager, to enhance air connectivity and operational performance, affirming AIBD's role as a leading airport platform in West Africa.