Latest news with #BlackEagle
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Hyderabad gets first Starbucks experiential coffee store
Starbucks has just opened its first-ever experiential store in Hyderabad. This is South India's first cafe in the buzzy Khajaguda neighbourhood of Hyderabad — a space designed not just for sipping coffee, but for understanding, savouring, and interacting with it. Inside, the store that can seat around 50 people is divided into two distinct seating zones and houses an Espresso Zone and Brew Bar. Here, you can chat with in-house baristas, observe the meticulous brewing process, and even get a crash course in what goes into your daily cup — from grind to pour. But the real magic lies in the menu. This is not your regular line-up of lattes and frappes. Instead, you will find a curated range of specialty beverages that celebrate Indian ingredients: jaggery, tamarind, chilli, coconut, and even shikanji. Highlights include the cinnamon jaggery latte, Malabar coconut cream latte, a red peru and kanthari chilli cold brew, and a tamarind shikanji cold brew. There is also a selection of beans to explore. The store offers five exclusive espresso options and 13 whole-bean variants sourced from coffee-growing regions including India, Kenya, Sumatra and Latin America. 'We've always aimed to bring beans from around the world,' says Vibhor Mishra, Starbucks' Coffee Ambassador for APAC and China. 'Because in the world of coffee, geography is flavour. We even have an India States blend — grown, sourced, and roasted in India.' Some of the other unique options include House Blend, French Roast and Papua New Guinea, unavailable at most other outlets. The experiential store is also home to Starbucks' Black Eagle, a semi-automated machine that makes your cup right in front of you. 'Grinding, tamping, dosing, it all happens in full view,' says Vibhor. Of course, we had to taste what the buzz was about. First up: the red peru and kanthari chilli cold brew. A word of caution: this is not for die-hard caffeine seekers. The ice load dilutes the intensity, and while the slice of guava adds an aromatic touch, it does not bring much sweetness. You will catch the chilli only as a faint tingle at the back of your throat. That said, the tamarind red peru shikanji cold brew could win fans of bold, tangy, chaat-inspired flavours. Vibhor assured us that these cold brews can be customised for less ice, something we would recommend for those who want their coffee to speak louder. The winner is the Malabar coconut cream latte. Smooth, creamy, and with just the right hint of coconut — like the malai from a rich curry meets a fine espresso. Whether you are a curious sipper or a brewing purist, this new Starbucks outpost offers a full-bodied experience.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Heidelberg locals discover rare Verreaux's Eagle nest after years of searching
A rare sighting in Heidelberg has sparked excitement among local birdwatchers and conservationists. 'We found an active Verreaux's Eagle nest, previously known as the Black Eagle or Witkruisarend, after three years of searching,' said an elated Hennie de Beer, birder and conservationist from Heidelberg. Although the region is not a typical habitat for Verreaux's Eagles, their presence may suggest a possible range expansion or a temporary visit in search of food. Observers were captivated by the eagle's graceful flight and commanding presence — a striking reminder of the rich biodiversity that still thrives in South Africa. Verreaux's Eagles are among Africa's most formidable birds of prey. With a wingspan of up to 2.3 metres, they dominate the skies, soaring effortlessly above cliffs and ridges in search of their primary prey, dassies (rock hyraxes). These eagles are monogamous, often forming lifelong pairs that hunt cooperatively. The nest was first spotted by local resident Jugens Bekker and later confirmed by Johan de Waal and De Beer. Gauteng Nature Conservation is now assisting with the monitoring of the breeding pair. 'This is a major win for conservation. We are down to just 2 999 breeding pairs left in South Africa and have lost nearly 19% in under three generations,' De Beer said. This majestic raptor stands approximately 80–90 cm tall and weighs between 3.5 and 4.5kg. It is easily recognised by its jet-black plumage and distinctive white 'V' marking on its back. Nests are typically built from sticks and placed on cliff ledges or man-made towers. However, the species faces serious threats. Between 1996 and 2019, there were 22 reported collisions and 69 electrocutions involving power lines, along with over 30 wind turbine incidents. Additional threats include habitat loss, human disturbance at nest sites, persecution by farmers, and accidental drowning in farm reservoirs and dams. Long-term monitoring across South Africa reveals that 19% of over 300 known nest sites are now unoccupied, making every active nest critically important. The discovery of a breeding pair near human habitation shows that effective conservation is possible within communities. For more information, contact Hennie de Beer on 082 564 3753. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Zawya
16-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Starbucks Reserve store at the Grand Avenue, The Avenues in Kuwait reopens
Starbucks Coffee Company, the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world and Alshaya Group, one of the world's leading international retail franchise operators, celebrated the grand reopening of its newly refurbished store at the Grand Avenue - The Avenues in Kuwait. The event was attended by Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, the Executive Chairman of Alshaya Group Mohammed Alshaya, and other distinguished representatives. Located in the heart of The Avenues - Kuwait, the store was the first Reserve store in the country, and when it opened in 2012, was one of the largest Starbucks stores in the world. The new design of the two-story, 5,000 location pays homage to the artistic heritage of Kuwaiti traditions and culture, incorporating fine woodwork, mystical murals, and other distinctive touches into its interiors, furniture and fittings. With seating for over 160 customers, the store also features a flagship terrace overlooking the Grand Avenue, offering a new and inviting space to enjoy the Starbucks experience. "Since its opening in 2012, this flagship Starbucks has been a beloved destination for visitors to The Avenues, offering exceptional coffee in a unique and welcoming atmosphere," said Mohammed Alshaya, Executive Chairman, Alshaya Group."We remain committed to this promise across the MENA region, working with Starbucks to continually enhance the coffee experience through stores that resonate with local markets and culture. The reopening of this Reserve store underscores our pride in delivering a global Starbucks experience with genuine local appeal." Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company added: 'When you walk into this iconic store, you can truly feel our partners' passion and craftsmanship in sourcing, roasting, and serving the finest coffee in the world. It's a warm and welcoming coffeehouse that invites customers to sit, stay, and connect over a great beverage. The investments we've made to renovate it reflect our commitment to the Middle East market and Kuwait, where we opened our first store in the region more than 25 years ago.' Customers can now enjoy their favourite coffee, brewed traditionally, alongside the new Black Eagle espresso machine, all crafted by Starbucks highly skilled, certified Baristas. Featuring the company's rare, small-lot Reserve coffees roasted at its Milan Roastery, the store's Reserve bar gives baristas a platform to engage in a dialogue with customers over unique brewing methods that include the Clover™ Brewing System, pour-over, siphon, and Chemex. The redesigned store offers an enhanced coffee experience for customers and reaffirms the company's commitment to the Kuwaiti market where it continues to expand its network of stores to make Starbucks' delicious offerings more accessible to more consumers. About Alshaya Group Alshaya Group is a dynamic family-owned business, first established in Kuwait in 1890. With a consistent record of growth and innovation, Alshaya Group is one of the world's leading brand franchise operators, offering an unparalleled choice of over 70 well-loved, international brands to customers. Alshaya Group's portfolio extends across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Türkiye and Europe, with over 4,000 stores, cafes, restaurants, and leisure destinations, major logistics and food production operations, as well as over 125 online and digital businesses including one of the region's biggest retail loyalty programmes, Aura. Operating in multiple sectors including Fashion, Food, Health & Beauty, Pharmacy, Home Furnishings and Hospitality & Entertainment, over 50,000 Alshaya colleagues are united by a commitment to authentically deliver great customer service and brand experiences. From flagship stores and restaurants in prestige malls, through to local coffee shops, drive-thrus and online, Alshaya Group brings customers the experiences they want with the brands they love, in the ways they choose - including Starbucks, American Eagle, Footlocker, Victoria's Secret, H&M, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Tilbury, Raising Cane's, Shake Shack, and Chipotle. Learn more about Alshaya Group at Starbucks at Alshaya Group Starbucks at Alshaya Group is all about nurturing the human connection, bringing together local communities and delivering memorable customer experiences. We work to ensure the highest standards of quality and excellence in bringing you an ethically sourced, high-quality cup of Arabica coffee. Serving up coffee and connections to draw our world closer, Starbucks at Alshaya Group currently operates more than 1300 stores in 10 countries in the region. About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores. To learn more about Starbucks, go to
