Partanna, co-founded by former NBA star Rick Fox, is revolutionizing the construction industry by developing sustainable alternatives to traditional building materials. The company, a climate technology startup supported by Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, aims to help decarbonize the construction sector with their innovative cement that absorbs carbon dioxide instead of emitting it googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("desktop-single-halfpage2"); }); Rick Fox’s journey to founding Partanna began after witnessing the destruction of his homeland “I knew this needed more than dollars to address the problem,” Fox explains His quest to find materials that could withstand such natural disasters led him to meet Sam Marshall an architect who had developed a groundbreaking concrete formula “breathed like a tree and could withstand saltwater erosion.” This collaboration led to the birth of Partanna which is dedicated to producing building materials that are not only carbon-negative but also resilient in harsh climates​ At the heart of Partanna’s innovation is its cement a sustainable alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) Traditional cement production is energy-intensive and accounts for a staggering 9% of global emissions Partanna’s cement cures at room temperature and absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere “Partanna cement permanently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere making it carbon negative and nature positive,” Fox explains adding that the essential materials are derived from waste brine sourced from desalination plants​ googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("desktop-single-halfpage3"); }); Partanna’s mission aligns with the urgent need to reduce global emissions which contributes 38% of all global emissions “If we’re going to decarbonize and hit the Paris Agreement target of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius we need to radically and urgently change the building materials we use,” Fox emphasizes Partanna aims to be a key player in this transition by providing developers with a viable sustainable alternative to traditional cement In late 2022, at COP27 in Egypt, Partanna made its official debut. One of their first major projects is a partnership with the government of The Bahamas to deliver 1,000 affordable carbon-negative homes. Partanna has already completed the world’s first carbon-negative home in The Bahamas, showcasing the potential of their technology to change the way homes and infrastructure are built Fox is also looking to expand Partanna’s operations in the Gulf region through partnerships with local developers Their cement has already passed rigorous testing in Saudi Arabia and they are currently collaborating with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority to supply carbon-negative concrete for one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic historical sites “Our operations are expanding rapidly in the Gulf region through our subsidiaries Partanna Arabia and Partanna Oasis in the UAE,” Fox shared highlighting the company’s ambitions to grow its presence in the Middle East Partanna’s goal is clear: to delink development from pollution and lead the way in making carbon-negative building materials the standard in construction “We reject the premise that building for our future has to mean harming our planet.”​ đŸȘ© The tech behind Taylor Swift’s concert wristbands đŸ€łÂ Are you looking for the best dumb phones in 2023 🩄 The 2023 top startups in MENA 🧀 Italian cheesemakers are putting microchips in their Parmesan đŸ–€ The pros and cons of tattoos đŸ„Š Your genes can make it easier (or harder) to be a vegetarian ✹ And be sure to follow WIRED Middle East on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn Surrounded by centuries-old olive oil trees just outside the small Sicilian town of Partanna, Howard Schultz made a bold prediction: “People are going to add a tablespoon of Partanna extra-virgin olive oil into their drink,” the then-CEO of Starbucks said last year Starbucks buys all of its olive oil from that plantation in Partanna, whose controlling family sold a 19% stake to Schultz in 2023, according to US and Italian corporate filings and people familiar with the matter now named Partanna after its Sicilian hometown $26.5 million between October 2022 and September 2023 The investment shows how entangled Schultz still is with the company he ran for much of the past four decades. After retiring in March 2023 from his third stint as Starbucks’ CEO, he remains its sixth-largest shareholder and chairman emeritus for life which entitles him to attend board meetings and keep his parking spot His 2% stake, and his endorsement, are now up for grabs in a corporate fight between Narasimhan and activist hedge fund Elliott Management, which is agitating for changes Both sides will be seeking Schultz’s backing which could swing other shareholders to support Elliott or give Starbucks a reason to dig in Starbucks’ share price is down 25% since Narasimhan took over a protracted fight with its labor union proved to be a distraction who brought espresso to American consumers after a trip to a Milan coffeeshop in 1983 says Oleato will “transform the coffee industry.” He did no consumer research instead trusting his gut: “No one’s ever thought of mixing the two except me,” he told CNN’s Poppy Harlow “You really want to spray the coffee into your mouth.” Schultz bought his Partanna stake last year from its founding family after meeting its fourth-generation owner on a 2022 vacation to Sicily One person familiar with the matter said the company needed cash to expand to meet Starbucks’ orders. Schultz, who was CEO at the time, offered Starbucks the chance to invest its own money, but left the decision to Narasimhan, who was then in the middle of a six-month Starbucks CEO apprenticeship learning the ropes of the company and earning his barista certificate now at least nominally headquartered in Starbucks’ hometown of Seattle is run by a former Starbucks senior executive and supply-chain manager are all Starbucks alumni A spokesman for Schultz declined to comment Valor didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment “Starbucks — through its Board and multiple audit committee meetings — had a strong governance process in place in the establishment of the business relationship with Partanna/ United Olive Oil,” the company said in a statement “This included a thorough review of conflict of interest including ensuring Howard had no role in business decisions related to the Partanna/ United Olive Oil relationship.” The fight with Elliott is really about who owns Starbucks’ stumbles — China which hasn’t sold well — and whether they are the result of Schultz’s strategy or Narasimhan’s execution This isn’t significant financial self-dealing (Schultz’s net worth is estimated at $2.8 billion) but it’s a corporate governance mess There are a lot of places Starbucks could buy olive oil and a lot of outside investors who would be happy to back a producer with a story like Partanna’s and a purchase agreement from Starbucks charged the company $5.9 million for the rights to the “We” trademark where Bob Iger undermined his struggling successor for months before finally replacing him Schultz belongs to a small group of chief executives — Jeff Bezos Larry Fink — who have become at times messily indistinguishable from the companies they run and operate with more license than corporate boards generally grant CEOs but joined it in 1983 and turned it into a category-defining giant a typical olive from the area of Trapani,” Robin Trupia Sign up for Semafor .css-w8sqnb{text-transform:capitalize;}business You may not be able to find the page you were after because of: You might find one of the following links useful: Discover the mipTOF for fast and high-quality trace element and metals analysis in the air The MPA Horizon Next-Gen Membrane Permeation Analyzer delivers advanced gas and vapor permeation analysis for membranes and barrier films With state-of-the-art Proton Exchange Membrane stacks PSM Series electrolysers ensure economical high-purity hydrogen production for large-scale applications ACCIONA's Turbine Made initiative recycles decommissioned wind turbine blades into high-performance surfboards Watercycle Technologies is transforming battery recycling and mineral recovery supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from AZoNetwork.com please log into your AZoProfile account first Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content A few things you need to know before we start Read the full Terms & Conditions In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office Partanna will establish a new regional HQ and a manufacturing facility US registered advanced materials company Partanna Global has announced plans to establish its regional headquarters and a new manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi It is already affiliated with Partanna Bahamas Partanna has partnered with The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to undertake this endeavour The ADIO will support Partanna by enabling it to set up large-scale eco-friendly manufacturing operations in Abu Dhabi catering to the regional market Both organizations are working towards positioning Abu Dhabi as the regional epicentre for carbon-negative and sustainable building materials The new facility will convert waste brine into carbon-negative cement offsetting emissions and absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere It will produce up to 3 million tonnes of Partanna binder annually equivalent to 10% of the UAE’s cement market praised Abu Dhabi as the perfect choice of location adding that “there’s no better place to scale our business globally than Abu Dhabi.” we’re creating a roadmap to scale this globally and show that sustainable construction is not only possible but profitable” Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis director general at ADIO shared the sentiment saying that “economic growth and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive.” Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network We tasted 18 bottles of extra virgin olive oil to find our favorites for cooking Our top honors went to Brightland’s The Duo This pair offers the best of both worlds with two oils for different applications but each has nuanced and versatile flavor qualities How long your olive oil will last depends largely on when the olives were harvested so your first step should be looking for that date on your bottle olive oil has a shelf life of around 18 to 24 months Extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed and the highest grade of olive oil on the market making it the type you should shop for when seeking the best olive oil for your kitchen and regular olive oil all refer to lower grades of oil made from lesser-quality olives and often boast an unpleasant taste and a higher level of fatty acids Olive oil will maintain its nutritional value best if stored in a cool and dark place many brands now bottle their olive oils in tinted glass bottles or tins to prevent light from damaging the oil’s antioxidant qualities you can keep olive oil in a squeeze bottle choose an opaque squeeze bottle to prevent light exposure and decant your oil into the bottle in small quantities to keep it as fresh as possible To keep your olive oil as fresh as possible dry location and buy an olive oil packaged in a tinted glass bottle It can also be a good idea to purchase olive oil in smaller quantities so you can guarantee you’re using it up while it’s still at peak freshness Refined and light olive oil refers to lower grades of oil made from lesser-quality olives and often has an unpleasant taste and a higher level of fatty acids Oct 11, 2024Before Howard Schultz stepped down as the CEO of Starbucks, he dreamt up Starbucks’ Oleato collection—aka olive oil-infused coffee Think of it as his parting gift to Starbucks enthusiasts before he left the company Oleato (pronounced “oh-lee-ah-toe” if you want to sound legit) means “oiled” in Italian. I know what you’re thinking: oiled coffee?! But it’s actually not that weird (any Bulletproof coffee fan will tell you this is nothing new) I put the new collection to the test and tried three brews in a taste test Here's my honest Starbucks olive oil coffee review Schultz was inspired to create the beverages after a trip to Sicily, where he was introduced to the Mediterranean custom of taking a spoonful of olive oil each day. He had the idea of incorporating the olive oil into his morning coffee saying in a press release that his creation has “an unexpected buttery flavor that enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate.”  Bringing the idea back to his beverage developer in Seattle (how do we get that job?) Schultz and his team learned about the different varieties of olives to eventually settle on a blend of extra virgin olive oil created just for Starbucks.  which is sold as Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil includes Nocellara del Belice olives (also called Castelvetrano) which are known for their vibrant and buttery flavor buttery and fruity—and reviewers online absolutely rave about it The olive oil just happens to pair with the notes of the coffee beans really well Oleato olive oil display at the Chicago Reserve Roastery In February 2023, Starbucks debuted several Oleato drinks (plus an espresso martini made with olive oil)—but you could only find them at the Starbucks Reserve Roasteries If you didn't live near one of these locations In January 2024 the company rolled out two Oleato drinks to all Starbucks stores across the United States (The Reserve Roasteries continue to serve a broader range of Oleato beverages.) The two drinks that were rolled out to all Starbucks shops across the U.S were the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso With Toffeenut and the Oleato Caffe Latte With Oatmilk Related: Fans Complain About Strange Physical Effects After Drinking Starbucks' New Olive Oil Coffee Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso With Toffeenut: This iced coffee drink is made with Starbucks Blonde Espresso which is a cold vanilla sweet cream that has been infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil Oleato Caffe Latte With Oatmilk: This is a latte made with Starbucks Blonde Espresso and an infusion of Partanna extra virgin olive oil Some reviewers said the new coffees made their stomachs a tad...upset shall we say My friend and I didn’t experience this but not drinking these coffees on an empty stomach (and not being super sensitive to higher-fat foods or drinks) may have helped us out Barista Sean Husak at the Chicago Reserve Roastery told me he was a big fan of the new drinks since it's something different as opposed to just a new syrup appearing on the menu He also said coffee lovers shouldn’t fret about the addition of olive oil to their morning brew since they only add one pump per drink (or two for the larger sizes).“The ratio of olive oil to [coffee] is low—it’s one-eighth of the drink,” Husak says “And it always mixes with the milk.” He notes that since coffee is water-based and oil and water don’t mix baristas infuse the olive oil into the milk so it won’t separate out Oleato Caffè Latte With Oatmilk Oleato Caffè Latte With Oatmilk: This is the one to try if you want to tiptoe into this trend cocoa-y bitterness to your brew since this one has a bit of an astringent taste almost akin to a glass of red wine (perhaps due to the tannins?) I could really taste the olive oil and noted that as the mug reached room temperature the olive oil flavor was even more prevalent the Partanna mingled with the cocoa flavor of the beans in a rich Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso With Toffeenut Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso With Toffeenut: For me this was the clear winner of the drinks I tried It had a seriously strong olive oil scent—so much so that I was catching nice whiffs of it as we were sitting at our high-top table But the star of the show was the Oleato Golden Foam the addition of olive oil was perfect (you wouldn’t think so The vanilla bean flavor in the cold foam was almost nonexistent The thickness of the foam forces you to slow down and savor each sip as it melts and runs together rather than gulping it down like you’re in some kind of caffeine competition Iced Oleato Cortado: This drink is unfortunately only available at certain Reserve Roastery locations so you won't find it at your typical local Starbucks so I'll share my thoughts here in case it tempts you to seek it out delicate glass garnished with an orange peel this one was more reminiscent of a fancy nightcap than an afternoon pick-me-up The combination of the orange piloncillo syrup orange bitters and coffee paired with the fruitiness of the olive oil was like drinking a glass of cold iced coffee in the middle of a sunny orange grove but there was a noticeable sheen on top that grew more and more separated (and hard to look at) as the drink sat The olive oil dancing on top of the ice cubes made for an unexpected lip balm about halfway through drinking it not too sweet and would be a good choice for someone who likes something a little different Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil pump at the Reserve Roastery Although I did like the iced shaken espresso and the cortado they're just not drinks I would order every day They’re the kind of drinks that you order just to tell your friends you ordered them not because you really love them (especially at $8 a pop) don’t walk” type of situation I'd say it's more of a “saunter in and order if you’re feeling it” type of situation.  Up next: What to Know About Starbucks Cup Sizes: Guide and Size Chart Get daily business news from the region delivered straight to your inbox ADIO will support Partanna’s efforts to decarbonise the cement industry by enabling the establishment of its manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has teamed up with Partanna to establish its regional headquarters and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the emirate ADIO will support Partanna’s efforts to revolutionise the $400bn global cement industry by enabling the establishment of its large-scale manufacturing operations in Abu Dhabi Partanna will generate Verra-certified carbon credits contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions in line with Abu Dhabi’s climate objectives Cement production accounts for nearly 9 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions with traditional manufacturing methods ranking among the largest contributors to climate change Partanna’s innovative approach to cement production presents a scalable solution by replacing carbon-intensive clinkering with magnesium compounds sourced from brine—a by-product of desalination The process not only transforms waste into a valuable resource but also delivers a cost-competitive product Partanna’s new facility in Abu Dhabi will convert waste brine into carbon-negative cement not only neutralising emissions but actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere The new Abu Dhabi facility will produce up to 3 million tonnes of Partanna binder annually representing 10 per cent of the UAE’s cement market and paving the way for regional and global expansion Partanna’s production capacity would have a carbon impact equivalent to that of the Borneo Rainforest offsetting approximately 7.98 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year The facility will act as Partanna’s flagship operation and regional headquarters It is designed as a franchisable model that can be replicated worldwide enabling rapid adoption in other high-growth regions Founded by three-time NBA Champion Rick Fox Partanna has been supported by Abu Dhabi through its participation in the specialist ClimateTech ecosystem at Hub71 the company has attracted customers in the UAE Partanna’s Abu Dhabi facility is expected to begin operations in 2025 It will leverage the emirate’s infrastructure and sustainable energy initiatives a climate technology company co-founded by Ambassador at Large for The Bahamas and three-time NBA champion Rick Fox has been validated by Verra under its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program the global leader in voluntary carbon market standards recognized Partanna’s innovation using the VM0044 Methodology This milestone makes Partanna one of only two concrete companies worldwide to achieve this prestigious status Partanna’s patented cement alternative eliminates the energy-intensive processes and CO₂ emissions associated with Portland cement (OPC) Partanna creates a sustainable material that avoids emissions and actively captures CO₂ from the atmosphere OPC—second only to water as the most used commodity globally—has played a key role in development its production generates 9% of global CO₂ emissions Partanna’s breakthrough technology positions it as a leader in sustainable construction reducing emissions while enabling carbon capture Partanna’s project is expected to avoid and sequester 644,000 tons of CO₂ annually during its 10-year carbon crediting period totaling over 6.4 million tons by 2032—equivalent to eliminating a year’s worth of emissions from a small country like Cyprus or Luxembourg The company’s long-term vision includes scaling its technology to remove 1 billion tons of CO₂ providing a transformative solution for global construction and climate goals Partanna’s materials meet ASTM and ACI standards ensuring durability for mainstream construction and resilience in extreme climates making them particularly valuable for coastal and small island states Partanna has committed to building up to 1,000 homes annually using its carbon-negative cement binder These homes will reduce construction emissions and withstand hurricanes providing climate-resilient housing in one of the regions most affected by climate change “As one of only two companies worldwide to secure Verra validation for carbon removal in cement this milestone is a game-changer,” said Rick Fox “Our technology doesn’t just avoid emissions—it removes CO₂ from the atmosphere Verra’s validation confirms the credibility of our solution and its impact on global carbon reduction.” are available globally for organizations seeking credible offsets With project boundaries currently in The Bahamas and the United States Carbon credits are vital in bridging the gap between current emissions and climate goals Global emissions must drop 42% by 2030 to meet Paris Agreement targets a carbon removal shortfall of 49 gigatons is expected between 2025 and 2100 under the 1.5°C scenario Partanna’s initiative provides a crucial solution to address this gap Eyewitness News is The Bahamas #1 trusted source for local news By signing up, I agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Taste of Home's Editorial Process Make sure your pantry is filled with top-notch ingredients including the very best olive oil for dressings Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more. Because we reach for a bottle of EVOO so often that means we’re often running to the store to replenish our stock “what’s the best olive oil?” After all if you’re going through the work of making a delicious homemade meal you want a foundational ingredient like this to help those flavors sing—not flop Before we get into the search, let’s have a quick primer on olive oil and extra-virgin olive oil Both are oils extracted from olives—that’s easy enough It must be cold-pressed and minimally processed it often retains more of the fruit’s true flavor Now, to find the very best olive oil our Test Kitchen sampled the most popular and sought-after brands according to these criteria: This gold-hued oil was buttery and fruity with just a touch of acidity—the perfect balance for creating tangy lemon vinaigrette Shop Now This lightly textured oil (meaning it’s not heavy on the palate) had notes of oak as well as fruity olives It tasted great on its own but reaches higher highs when used for cooking Shop Now Splashing a bit of this oil into a dish for dipping, you’ll find a deep green hue and the distinct smell of olives. When you dip a bit of Italian bread into this oil you’ll find it to taste a bit buttery with a hint of olives This oil is a bit heavier than others in our test, which isn’t a negative. It just means that this extra-virgin oil stands out on its own. Use it as a condiment or anytime you want to impart authentic Italian flavor into your recipes This Tunisian olive oil has a gorgeous golden color and light texture you’ll find that the flavor is mild with whispers of fruit Because this oil isn’t as flavor-forward as some of its counterparts our Test Kitchen recommends using Terra Delyssa when you want other flavors to shine Catherine recommends this as an all-purpose cooking oil “It would enhance other flavors without bringing too much olive flavor,” she explains Shop Now While many look to Italy and the Mediterranean for olive oil, don’t sleep on options produced right here in the US. California Olive Ranch makes a terrific extra virgin olive oil Pour a bit of this oil out in a dish for dipping and you’ll see it has a stunning golden hue and a slightly floral aroma. As for the flavor, it’s incredibly versatile, according to our Test Kitchen’s Mark Neufang “I think this could be used in any number of applications,” he says floral and the finish is nice and buttery.” Available for $22.49 You already know that EVOO is indispensable in the kitchen but we are here to inspire you to reach for your favorite bottle even more frequently We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices We recommend our users to update the browser and when Starbucks decided to offer it in their Italian markets in February it caused a bit of controversy − per usual I actually worked at Starbucks for four years during college and loved it Though my coffee order was always rather unexciting: a doppio espresso with coconut milk Whether it's a multi-colored drinkable sugar bomb called the unicorn Frappuccino or their infamous pumpkin spice latte that I'm always curious to try what they come up with next when I saw Starbucks was bringing their olive oil-infused coffee to the U.S markets several weeks ago What's in it?The Oleato, Latin for "oil," drinks in Starbucks' new line contain Partanna, an Italian extra virgin olive oil brand with over 100 years of tradition The drinks include a press – or spoonful – of Partanna extra virgin olive oil as a customization to select beverages The oil is infused to the drink by either being steamed into milk It's also added in a cold golden foam which is available as an added customization topping on both hot and cold beverages Here's what I orderedI stopped by the Starbucks location in York on Arsenal Road last week, and as I pulled up to the drive-through window I noticed a lineup of two Oleato-infused coffee drinks to choose from: Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut: Starbucks Blonde espresso combined with toffeenut and creamy oatmilk a vanilla sweet cream cold foam infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oilOleato CaffĂš Latte with Oatmilk: Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast combined with oatmilk and infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil.I decided on the first option: a 16-ounce golden foam iced shaken espresso with toffeenut decaf espresso and with only one pump of syrup The color appeared lighter than I normally prefer to drink my coffee The first sip was refreshing and left an almost earthy aftertaste the drink was not too sweet – which I enjoyed It’s the type of drink that lovers of matcha tea or green smoothies would enjoy But the idea doesn't completely turn me off drinking olive oil and perhaps adding it to my coffee at home one day olive oil gives off a pungent fruity smell that's so luxurious − and the thought of taking a sip has tempted me before Food influencers Mediterranean Dish and Hungry.happens regularly broadcast themselves frequently taking shots of olive oil for what they claim are anti-inflammatory and anti-aging reasons What local unusual dish or drink should I try next Construction Week Online Home » News » Abu Dhabi partners with Partanna to launch carbon-negative cement facility The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has partnered with Partanna to establish its regional headquarters and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi The initiative aims to position the emirate as a hub for carbon-negative building materials aligning with its ambitious climate goals and the global push for sustainability Partanna’s new facility will use innovative technology to convert waste brine—a by-product of desalination—into a carbon-negative cement alternative This approach not only neutralises emissions but actively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere transforming concrete production into a net positive for the environment will produce up to 3 million tonnes of Partanna binder annually This output is projected to offset approximately 7.98 million metric tonnes of CO₂ annually—comparable to the carbon absorption capacity of the Borneo Rainforest Cement production currently accounts for nearly 9% of global CO₂ emissions making it a major contributor to climate change carbon-intensive clinkering processes with magnesium compounds derived from brine The product is compliant with international building standards and demonstrates improved durability in saltwater conditions These features make it ideal for regional and global markets particularly in areas with abundant brine resources The partnership is part of ADIO’s broader efforts to attract cutting-edge innovation and promote sustainable industrial growth “At the core of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation lies innovation Through strategic partnerships with pioneering companies like Partanna we are demonstrating that economic growth and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive.” and strategic location provide an ideal environment for Partanna’s operations The facility will serve as a franchisable model for global expansion enabling the rapid adoption of carbon-negative construction materials in high-growth markets Led by Co-Founder and CEO Rick Fox, a three-time NBA Champion turned climate tech entrepreneur, Partanna aims to decarbonise the $400 billion global cement industry “This isn’t just about building a factory; it’s about building a future we’re creating a roadmap to scale this globally and show that sustainable construction is not only possible but profitable.” Partanna has garnered attention for its groundbreaking approach as the most exciting innovation in construction in 30 years The company’s solutions have already attracted customers in the UAE With the global supply of desalination brine projected to grow by 50% by 2035 Partanna’s scalable solution is well-positioned to disrupt the cement market The new Abu Dhabi facility will anchor its operations driving innovation and sustainability in the building materials sector In 2023, Starbucks made headlines—and sparked mixed reactions—with the launch of its olive oil-infused coffee drinks After being available nationwide for less than a year the polarizing beverages are about to get the boot Starbucks has yet to officially announce its holiday menu launch date  Every Starbucks Coffee Drink—Ranked by Sugar Content Discontinuing the olive oil drinks is part of the coffee chain's larger menu simplification strategy said Starbucks will simplify its "overly complex menu." The memo noted that the decision to remove the Oleato line was made before Niccol became CEO The current olive oil-infused coffee options include the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut and the Oleato CaffĂ© Latte with Oat Milk Starbucks is also getting rid of the toffee nut syrup Former CEO Howard Schultz came up with the idea of bringing olive oil coffee to Starbucks after traveling in Sicily he participated in the Mediterranean custom of taking a spoonful of olive oil every day and decided to pair Partanna extra virgin olive oil with his morning coffee he discovered a "delicious and unexpected alchemy of Starbucks coffee beverages infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil" and sought to bring this innovation to the coffee chain However, the olive oil-infused drinks proved to be controversial. While some customers weren't sold on the concept, others reported stomach issues after drinking the beverages  The #1 Coffee Chain In America Revealed—and It's Not Starbucks or Dunkin' This year was a challenging one for Starbucks as the coffee giant experienced multiple quarters of declining sales Starbucks isn't planning to roll out broad promotions during the holiday season and will use advertising to promote its seasonal drinks Copyright 2025 Galvanized Media Eat This Not That is part of the Dotdash Meredith Publishing Family one of Starbucks most out of the box beverage creations has slid down a slippery slope and off the menu The coffee chain has made the decision to eliminate its line of olive oil infused coffee beverages starting in early November The drinks to be axed from the menu include the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut and Oleato CaffĂš Latte with Oatmilk Starbucks also currently offers customers the option to customize their cold coffee drinks with Oleato Golden Foam infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil The drinks made their nationwide debut at the end of January of this year but public opinion was less than enthusiastic from the beginning Joining in the exit of the olive oil drink is also the Toffeenut syrup at Starbucks and the up-charge for non-dairy milks All of these changes are part of the company's new CEO Brian Niccol's plan to streamline what he considers an "overly complex" menu Although it still falls in line with Niccol's plans the decision to get rid of the Oleato line was made before he took on the role in September The olive oil-infused options are set to be eliminated from all U.S which is also when the chain plans to launch its holiday drink menu Reviews of the olive oil drinks ranged from bad to somewhat tolerable so it's not a complete shock that Starbucks has made the decision to get rid of the drinks The Oleato beverages had a rocky rollout to begin with though public opinion didn't seem to sway the brand at the time customers didn't just dislike the combination of olive oil and coffee some even complained about the drinks causing painful stomach issues Some online commenters said the drinks had them running to the bathroom Oct 11, 2024Since 2007 I've been writing about food, on my blog, The Food Hunter's Guide to Cuisine I've dedicated countless hours to discovering unique ingredients and experimenting with them in the kitchen to inspire my followers And as much as I love trying new-to-me ingredients, I also enjoy doing a deep dive into cooking essentials, like extra virgin olive oil. As passionate home cooks, my husband and I use the versatile oil pretty much every day, but choosing the perfect “everyday” bottle of EVOO can be daunting The olive oil selection at the grocery store is vast and if you widen your search to online options we settle for the most budget-friendly option but that's not always the best way to choose an olive oil To help us (and you) decide which oil you should stock in our kitchen we did a blind tasting of a dozen readily available extra virgin olive oils We went in with some guesses about which brands would come out on top Before you make your next batch of salad dressing or sauté those vegetables for dinner check out our list of 12 extra virgin olive oils Related: We Asked Dietitians to Rank 10 Popular Canned Tunas How We Ranked These Olive OilsFueled by curiosity and armed with blindfolds and the support of trusted culinary friends We poured each sample into clear cups so tasters wouldn't know which brand they were sampling Each taster was given a scoring sheet for taking notes and ranking the contenders.  We tried small sips of straight EVOO to make sure we were judging the oil instead of whatever we were eating the oil on or with our mission was clear: to demystify the complexities of this essential ingredient and empower fellow kitchen enthusiasts to make confident Keep reading to uncover the oils that passed our discerning taste tests and those that fell slightly short guiding you towards the olive oils worth embracing and those best left on the shelf 12 Popular Olive Oils, Ranked From Worst to Best12. Pompeian Organic Robust Extra Virgin Olive OilPompeian Organic Olive Oil The tasting team opted to try Pompeian primarily due to its popularity and widespread availability this decision ended up being less than satisfactory lingering bitter aftertaste at the back of our throats With a price tag slightly over $10 for a 16 fl oz bottle our expectations were high for this popular brand 11. Kirkland Extra Virgin Olive OilKirkland Extra Virgin Olive Oil Considering the significant amount of oil my husband and I consume on a weekly basis Its generous size and cost-effectiveness seemed like the perfect fit for our needs Boasting a well-rounded flavor profile and the ability to adapt seamlessly to various cooking techniques such as sautéing we could imagine it becoming a staple in our kitchen However the plastic packaging emerged as a major concern for us and the other tasters leading to a noticeable consensus that Kirkland is not an ideal choice for others who may not use up the oil as quickly as we do Lucini Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Opinions within the team varied significantly regarding the Lucini brand olive oil While it earned high praise as "one of my top choices" from some team members others criticized it for being "too overpowering" in flavor This strong difference in opinions led to some lively discussions confirming just how subjective taste preferences can be we ranked this bottle in the bottom third of the list 9. Frankies 457 Extra Virgin Olive OilFrankies 457 Olive Oil Frankies EVOO is crafted crafted from a mix of Nocellara del Belice and Cerasuola olives. While we found this oil particularly suitable for cooking we unanimously agreed that it would not be a good choice for dipping Its robust flavor and thicker consistency makes it a stellar companion in the kitchen even if it isn’t a “dip-worthy” oil If you're into spicing things up, Frankies also has a Calabrian chili oil, which is perfect for giving your dishes that extra kick. It would be particularly delicious drizzled over fresh tomato pasta or mixed into Mediterranean lentil salad Related: These Are Officially the Best Oils for Frying Chicken, Fish & More 8. PartannaPartanna Organic Olive Oil this oil offers a robust flavor profile that pleasantly surprised the group with hints of almonds and a lingering One taster described it as "truly versatile," and I would have to agree While it might not be readily available at your local grocery store you can easily purchase Partanna olive oil online It's sold through various retailers and e-commerce platforms like Amazon and specialty food websites such as World Market I caution you to check availability and compare prices across different retailers to ensure you're getting the best deal 7. Trader Joe's Imported Olive OilTrader Joe's Imported Olive Oil If you're seeking a straightforward and mild olive oil Its subtle flavor profile makes it well-suited for a range of cooking applications It's an excellent choice when you want to add a touch of olive oil without overwhelming the other ingredients' flavors 6. California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive OilCalifornia Olive Ranch California Olive Ranch was a standout choice among the oils we sampled most notable for its slightly thicker consistency compared to others This feature adds a luxurious texture to dishes The oil's flavor profile presents subtle hints of peppery notes which contributes to a nuanced taste experience The team agreed it's an excellent all-around choice for most everyday culinary needs The Graza brand offers two distinct oils: Drizzle Despite both oils being sourced from Spanish Picual olives and presented in convenient squeeze bottles While there was hopefulness surrounding Sizzle, it unfortunately fell a little short, leaving the group mildly disappointed with its pungent flavor. However, the team unanimously praised Drizzle, deeming it one of their top choices. They liked the idea of pouring it lightly over pasta just before serving and even trying it on vanilla ice cream the team agrees that if used for their intended purposes 4. Colavita Premium Italian Extra Virgin Olive OilColavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil The Colavita brand has been a staple in my kitchen for years consistently ranking as one of my top picks Its perfectly balanced taste makes it a delightful addition to any dish enhancing rather than overshadowing other flavors While it may not have the robustness desired for dipping it still emerged as a favorite among the tasters in our group due to its adaptability in the kitchen which is made by the Frescobaldi family in Tuscany earning it the distinction of their preferred finishing oil can be found online at markethallfoods.com and olio2go.com.  Related: We Tried 9 Different Ice Cream Sandwiches and the Winner Won By a Landslide Rao's might be known for its pasta sauce but the brand's oil also made a lot of fans at the tasting The oil has a luxurious golden color and a silky-smooth texture Its flavor profile features fruity undertones with a subtle hint of pepper striking a perfect balance that enhances the taste of dishes without overwhelming them Bonus: The swank bottle will look great sitting on the counter or the table.  Related: I Tried 24 Rao's Sauces (Including the 6 Brand New Ones) and the Winner Tastes 100% Homemade Bono Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil The Bono brand of olive oil was the unanimous winner Hailing from a family-owned business in Sicily this oil delights with vibrant fruity notes that gently crescendo into a satisfying peppery finish at the rear of the palate Bono's remarkable flavor is ideal for bringing out the best in every ingredient it accompanies from simple salads to complex gourmet creations but it's also available at many Whole Foods locations so chances are good you can pick up a bottle locally.  The new production facility in Abu Dhabi will have a positive carbon impact equivalent to the Borneo rain forest to establish its regional headquarters and a manufacturing facility in the UAE capital This collaboration will establish the emirate as the regional epicentre for carbon-negative building materials creating new possibilities for global sustainability The agreement will support Partanna’s ambitions to decarbonise the US $400bn global cement industry facilitating the company’s establishment of large-scale manufacturing operations in Abu Dhabi and servicing the regional market Partanna will produce Verra-certified carbon credits supporting the reduction of carbon emissions in alignment with Abu Dhabi’s climate goals Cement production accounts for nearly 9% of global carbon dioxide emissions and traditional manufacturing methods remain among the most significant contributors to climate change Partanna pointed out that its modern reinterpretation of cement offers an innovative By replacing carbon-intensive clinkering with magnesium compounds derived from brine – a by-product of desalination – Partanna turns a waste stream into a valuable resource while producing a cost competitive product Partanna’s new facility in Abu Dhabi will convert waste brine into carbon-negative cement not only neutralising emissions but also actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere Complying with international building standards Partanna cement is compatible with reinforced steel and shows improved strength in saltwater conditions The new Abu Dhabi facility will produce up to three million tonnes of Partanna binder annually – equivalent to 10% of the UAE’s cement market – while setting the stage for expansion across the region and beyond Partanna will achieve the same positive carbon impact as the Borneo Rainforest offsetting approximately 7.98m metric tonnes of CO₂ annually Badr Al Olama said: “At the core of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation lies innovation we are demonstrating that economic growth and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive This collaboration is a testament to our unwavering commitment to shaping the industries of future and to accelerating industrial innovation.” the Co-Founder and CEO of Partanna commented “From the Roman Empire to the modern era great civilisations are built on great materials Partanna is bringing a new era of cement to the world and there’s no better place to scale our business globally than Abu Dhabi This isn’t just about building a factory; it’s about building a future we’re creating a roadmap to scale this globally and show that sustainable construction is not only possible MEConstructionNews.com is the central website of leading construction magazines - Big Project Middle East Middle East Consultant and Truck & Fleet Middle East A one stop shop updated daily with industry news The project was unveiled by Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla Nominations are now open in categories across technology This project marks the Middle East’s inaugural Trump International Hotel & Tower and the.. The gala recognised excellence across 12 categories reflecting the key facets of the architectural.. the contract encompasses 148 luxury villas We may receive a commission on purchases made from links Starbucks made headlines when select locations in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York began offering a brand-new brew: Oleato, which is Starbucks coffee infused with ... olive oil The announcement elicited mixed reactions from fans on social media with some customers eager to try the new blend and others less than enthusiastic wondering how such a combination came about In a February press release, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said he drew inspiration in Milan where locals often add a spoonful of olive oil to their morning coffee Schultz said he discovered "a delicious and unexpected alchemy" that resulted in a "velvety" texture and "buttery flavor." Excited by the possibilities he brought his ideas to the Starbucks beverage development team back in the U.S. who set out to find the perfect blend — and the perfect olive oil to replicate the taste and texture Schultz experienced in Milan From hundreds of different types of olive oils, Principal beverage developer Amy Dilger — the tastemaker behind customer favorites like the Chestnut Praline Latte — chose Partanna so named after the town in the Trapani province of southwest Sicily is an artisan olive oil producer growing highly praised Nocellara del Belice olives (also called Castelvetrano) coveted for their "vibrant and buttery flavor." The olives are hand-picked by fourth-generation members of the Asaro family in their Sicilian olive grove cold-pressed within hours of being plucked from the vines and then harvested into blends created exclusively for Starbucks Starbucks plans to offer several different hot and cold options in the Oleato line including an Iced Cortado with oat milk and orange bitters and a golden foam cold brew with vanilla syrup One thing is for sure: Oleato's launch has certainly gotten people talking don't worry: Starbucks plans to launch the line nationally in the coming months Since expanding across the U.S. Starbucks' Oleato lineup has garnered some significant buzz — yet still not much has been said about the olive oil itself Inspired by the Italian tradition of starting each morning with a spoonful of olive oil took the opportunity to step into the Bulletproof coffee trend by adding the healthy fats found in olive oil to their signature drinks — only the Oleato lineup does it with a distinctly Italian flare a family-owned farm located in Southwestern Sicily the olive oil used in the Oleato line gives your everyday latte Like a summer spent on the Mediterranean coast or a drive through the Sicilian countryside the Oleato line is a small taste of the Italian lifestyle With just a dash of Partanna's cold-pressed your Starbucks drink serves as a reminder to slow down and take it all in Described as rich, nutty, buttery, and vibrant, Partanna has been listed on the NYIOOC's Official Guide to the World's Best Olive Oils on numerous occasions The quality in each bottle is undeniable — and it all starts with where it comes from and how it's made Partanna olive oil began in 1916 when Antonio Asaro established The Asaro Family Farm was where he and his family began tending to the olive trees native to the region unknowingly embarking on what would become five generations of tradition While the family credits a lot of their olive oil's quality to the abundance of rain and Mediterranean sunshine in their homeland it's the care and passion that they put into looking after it that has made Partanna Picked by hand and cold-pressed right there on their mill, the Asaro family utilizes generations of experience to oversee each step of the process — ensuring each bottle of Partanna olive oil meets the standard that is at the heart of the Oleato line. 2023Illustration By Julia DuarteOn a wet and supremely dreary Saturday afternoon in Manhattan I found myself among hordes of tourists at Chelsea’s implausibly enormous Starbucks Reserve Why had I willingly entered this ultra-capitalist To order its newest menu item: coffee infused with olive oil Starbucks’ “Oleato” line debuted in Italy earlier this year introducing glugs of Partanna extra virgin olive oil to a number of coffee preparations both cold and hot impressions of the Oleato line have been
unappetizing The New Yorker wrote that it “tasted like a large spoonful of olive oil in coffee,” coating the author’s mouth with a “slick oleaginous sediment.” Grub Street found that the hot latte “tastes like the smell of toast,” also taking note of an “odd film that lingers on one’s tongue after the drink is gone.”   management agreed to clean their ice machines regularly.) I made my way to the counter and ordered the three Oleato coffees available: a hot latte each costing between $8 and $9 for its smallest size I seemed to be the only one in my immediate vicinity ordering the olive oil coffee For fear of being perceived as sad and lonely and also for fear of passing out after consuming the quantity of caffeine contained in three coffees This location was also serving an espresso martini topped with olive oil cold foam The Oleato iced cortado quickly began to separate into its constituent components—namely The cortado was the most confusing and least redeemable of the three. By the time I carried it over to our table, it already began to separate into its constituent components—namely, olive oil and espresso. The green-hued oil began to rise and bubble to the top, so that a centimeter-thick viscous layer floated on the surface. Tasting this one indeed simulated what I imagined it’d be like to down a shot of olive oil and chase it with a shot of straight espresso. 0/10. Would I order any of these coffees again? Maybe the hot latte, definitely not the others. At this point, I felt as though I consumed many tablespoons of olive oil (Schultz, for one, says he drinks a straight tablespoon of it a day, a la Sicilian tradition). I started to feel vaguely nauseous, though it was difficult to disentangle the effects of the oil from the effects of excess caffeine rapidly entering my body. In any case, I wasn’t feeling my best.  And will Oleato change how people drink their coffee? Probably not. I’d be hard-pressed to envision it becoming a PSL-like fave. Maybe it’ll turn into a “secret” menu item, with stores outfitted with carafes of EVOO in case someone wants a pump of it. Undeterred by internal chaos, Starbucks will evidently keep churning out its gimmick of the day and then the next one. It’ll just be up to the fans to decide whether or not they want them.   plug-and-play replacement solution to Portland cement that is fully compatible with its machines TopWerk Group, a global concrete manufacturer of equipment and technology, has officially endorsed Partanna Global’s carbon-negative binder technology as the number one green alternative to traditional Portland cement.  As part of a collaboration agreement between the two companies, announced at the World of Concrete conference in Las Vegas, TopWerk is formally endorsing Partanna as the most advanced green concrete solution on the market. TopWerk recognizes Partanna’s carbon-negative binder as a direct, plug-and-play replacement solution to Portland cement, that is fully compatible with its machines. Partanna has also confirmed its plans to use TopWerk machinery for its first four factories globally. The exclusive agreement spans an initial term of three years with a global scope. As part of the partnership agreement, TopWerk will formally endorse Partanna to its existing global customer base, to move them from Portland cement to Partanna’s carbon-negative binder. Robert Gruss, CEO of TopWerk Group, said, "The construction industry has used cement as a major material since the Roman age, and in particular since the start of industrialization. Today, the classical cement industry alone is one of the strongest CO2 [polluters] globally. We believe our exclusive partner, Partanna, has come up with a truly impressive solution that can contribute to putting this practice to an end."  TopWerk's endorsement follows a recent announcement by the real estate developer, ROSHN, that it intends to invest in a new facility in Saudi Arabia, utilizing Partanna’s technology. In concrete production, Portland cement serves as an adhesive binder that holds together aggregates, allowing for the formation of durable structures. It is the world’s most used commodity after water and its production is responsible for 9% of the world’s emissions. “We believe that Partanna is not just an alternative to Portland cement, but can be a major part of the future of the concrete industry. Our endorsement reflects our absolute confidence in their technology and its potential to transform the market. This [is] why we have joined hands in exclusive cooperation,” said Gruss. Partanna’s patented process for concrete production negates the need for Portland cement. Instead, the company uses an alternative binder – made from natural recycled ingredients – which cures at room temperature. The binder components in Partanna consume CO2 as they cure, removing carbon from the atmosphere in the process. This process ensures that concrete materials made with Partanna are carbon-negative. Partanna materials are as affordable, versatile, and durable as concrete products made with Portland cement. Manufacturers do not need to purchase any special equipment or aggregates in order to produce Partanna concrete. Gruss explained, “Over the last two years, we have rigorously tested their formula and have validated its application as a direct replacement solution for Portland cement. In many ways, their binder actually performs better than the legacy solution. Partanna's building material has been independently verified by Intertek, an international product testing and certification firm. This verification confirms that Partanna's unique product meets and sometimes exceeds key ASTM standards, ensuring structural integrity and safety. a huge leap towards replacing carbon-intensive Portland cement and reducing emissions the innovation could be used on large-scale construction sites to form a natural carbon sink; it can also influence carbon credit policies around the world And for small island states that bear the brunt of hurricanes and floods the material might offer a climate-resilient solution that also supports reliable Partanna says its green-homes project using the construction material will build 1,000 houses in partnership with the Bahamian government as part of an agreement signed at COP27 Some 29 real estate projects will follow in 2024 Partanna co-founder and CEO Rick Fox—who some may also recognize as a former NBA player—told Quartz that the new material is designed to form chemical compounds that capture atmospheric carbon dioxide the same way trees do “We cure this mixture at normal room temperature and avoid the energy-intensive clinker process associated with cement production,” Fox said “As the carbon dioxide dissolves into our mix it helps create a novel type of binding agent that serves the same purpose as traditional cement.” It’s these reactive compounds that are used to continue absorbing carbon throughout a building’s lifecycle which include rocks of volcanic origin and sedimentary clays and shales The process creates chemical compounds that minimize the amount of carbon dioxide in the air surrounding buildings While traditional concrete weakens when exposed to seawater Partanna says its material strengthens upon contact due to its use of brine making it “25% stronger than cement.” This resilience makes it perfect for low-lying coastal communities on the frontline of climate and water-related hazards This means even if that structure is demolished the material “holds onto the carbon and can be reused as an aggregate to make more of the alternative concrete.” According to Partanna’s website a 1,250 square feet home can remove 182.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the air “equivalent to the annual carbon absorbed by 5,200 mature trees.” affirming its concrete’s compliance with global standards The Bahamas, itself a perennial victim of climate change devastations believes the new cement innovation will help it mitigate climate-related threats to human life Starbucks. Starbucks Oleato beverages now available in additional cities across the U.S. Starbucks. Introducing Starbucks Oleato—a revolutionary new coffee ritual Ambra R, Lucchetti S, Pastore G. A review of the effects of olive oil-cooking on phenolic compounds Nieber K. The impact of coffee on health Starbucks shocked the world by putting olive oil in its coffees Tommaso Asaro says it's just the beginning has launched a new line of cof­fee drinks called Oleato that fea­tures extra vir­gin olive oil has been a suc­cess­ful pub­lic rela­tions move and has the poten­tial to trans­form the cof­fee indus­try the fourth-gen­er­a­tion pro­ducer of Partanna sees this col­lab­o­ra­tion with Starbucks as the begin­ning of a broader trend to intro­duce the taste and health ben­e­fits of extra vir­gin olive oil in other prod­ucts Howard Schultz, who rose from the gloomy hous­ing projects in Canarsie, Brooklyn, to build the world’s most valu­able restau­rant brand and con­sid­ered run­ning for U.S is talk­ing a lot about olive oil these days “If some­one took a blood test of me,” he told CNN recently Last February, Starbucks announced one of its biggest launches in decades — a fusion of cof­fee and extra vir­gin olive oil ​“I know it will trans­form the cof­fee indus­try,” Schultz said about the new Oleato line of drinks The news swept through another indus­try in dire need of a trans­for­ma­tion, elic­it­ing cheers from stake­hold­ers who saw new oppor­tu­ni­ties. ​“Giving [extra vir­gin olive oil] value through cof­fee could relaunch its image, mostly among the younger gen­er­a­tions,” said Anna Cane pres­i­dent of the olive oil group of the Italian Association of the Edible Oil Industry (Assitol) Olive oil pro­duc­ers and mar­keters have long bemoaned the lack of con­sumer knowl­edge about olive oil Here was the CEO of Starbucks wax­ing poet­i­cally on a ​“lus­cious vel­vety fla­vor that lingers in your mouth.” I can’t remem­ber a moment in time where I’ve been more excited more enthused that demon­strates the pride the her­itage and the craft of what Starbucks can do,” Schultz told CNBC ​“I’ll carry the Starbucks flag and the American flag all over the world for Oleato.” It was­n’t just olive oil Starbucks was pro­mot­ing with its new drinks; it was extra vir­gin olive oil. And it was­n’t some no-name blend; it was Partanna Nocellara del Belice from Sicily “People are gonna add a table­spoon of Partanna extra vir­gin olive oil to their drink,” Schultz pro­claimed news reports and social media have pro­moted the Partanna brand along­side the famous Starbucks logo in a stun­ning pub­lic rela­tions tri­umph for Tommaso Asaro then we went to Sicily,” Asaro said about his first dis­cus­sions with Schultz The two were intro­duced by a mutual friend and talked in gen­eral terms about a cof­fee drink with olive oil Asaro is the fourth-gen­er­a­tion pro­ducer of Partanna, an award-win­ning extra vir­gin olive oil from the Valle del Belice in south­west­ern Sicily And he was show­ing the Starbucks CEO around “Of course I took him to the touris­tic places He was stunned about the amaz­ing Belice Valley that he never saw before,” Asaro said of the visit “This sum­mer, I was once again cap­ti­vated by a trans­for­ma­tional idea while trav­el­ing through Italy,” Schultz wrote in a memo to Starbucks employ­ees about his visit to Sicily ​“I came across a time-hon­ored tra­di­tion that trans­formed my cof­fee expe­ri­ence and improved my life yet the pos­si­bil­i­ties filled me with excite­ment.” Asaro admit­ted he knew as lit­tle about cof­fee as Schultz knew about olive oil when they met prob­a­bly I was think­ing there were only two dif­fer­ent cof­fees in the world But instead there are hun­dreds of dif­fer­ent beans with their own qual­i­ties,” said Asaro While Asaro and Schultz began form­ing the idea for Oleato (Asaro came up with the name) Starbucks rep­re­sen­ta­tives fanned out to taste oils around Italy before com­mit­ting to Partanna prin­ci­pal Starbucks bev­er­age devel­oper likened the nat­ural sym­me­try between the two prod­ucts ​“As I learned about Partanna extra vir­gin olive oil I kept see­ing things that reminded me of Starbucks cof­fee and the vari­etals con­tribute to the unique fla­vor and tex­ture,” she said “They tasted oils from many other vari­eties and places,” Asaro recalled and there were def­i­nitely many great oils Nocellara has a spe­cific taste pro­file and color and only grows in one area “I think of all the but­tery caramels that we mix with our cof­fee,” Dilger said ​“That but­tery smooth rich­ness [of the Partanna mono­va­ri­etal] com­bines so well with our cof­fee.” gen­er­a­tions of the Asaro fam­ily have staked their busi­ness on one olive vari­ety in one Sicilian val­ley work­ing with around 1,000 farms of all sizes and pro­cess­ing their fruit in one place which does­n’t suit the Nocellara del Belice cul­ti­var Partanna and other Asaro brands have a long his­tory of win­ning awards at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition which served as an inde­pen­dent ver­i­fi­ca­tion of qual­ity to the Starbucks team and Asaro had the capac­ity to sup­ply a global retail chain ​“They saw many sim­i­lar­i­ties between what we do here and what they did in Costa Rica,” Asaro told Olive Oil Times When the com­pa­nies reached an agree­ment Asaro’s team worked with coun­ter­parts at Starbucks to develop cus­tom one-liter pump bot­tles and sync logis­tic sys­tems Starbucks takes pos­ses­sion of the fin­ished prod­uct in Sicily and dis­patches it to its dis­tri­b­u­tion cen­ters world­wide Oleato is served at roughly 4,000 Starbucks in the United States Starbucks has 36,000 out­lets in 80 coun­tries “They really want to do it right,” Asaro said you don’t want to see the olive oil but you want to taste and get the ben­e­fits of it To do that they have a train­ing place and they train in the stores.” Asaro antic­i­pates a sales surge in the com­ing colder months ​“September is a month where the sales are pick­ing up again People will come back from hol­i­days and return to their rou­tines,” he said Asaro sees Starbucks as the begin­ning of a broader trend to intro­duce the taste and health ben­e­fits of extra vir­gin olive oil in other prod­ucts “You’re going to see this in the next few years,” he said So we are really going to break the rules and we have other things in mind where we can go There is a big­ger place for olive oil “We need to fin­ish and com­plete the Starbucks project and get it to one hun­dred per­cent is the old­est brand in Italy still owned by its found­ing fam­ily is rel­ish­ing a thor­oughly mod­ern viral moment and a boost to its sales they are dis­cov­er­ing the Partanna story,” he told us who divides his time between New York and Sicily has seen a lot of ups and downs in 40 years in the fam­ily busi­ness His unprece­dented deal with Starbucks came at a time of unique chal­lenges in the indus­try “This is really the most dif­fi­cult year that I remem­ber I’ve never seen any­thing like it,” Asaro said about the pro­duc­tion drop and price surge that he blames on erratic weather spurred by cli­mate change who has led a tran­si­tion to organic pro­duc­tion in the Belice Valley has a bull­ish out­look on the indus­try “Consumer nowa­days have much more knowl­edge on the prove­nance method of extraction
the mar­ket is totally dif­fer­ent than we had before,” he said ​“Of course the pric­ing should be aligned with qual­ity and I see the mar­ket really get­ting divided Now I can say it’s either high qual­ity or really mass mar­ket.” And he sees a con­tin­u­ing evo­lu­tion toward a higher regard for Liquid Gold “People need to learn more about how to use olive oil at home ​“There are so many things still undis­cov­ered.” More articles on:  , , A Low-Fat Vegan Diet May Lower LDL Cholesterol More than An Olive Oil-Enriched Diet While a study confirmed previous research about the relationship between extra virgin olive oil and cholesterol Germany's Consumer Watchdog Warns Olive Oil Quality Is Falling The warning comes after 17 of 19 samples of labeled extra virgin olive oil were found to be marginal Regenerating Soil Helps Tackle Water Crisis, Experts Say Specialists suggest agronomic plans to improve organic fertility Enhancing Excellence: How the World's Best Restaurant Uses Extra Virgin Olive Oil Locally sourced extra virgin olive oil is an essential ingredient for the Michelin-star chefs at Disfrutar Barcelona and their award-winning tasting menu Spanish Households Purchase More Sunflower Oil Than Olive Oil for the First Time Falling olive oil sales are linked to reduced production and elevated prices whereas sunflower oil has become more affordable during the same timeframe Can Olive Oil Really Prevent a Hangover? An Expert Weighs In While olive oil will not mitigate the negative consequences of drinking too much no harm can come from consuming it before a night out Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Linked with Lower Dementia Risk, Better Brain Health Research demonstrates that the polyphenols and monounsaturated fatty acids in extra virgin olive oil are associated with a lower risk of dementia and mitigation of its symptoms Spain and Italy Ask Restaurants to Comply with Olive Oil Container Laws Spain and Italy are urging restaurants to comply with long-standing bans on refillable olive oil containers through new enforcement efforts and consumer awareness campaigns. Fox started a company that makes a CO2-trapping alternative to traditional concrete by Justine Calma a podcast from Vox Media and Audible Originals.A new house in the Bahamas is built with an alternative concrete that sucks CO2 out of the air It’s a home that’s supposed to help in the fight against climate change That’s the slam dunk NBA Lakers legend-turned-actor Rick Fox is working toward now on the small island nation where he grew up Fox is the CEO and co-founder of the sustainable building materials startup Partanna that unveiled its first home today If they’re successful in the Bahamas the goal is to make its alternative concrete an everyday building material that could cut down pollution from construction “I shut down my entire career that was in Hollywood to pursue and create [climate] solutions,” Fox tells The Verge “I had to move around the industry that was new to me and meet people that were looking at me like ‘What the hell are you doing in concrete?’” “What the hell are you doing in concrete?” Concrete just happens to be a major source of the greenhouse gas emissions causing more intense storms, wildfires, and other catastrophes through climate change. The culprit is actually cement, a key ingredient in concrete that alone is responsible for more than 8 percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally “My entry into the world of concrete was one out of just sheer survival and the need to innovate in my own home country,” Fox says Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas in 2019 wrecking 75 percent of homes on the worst hit island of Abaco and displacing thousands of people “The closest thing I could do was race to CNN to scream from the rooftops that we needed to do something better,” he says he met California-based architect Sam Marshall whose home had sustained damage in the 2018 Woolsey fire one of the most destructive blazes in the state’s history Marshall had already “caught lightning in a bottle,” according to Fox they’d developed a way to make concrete without using carbon-intensive cement The pair are pretty tight-lipped around the process but the main ingredients are brine from desalination plants and a byproduct of steel production called slag Partanna can avoid the carbon dioxide emissions that come with it Making cement produces a lot of climate pollution because it has to be heated to high temperatures in a kiln and because it triggers a chemical reaction that releases additional CO2 from limestone Partanna says its mixture can cure at ambient temperatures so it doesn’t have to use as much energy It also says binder ingredients in the mixture absorb CO2 from the air and trap it in the material the material holds onto the CO2 and can be reused as an aggregate to make more of the alternative concrete That’s how the startup and can call its material and the newly constructed home “carbon negative.” The 1,250-square-foot structure is supposed to have captured as much CO2 as 5,200 mature trees a year To be sure, carbon-counting with trees is tricky. A Guardian investigation earlier this year found that 90 percent of rainforest offsets certified by one of the world’s leading carbon credit certifiers are “worthless” because they likely didn’t lead to actual reductions in pollution Verra is also certifying carbon credits for Partanna Fox says the CO2 Partanna captures is easier to quantify than forest offsets and isn’t as vulnerable as forests that need to be protected from deforestation in order to store carbon It’s also worth noting that Partanna’s key ingredients come from energy-intensive steel and desalination facilities that can produce a lot of CO2 emissions on their own Partanna isn’t counting those emissions in its carbon footprint These are waste materials that we are taking and using for good,” Fox says “It’s good that they’re making use of waste,” says Dwarak Ravikumar an assistant professor at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University “We need to conduct a robust analysis of this from a systems perspective to understand what is the overall climate impact.” It’s important for the company to share its data so that researchers can assess Partanna’s entire environmental footprint and how scalable its strategy is “We are not just on the frontline of climate change; we are the frontline of solutions.” Fox isn’t the only one on a mission to make a more sustainable building material than traditional concrete. Microsoft announced last month that it’s testing low-carbon concrete for its data centers. And other startups are working to take CO2 out of the atmosphere and trap it in concrete. Partanna says it has an edge since its material is made with brine. It’s actually supposed to get stronger with exposure to seawater — an attractive trait to a country made up of many low-lying islands exposed to worsening storms and sea level rise. “We are not just on the frontline of climate change; we are the frontline of solutions,” Philip Davis, prime minister and minister of finance of the Bahamas, said in a Partanna press release. The Bahamian government is partnering with Partanna to build 1,000 homes, starting with a community of 29 more houses that are supposed to be built by next year. No one is living in the first one in Nassau yet; it’s a prototype. But the next are expected to be part of a program to help first-time homeowners. 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On one unassuming day in February 2023, there was a shift in the coffee world as Starbucks unveiled an update to its winter drink menu with a brand new line of concoctions: a unique blend of coffee and extra virgin olive oil known as the Oleato collection have olive oil mixed directly into them; while others The interesting combination was developed by Howard Schultz and promises a beverage that is decadently rich and luxurious to drink Oleato drinks may be exclusive to Starbucks but that doesn't mean that you can't recreate the magic in your own home All you need is a couple of shots of espresso and a bottle of the stuff that Starbucks actually uses: Partanna extra virgin olive oil After your grocery run, the bottle of Partanna can be used for all your typical applications — and even for unexpected foods that pair well with olive oil But as long as you have a supply of Starbucks' preferred brand of olive oil on hand you may as well use it to make your own Oleato beverages you can froth the oil together with your choice of milk to make olive oil-infused lattes or matcha teas you can simply spoon 1 teaspoon of olive oil into your black coffee or espresso to give this unique beverage a try The olive oil should give your drink a creamy texture and you may detect earthy notes that pair well with your cup of joe you'll get a small dose of olive oil's many benefits like its antioxidants and heart-healthy properties This unorthodox blend can certainly be an acquired taste but don't despair if it's not your new favorite drink You'll still have plenty of delicious Partanna olive oil left over please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot Get the most important global markets news at your fingertips with a Bloomberg.com subscription For a brand advertising itself as "Californian," you wouldn't expect as much This product and others are almost guaranteed to be using more than one type of olive as the brand doesn't go to the effort to identify which olive varieties are used We think this popular olive oil brand is overhyped Branche is an olive oil brand that you probably haven't encountered in your local chain supermarket. If you are familiar with this brand, you've probably come across it on social media. The company is one of a handful of newer olive oil companies that are famous on platforms like Instagram for having trendy packaging This packaging plays not only off of online aesthetics of simplicity (through monochromatic color palettes) but also seeks to embody the Mediterranean landscapes its olives are from (through the use of ancient-looking clay bottles) There seem to be some good qualities behind this newer olive oil company. On its website Branche specifies which type of olives are used for its oils and Picual olives are grown and used in production Its olives are only grown in Southern Spain meaning the product comes from a fairly small geographical area The website even implies that the olives come from one farm in particular you can't even tell which certifications are actually on the olive oil bottles (an important indicator of authenticity) We also dislike the fact that this brand is not certified organic lacks other certifications from the olive oil industry Graza is popular for its dark green bottles of oil that come illustrated Fans also like that Graza comes in squeeze bottles with narrow openings This seeks to give home cooks the illusion of being professional chefs with only a few sections to add a splash of oil to a dish These bottles also play off the uniquely deep green color of olive oil which distinguishes itself from yellow seed oils like canola oil Graza is more than grabby packaging in a few departments. Per the brand, Graza's extra virgin olive oil is made from only Picual olives, giving the product a specificity that we admire. Even better, those olives are only grown in one region. According to Graza that place is the mountain range of Sierra de Cazorla in the Spanish region of Jaen The entire process of making Graza olive oil (including harvesting We recognize this is made for giving the squeeze bottle effect but even Graza recognizes the waste issue this causes on the company website Graza is not yet a USDA-certified organic brand These are just a few of the reasons why Graza places lower in our ranking Like other olive oil brands popular on social media This doesn't just make the olive oil eye-catching enough to include in your food pictures This brand produces deep blue bottles that are the color identical to the Mediterranean tiles that Greece is known for Their color suggests the authenticity of its Greek olive oil The olive type, harvest date, the small region of production, and bottle type are all great aspects of this company. But we still have a few critiques to justify the brand's lower placement in this ranking. For one, not all of Kosterina's olive oils are organic, per the company a better company would use one farm instead of multiple growers Brightland is an American extra virgin olive oil company. It's a brand that produces UV-protected bottles to ensure the oil is not accidentally exposed to the light (via Brightland). Specific bottles, such as Brightland's Awake olive oil, come with the month and year of the harvest date listed on the website With "Awake," only Arbequina olives are used those olives are processed less than two hours after harvesting to ensure their freshness in your oil These shortcomings are why we place Brightland lower down on this ranking we wouldn't necessarily discourage you from purchasing some of it for yourself a respected name in the American olive oil industry Tomajan is a member of the California Olive Oil Council Sensory Panel a part of the COOC which may require the use of her olive oil-tasting training quality olive oil production in California we get to learn when it was made and what specific olives were used to make them if you can find it and don't mind its more mysterious elements While we like knowing exactly where these olives are coming from we recognize this could lead to similarities between ENZO's products and Pineapple Collaborative's olive oils But there are even more strong reasons to support this brand. For one, Pineapple Collaborative only makes one type of extra virgin olive oil, per the company website This should serve to minimize confusion between different products online this product is certified organic by the USDA and the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) foundation The brand is particular about the olives used stating that its oil is made from a blend of Arbosana and Koroneiki olives There is also a harvest date listed online (2021) the containers are said to hold more oil than competitors' bottles the sharing of farms with the ENZO company the lack of specificity surrounding the harvest date and the use of an olive blend cause us to not rank it in the top spots Frankies 457 Spuntino extra virgin olive oil is a beloved brand in the United States. The olive oil is a product of the Brooklyn restaurant of the same name, per the website. You can even order a bottle of it online when you order food the same components are used to make Partanna's beloved extra virgin olive oil Asaro's Partanna olive oil is held in high regard we want to point out that there won't be much of a distinction when you buy the label that says Frankies 457 Spuntino On the plus side, this extra virgin olive oil is also non-GMO and USDA organic certified (via Amazon). According to an Instagram post from Frankies 457 the brand has also been recognized by the New York International Olive Oil Competition several times There even appear to be harvest and best-by dates stamped onto each bottle Our only complaint is the lack of distinction between this brand and Asaro's Partanna Partanna is an Italian olive oil brand. Per Best Sicily – the company website of Asaro — Partanna is a product of the Asaro company in Sicily. This olive oil is produced on farms in the Trapani province of Sicily, according to the brand there is a town named "Partanna," hence the name Many qualities have led to this brand being held in such high regard in the olive oil industry The higher-ranked brands simply have even more positive qualities to offer than Partanna Cobram Estate is an olive oil company with farms in both Australia and the United States. We know it's a good brand, in part, because of the many awards that Cobram Estate has received at the New York International Olive Oil Competition and many more olive oils were awarded at this competition during various years This brand is also a part of the Olive Oil Commission of California and the California Olive Oil Council, according to information on the bottle of Cobram Estate's Robust 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil we also know that the product is non-GMO certified The bottle is also made of dark glass, which is advantageous for olive oil packaging. These bottles also come with a harvest date and a "best by" date. Thanks to the Cobram Estate website we also know the olives used in the brand's California olive oils are produced on a local farm since the information about which olives are used per product is missing from the website and some bottles we have to rank this brand below similar ones Frantoio Grove is an American olive oil brand based in California. If you do encounter this olive oil, you might want to buy it. Per Frantoio Grove the brand is entirely organic and certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers group The brand is also recognized by the California Olive Oil Council All of its olives appear to come from one farm that is overseen by Frantoio the brand differentiates itself from other companies by growing Tuscan varieties of olives It primarily grows the Frantoio olive variety that the brand is named after But the company also produces small amounts of the Pendolino and Lecchino olive varieties This brand's organic extra virgin olive oil also comes with a harvest year (via Frantoio Grove). It is made from one type of olive. It also comes in a high-quality dark bottle. Per the New York International Olive Oil Competition this product has also received awards in 2020 and 2022 This brand checks pretty much all of our boxes While it's hard to pinpoint the best olive oil in the world, Bona Furtuna is up there. At least compared to other brands in this ranking, this olive company is excelling. Per Bona Furtuna's website all of the company's olives are grown on a single farm located just outside of Corleone The entire farm is organic and certified as such by the USDA Bona Furtuna is also a certified B Corporation meaning the company has been vetted by a third-party organization to ensure that it is taking steps to benefit the environment and community while running its business Per Bona Furtuna the company has received recognition in several olive oil competitions These include the Athena International Olive Oil Competition a Spanish competition called the "Concursos Internacionales de Aceite de Oliva," and a Japanese olive oil contest called Olive Japan Bona Furtuna's Biancolilla Centinara olive oil and Forte olive oil have all been given awards at the New York International Olive Oil competition This company also uniquely utilizes the rare Biancolilla Centinara variety of olive in its products This brand is one to look for when picking out high-quality olive oil You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience home will actively remove and avoid 182.6 metric t of CO2 – equivalent to the annual CO2 absorbed by 5200 mature trees Compared to a standard concrete-built home which generates 70.2 t of CO2 on production The innovative ‘Home for the World’ is the first of 1000 planned homes announced in partnership with the Bahamian government as part of an historic agreement signed at COP27 Further details on plans to deliver a further 29 properties alongside information around future production facilities in The Bahamas are expected in the early part of 2024 Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas "Standing on the forefront of climate peril we Bahamians have always been bound by resilience and innovation as we unveil the world's first carbon-negative concrete home right here in Nassau it is a testament that the answers to our global crises often come from those most affected This cement-free marvel not only absorbs CO2 but thrives when exposed to seawater “I am immensely proud that it is a Bahamian entrepreneur leading this revolution showing the world that when we say time is running out We are not just on the frontline of climate change; we are the frontline of solutions." Climate change and increasingly extreme weather events have caused a surge in natural disasters over the past 50 years disproportionately impacting poorer countries According to the World Meteorological Organisation this extreme weather has caused two million deaths and cost over US$4 trillion in the past 50 years Partanna’s material strengthens upon contact due to its use of brine a by-product of desalination – a process crucial for freshwater supply in areas impacted by climate change For Small Island Developing States like The Bahamas Partanna’s material offers a climate-resilient solution that supports the urgent need for reliable Commenting on the unveiling of Partanna’s Home for the World "The world is forecast to build an area equivalent to the size of The Bahamas every three years The need to disentangle development from pollution has never been more pressing “Our 'Home for the World' is the answer to this challenge having experienced the devastation of Hurricane Dorian first-hand is the symbolic birthplace for our movement to change the way the world builds – for good.” Cement’s responsibility for 9% of global CO2 emissions coupled with the UN's projection of three billion individuals requiring housing by 2030 underscores the magnitude of the challenge moulded by the personal experiences of co-founders Rick Fox and Sam Marshall is to break this link between development and pollution A rapid upscaling of Partanna's production is on the horizon accompanied by strategic collaborations with Red Sea Global and Diriyah Company to revolutionize giga-cities in the Gulf Partanna’s eco-contribution extends beyond just homes Verra-certified carbon credits and has achieved Interrek certification affirming its concrete's compliance with global standards its concrete solution outclasses traditional counterparts with its standard CMU block estimated to be 25% mightier than a conventional concrete CMU block Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/16102023/worlds-first-climate-resilient-carbon-negative-home-unveiled-in-the-bahamas/ In the latest episode of the World Cement Podcast Senior Editor David Bizley is joined by Dr Andrew Minson of the GCCA to discuss the ins and outs of the recently launched Low Carbon Ratings (LCR) system Listen for free today » Backed by Clean Energy Ventures and Buzzi Unicem USA Queens Carbon will leverage funding to scale its energy-efficient cement production platform Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below): This article has been tagged under the following: Already a member? Sign in here Listen to the latest episode of the World Cement Podcast Listen now! Starbucks will start serving its line of olive oil-infused coffee drinks across all of its U.S nearly a year after the bewildering beverages debuted at a few select stores.  There are two olive oil drinks on the menu you can try: the Oleato Caffe Latte a traditional oat milk latte infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil; and the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with a new Toffeenut iced shaken espresso flavor and golden foam which is simply vanilla sweet cream infused with the extra virgin olive oil Starbucks said you can add the golden foam to any of its beverages.  The coffee company said the “innovative” drinks were conjured up after former CEO Howard Schultz became intrigued with the Mediterranean ritual of taking a spoonful of olive oil a day.  “I was absolutely stunned at the unique flavor and texture created when the Partanna extra virgin olive oil was infused into Starbucks coffee,” Schultz said.  the Oleato drinks — meaning “oiled” in Italian — were born.  Starbucks said it partnered with Italian extra virgin olive oil brand Partanna because of its more than 100 years of tradition in the business The blend of extra virgin olive oil created for the drinks includes one of the most coveted — Nocellara del Belice olives one that is luxurious and next-level,” said Starbucks.  While the company described its olive oil drinks as “innovative,” adding olive oil into peculiar fares is nothing new.  The liquid has long been used in baked goods brownies and cookies due to its mild flavor and ability to make the sweet treats moist without feeling dense.  olive oil cake is believed to have been around since the time of ancient Greeks and Romans as several Mediterranean countries enjoy it during the festive season.  Olive oil ice cream has also been around for several years with small-batch creameries from New York City to San Francisco blending it into vanilla and citrus flavors that pair well with the oil’s natural buttery notes.  Recently, TikTok videos highlighting the combination of olive oil and ice cream have become a new viral food trend users take a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream and drizzle it with olive oil rather than mixing it in Celebrities like singer Dua Lipa have even touted the decadent dessert.  a national coffeehouse is allowing customers to use personal cups for mobile orders for all drinks and sizes LEARN MORE is the first of five new projects aimed at increasing Italy's renewable energy capacity It consists of six 2.4 MW wind turbines, providing a total capacity of 14.4 MW. The facility will produce around 40 GWh of renewable energy each year equivalent to the supply consumed by approximately 10,000 Italian families reducing CO2 emissions by around 33,000 tons per year Average production achieved in the last three representative years Enel Green Power is committed to pursuing a sustainable construction site model the project will be undertaken in a way that ensures the maximum care and attention are applied to protecting the surrounding area so as to minimize any possible impact on the local ecosystem Enel Green Power Italy connected the wind farm to the high-voltage network on April 14 In spite of the problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic this   was just eight months after the start of construction work The new wind farm marks an important step towards the energy transition set in motion by the Enel Group The management and monitoring of the construction work benefited the digitalization process that the Enel Group is applying to all its activities able to carry out virtual visits to the site and to use a digital monitoring system for the material This involved tagging the wind farm’s main components thanks to RFiD (Radio Frequency Identification) all the data could be stored on a dedicated platform which enabled us to monitor deliveries and simplify the communication process With the publication in January 2020 of the Integrated National Plan on Energy and Climate (Piano Nazionale Integrato per l’Energia e il Clima - PNIEC) by Italy's Ministry of Economic Development the country's 2030 objectives on energy efficiency renewable energy sources and CO2 emissions’ reduction were established The PNIEC aims to increase the amount of energy deriving from clean sources to 55% by 2030 The Partanna facility is part of the Italian contract awarded by the GSE that provides for the development of new capacity as well as for the expansion and upgrade of existing facilities. Further wind farm construction projects will be initiated in Italy in the coming months, with new sites playing a key role in achieving the Group's and the country's decarbonization objectives In this regard, Enel Green Power has been awarded, in the first, second and fourth FER auctions announced by the GSE, approximately 163 MW of new renewable capacity across seven wind power projects in southern Italy: two in Sicily, one in Molise (already under construction) a further 109 MW of nominal power will derive from the renovation and expansion of current hydroelectric and wind power facilities in Emilia Romagna {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"/2024/06/18/i-tried-starbucks-new-olive-oil-infused-drinks-i-have-thoughts/"},"datePublished":"2024-06-18T05:00:29.725Z","dateModified":"2024-06-19T02:29:17.337Z","headline":"I tried Starbucks' new olive oil-infused drinks – I have thoughts","description":"River Lin embarked on a culinary journey that turned out to be one of their most trying times as a journalist 1News digital reporter River Lin embarked on a culinary journey to the nearest store in what turned out to be one of their most trying times as a journalist Starbucks announced the "next revolution in coffee" was upon us when it released its range of drinks infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil in Italy last year And while the drinks conjured up images of health and sophistication the Oleato range was met with mixed reviews online while others reported getting stuck on the porcelain throne The franchise's US founder Howard Schultz said that he drew inspiration from the Mediterranean custom of having a spoonful of olive oil every day "I was absolutely stunned at the unique flavour and texture created when the Partanna extra virgin olive oil was infused into Starbucks coffee," he said in a press release "In both hot and cold coffee beverages buttery flavour that enhanced the coffee and lingers beautifully on the palate With researchers and celebrities alike swearing by the health benefits of olive oil should we all be chucking a few drops into our morning cup of joe After the divisive drinks arrived on our antipodean shores last week I decided – for science – to head to the nearest Starbucks to try it out for myself As I take my first sip of the Oleato Caffe Latte with Oat Milk I immediately realise I’ve made a terrible mistake The articles and reviews I’d read as part of my research couldn’t prepare me for the overwhelming saltiness of the olive oil that was now assaulting my senses What happened to the "subtle" hint of olives My eyes close as I pray for the incongruous savouriness to subside into the familiar comfort of a latte there's an acrid taste which clings to the back of my nose and throat The coffee chain advertises their latte as "velvety smooth" and "deliciously lush" but rather than luxury and sophistication I'm left with a deep sense of dread and discomfort in the middle of their store on Queen St And at $7 for a short latte and $8.50 for a tall espresso I don't feel any richer or healthier – I feel like I’ve been scammed My disgust is so great that my face contorts into a pained smile – the kind where something is so bad I take another sip thinking it'll somehow taste like an entirely different drink but it's too late – my taste buds are shot I jokingly compare the brew to chloroform as my colleagues – who were there for moral support – bravely take sips of the concoction too My other coworker leaves me stunned as she gives her decidedly more positive assessment The abject revulsion creeps into nausea with every mouthful and I muse about how the EVOO would taste on a nicely toasted slice of bread Next is the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Hazelnut I'm pleasantly surprised by its sweetness Its website promises "layers of flavour sweetened with notes of hazelnuts and creamy oat milk infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil" but all I can taste is a saccharine syrup but not something I'd willingly buy again Then I remember the oil is in the foam and give it a good mix the more it begins to taste like burning rubber A colleague takes pity on me and offers me a sip of her Burnt Caramel Oat Milk Latte my attention turns to the thin layer of oil forming on the surface of my latte as it separates my colleagues and I are left watching with fascination as it morphs into a large oil slick my colleagues have left – they have better things to do on a Saturday afternoon than to stare at a cup of coffee Not long afterwards, I see the reproachful eyes of my fellow customers as they gaze at my now largely empty table. As I gather my mostly full cups to leave, I’m reminded of the journalist banned from a handful of Hawke's Bay cafes for overstaying and wonder if I'm next never to return (until the next time I'm in need of a late-night coffee fix OPINION: Starbucks' Oleato range – pairing caffeine with Partanna extra virgin olive oil – promises an "elevated coffee experience" With researchers and celebrities alike swearing by the health benefits of olive oil A layer of oil rises to the surface of Starbucks' Oleato Caffe Latte with Oatmilk How to budget without a spreadsheet – and actually stick with it Put off by the graphs and charts traditionally associated with budgeting Life Five nutrient-packed foods to help keep you well this winter Claire Turnbull names some foods to stock in your pantry for a sense of wellbeing through the winter months Is this as good as it gets for NZ and Aus supermarket prices It is not clear that breaking up the supermarkets or other government interventions will improve the sector for shoppers and suppliers writes Griffith University associate professor Richard Meade Business Why falling interest rates aren't always a cue to splash some cash Your mortgage repayments may well be getting lower but that means it's time to get strategic Rudeness is on the rise: how to stay cool learning to be calm and polite is a kind of quiet super power What's your deepest desire The surprising tool to help you save for it A study shows creating a mood board can help focus your mind on your deepest dreams and goals NRL: Sharks centre Iro wants to be known by new name 18 mins ago Juliana Herrera's family tell inquest: 'Stop repeating avoidable mistakes' 21 mins ago Arrest after person assaulted, robbed at Palmerston North Hospital 24 mins ago Iwi misses out on bid to buy back ancestral mountain 33 mins ago Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 5:13pm More than 25kg cocaine seizure leads to four arrests across NZ 14 mins ago 1Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one Homicide investigation after man dies in Auckland's Manurewa Govt halts all current pay equity claims, makes it harder to lodge new ones Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$AP Rocky and Rihanna also revealed they are expecting their third child. Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with free concert for over 2 million fansSun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, dateThu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of FameMon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon Put off by all graphs and charts traditionally associated with budgeting" It's all about flipping the dopamine script If your budgeting system consists of a spreadsheet you hate Most of us don’t actually need another spreadsheet We need a more realistic way to manage our money that doesn’t make us want to set our laptop on fire Becoming “good with money” is more about accepting what makes you tick your own personal strengths and weaknesses I’ve turned to behavioural finance researchers who say the trick is more about finding ways to hack our dopamine systems That’s why there are more people regularly gambling than there are retail investors in New Zealand the other feels like a chore that your mum would approve of you doing so that you stick to a budget without a spreadsheet Budgeting doesn’t need to be a weekly sit-down with your laptop and your sins “Set and forget” is a great motto when it comes to money Budgeting isn’t about micromanaging every dollar and then automating it so you don’t have to rely on willpower every week Think: automatic transfers the day after payday The trick is to move the money before your brain has a chance to interfere Want to know why social media apps like Snapchat show your ‘streak’ for how many days in a row you’ve snapped your friends Or why Duolingo gives you a streak for how many days in a row that you sign in and chat to the owl and apply it to the good habits your should be building too with co-founder Tomas van Ammers saying they wanted to take the behavioural science usually used to hook us on bad habits and little tricks that make saving money feel satisfying He's known as a controversial figure in the States as the person behind the dopamine cycle of a lot of the apps that come out of Silicon Valley,” van Ammers says “The reward mechanism of dopamine is used to get people to come back to apps “So gambling apps lean heavily on this kind of research.” When they trialled it for a savings streak instead van Ammers found that even though he knew the trick he was playing on himself and I’ve still been putting money into it for months and give yourself the same thrill you’d get from spending – just without the buyer’s remorse You can set a savings challenge with a mate or literally name your account “Italy 2026” The best budget isn’t the most detailed one And in a world where your attention is being pulled in 100 different directions If your current system requires you to manually enter every coffee purchase You can even just do a nightly scroll through your banking app You’d be amazed how just keeping an eye on things leads you to automatically course correct that will always be better than a 100% perfect system that you don’t stick with So here’s your permission slip: delete the spreadsheet if it’s not working for you Budgeting doesn’t have to feel like punishment The information in this article is general in nature and should not be read as personalised financial advice It feels to me like we could be in a bit of a civility crisis front line staff feeling unsafe and people lacking kindness in daily life are more common I find myself cringing when I read community Facebook Group comments just at the sheer levels of rage and disrespect Civility is the social glue that helps us navigate difference, collaborate effectively, and maintain dignity in our interactions. But in recent years, it has felt like that glue is weakening. Multiple studies have shown this but we can see it for ourselves in the angry outbursts at supermarket checkouts the signs in clinics begging patients to be kind to staff It’s possibly a symptom of deeper societal strain political polarisation – often fueled by our own online feeds – and the collective fatigue from years of global uncertainty And it's particularly unhelpful at work This erosion of civility doesn’t stop at the office door incivility can show up as passive-aggressive comments The workplace has always tested our nerves; running late But now we’re seeing that pressure extend well beyond office walls The world is changing rapidly with global conflicts the climate crisis and economic uncertainty even if we are struggling due to workplace insecurity or some other distress on a global or personal level how might we suck it up and be our best selves at work How might we take control of some of the difficult emotions we’re experiencing and make space to understand another’s perspective The art of calm has to be one of the most undervalued yet most essential skills of our current climate It’s vital for our relationships at home and our overall health and wellbeing cultivating a sense of emotional steadiness can be one of the most powerful tools we have It's a skill I learned in the forests of northern Thailand during my time with Buddhist monks and nuns: essentially Equanimity is the art of staying grounded in the midst of the storm and composed regardless of what’s happening around us It’s the cool head in the heat of the moment In a world full of fast reactions and short fuses But dive just a few metres down and the water is always still and we can learn to access that space within ourselves Whether I’m dealing with public speaking nerves or remembering the emotional toll of my days in HR where we navigated everything from restructures to suicides this is the one skill I’ve come to rely on most A quarter of New Zealanders currently have poor levels of mental and emotional wellbeing according to a recent study commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation These stats show up in ways that touch all of us; strained relationships emotional outbursts in places that once felt safe So how do we hold our centre and feel peaceful inside when everything around us is shifting Here are a few practices I return to often both personally and in my coaching work: ‱ Deep breaths: Our grandparents were onto something. Breathing deeply activates the nervous system’s calming response and gives us space to choose how we react. If you're in a situation (a meeting, a queue, traffic, a tense conversation), check your breathing and focus particularly on the out breath If your breathing is slow and calm you're a lot less likely to say something you will regret later helps release tension and reset the body and mind so you arrive in a mellower state of mind; but equally valuable can be a de-stressing run Find something that you enjoy so that it's a pleasure and not just another "should" That might be gardening or vigorously cleaning your house ‱ Good sleep: Sleeping well (seven to nine hours a night) can be easier said than done but it's essential for resilience Don't say yes to late-night or early-morning events that will compromise your sleep Switch off screens well before bedtime and avoid alcohol in the evenings and caffeine after 2pm ‱ Meditation: It strengthens our calm centre like nothing else Even a few minutes a day can make a difference or if it's not your bag try something focused but easy and purely pleasurable like baking ‱ Journaling: Writing helps us offload what we’re carrying especially if there’s nowhere safe to vent Let your journal be a no-holds-barred outlet for your negative feelings and next time you feel the need to criticise or gossip at work you can simply promise yourself half an hour with your journal later that day and resist adding to the negative vibes at work we have to start by cultivating that civility within ourselves Jess Stuart is now a Waiheke-based career coach and the author of several books including: Burnout to Brilliance and I Love Mondays A mood board might be an unexpected money tool but it actually works so get out your scissors and glue and start meditating on exactly what you want in life I like to consider myself a fairly logical gal compared to those who just went about saving the usual way For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of a mood board it's a collection of images thrown together to create a particular "mood" People create them to clarify in their minds what they want for their new homebuilds they’re also rocket fuel for serious financial goals They can be made online (Pinterest is essentially a type of mood board) but the most effective way to create a mood board is with bricks and mortar Or some people like to use a corkboard on the wall with tacks The more tactile experience gives you time to think about exactly what you want and how much you want it as you print out images from online or cut images from old magazines It will help you define in your mind exactly what you want and it will activate your motivation for getting it If being ‘good with money’ was as simple as just doing what we know we need to do 90% of us would already be doing better than we are Spend less than you earn. Save some every week. Don’t panic-sell your KiwiSaver But most of us could at least be saving $5 a week regularly Yet even when it comes to the small amounts that we could save Brad Klontz says one of the reasons for that is the way our brains are wired Our caveman brains are built to grab opportunities in the moment not squirrel away resources for a retirement 30 years away Delayed gratification doesn’t come naturally Now add to that our personal history with money what we saw our parents doing (or not doing) These create some deep grooves carved into the way we approach financial decisions If you’ve ever self-sabotaged a good savings streak by suddenly “treating yourself” into overdraft And this is where the humble mood board comes in The finance world doesn’t usually get emotional like this – there’s a preference for charts If you're trying to actually change your financial life where participants either received standard financial education or were asked to do something that sounds a little woo: they visualised their goals A 73% increase in savings amongst the mood board crew compared to just getting standard financial education If your savings goal is just a number in a spreadsheet you’ll probably ditch it the moment a new iPhone drops or because some "financial expert" like me tells them to But if your savings account is literally called “Freedom fund to leave my toxic job,” you’re going to think twice before raiding it for a midweek Uber Eats You’re not just saying "I should be responsible I guess" - you’re choosing the beachfront bach or the freedom to walk away from a terrible job Call it House in Hawke’s Bay or F** You Fund Put a picture of the goal in your phone background Open your online banking and rename your automatic transfers so they shout your intention right back at you What would you do if money wasn’t a barrier to what you want from your life You’re building the emotional fuel that will power consistent unsexy habits like budgeting and automating your savings It’s how you keep going when it gets boring Once the account is named ‘coffee in Paris’ Now when temptation hits – because it will – you’ve already made the good decision ahead of time You’re still allowed to want nice things in the moment But you’ve also made space for Future You to have something even better You can’t always change your income overnight or control what the Reserve Bank does next and use every psychological hack at your disposal to make progress feel real It flips the script from vague overwhelm to specific ambition It shows your brain exactly why it’s worth it Cut out the name of the country you want to visit Write down the dollar amount you need to take six months off work The Cronulla player formerly known as Kayal Iro has explained his decision to change his first name midway through the NRL season Iro made a tryscoring return from a hamstring injury in the Sharks' Magic Round win over Parramatta last Friday sporting a new name on Cronulla's team list The 25-year-old has now requested he be referred to as 'KL Iro' The centre is named after his father Kevin Leslie Iro who enjoyed a decorated career in England and represented New Zealand with distinction The left centre's official documents will still read "Kayal" but the Sharks flyer said he made the switch to 'KL' to avoid any doubt as to how his name should be pronounced "Mum didn't want it to be a two-letter name when I was a kid," Iro said "She's the one that changed it to 'Kayal' I think it was just foreign back then to have a two-letter name "But my dad always wanted it to be 'KL' and I like it that way too because it's easier to pronounce and there's no confusion I was too scared to step on anyone's toes "I guess I've built a bit of a relationship with these fellas now so I asked the question and got it done pretty quick." which was often mispronounced by commentators when his father and uncle Tony were playing "Even my dad and uncle when they were playing the Pommies would pronounce it 'aye-ro' rather than 'ear-ro'," Iro added he loved it but it's pretty cool to hear a commentator saying our family name." Iro was born in England while his father was playing for Leeds but spent most of his childhood growing up in the Cook Islands While he hinted he would be open to facing the Kangaroos in the end-of-season Ashes series "I wouldn't say no but my first thing is getting the Cook Islands qualified for the World Cup next year," he said Iro and the sixth-placed Sharks (5-4) will face one of the most daunting challenges of their season to date when they travel to take on Manly (4-4) at Brookvale Oval on Sunday "They've got a strong right edge and also [Tom] Trbojevic at the back," Iro said "[Trboejvic] is a strike weapon in attack and things happen around him we've got to be aware of him." The sister of Juliana Bonilla Herrera wants her memory to be "honoured through firm actions and just decisions that prevent similar tragedies" Saray Bonilla has taken part in the Coroner's inquest into the 37-year-old's death remotely from California It came to a close in Christchurch this afternoon was murdered in January 2022 by her neighbour Joseph Brider who had been paroled from prison just 72 days earlier He'd been serving time for serious sexual offences including rape Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame has heard evidence from various Corrections Department workers about their interactions with Brider prior to the murder the rehabilitation agency supporting Brider in his reintegration into the community Juliana's sister has had the opportunity to question those who appeared in court and a victim support worker shared a statement from her 1News was not allowed to film Saray Bonilla but she watched online as her words were read and to every person whose safety depends on a just and responsible system and to never again allow preventable failures to cost innocent lives may this be the moment we stop repeating avoidable mistakes and start building a system that truly protects" she said Coroner Cunninghame also addressed Herrera's family "What happened to Juliana was horrific being attacked by a stranger in our own home must be every woman's worst nightmare.. she made the most of what New Zealand has to offer And I'm profoundly sorry that her last moments were so horrifying could have responded if they were aware of concerns is a relevant issue for the inquiry But it's important that this question is not framed in a way which suggests that Juliana should be criticised for not having done more The burden should never be on women to keep themselves safe from men" she said She explained there would now be a period of time before her findings were finalised and made public A person is in custody after an alleged theft which left a person injured on the grounds of Palmerston North Hospital Police said officers were called to a Ruahine St carpark about 1.30pm on Tuesday Police said the alleged offender left the scene and was found a short time later "Police would like to thank the members of the public who witnessed the incident and intervened to assist the victim," a police spokesperson said A nurse leaving her shift last month was held up at gunpoint outside the grounds of the hospital That same night a staff member was knocked unconscious Staff have been calling for security improvements Health NZ MidCentral operations group director Sarah Fenwick previously told RNZ it was committed to making staff feel safer She said these included a security escort to vehicles increasing security services on hospital grounds and "opening up" access to the staff carpark for people working afternoon and night shifts "Lighting has been audited in all outside carparking areas to ensure it is well maintained," she said "Interim access to well-lit parking onsite with dedicated security for staff working afternoon and night shifts while a more permanent solution for out-of-hours carparking is developed." rnz.co.nz Hawke's Bay iwi Ngāti Kahungunu has been unsuccessful in its bid to buy back the mountain Kahurānaki but the iwi says its connection to the land will always remain Kahurānaki Station - a 1156 hectare sheep and beef farm south of Havelock North which includes the peak of the mountain - came up for sale earlier this year and the iwi launched a fundraising campaign to buy it The campaign to bring the Kahurānaki back into Māori ownership was called He Maunga Ka Taea and included a 10-day hÄ«koi from Māhia to Kahurānaki It raised more than $95,000 on crowd funding platform koha.kiwi Hastings-based post-settlement governance entity Tamatea Pƍkai Whenua Trust submitted a tender on behalf of the iwi Chairman Pƍhatu Paku said the trust was the only local entity to tender for the Station and they were saddened and disappointed by the outcome The trust had approached the tender on the basis it was presented Paku acknowledged the young and emerging iwi members who had generated the groundswell of support for the tender and for the longer term status of the mountain ki tēnā o tātau e titikaha nei ki tēnei kaupapa I just want to acknowledge and mihi to everybody that has connected with this kaupapa Paku said the trust would be engaging with the station's new owners at an appropriate time to convey the iwi's history and also set out their aspirations "The continuation of the protection of our wāhi tapu (sacred sites) is significantly important to us Continued access to the mountain would also be a high priority "The previous owners were quite open for Kura for people running kaupapa and also those that wished to ascend the maunga they allowed that they identified that it was culturally significant to us all." Paku said Tamatea Pƍkai Whenua will need to foster the groundswell of support and leadership that the He Maunga Ka Taea campaign had generated "The whakapapa connections and taonga that is Kahurānaki maunga remain our greatest advantage is that we live in perpetuity and our maunga and our tÄ«puna live with us and they continue to be ours "And like all of our tĆ«tohu whenua (landmarks) our maunga carries our traditions and our identity and our histories and we remain uncompromising to act in the best interests of our tĆ«tohu whenua both for this generation and for future generations." Paku said the trust may look at legal personhood as another avenue to protect the mountain but ultimately he said the maunga remains an ancestor and retains its own mana which no one can ever own rnz.co.nz More than 25kg of cocaine has been seized and four men arrested following an joint investigation into the importation of the drug into Christchurch Police and Customs received information about a "significant importation" of cocaine that had come through Lyttelton Port on March 29 Search warrants were then executed across the country by specialist teams to support investigators with evidence gathering Tauranga and Auckland as a result of the six-week investigation including possession of cocaine for supply and burglary and will appear in various district courts across a range of dates Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks said the seizure equated to more than 250,000 doses of cocaine and $9 million of harm "That is an enormous amount of damage and misery that had been heading into our communities that has now been halted through this investigation." Sparks said the success of the investigation was partly down to the "excellent partnership" between Customs and the police "We continue to have a focus on engaging with businesses and supporting their legitimate services by keeping them safe with prevention advice to deter drug trafficking organisations’ attempts to exploit their people and premises." Customs acting investigations manager Rachael Manning said the investigation resulted from quick action and close collaboration between the agencies as well as industry partners "We know that transnational and serious organised crime groups are actively targeting New Zealand to drive up both demand and supply of illegal drugs such as cocaine for maximum profit They’re using every method possible to exploit any vulnerabilities within international supply chains in secure areas or on vessels themselves." Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February Detective Isaac Hanson discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg which triggered a series of investigative moves that led to finding her alive and safe in another state Turns out Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord – likely due to an abusive husband safe and secure; And just kind of lived under the radar for that long,” he said Hanson was assigned the case in late February and he and other officials met with Backeberg’s family to see if they had a connection with that region They also started digging through Backeberg's sister's Ancestry.com account obituaries and marriage licenses from that region they found an address where a woman was living that Hanson said shared a lot of similarities with Backeberg including date of birth and social security number Hanson was able to get a deputy from that jurisdiction to go to the address "I was expecting the deputy to call me back and say ‘Oh nobody answered the door.’ And I thought it was the deputy calling me I could sense that she obviously had her reasons for leaving.” Most of the information he learned during that call he declined to share saying that it was still important to Backeberg that she not be found “I think it overwhelmed her of course with the emotions that she had having a deputy show up at her house and then kind of call her out and talk with her about what happened and kind of relive 62 years in 45 minutes,” he said Hanson described discovering her safe after more than six decades practically unheard of And while he doesn't know what will happen next in terms of her family reconnecting he said he was happy that she can reach out if she wants to so she has my contact number if she ever wants to reach out or needs anything any phone numbers of family members back here," he said "Ultimately she kind of holds the cards for that.” Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane for the other it has caused problems for 36 years It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him “You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.” Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+ Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.” he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on “I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action 'Anything I could get away with Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health not realising the constant stress it placed on his life John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.” he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next "Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.” The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine He was told to pay up or face the consequences feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees and took months of back and forth between him “Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.” He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.” he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson” He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it “All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate The government is making it harder to make a claim for pay equity that will cut costs There have been massive pay equity claims in recent years for nurses and resthome workers Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden announced the moves to raise the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued to support a claim on Tuesday saying changes back in 2020 had created problems "Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors." Claims were concentrated in the public sector with costs to the Crown of all settlements so far totalling $1.78 billion a year "The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown," she said "The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims." Van Velden told Midday Report she believes in pay equity but the current thresholds were "a bit too loose" Asked how she ensure women were not hurt by this the minister said "I'm a woman and I support women who work" "I also support removing gender based discriminations from our workforces but what I don't support are muddied laws and unclear laws," she said "So these changes are better for all women who are working where we can genuinely say hand on heart that what they are finding with their claims is genuine gender based discrimination." Van Velden told reporters at Parliament any current claims would be stopped and need to restart under the new threshold to show "genuine" gender discrimination and make sure the comparators were right She gave a figure of 33 current claims that would be stopped as the legislation was put through under urgency "You have librarians who've been comparing themselves to transport engineers We have admin and clerical staff at Health New Zealand comparing themselves to mechanical engineers." Social workers had compared themselves to air traffic controllers "We don't believe we have that setting right." Any comparison would now be between female employees and male employees at the same employer "But you cannot go fishing for discrimination across the New Zealand workforce." All current settled claims would continue but the government was drawing "a line in the sand" "We're not stopping claims." The nurse's union has this year had at least 10 pay equity claims in play The PSA union has said pay equity claims and settlements had resulted in significant improvements in pay and working conditions for many workers The union said the changes would make it "impossible for people in female-dominated professions to be paid fairly" "Women across the country will pay the price for this," PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said "The government's changes today are a dark day for New Zealand women as the government says it will repeal the pay equity law and extinguish 33 existing claims in a constitutional overreach "The PSA is exploring all possible avenues to oppose these unconstitutional amendments and stop this attack on women We will not be deterred in our fight to achieve pay equity for all." "This is a blatant and shameful attack on women," New Zealand Nurses organisation chief executive Paul Goulter said "Women in workforces predominantly performed by female employees have been underpaid and undervalued for generations That is what pay equity claims seek to rectify," he said "This move by the government will widen the pay gap between men and women." The union had at least 10 pay current pay claims across Aged Care These cover many nurses and support workers The E tĆ« union also called the changes an attack on women and a green light to pay them less for work of equal value The government was pulling the rug out from under a 13-year-long fight in aged care "These changes are not about evidence — they are about saving money by keeping women underpaid," national secretary Rachel Mackintosh said in a statement A number of unions have called a snap rally at Parliament at 1pm today in light of the announcement the Council of Trade Unions and representatives of other unions say they will be "protesting the government's attack on women and the destruction of progress on pay equity..." rnz.co.nz Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career (...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot “Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019 Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June “It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima the city’s secretary of economic development in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028 Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012 Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show “I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame” Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994 that was the biggest free rock concert in history sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues “She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis "100% written in blood," the website read The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde) It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2 Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23 "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box and another is seriously ill and can't be tried five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children According to her testimony and that of the concierge at least one of the suspects had a handgun The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million) Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets" Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists historians and music industry professionals The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians the scope and longevity of their career and body of work as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique" Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted 09-18-2023PREMIUM Fox’s startup Partanna makes cement that pulls more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits BY Adele Peters When Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in 2019 who grew up in the Bahamas—was on the ground immediately after the storm “It really opened my eyes to the need for solutions and innovation in the way we build our homes,” he says “We’re on the frontlines of climate change here in the Bahamas We’re a small developing island nation that’s slowly going underwater.” an architect in California whose house had been damaged in the Woolsey Fire a 100,000-acre fire that destroyed more than 1,600 homes Marshall was also thinking about how to make housing more resilient—and how to deal with the fact that construction itself is one of the drivers of climate change The built environment generates around 40% of global CO2 emissions the airline industry accounts for between 2% and 3% of global emissions.) Marshall had a potential solution: a new type of concrete that he’d been developing with material scientists that could actually absorb more CO2 from the air than it emitted during production he and Fox started meeting outside to talk about the technology which was in the process of being patented The final deadline for Fast Company’s Brands That Matter Awards is Friday, May 30, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. Fast Company & Inc © 2025 Mansueto Ventures Fastcompany.com adheres to NewsGuard’s nine standards of credibility and transparency. Learn More MYNORTHWEST NEWS 12:00 PM | Updated: 6:00 pm BY MICKI GAMEZ KIRO Newsradio Traffic and Features Reporter Starbucks launched a new line of coffee drinks called the Oleato which comes with one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (Partanna) from Sicily and some customers took to social media to review the new beverage “Caffeine is a stimulant for your bowels and oil a relaxant wonderful idea by Starbucks,” one Reddit user wrote On a Reddit thread titled Olive oil drinks… commenters aired their grievances and warned fellow Starbucks drinkers Starbucks union calls for strikes, pickets ahead of shareholder meeting “And Schultz wants to close the bathrooms to the public The oil and the drink separate in less than a minute so there’s just this nasty yellow sheen on top,” a Reddit user and barista added The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milan also debuted five additional beverages to customers including an Oleato Deconstructed drink and an Oleato Golden Foam Espresso Martini and lush coffee that uplifts each cup with an extraordinary new flavor and texture,” Starbucks’ website wrote to describe the newly released drink How would you feel about olive oil in your Starbucks — MyNorthwest đŸŒČ (@Mynorthwest) February 22, 2023 Starbucks plans to bring the drink to the United States with California receiving the beverage first this spring “During my first trip to Milan in 1983, I was captivated by the sense of community, connection, and passion for coffee I found in the city’s espresso bars,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks interim chief executive officer Starbucks CEO: ‘Negotiations should be done face-to-face’ “It was that trip that inspired me to bring the ritual of handcrafted espresso to Starbucks and to America,” Schultz continued “Oleato represents 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.” Sicilians and other European countries have added olive oil to their coffee for generations Olive oil contains healthy fats that can slow the absorption of caffeine in your system prolonging its effects and making it easier for your body to take in Coffee’s acidity isn’t healthy for gut health or the digestive system but adding a fat can neutralize it while reducing stomach inflammation I feel just as inspired as I did 40 years ago,” Schultz said “Oleato has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities and a transformational way to enjoy our daily coffee.” But not all customers and baristas feel inspired as the social media reaction has been underwhelming so far “The olive oil is such a dark green color it looks terrifying It also smells so so so bad,” another Reddit user “The oil (obviously) just separates from the drink the one I tolerated the most was the shaken espresso it tastes like oat milk and espresso and then you’re hit with an awful aftertaste of olive oil The cold brew is fine until you taste the foam because it’s two pumps of olive oil The foam is green and worst of all was the latte for me You’re immediately hit with just olive oil and I wanted to throw up after Follow Micki Gamez on Twitter or email her here Follow @https://twitter.com/onairmichelle