The coveted ranking, part of the “World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops” list, placed Toby’s Estate in first place, followed by Onyx Coffee Lab of Arkansas, Gota Coffee Experts from Vienna, Proud Mary Coffee of Melbourne, and Tim Wendelboe of Oslo. The top 10 also featured cafés from Singapore, France, Malaysia, and Colombia.

Cafés were judged on various criteria, including the quality of their coffee and food, sustainability practices, and customer service. Both public opinion and expert evaluations contributed to the final rankings.

Jody Leslie, general manager of Toby’s Estate, expressed her team’s excitement over the recognition. “We’ve been in the coffee game for a long time, and to be acknowledged like this is amazing,” she told CNN Travel. The flagship shop, located in Chippendale, Sydney, garnered top honours.

Toby’s Estate, which started in 1997 from founder Toby Smith’s garage, has expanded to locations across Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Middle East.

The announcement has sparked a surge in sales, with many eager to sample the award-winning coffee. To show gratitude to their supporters, Toby’s Estate will host a free coffee day on February 27.

While Sydney takes the top spot, Melbourne’s Proud Mary Coffee ranked fourth in the global list, contributing to the ongoing rivalry between the two Australian cities. Melbourne, traditionally regarded as Australia’s coffee capital, has seen competition heat up as Sydney’s coffee scene gains momentum.

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Last year, Sydney surpassed Melbourne in a global list of top coffee cities, securing the number three position while Melbourne landed at number 10.

Leslie sees the win as a broader triumph for Australia’s coffee culture. “Australian coffee is the best in the world,” she said in a statement. “It’s not just about Sydney or Melbourne it’s about representing our country on the global stage.”

“Spoiler When @gordongram says Pakistan has some of the best food, you better believe it! We are going to the drafts baby!!!” she said in an Instagram post on Friday.

Chefs loved her homemade yoghurt as Ramsay praised the Pakistani cuisine.

While announcing her selection on Instagram, Ishtiaq expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to pursue her passion and represent her community on such a prestigious platform.

In an interview, she described the experience as “overwhelming,” noting the support she has received from her community. She shared that her journey to the show began years ago, as she applied and then forgot about her application until she received a call inviting her for further discussions.

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The selection process involved multiple interviews and background checks, leading to her being chosen from thousands of applicants.

Ishtiaq highlighted her pride in her achievements as a private chef and business owner, stating, “I’ve carved my path here and I’m so proud of it.” She aims to embrace every moment of this experience and grow from it.

In addition to her culinary pursuits, Ishtiaq founded a company called It’s Actually, which produces halal, hand-crafted bone broth. She has garnered recognition in the past, including a feature in Forbes, and hopes to open a café that accommodates various dietary needs.

In Italian media, Rivella was known as the “father of Nutella.”

Rivella was born in Barbaresco, Piedmont and studied bromatological chemistry in Turin before joining Ferrero in 1952.

At the age of 25, he began working in the company’s chemistry lab in Alba, where he played a key role in developing several iconic products, including Kinder and Ferrero Rocher.

His extensive knowledge of raw materials, refining techniques, and flavour blending was “instrumental” in shaping the taste and texture of Ferrero’s popular treats, contributing to their global success, reports said.

Over the years, he advanced within the company, ultimately becoming a senior manager and a close associate of Ferrero’s founder, Michele Ferrero.

The initial version of what would later become Nutella was named Giandujot, inspired by gianduja—a chocolate and hazelnut confection—first sold in 1946.

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By 1951, the paste had been “transformed into a creamy new product that was easier to spread,” as noted on Nutella’s website, and was called SuperCrema.

In his book Mondo Nutella (Nutella World), Italian journalist Gigi Padovani recounted how Rivella and Michele Ferrero travelled the globe to acquire sweets “not to copy them, but to improve them.”

Rivella’s funeral is set for Monday in Alba, where he resided after retiring, and he will be buried in Barbaresco, according to reports.

“Foods and drinks that contain sugar can feed the bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria, in turn, produce acid that can damage your enamel,” Dr Erin Fraundorf, dentist at Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in Missouri, told Yahoo Life.

Fraundorf suggested that if a substance can stain a white T-shirt, it can also stain teeth. She pointed out that items such as coffee, tea, red wine, sodas, sports drinks, tomatoes, curry, and berries have pigments that adhere to tooth enamel and cause surface stains.

“Foods and drinks that contain sugar can feed the bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria, in turn, produce acid that can damage your enamel,” the FiveSix Family Dental in Illinois owner Dr Amy Sliwa Lies stated.

Here are eight foods that are bad for teeth:

Popcorn

If ice is regarded as the primary threat to dental health, popcorn kernels are a significant contender for second place. Lies noted that a kernel of popcorn occupies this position.

Furthermore, as highlighted by Colgate, the risks associated with popcorn extend beyond the hard, unpopped kernels, which can fracture a tooth or damage dental implants. The hulls can also become trapped between teeth or irritate the gums, potentially resulting in the formation of an abscess.

Ice

“Any food or drink can damage our teeth at an accelerated rate when we are older because our enamel is thinner or sometimes worn through to the dentin — the inner layer of the tooth — and less resistant to changes in pH/bacteria,” Lies stated.

Sugary candies

Caramels, gummy bears, chocolate taffy candies, and sour soft candies may be delicious, but they can adhere to teeth and nourish bacteria, which then generate acid that causes cavities.

Fraundorf explained that sticky candies are particularly harmful because they stick to difficult-to-reach areas, reducing the effectiveness of your toothbrush.

Stiff candies

The Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio dentist mentioned that jawbreaker candy, peppermints, and other crunchy candies exposed teeth to sugar for prolonged periods, increasing the risk of chipping when bitten.

She advised avoiding frequent consumption and cautioned against biting down on them.

Crackers

Crackers are starchy snacks that bacteria can easily convert into sugar.

Fraundorf recommended consuming such crackers during a meal and then brushing and flossing afterwards to eliminate any residue stuck between the teeth.

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Crunchy chips

Anyone who had braces might have recalled being warned about the risks of eating snack foods that could damage dental work. For others, the main concern with such hard, crunchy chips was the potential for a sharp impact on the gums or the roof of the mouth.

Moreover, individuals with compromised teeth that were susceptible to breaking from improper bites were advised to be cautious when consuming these chips. Lies stated that a tooth might have had a filling, decay, or an existing crack, which was common in people who ground their teeth. She also noted that teeth that had received root canal treatment tended to be more brittle and could break more easily.

Citrus fruits

“Enjoy in moderation and rinse your mouth with plain, flat water afterwards,” Fraundorf said.

Dried fruit

Dried fruit is often sticky and can cling to teeth. Fraundorf pointed out that although the sugar is natural, it is still high in sugar, which provides nourishment for bacteria that cause cavities.

“The process is in its final stages following the signing of an MoU,” it said, “the first Albaik branches in Pakistan are expected to open soon, creating new job opportunities and strengthening economic ties between the two nations.”

The minister appreciated the contributions of Pakistani workers within Saudi businesses like Albaik and welcomed the brand’s entry into Pakistan, highlighting its potential to enhance the country’s fast-food industry and consumer market.

In another meeting, Kamal met with Pakistani investors and business leaders based in Jeddah, recognizing their decades-long contributions to Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape. He acknowledged that 1.7 million Pakistanis travelled to Saudi Arabia in the past five years, making it the top destination for Pakistani emigrants.

The minister also highlighted the $7.4 billion in remittances sent from Saudi Arabia last fiscal year, emphasising the financial link between the two countries. He noted that the Pakistan Investor Forum was “playing a key role” in guiding new market entrants and fostering Pakistani-Saudi business collaborations.

He also encouraged Pakistani investors to leverage the country’s revised visa policy, which allows GCC citizens to enter Pakistan visa-free for up to 90 days, making business travel more convenient.

In a key meeting with Saudi businessmen, the commerce minister invited them to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan across energy, agriculture, IT, healthcare, infrastructure, and consumer goods.

He highlighted Pakistan’s 22% export growth to Saudi Arabia, reaching $700 million, and assured Saudi investors of a business-friendly environment with tax exemptions, investor protection laws, and access to a 240-million-strong consumer market.

Saudi business leaders expressed “keen interest” in collaborating with Pakistani counterparts, particularly in construction materials, textiles, and food industries. Several proposals were discussed to enhance trade partnerships and industrial investment, with the Minister extending an invitation for them to visit Pakistan and participate in trade exhibitions like TEXPO, Food-AG, and the Healthcare & Mineral Show.

“Independent expert analysis concluded that any associated risk of feeling temporarily unwell from consuming these products is very low,” Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said.

“The quality and safety of our products is our top priority and we’re sorry that on this occasion, a small number of our products have not met our high standards, and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused,” it said, in a statement.

The recall also affects 6x250ml Appletiser multipacks distributed to UK supermarkets.

The affected products were primarily supplied to cafes, restaurants, and retail outlets.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, the company’s bottling partner, confirmed the issue but stated that the risk of illness from consuming the products is “very low.”

The recalled Coca-Cola cans are marked with production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE on their base.

According to the company, the majority of Coca-Cola products sold in the UK, including standard cans and all glass and plastic bottles, remain unaffected by the issue.

This UK recall follows a similar withdrawal of Coca-Cola products in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands earlier this week.

The elevated levels of chlorate were detected during routine testing at the company’s production facility in Ghent, Belgium, an unnamed company spokesperson told AFP.

An NHS and private nutritionist, Caron Grazette, spoke to the BBC on Monday, raising concerns about the presence of such chemicals in soft drinks.

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She stated, “We should consider whether we want to consume chemicals in beverages that are also used in the production of disinfectants and fireworks, even if the amounts are small.”

Grazette also highlighted recent research on chlorate, noting that excessive intake can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and can impair the blood’s ability to absorb oxygen. Her comments underscore growing scrutiny over the use of certain chemicals in food and drink production.

Chlorate is a chemical that can form when chlorine-based disinfectants are used in water treatment or food processing. High levels of chlorate exposure may lead to health issues, particularly affecting the thyroid, with children and infants being more vulnerable.

A related recall was announced for turkey sandwiches that included the recalled cheese, which were distributed across six states.

Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the US, with an estimated 1,600 infections and 260 fatalities each year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, are particularly at risk, and listeria infections can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.

The recall affects seven varieties of ripened cheese produced at a facility in Lena, Illinois, where routine testing revealed potential contamination in equipment.

Savencia Cheese USA, based in New Holland, Pennsylvania, announced the expanded recall earlier this week. Health officials warn that listeria can persist in food processing environments, making it challenging to eliminate completely.

Aldi has announced the recall of soft ripened cheese sold in its stores across Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri due to concerns over listeria contamination, CBS News reported.

The affected cheeses were manufactured between late September and mid-October, with best-by dates of December 24, 2024, and January 13, 2025.

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In addition, a related recall has been issued for sandwiches sold under the CIBUS Fresh, Jack & Olive, and Sprig and Sprout brands. These sandwiches, which contain the recalled spreadable brie cheese, were distributed in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. The 9.65-ounce Autumn turkey sandwiches have expiration dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 9, 2024.

Consumers are advised not to eat the recalled products and to return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall after routine testing revealed the presence of listeria monocytogenes in the processing equipment at the company’s manufacturing facility.

The affected Brie cheeses, which have a “best by” date of December 24, 2024, were distributed in limited regions across multiple states, including Indiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, Iowa, New Jersey, California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, and Illinois.

Retailers are in the process of removing the products from their shelves.

Consumers are advised not to eat the recalled cheeses and to return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.

Fortunately, there have been no reported illnesses or deaths linked to the consumption of these products.

To identify whether they have purchased the recalled cheeses, consumers can check the UPC codes, which vary by product.

For further assistance, Savencia Cheese customers can reach out to consumer relations at (800) 322-2743 or via email.

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Listeria infection can pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.

The USDA recommends that anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming potentially contaminated food seek medical attention.

The outbreak has sickened people across the US West and Midwest, with 10 hospitalised due to serious complications, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is investigating the outbreak. A McDonald’s spokesperson said the outbreak is limited to the United States.

“We fully expect to see more cases,” said CDC spokesman Tom Skinner. “McDonald’s has moved rather quickly to take action to, hopefully, prevent as many cases as possible.”

Previous E coli outbreaks at big US fast-food chains have caused consumers to shun those chains for months. McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger on Wednesday said the fast-food chain needs to rebuild trust with the public after it pulled the item off its menu at a fifth of its 14,000 US restaurants.

The company pulled the Quarter Pounder from its menu at McDonald’s locations in Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, and in parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

The CDC and McDonald’s are scrutinizing the Chicago-based company’s supplies of slivered onions and beef patties as they try to determine the cause of the outbreak, the company said.

The US Department of Agriculture said late on Wednesday that the onions used were the likely source of the illness, though one of its state partners is testing samples of the beef for E coli.

The company’s stock closed down 5.1% at $298.57 on Wednesday. Shares hit an intraday low of $290.88.

‘Very serious disease’

The E coli O157:H7 strain that led to the McDonald’s outbreak is the same as a strain linked to a 1993 incident at Jack in the Box that killed four children. It can cause “very serious disease,” especially for the elderly, children and people who are immunocompromised, said Shari Shea, director of food safety at the Association of Public Health Laboratories.

McDonald’s suppliers test their products frequently and did so in the date range the CDC gave for the outbreak, and none of them identified this E coli strain, company spokespeople said.

US food safety attorney Bill Marler, who represented a victim in the Jack in the Box outbreak, said this is a relatively large and serious outbreak for which McDonald’s will face “a lot” of liability for the contamination.

“We’re still in the early stages of how McDonald’s is going to handle this,” he said. “But getting the supplier of the onions out – if they’re confident that’s the source of it – is going to be really important.”

Marler said that in the 1990s, he dealt almost exclusively with lawsuits involving contaminated beef, but in recent years E. coli outbreaks have been almost solely limited to produce contaminated through irrigation or flooding with feces from nearby cattle. E coli is a natural pathogen in the guts of cows.

Jim Lewis, who was a franchisee in New York City for more than 30 years before exiting the system in 2019, said when E. coli became a major concern decades ago, McDonald’s was adamant about its protections for its beef supply chain.

“They were over the top to make sure it would never happen,” he said.

He said McDonald’s has historically been the “safest, strongest food chain in the world. So this is devastating to us internally.”

Analysts flagged the outbreak as a potential black eye for McDonald’s ahead of earnings.

“The worst-case scenario is if more people get sick or multiple ingredients or suppliers are impacted, which could be a longer-lasting issue that could also tarnish the brand,” CFRA Research analyst Arun Sundaram said.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show on Wednesday, McDonald’s USA chief Erlinger pointed to the company’s steps to quickly pull the Quarter Pounder from its menu in areas where the outbreak occurred.

“Given the recent events of the past 24 hours, our priority is to reinforce the confidence of American consumers,” he said.

In the past, two notable E coli outbreaks - at Chipotle Mexican Grill in 2015 and Jack in the Box in 1993 - significantly hurt sales at those chains.

Chipotle took a year-and-a-half to stabilize, while Jack in the Box sales declined for four straight quarters, Raymond James analyst Brian Vaccaro said.

Chipotle shares fell nearly 50% during the 2015-2018 period when cases of norovirus infections were reported after the E coli outbreak.

Analysts said McDonald’s fourth-quarter sales could experience some pressure from the outbreak, but it was too early to say whether it would be worse than the previous two E coli cases.

A delegation of 130 Saudi investors, led by Saudi Minister of Investment Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, visited Pakistan, which included Al Baik Food Systems CEO Rami Abu Ghazaleh, and a senior official from Aramco.

In an interview with WE News, Abu Ghazaleh said that his company has signed a MoU with the Pakistani company Go Petroleum and have initiated the preliminary business study.

The brand is registered in 80 countries worldwide, making it a well-known name in the food industry.

The Al Baik CEO added that the feasibility study for Al Baik has been completed and he “expects the famous fried chicken to be available in Pakistan by next year.”

Abu Ghazaleh stated that not only will Al Baik outlets open at Saudi Aramco gas stations but there were also plans to establish restaurants across Pakistan.

“We are currently reviewing necessary information related to the business and our market strategy and research are ongoing,” he said.

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When asked about the secret behind Al Baik’s global success and reputation, he pointed upward and said: “It is the mercy and blessing of Allah. We are merely carrying forward the trust He has granted us.”

Regarding business opportunities in Pakistan, Abu Ghazaleh expressed his admiration for the country and its people, stating: “Pakistan and its people are incredibly beautiful and good, and serving them will be a matter of pride for us.”

The diversion, in line with SAS safety protocols, was deemed necessary as the rodent posed a potential risk to the aircraft’s electrical wiring.

Passengers were later flown to Malaga on a separate aircraft. SAS spokesperson Oystein Schmidt emphasized the rarity of such incidents and assured that the airline is reviewing its procedures with suppliers to prevent similar occurrences.

Passenger Jarle Borrestad, who witnessed the mouse’s escape, described the situation as calm, although he admitted to taking precautions by putting his socks over his trousers.

The diversion added only a few hours to the journey.

This incident follows a similar rodent-related disruption last week when a train service in southern England was halted after two squirrels boarded a carriage, with one refusing to disembark.

This announcement was made by a managing director of the local franchise partner on Monday.

In June, Yolk Brands, the parent company of BonBird and an award-winning hospitality group based in Dubai, revealed its partnership with Eat Brands, which operates ventures in Pakistan, including the Canadian breakfast chain Eggspectation and Cue Cinemas.

BonBird offers an American-style dining experience. The menu features buckets of crispy fried chicken, melts, rice bowls, chicken burgers, and wraps, as reported by The Caterer, a UK business magazine focused on the hospitality industry.

Eat Brands has secured exclusive rights to launch BonBird restaurants in Pakistan, with the first outlet set to open in Lahore in December 2024, according to founder Zarrar Mustapha.

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Mustapha stated that Eat Brands is the sole investor for BonBird in Pakistan, with an anticipated investment exceeding $5 million during this period.

He emphasized that BonBird aims to compete with major players in Pakistan’s fast-food sector by prioritising “quality and excellence in customer service.” Mustapha also noted that BonBird will be the “first quick-service restaurant chain” from the UAE and GCC to enter the Pakistani market.

The decision comes amid concerns over the increased risk of turbulence and the potential for burn incidents due to the narrow aisles and close seating arrangement in the economy cabin.

According to the airline, the number of turbulence incidents on its flights has doubled since 2019, prompting the need for this change.

The carrier noted that in economy class, multiple cups of noodles are typically served at once, which raises the likelihood of spills and burns during periods of turbulence.

However, business and first-class passengers will still be able to enjoy the instant noodle treat, as the airline says these items are served individually to these travelers, reducing the risk of spillage.

In place of the instant noodles, Korean Air will now offer economy class passengers a selection of alternative snacks, including sandwiches, corn dogs, pizza, and “Hot Pockets” - a type of crusty turnover filled with cheese, meat, and vegetables.

The decision has sparked discussions on social media, with some passengers expressing relief, while others questioned whether the airline was still serving other potentially hazardous hot items, such as coffee and tea.

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Korean Air has stated that it will continue to explore service methods that prioritize passenger safety while enhancing convenience and satisfaction.

This move by Korean Air follows a similar decision by Singapore Airlines earlier this year, which stopped serving hot drinks and meals during turbulence as a more cautious approach to in-flight safety. The airline took this action after a 73-year-old British passenger died and dozens more were injured when a flight encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar.

The seaside restaurant is the first eatery to put insects on the menu after the city state’s stringent food authority this month approved for human consumption 16 species ranging from crickets to grasshoppers, grubs and mealworms after two years of deliberation.

Crickets and other insects have long been enjoyed as street food in Southeast Asia, but not in the wealthy financial hub, where food imports come with strict restrictions for safety and hygiene purposes.

Francis Ng, chief executive of House of Seafood, said customers love it when the dishes play up the insects, like that tofu dish he plated to look like bugs were crawling out of it, and a dish of glutinous rice balls studded with silkworms.

“It looks scarier so customers can film for their Tiktok,” said Ng, adding that his phone has been ringing off the hook with customers eager to book a tasting.

The restaurant has drafted a menu with 30 dishes that feature insects, which they can sell to the general public once their importers are approved by the food authority. For now, Ng is offering free samples.

In 2019, Singapore declared it was aiming to produce 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030 instead of the current model where 90% of food is imports, and food security expert Paul Teng said insects could certainly help move towards this goal - if people got over “the yuck factor”.

“Most insects are almost all protein,” said Teng, who works at the Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, adding that there needs to be local production to make this alternative protein source affordable.

“Getting people to accept insects in their diet is a challenge. But really, it’s a normal food item. Let’s do something about it to prepare the consumer for it,” he said. “Me personally, I have no problem eating insects.”

The United Nations has deemed bugs a sustainable source of protein to feed a global population estimated to swell to 9.7 billion by 2050 and global food security issues due to extreme weather and conflicts have also increased the interest in the high-quality, economical nutrition that bugs provide.

In Singapore, all insects approved for human consumption must be farmed in a controlled environment and not harvested from the wild, and cannot be fed contaminants like manure or rotten food, according to the food agency.

In tandem, the Food and Agriculture Organisation has been promoting farming of insects for human consumption and animal feed, and there has been local interest to import insects, but cost remains a barrier for now: Ng said insects make up 10% of his costs at the House of Seafood, and they are all imported.

“The price is definitely higher than eggs,” he said.

It’s too early to tell if insects will become a feature of the Singapore diet or whether demand will fizzle out as it has for fake meat products.

But for now, some diners say they are happy to develop a taste for bugs.

“If they have a higher source of protein, why not? I’ll add it to my daily meal and daily food intake,” said Bregria Sim, a 23-year-old a logistics executive, adding she would pay around S$40 ($30) for the novelty dishes.

Persistent inflation has forced lower-income consumers to shift to more affordable food options at home. That has prompted fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Taco Bell to lean on value meals to spark customer traffic.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chris Kempczinski said there is a lot more deal-thinking from consumers who have become “very discriminating”.

“Consumer sentiment in most of our major markets remains low,” he said.

Global comparable sales fell one per cent in the second quarter, compared with the analysts’ average estimate of a 0.5% increase. Overall revenue rose 1%.

McDonald’s launched a $5 meal deal in June at most of its US locations. It was set to extend that offer into August to lure back customers who have cut back on frequent restaurant trips.

“The biggest hit for McDonald’s is the low-income consumer has really cut back on visits and that is more than offsetting the typical trade down McD normally sees in tougher economic times,” said Edward Jones analyst Brian Yarbrough.

McDonald’s results dovetail with comments last week from Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey, who said there had been “some softness in away-from-home channels” in North America, an indication of fewer people eating out.

Still, McDonald’s kept its 2024 operating margin forecast unchanged in the mid-to-high 40% range.

Its shares, which are down 15pc this year, were trading flat at $251.20. The company maintained its expected capital expenditure budget of up to $2.7 billion, with more than half of that earmarked for new restaurants in the US and international markets.

US comparable sales fell 0.7% in the quarter ended June 30, compared with a 10.3% jump a year ago.

Sales in international markets, which made up nearly half its 2023 revenue, dropped 1.1%, driven by weakness in France.

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A slower-than-expected recovery in China and the Middle East conflict hurt the performance of McDonald’s business segment where restaurants are operated by its local partners, as sales declined 1.3% compared with a 14% jump a year earlier.

Companies like McDonald’s and Starbucks have also suffered from consumer boycotts linked to the Gaza bombardment, which hit their sales in the Middle East markets.

McDonald’s earned $2.97 per share on an adjusted basis in the second quarter, missing expectations of $3.07.

The brand told news outlet that it was facing challenges to meet the soaring demand for the drinks.

In two months, the sales have reached four million cans.

The three entrepreneurs from Malmo with Palestinian roots, Hussein, Mohammed, and Ahmad Hassoun took the initiative six months ago to create an alternative to popular soft drink brands like Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

The brand they established has rapidly accumulated millions of engagements on social media and has captured the attention of companies globally, eager to distribute their cola product.

The Hassoun brothers aspire to raise awareness about Palestine.

The brand’s cans adorned with meaningful Palestinian symbols like olive branches and a traditional keffiyeh pattern, prominently display the slogan “liberty for everyone.”

“We’ve devised a plan aimed at aiding our fellow Palestinians, with a special focus on the children of Gaza,” Hussein Hassoun captioned on social media in Arabic language.

“Our initiative involves a charity organization run by two dedicated lawyers. Their mission is to channel funds directly to the people of Palestine, particularly those in Gaza.”

The Hassoun family intends to establish the Safad Foundation in Sweden, which will serve as a centralised platform for collecting funds generated by their company to support various projects in Palestine.

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The foundation and the parent company of Palestine Drinks, Safad Food, derive their names from the town of Safad, located north of Lake Tiberias in the Galilee region, which was part of Palestine.

It was in this town that the grandfather and uncles of the Hassoun family originated before being forced to flee in 1948.

They sought refuge in Lebanon and eventually resettled in Sweden.

Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, which operates KFC and Pizza Hut franchises in Malaysia, said it temporarily closed KFC outlets “in response to challenging economic conditions”.

“QSR Brands and KFC Malaysia has taken proactive measures to temporarily close outlets as means to manage increasing business costs and focus on high engagement trade zones,” it said in a statement late on Monday. The statement did not address the media reports.

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It did not specify how many stores were affected, but local media reported over 100 outlets were temporarily closed.

Employees from the affected stores were offered the opportunity to relocate to outlets in areas with higher customer engagement, QSR Brands said.

For some Eidul Fitr celebrations would be riding horses, going to parks or enjoying rides, but for many in Balochistan it is also about playing the traditional game of egg fight or egg tapping.

The traditional game is still played in some areas of the province as the law and order situation has affected the cultural exchange and joys of the festival that was very frequent before the so-called Afghan Jihad War.

Eggs are boiled before the game. The strength of eggs is tested by eggs. In Baloch language, the pointed or top part is called ‘sarak’ while the other end is called ‘kunak’. Both ends are used in the game. The one whose egg breaks first is the loser.

It depends on the player as some of the people fight with 26 eggs while others with a carton. The winner gets all the eggs and the loser has to pay for those eggs to the vendor.

The caller was Syed Aurhan Ali from Karachi. He had called in the sehri transmission, Baran-e-Rehman. Before asking his query, Aurhan said that he had been confused for the past week after eating ostrich meat in sehri at a place in Karachi.

He admitted that it was tasty, however, a couple of videos on social media from religious scholars puzzled him. According to Aurhan, the late scholar Zameer Akhtar Naqvi in one of his videos said the meat of a large flightless bird was forbidden in Islam. But he also saw a video of Mufti Tariq Masood who had an ostrich egg in sehri.

Dr Amir Abdullah Muhammadi, one of the two religious scholars on the show, replied that it was called “Shuttar” in Urdu due to its tall height like a camel and “Murgh” because the bird belonged to the family of chicken.

While speaking about Naqvi’s video, he said that the late scholar had spoken about a riwayat (tale). But the research conducted by Shia scholars did not prove it, he added.

He went on to add that the ostrich was considered among halal animals in Ahl-e-Sunnat, Ahl-e-Hadith, Shawaf-e-Hanabil, and Mawakil as it has no qualities of a haram animal.

Molana Hussain Masudi, another scholar, advised people to come out of the world of clips and not make it a base for faith. He called for conducting research and meeting people to raise the query.

Masudi further advised people to read the complete sentence rather than cherry-picking. He added that the Quran, Hadith, and history should be read to understand a problem properly.

“The parent company decided to terminate the agreement with the franchisee due to standard issues,” said Sanath Wijewardane, an attorney for McDonald’s. “They are not in business in the country. They may decide to return with a new franchisee.”

He said the deal was cancelled on Wednesday but the stores had continued to operate for some days.

A spokesperson for the local partner, Abans, declined to comment.

Wijewardane declined to describe the issues but local media reported that McDonald’s went to court against Abans over allegations of poor hygiene.

Abans says on its website it first partnered with McDonald’s in 1998.

Sri Lanka, an Indian Ocean island of 22 million people, is recovering from a massive financial crisis.

Investors cheered the plan, sending shares in Unilever, one of the world’s biggest consumer goods companies, up nearly 6% at one point.

The spinoff will begin immediately and is expected to complete by the end of 2025, London-listed Unilever said. The ice cream business is “in the process of moving to a separate head office in Amsterdam” but CEO Hein Schumacher said on a call with journalists that he was “open to options” regarding where it could list.

The plan was welcomed by activist investor and board member Nelson Peltz’s fund and by Unilever shareholder Aviva.

Unilever said it aims to deliver mid-single-digit underlying sales growth and modest margin improvement after the split. The ice cream business accounts for about 16% of Unilever’s global sales, and in some countries contributes a third or 40%.

The group, whose other brands include Dove soap, Marmite and Hellmann’s condiments, also launched a programme to save costs of around 800 million euros ($869 million) over the next three years. The proposed changes would impact around 7,500 jobs globally, mostly office-based, with total restructuring costs anticipated to be around 1.2% of overall turnover during the period.

The cuts will affect about 5.9% of Unilever’s workforce of about 128,000  people.

“We are looking across the organization, so in our head office, corporate centre, as well as in business group coordination points, as well as in business units in countries,” Schumacher said, but did not elaborate on which regions would be hit hardest by job cuts.

The move is a big statement from Schumacher, who became CEO in July and in October laid out plans to win back investor confidence by simplifying the business after admitting Unilever had underperformed in recent years. His predecessor Alan Jope was criticised for allowing the group’s brand portfolio to grow to about 400, leaving management distracted from its best performers.

Volatile business

The underperformance attracted the attention of billionaire activist investor Peltz, who took a seat on Unilever’s board in 2022 via his Trian investment vehicle and has a record of shaking up consumer goods companies. The fund, which owns a 1.45% stake according to LSEG data, told Reuters on Tuesday it “supports the strategic initiatives announced today by Unilever.”

“Nelson Peltz looks forward to continuing to work with the other members of Unilever’s Board as the company executes on initiatives to increase long-term stakeholder value,” Trian said in a statement.

Unilever’s shares jumped nearly 6% in early trading and were up 3% by 1100 GMT. The stock has dropped 5.8% over the past year.

“(Ice cream) has been quite a volatile business and has also been dilutive from a margin standpoint, so we think strategically this makes sense,” said Richard Saldanha, portfolio manager at Aviva, which is Unilever’s 17th biggest shareholder with a 0.5% stake.

“Great news for shareholders regarding the ice cream division as it has been a drag on the business as a whole for some time, share price should respond accordingly this morning,” Jack Martin, portfolio manager at Oberon Investments, which owns a small Unilever stake.

In October, Schumacher said the company would focus on 30 key brands which account for 70% of its sales, work on improving its gross margin and not undertake any major or transformational acquisitions.

Schumacher told Reuters last month that he would not shy away from streamlining Unilever’s workforce. “We have a big agenda,” Schumacher said on Tuesday. “This is going to be a very busy period for the next 18 months or so.”

Lawmakers would be served biryani, fish, chicken boti, chicken tikka, puri, paratha, and chicken qorma in the main course.

Before lunch, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Syed Owais Qadir Shah was sworn in as the Sindh Assembly speaker after he won the election for the position with 111 votes against MQM-P’s Sofia Shah who got 36 votes.

The session proceedings began on Saturday when more than 140 newly elected representatives took oath as members of the provincial assembly.

The lawsuit - which has become a hot topic in India - was brought by the family behind Moti Mahal, a famed Delhi restaurant brand that has counted late US President Richard Nixon and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru among its guests.

It claims restaurant founder, Kundan Lal Gujral, created the curry in the 1930s when the restaurant first opened in Peshawar before it moved to Delhi.

In a 2,752-page court filing it has sued rival chain Daryaganj, accusing it of falsely claiming to have invented the dish as well as dal makhani, a popular lentil dish that is also laden with butter and cream.

Read: How TasteAtlas included Zahid Nihari in its list of best restaurants

The Gujral family is seeking $240,000 in damages, also alleging that Daryaganj has copied the layout of Moti Mahal’s website and “the look and feel” of its restaurants.

“You cannot take away somebody’s legacy … The dish was invented when our grandfather was in Pakistan,” said Monish Gujral, managing director at Moti Mahal.

Daryaganj - which was established relatively recently in 2019 - counters that its late family member, Kundan Lal Jaggi, had partnered with Gujral to open the Delhi restaurant in 1947, and the dish was invented there. That gives it the right to also lay claim to the creation of the dish, it argues.

Daryaganj shared with Reuters a faded, hand-written partnership document registered in 1949 to back its argument.

The dispute has captured the nation’s attention with Indian TV broadcasters running segments on the history of the dish and debate raging on social media.

“It’s an offbeat, unique case. You really don’t know who created the first dish of butter chicken. The court will be hard pressed and will need to rely on circumstantial evidence,” said Ameet Datta, an intellectual property lawyer at India’s Saikrishna & Associates.

Testimonies of people who can link the brand to the dish they consumed decades ago could be critical proof, Datta added.

Made with tandoor-cooked chicken pieces mixed in a tomato gravy with dollops of cream and butter, the dish was ranked 43rd in a list of world’s “best dishes” by TasteAtlas as rated by nearly 400,000 users. It was the second-ranked Indian food after butter garlic naan bread. The two are often paired together.

The case was first heard by the Delhi High Court last week and the next hearing is scheduled for May.

“Our hearts are with all of the communities and families impacted by this crisis,” the American fast food chain said in a statement on X while replying to a user calling for a boycott of the brand on Tuesday.

The post viewed by more than 370,000 people on the social media platform was made in reply to a post where McDonald’s announced its decision to bring back the “Breakfast Wrap” in February on the demand of people.

Israeli strikes through ground and air have so far killed 24,620 Palestinians and wounded 61,830 in Gaza since October 7, the health ministry said on Thursday. Most of the deceased are children, according to media reports.

Benjamin Netanyahu-led government started assaults on Gaza after Hamas launched a barrage of attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, where around 1,200 people were killed.

Many people around the world started boycotting McDonald’s and other businesses last year after the food chain’s branch in Israel announced on social media that it had handed out thousands of free meals to the Israeli military amid its fight with Hamas. They slammed the outlet for not supporting the army and allegedly ignoring the vulnerable Palestinians.

Even McDonald’s Pakistan also clarified in October, saying that it is not affiliated with the operations in Israel. The statement issued in English and Urdu added that it does not engage in any form of political movement. A month later, the burger chain slashed the prices of a number of its menu items by nearly 60 per cent to counter the trend.

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On December 31, its Malaysia branch sued the movement for “false and defamatory statements” that it says hurt its business, seeking damages amounting to $1.31 million.

The January 16 statement shared by its UK branch stated that it was dismayed by the disinformation and inaccurate reports regarding its position on the conflict.

“We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone,” it said, “we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our people in the region while supporting the communities where we can.”

TasteAtlas, a global food review publication, released a list of the world’s 100 worst-rated foods in which the dish was ranked at the 60th spot.

The dish, popular across India and Pakistan, is usually served with roti or rice. It received a 2.7 out of 5-star rating, bad enough to make it among the worst-rated foods.

It is pertinent to mention that the website listed the dish as Indian, however, it is also popular in Pakistan.

Read: How TasteAtlas included Zahid Nihari in its list of best restaurants

“Simple and flavourful, aloo baingan is a dish made with a combination of eggplants and potatoes, cooked together with onions, tomatoes, and various spices. The name of the dish specifies its key ingredients, since aloo means potatoes, and baingan means eggplant,” according to TasteAtlas.

It is a type of sabzi (dry curry) that is usually served with flatbreads such as roti and naan.

While Aloo Baingan landed in the worst-rated foods list, several desi foods were listed among the top 100 best dishes in the World to try in 2024.

Traditional butter garlic naan, Tikka (Chicken, Murgh), and Tandoori (Chicken) were ranked in the best dishes by the publication.

A large number of people thronged to the festival at Beach View Park during the three days. Among them was Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab who was happy to see the crowd at the event.

“There is no place like Karachi,” he told Aaj News and hoped that the city would continue to remain like this whole year. Pakistan’s economic hub was once known as the city of lights for its vibrant nightlife and economic activity.

Around 150 stalls were set up in the event. Famous restaurants from Islamabad and Lahore were also present at the event.

Some of the visitors were not happy with the entrance ticket, saying that the organisers have increased it from Rs300 to Rs750 each.

But visitors did enjoy food in the cold weather. Some of the visitors described it as a good opportunity to try different tastes of food in Karachi.

One of the visitors complained that none of the artists came to the event to perform at the event.

The list, published by global food review publication TasteAtlas, has not just sparked this sort of debate in Pakistan but has raised questions about its methodology. And this is not the first time the questions have been raised either.

Since it is known that the website generates its rankings based on user reviews, many have questioned if the rankings can be ‘fooled’ by fake reviews.

What is TasteAtlas

The food guide website was launched in 2018 by Croatian entrepreneur Matija Babić. The website has tried to carve a niche for itself by focusing on local foods instead of high-end restaurants.

Today the website creates a number of lists that cover food from across the world including the best cheeses, the best restaurants and the best dishes.

TasteAtlas also allows you to search the name of a city or region and will then provide you with the names of the best dishes and restaurants from the area.

The methodology

The methodology of TasteAtlas has been questioned, often by countries who feel they were left out or beaten by others they compete with. In one instance, a Malaysian website asked the platform about its rankings system after a low score.

In another case, the website’s founder had to write an article on the website after a French TV channel accused TasteAtlas of rigging the rankings.

“The methodology of TasteAtlas is seemingly simple. Visitors vote, and we tally the votes and publish the rankings,” Babić wrote.

In case of restaurants, TasteAtlas claims it collected data for 23,751 places across the world. The scoares were then ranked into a final list.

In terms of dishes, the platform collected and analysed a total of 395,205 user ratings (271,819 valid) across 10,927 dishes in its catalog.

However, TasteAtlas claims that it has a special method to make sure the votes cannot be faked.

“We track the visitor’s behavior on our web, we track all his ratings, and depending on whether the system recognizes him as a real visitor or as a nationalist or a bot, his votes are recognized or ignored,” TasteAtlas’ founder said.

In another interview he added that this is done through artificial intelligence.

The mechanism also watches out if a user’s votes are leaning towards praising one country but denigrating another.

“You can’t visit TasteAtlas, slap fives and fours on Italian cheeses, ones and twos on French, and expect your votes to count,” Babić said.

So if you think another spot in Karachi has better nihari than Javed’s, and you think TasteAtlas’ rankings count, the only way to make a difference is to sign up and vote.

TasteAtlas, a culinary travel guide, has released a list of 100 Best Dishes in the World in which desi foods loved by the locals in Pakistan and India were recommended for the foodies.

Traditional butter garlic naan was named in the list as one of the best-known types of naan. The naan is made by using flour, water, yeast, salt, sugar, and yogurt or curd. Although, the website associated it with India, it is also widely popular and enjoyed by locals in Pakistan.

“The dough is shaped into a teardrop or an oval and baked traditionally in the tandoor oven. When prepared at home, it is oven-baked or fried in a tawa (a wide pan). When baked, it is brushed with a mixture of melted butter and chopped garlic, which will occasionally also include chopped cilantro,” according to TasteAtlas.

Tikka (Chicken, Murgh), another street food widely popular in Pakistan and India alike, has also been ranked in the best dishes to try.

Tikka, another dish associated with India is a popular dish available at almost all desi eateries in Pakistan.

Tikka consists of boneless meat, usually chicken, that is cut into smaller pieces and marinated in yogurt and traditional spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, chili, garlic, and ginger.

Tandoori (Chicken) also made it to the list due to its special flavour, most of which comes from the traditional combination of spices.

The dish is cooked over a blazing fire in a tandoor, a cylindrical open-top clay oven fueled by wood or charcoal.

“The tandoori technique evolved from an old Middle Eastern method of baking bread, which spread to other parts of the continent, including northwestern India, where people began experimenting with cooking meats and other foods in tandoors, adding special marinades and spice rubs, both of which are now integral parts of Indian-style tandoori cooking,” according to the culinary guide website.

The website associated Roti canai, similar to a paratha in the sub-continent, with Malaysia. The pan-fried flatbread is made with flour, water, eggs, and fat of Indian origin. The dish is also associated with surrounding countries like Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand.

The dough for roti canai is repeatedly folded, so the final product has a layered texture, a soft interior, and a crispy outer layer. The process makes it similar to a paratha in Pakistan and India which is widely popular as essential item in the breakfast.

It is available in the city’s Old Goimar area. The mutton broth is considered an amazing remedy to cure fever, cough and hand and limb pain as well. It merits here to mention that the mutton flavour is widely loved by consumers through extremely simple processing in Pakistan’s northern areas, northwest China, such as Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Xinjiang.

To prepare broth, mutton bones are boiled well in water and various spices are added to it.

The shopkeeper said that he and his wife made it together. He added that they try to use fresh meat and bones every day. Special spices were added to the broth, according to the shopkeeper.

Some of the people at the stall said that the taste was unique and the price was reasonable.

Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GAR), which is the licencee of McDonald’s (MCD.N) in Malaysia, is suing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia movement for a series of social media postings allegedly linking the fast-food franchise, among other companies, to Israel’s “genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza”.

According to a writ of summons dated Dec 19 sighted by Reuters, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants alleged that BDS Malaysia incited the public to boycott McDonald’s Malaysia, which led to a loss of profit and job cuts, among other damages, due to closures and shortened operating hours of its outlets.

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McDonald’s Malaysia confirmed it filed the suit against BDS Malaysia to protect its “rights and interests”, it said in a statement on Friday.

In response, BDS Malaysia said it “categorically denies” defaming the fast-food company and would leave the matter to the court.

The BDS movement aims to end international support for Israel’s “oppression of Palestinians” and pressure Israel to comply with international law.