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Indian state to inspect outlets of global fast-food chains after McDonald’s cheese crackdown

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Indian state to inspect outlets of global fast-food chains after McDonald’s cheese crackdown

India’s Maharashtra state is expanding its scrutiny to include outlets of global fast-food brands to verify if they are using cheese alternatives while falsely advertising products as containing real cheese. This action follows a crackdown on McDonald’s, where the state’s Food and Drug Administration will inspect outlets for violations of display and labeling rules. McDonald’s largest India franchisee, Westlife Foodworld, has been defending its use of “real cheese” after allegations of using cheese analogues made of vegetable oil. Following these allegations, Westlife Foodworld removed the word “cheese” from many of its product names. Shares of Westlife dropped by up to 6.7% after these reports. Inspectors will also visit outlets of other brands like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and KFC. Indian authorities have the power to suspend licenses of restaurants that mislead consumers. Westlife, along with other franchisees like Jubilant FoodWorks (Domino’s), Restaurant Brands Asia (Burger King), and Devyani International (operates Pizza Hut and KFC), have not commented or declined to comment on the inspections. Devyani shares fell by 4% following the news. Maharashtra, being a significant market for these brands, has seen one McDonald’s outlet’s license suspended and later revoked on appeal for allegedly using cheese analogues. Westlife reassured consumers that it uses real milk for its cheese and does not use substitutes.

Two teen drivers caught in Paphos

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Two teen drivers caught in Paphos

Police in Paphos caught two underage drivers on Sunday. The first was a 17-year-old driving without a license and without third-party insurance, caught for speeding at 8.30pm. The second case involved a 15-year-old. Additionally, a driver was stopped for a check on Tombs of the Kings avenue and tested preliminary positive for drugs. Over the last three days, 175 drivers were reported for various traffic complaints in Paphos, including 20 for driving under the influence of alcohol and three for driving under the influence of drugs.

Branthwaite earns late point for Everton in 2-2 draw with Tottenham

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Branthwaite earns late point for Everton in 2-2 draw with Tottenham

Jarrad Branthwaite scored a 94th-minute equalizer for Everton in a 2-2 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Richarlison scored two goals for Tottenham, and Jack Harrison scored for Everton. The draw moved Everton out of the bottom three in the Premier League table to 17th place with 19 points from 23 games. Tottenham is fourth in the table with 44 points from 23 games. Everton’s set-pieces troubled Spurs throughout the game. Everton fans protested against the Premier League with yellow placards over an alleged breach of profit and sustainability rules, with an appeal verdict due in mid-February. Richarlison’s second goal was his ninth in eight Premier League games. Christian Romero’s attempted clearance led to Branthwaite’s goal for Everton.

Three French police officers given suspended jail terms for excessive force during 2017 arrest

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Three French police officers given suspended jail terms for excessive force during 2017 arrest

Three French police officers have been given suspended jail sentences for using excessive force during the arrest of a young Black man in 2017. The arrest of Theodore Luhaka in a Paris suburb sparked protests and brought the French police under scrutiny for racism and violent misconduct. One officer was sentenced to one year suspended prison for beating Luhaka and causing serious injuries, while two other officers were given three-month suspended sentences for their involvement. The officers were also banned from working as police officers in the public space for a certain period of time. Luhaka’s lawyer considered the decision a victory, but protesters called for the officers to serve prison time. Defense lawyers argued that the use of force by the officers was legitimate, necessary, and proportionate. The prosecutor had sought longer suspended prison sentences for the officers.

Alcotest and Narcotest to be used against incidents in stadiums

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Alcotest and Narcotest to be used against incidents in stadiums

Fact: Any fan who enters a stadium for a football match and refuses or avoids giving a saliva sample to check for drug use is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be imprisoned for up to one year or fined up to €2,000. The same punishment applies if a fan gives a saliva sample and is found to have used drugs. Refusing to provide a breath sample for an alcohol test can result in being removed from the stadium, and if the person refuses to leave, they may be imprisoned for up to one month or fined up to €2,000. Police officers can check suspicious individuals and conduct body searches for dangerous objects. Matches can be postponed if there is information or reasonable suspicion of potential incidents. The measures are part of a bill called the Bill on the Prevention and Suppression of Violence in Sports Venues. A person is considered to have had too many drinks if their breath contains more than 39 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath.

To the Attorney General the issue of officials' pensions, says the Accountant General

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To the Attorney General the issue of officials' pensions, says the Accountant General

After a compliance check conducted by Odysseas Michaelides on multiple pensions, Andreas Antoniades says that the payment of pensions should be suspended for specific officials, according to CNA. The Auditor General has referred the recommendation of the Auditor General to the Attorney General for the termination of pension payments to officials appointed to another position.