McDonald's has unveiled details of its new retro-style restaurant concept, CosMc's, positioning itself in the same market segment as Starbucks. The pilot, centered on specialty hot and cold drinks, will debut this month near Chicago, with plans to expand to 10 locations by the end of 2024. Simultaneously, the fast-food giant aims to open approximately 10,000 McDonald's outlets globally by 2027, with a significant focus on China, increasing the total number of stores to around 50,000.
The esteemed writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah passed away at the age of 65, following an eight-week battle with a brain tumor, as revealed in a statement on his Instagram account. He departed in the early hours of Thursday, with his wife by his side.
The UK has accused Russia's Security Service, the FSB, of engaging in a prolonged cyber-hacking campaign aimed at politicians and individuals in the public eye. The government alleges that one faction within the FSB orchestrated cyber-attacks to pilfer data, subsequently disclosing it publicly, including materials linked to the 2019 election. Despite Russia consistently refuting involvement in such activities, Foreign Secretary David Cameron condemned the group's actions as "completely unacceptable." Former Prime Minister Cameron affirmed the commitment to collaborate with allies to expose Russian covert cyber activities and hold Russia accountable.
The tension was palpable as the final debate among Republican candidates unfolded last night. With former President Donald Trump's looming presence, many expected fireworks and attacks from the contenders. However, to the surprise of many, the candidates largely ducked Trump's attacks, choosing instead to focus on their own policies and visions for the future. This shift in approach demonstrated a willingness to rise above personal jabs and engage with substantive issues. It's clear that the candidates are keen to differentiate themselves on their merits rather than getting caught up in a war of words. As the race continues to heat up, it will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out in the coming weeks.
On the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Dhaka, Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim made history by becoming only the second Test batter to be dismissed for obstructing the field. The incident occurred when the 36-year-old handled the ball as it bounced away from him while defending a delivery from Kyle Jamieson.
Golf's prominent long hitters may experience a reduction of approximately 15 yards in the distance their tee shots can travel, following rule changes announced by the R&A and United States Golf Association. The alterations to ball specifications will impact all players, with recreational golfers, who generally lack the rapid swing speeds of professionals, expected to see a more modest reduction of fewer than five yards on their longest shots. The decision to limit hitting distances has been met with opposition from golf manufacturers and leading tours during an extended period of consultation.
The TikTok trends of 2023 have been unveiled in the platform's annual report, Year on TikTok, showcasing the most popular and influential themes that captivated users throughout the year. Among the highlights, Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi emerged as the most-viewed UK artist on TikTok, amassing 8.4 million followers and nearly 182 million likes for his content. Other notable trends include the Wes Anderson aesthetic, discussions about the Roman Empire, and the "girl dinner" phenomenon.
Puerto Rican superstar Daddy Yankee has made a profound announcement, revealing his decision to retire from the music industry and embark on a life devoted to religion. The influential artist, celebrated for chart-topping hits like "Despacito" and "Gasolina," shared this significant revelation with his fans during the final show of his "La Última Vuelta" (Last Lap) world tour. At 46 years old, the rapper conveyed to the audience that the pursuit of a purposeful life differs from merely achieving success, reflecting on his personal journey of attempting to fill an internal void that only faith ultimately assuaged.
Norman Lear, the acclaimed sitcom writer and producer, has passed away at the age of 101 at his Los Angeles home from natural causes, as confirmed by a family spokesperson.
Four members of the BTS band have appealed to their fans to refrain from visiting army camps when they commence mandatory military service. RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook are set to enlist soon, possibly next week, according to reports. The K-pop stars, in a video posted on Tuesday, emphasized that their presence could be bothersome for fellow soldiers and their families. South Korea, still technically at war with North Korea, mandates nearly all able-bodied men to serve 18 months by the age of 28.