Kenya has directed its tea factories to suspend ties with the Rainforest Alliance, saying the cost of ethical certification is too high for struggling smallholder farmers.
The government says the financial burden of maintaining the green frog label has fallen on growers rather than being covered by international buyers, as it should be. Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh argued that the scheme’s costs outweigh its benefits and announced an immediate suspension after an industry summit.
Kenya, the world’s third-largest tea producer, supplies about half the tea consumed in the UK. Yet a recent Fairtrade poll showed most Kenyan tea workers still don’t earn enough to meet basic needs.
The Rainforest Alliance, while not setting certification fees itself, relies on external audits that cost smallholder-run factories around $3,000 a year. The organisation says it’s working with Kenyan officials to find a resolution and has assured producers that existing certificates remain valid.
The government is considering a more affordable local certification model, while the Ethical Tea Partnership expressed hope for a quick solution, calling certification vital for fair treatment across the supply chain.
Iran said it struck targets linked to U.S. forces in response to U.S. airstrikes on its southern coast, which it said violated the UN Charter and the ...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 27 June, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Iran had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 1-1 with Egypt in their final Group G match at Seattle Stadium on Friday....
Protesters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending fighting betwee...
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected t...
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on imports from any country that adopts a digital services tax. The move escalated tensions with trading partners over levies that Washington argues unfairly target American technology companies.
Australia booked its place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after a tense goalless draw with Paraguay. Already-eliminated Türkiye ended its campaign on a high with a dramatic 3-2 win over group winners the United States.
Burkina Faso has severed diplomatic relations with France, widening a years-long rupture with its former colonial ruler and marking the latest diplomatic break between France and military-led governments in the Sahel.
The United States has seized nearly 400 internet domains accused of illegally streaming World Cup matches, in what officials described as a major effort to disrupt international piracy networks profiting from the tournament’s global popularity.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
The Kremlin has denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming Moscow is pressuring Belarus to support an expanded Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
ANEWZ can exclusively report that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Azerbaijan on 1 July.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 27 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40C over the weekend.
Washington and Tehran accuse each other of breaching last week’s ceasefire as tensions rise around the key shipping route.
Rescue teams and residents in Venezuela are continuing to search for survivors after twin earthquakes killed more than 900 people and left thousands injured.
Burkina Faso has severed diplomatic relations with France, widening a years-long rupture with its former colonial ruler and marking the latest diplomatic break between France and military-led governments in the Sahel.
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