PRESS RELEASE – BW – Oleato Beverages Arrive at Select Starbucks Stores in Japan on April 20

Starbucks announced today the launch of an innovative line of coffee beverages called ‘Oleato’ an innovative alchemy of Starbucks® finest arabica coffee infused with Partanna® extra virgin olive oil on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at more than 60 select stores across Japan including Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005469/en/ Howard Schultz, chairman emeritus and board member, Starbucks Coffee Company, joins Takafumi Minaguchi, ceo, Starbucks Japan, at the Oleato announcement in Tokyo (Photo: Business Wire) Following the February debut of Oleato beverages in Italy and March launch at the Starbucks Reserve® Roasteries in Chicago, Seattle and New York, and select stores in the United States, Starbucks third global launch market for the beverage line will be in Japan, where Starbucks began its journey as a global brand outside the North America more than 26 years ago. Like the iconic Starbucks latte, the origin of Oleato beverages began in Italy. While travelling in Italy in the summer of 2022, Howard Schultz, chairman emeritus and board member, Starbucks Coffee Company, came across a generations-old family tradition of enjoying a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil each day as an uplifting ritual. Today, the founder joins partners (employees) and customers in Tokyo for the unveil of this new, transformational ritual in coffee to Japan. ‘Since we first launched in Milan and now in select U.S. markets, the partner pride and customer enthusiasm for Oleato has far exceeded our expectations. As we introduce this new coffee innovation to Japan, my time here this week in Tokyo reminds me of the enduring and global relevancy of community, connection, and passion for both coffee and craft,’ said Schultz. ‘We are thrilled to introduce to the Japanese market the next revolution in coffee that brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients – Starbucks arabica coffee beans and Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Oleato has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities for Starbucks.’ ‘We are excited to bring Starbucks latest beverage innovation to customers in Japan,’ said Takafumi Minaguchi, chief executive officer, Starbucks Japan. ‘Our customers are eager to explore new ways to enjoy their Starbucks Experience. We believe that this transformational innovation of two unexpected ingredients will exceed their expectations and uplift their cup with an extraordinary new flavor.’ Coffee meets olive oil Oleato beverages are a line of innovative coffee beverages that brings together the unexpected – Starbucks arabica coffee deliciously infused with a spoonful of Partanna cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil. The harmony made possible by the unexpected combination results in a velvety smooth, delicately sweet, and lush coffee that uplifts each cup with extraordinary new flavor and texture. Using only extra virgin olive oil thoughtfully selected and blended to pair perfectly with Starbucks coffee, Oleato beverages provide a new coffee ritual like no other. With its uniquely nutty and slightly sweet flavors and the rich smoothness of a buttery caramel, Partanna olive oils are natural complements to Starbucks coffee. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, the surprisingly luxurious, textural experience is like none other. Taku Shimizu, group manager, Beverage Development, leading the introduction of Oleato beverages to Japan said, ‘I was thrilled about the launch in Japan of Oleato which brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients, coffee and olive oil. We’ve exercised our creativity to find a way to introduce Oleato beverages to Japan while keeping the surprising and inviting experience of its Italian inspiration. With these unique flavors and textures, I am confident that the delicious experience of Oleato beverages made possible by Starbucks innovation will become a new coffee ritual of our customers.’ The following Oleato beverages will be available at select stores in Japan starting April 20: Oleato beverages available at the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo and select Starbucks Reserve® stores Starbucks Reserve® Oleato Golden Cream Iced Espresso Golden cream infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil creates a subtle nutty flavor and blended with Starbucks Reserve® Espresso and oat milk for a luscious feeling with every sip. Starbucks Reserve® Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew Starbucks Reserve® Cold Brew lightly sweetened with vanilla bean syrup, finished with Partanna® extra virgin olive oil infused cold foam, creating an inviting aroma and subtle sweetness. Starbucks Reserve® Oleato Oat Milk Latte Starbucks Reserve® Espresso and creamy oat milk infused with Partanna® extra virgin olive oil, creating a velvety, luscious latte. Oleato beverages available at select stores across Japan Starbucks Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew The inviting aroma of lush Partanna® extra virgin olive oil infused cold foam cascades slowly through the dark, smooth cold brew, creating a subtle sweetness in the beverage. Starbucks Oleato Oat Milk Latte Infused with Partanna® extra virgin olive oil and steamed with creamy oat milk to create a velvety smooth, deliciously lush latte. Since opening its first store in Ginza in 1996, Starbucks has opened more than 1,800 stores in Japan, operated by more than 51,000 partners who proudly wear the green apron. Starbucks continues to provide a premium Starbucks Experience to customers across Japan, with locally-relevant beverages like matcha and tea beverages, as well as innovations like seasonal Frappuccino® blended beverages. In 2019, Starbucks opened the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo, a fully-immersive tribute to premium coffee quality, innovation and human connection, where extraordinary new coffee experience come to life for customers every day.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Israel to impose 3-day lockdown on Palestinian territories next week

Israel will impose a 3-day lockdown on the Palestinian territories as of April 24 for the upcoming Memorial Day and Independence Day celebrations. The closure is set to begin on Monday, April 24, at 5 p.m. and last until Wednesday, April 26, at 11:59 p.m. A military statement said border crossings with the Gaza Strip will also be closed. The army said border crossings, however, would be reopen ‘subject to a situational assessment.’ It said exceptions to the closures will be made for humanitarian and other outstanding cases, but will require the approval of the Defense Ministry’s liaison to the Palestinians, known as the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). The Memorial Day is observed in Israel for all military personnel killed during Israeli military operations. Israel also commemorates its national day, which marks the country’s creation on the rubble of Palestine. This day is called by the Palestinians as ‘Nakba’, or Catastrophe. Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns. According to Palestinian figures, more than 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of this year. Sixteen Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Trkiye in talks with both sides in Sudan for truce

Trkiye is in talks with the warring sides in Sudan for a cease-fire, the Turkish foreign minister said Wednesday. ‘Both sides are our brothers in Sudan. Why should we take sides here? We are negotiating with both sides, we are negotiating to stop the conflict,’ Mevlut Cavusoglu said at an event in Trkiye’s Antalya province. Cavusoglu said he was expecting a cease-fire to be reached on Thursday. He further said Turkish citizens who want to return to their country will be evacuated from Sudan when the airspace opens on Thursday. He said many countries, including those in Europe, have requested assistance from Trkiye to evacuate their citizens from Sudan. Fighting raged for the 5th day between the Sudanese army and RSF fighters in Khartoum and its surrounding areas, leaving at least 270 dead and 2,600 others injured, according to the Health Ministry. While the RSF accused the army of attacking its forces south of Khartoum with light and heavy weapons, the military said the paramilitary force was “spreading lies” and declared it a “rebel” group. A disagreement between the two military rivals regarding military and security reform, which envisages the full participation of the RSF in the army, has turned into a hot conflict in the last few months. The dispute between the two sides came to the surface last week, when the army said recent movements by the RSF had occurred without coordination and were illegal. Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 2021, when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency in a move decried by political forces as a ‘coup.’ Sudan’s transitional period, which started in August 2019, was scheduled to end with elections in early 2024.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Sudan fighting rages near presidential palace in Khartoum

Fierce clashes erupted near the presidential palace in Khartoum on Wednesday between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). ‘The fighting is considered the most vicious since the outbreak of violence,’ an eyewitness told Anadolu. The army confirmed that RSF fighters had attacked a number of sites in the capital, including the presidential palace. A military statement said the RSF rebels sustained losses after their attack against the Presidential Guard was repelled. The army said RSF members also looted the Central Bank headquarters in Khartoum and set it on fire. The violence comes as the army and the RSF agreed to a 24-hour cease-fire starting at 6 p.m. local time (1600GMT). At least 270 people have been killed and 2,600 others injured in armed clashes between the two military rivals since Saturday in Khartoum and its surrounding areas, according to the Health Ministry. While the RSF accused the army of attacking its forces south of Khartoum with light and heavy weapons, the military said the paramilitary force was “spreading lies” and declared it a “rebel” group.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Robert F. Kennedy formally launches 2024 White House bid

Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the nephew of former US President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated, officially launched his bid Wednesday for the White House in 2024. ‘I’ve come here today to announce my candidacy for Democratic nomination for President of the United States,’ Kennedy said at a campaign launch in Boston. Kennedy filed paperwork April. 6 with the Federal Election Commission to run for president. Known as an anti-vaccine activist, Kennedy is the second Democrat to enter the presidential race after author Marianne Williamson. They will likely challenge President Joe Biden, who has indicated he intends to run, Kennedy is the son of former US Attorney General and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 in Los Angeles. Former President Donald Trump, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and millionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are among the Republican candidates.

Source: Anadolu Agency

‘Sitting on a bomb’: Climate change ‘intensifying’ France’s droughts, heatwaves, and forest fires

France’s government sounded the alarm Monday about the growing risk of forest fires because of climate change, as hundreds of firefighters in the country’s parched south wrestled with their biggest woodland-destroying blaze so far this year. The fire erupted Sunday and burned on more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of land along the Mediterranean coast, and spread across the border into northeastern Spain. This, following France’s driest winter in over half a century. For more, FRANCE 24 is joined by Dr. Michel Vennetier, Member of the International Association for Mediterranean Forests and retired Researcher, Engineer, and Ecologist at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE).

Source: France24.com

Trial over 1980 Paris synagogue bombing: A tough challenge for police

A Paris court is examining a terrorism case that took more than 40 years to bring to trial. Four people were killed in the 1980 bombing of the French capital’s Copernic Street synagogue. The case has been a tough challenge for 21st century investigators, with no DNA or mobile phone records for them to work with. Our Science reporter Shirli Sitbon tells us about the difficulties police and the court itself have faced, as well as how the treatment of terror victims has changed over the past four decades.

Source: France24.com

France continues to move ‘ahead in the management of endometriosis’

French supermarket giant Carrefour said on Wednesday it would allow female employees to take days off if they suffer from endometriosis, a medical condition that has no cure, can cause excessive period cramps and lead to infertility. One in ten women worldwide suffer from endometriosis, a chronic disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb. For more on the concerted efforts to diagnose the disease and raise awareness, FRANCE 24 is joined by Dr. Horace Roman, Gynecological Surgeon specializing in Endometriosis and Founding Member of The IFEM Endometriosis Institute in Bordeaux. He is also Professor of Endometriosis Surgery at the University of Aarhus in Denmark.

Source: France24.com

‘Impossible to know who is in control’ amid heavy clashes in Sudan

As fighting rages for a fifth day in Sudan in a power struggle between the army and the paramilitary troops known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), getting a clear picture of who is now in control of key infrastructure in the capital Khartoum and around the country is also impossible, with both sides waging an information war, reports France 2’’s correspondent Bastien Renouil.

Source: France24.com