Latest news with #M&Ms
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This famous Aussie resort costs $3000 a night. But is it justified?
They have a policy at Saffire Freycinet that begs to be tested. The idea: 'no nos'. As in, no one on staff will ever answer your request with the word 'no'. 'We just don't say no,' says general manager Dylan Counsel. 'The idea is that we make everything happen. Or we at least think about how it could be done.' It's tempting to push the limits of this in the most obnoxious of ways. A bowl full of green M&Ms, thank you waiter. A bottle of vintage Cristal to my room, free of charge. A few extra nights' stay on the house? No nos, right? But you don't do that, as probably almost all guests don't, because you're not like that. Instead, it's just small things you ask for. And you get. Can you sub out one of the wines offered at the restaurant tonight for something else you prefer? Yes. Can you have your evening cocktail sent to your room instead of drinking it in the bar area? Yes. Can you have your entire dinner sent to your room because you don't feel like eating with everyone else tonight? Yes. These are just small requests because, honestly, you're rarely left wanting at Saffire Freycinet. This Tasmanian resort is one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, and the sort of place with instant name recognition, even if you've never stayed there. The resort is also celebrating its 15th birthday this year, so it seems an ideal time to revisit an old favourite and see how it fares. This might be one of Australia's leading properties, but it's also up there with its most expensive, at almost $3000 a night – can any hotel or resort justify that price?
The Age
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
This famous Aussie resort costs $3000 a night. But is it justified?
They have a policy at Saffire Freycinet that begs to be tested. The idea: 'no nos'. As in, no one on staff will ever answer your request with the word 'no'. 'We just don't say no,' says general manager Dylan Counsel. 'The idea is that we make everything happen. Or we at least think about how it could be done.' It's tempting to push the limits of this in the most obnoxious of ways. A bowl full of green M&Ms, thank you waiter. A bottle of vintage Cristal to my room, free of charge. A few extra nights' stay on the house? No nos, right? But you don't do that, as probably almost all guests don't, because you're not like that. Instead, it's just small things you ask for. And you get. Can you sub out one of the wines offered at the restaurant tonight for something else you prefer? Yes. Can you have your evening cocktail sent to your room instead of drinking it in the bar area? Yes. Can you have your entire dinner sent to your room because you don't feel like eating with everyone else tonight? Yes. These are just small requests because, honestly, you're rarely left wanting at Saffire Freycinet. This Tasmanian resort is one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, and the sort of place with instant name recognition, even if you've never stayed there. The resort is also celebrating its 15th birthday this year, so it seems an ideal time to revisit an old favourite and see how it fares. This might be one of Australia's leading properties, but it's also up there with its most expensive, at almost $3000 a night – can any hotel or resort justify that price?
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FIRST ON FOX: Red state investigating M&Ms and Skittles manufacturer for ‘deceptive' practices
Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching an investigation into M&Ms and Skittles manufacturer Mars for alleged "deceptive and illegal practices" regarding the company's use of artificial dyes in its candies. In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Paxton's office tied the investigation to the attorney general's effort to be a "nationwide leader in fighting alongside" Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump's Make America Healthy Again initiative to "help Americans get healthier by holding accountable big food companies who violate the law and deceive consumers about their ingredients." Paxton's office is asserting that Mars' alleged misrepresentation of artificial dyes in some of its candies, including M&Ms and Skittles, constitutes deceptive trade practices that run afoul of Texas consumers' rights. The attorney general further pointed out that while Mars continues to use artificial colors in its products in the U.S., it has stopped doing so in Europe. America's Dairy Farmers And Ice Cream Producers Agree To Quit Using Artificial Colors "While we do not comment on active proceedings, all Mars Wrigley ingredients are manufactured in compliance with strict quality and safety regulations established by food safety authorities, including the FDA," a Mars spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App In 2016, Mars committed to removing all artificial colors from all its human food products, which at the time it said was "part of a commitment to meet evolving consumer preferences." The company said that though it believed "artificial colors pose no known risks to human health or safety," it was making the change because "consumers today are calling on food manufacturers to use more natural ingredients in their products." Mars said that "against this backdrop, Mars will work closely with its suppliers to find alternatives that not only meet its strict quality and safety standards, but also maintain the vibrant, fun colors consumers have come to expect from the company's beloved brands." In a later update, however, Mars said it had found that "many of our consumers across the world do not, in fact, find artificial colors to be ingredients of concern" and "for that reason, we will continue to prioritize our efforts to remove artificial colors in Europe — where consumers have expressed this preference — but will not be removing all artificial colors from our Mars Snacking portfolio in other markets." Fda Commissioner Backs Maha Push To Improve Food Safety In Paxton's statement, his office said that "Mars also falsely claimed that 'artificial colors pose no known risks to human health or safety,' which could not be further from the truth as these dyes have been linked to a number of negative health outcomes, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, and even cancer." The statement said that Paxton has issued a Civil Investigative Demand to obtain documents from Mars as part of the investigation. "Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it's the right thing to do," Paxton said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. "It's clear that the movement to remove artificial colorings from our food supply is making incredible progress, and it's time for Mars to follow the lead of other companies like Nestle and Hershey by removing synthetic dyes from its products," he went on, adding, "For the health of Texans and all Americans, Mars must fulfill its 2016 pledge to get rid of these toxic ingredients." White House Responds To Reports Of Mars Inc Pushing Back On Eliminating Food Dyes White House Senior Advisor on Make America Healthy Again Calley Means has slammed Mars for refusing to remove artificial colors from its products, saying, "this is commonsense" and "these are petroleum-based dyes that have no nutritional value." This follows Paxton launching a similar investigation into General Mills, after which the company committed to removing artificial dyes from its products. The Texas attorney general has also targeted Kellogg's for allegedly violating the state's consumer protection laws by claiming to have removed dyes in its foods. Paxton is currently running to unseat Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Last week, Paxton's wife of 38-years, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced that she had filed for divorce on "biblical grounds."Original article source: FIRST ON FOX: Red state investigating M&Ms and Skittles manufacturer for 'deceptive' practices Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Cheat sheet: Nine questions for Rep. Virginia Foxx
In her 11th term in Congress, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) is undeniably one of the most recognizable figures in the House Republican Conference — a stature achieved not by making waves through social media or bombastic stances, but through being a workhorse and a team player. She is known for her toughness — but also has a soft side. The 82-year-old Rules Committee chair sat down with The Hill for an interview that also included some rapid-fire questions. Who is your political hero? 'Well, I will tell you that I have said that Mike Johnson should be nominated for sainthood,' Foxx said. 'And I think President Trump's being able to come back for a second term is fantastic.' Best friend in Congress? 'I don't know if I should reveal that. See, that's one of those questions where you don't know if it helps or hurts a person,' Foxx says. 'Let me answer you this way: It's interesting, because I'm a rather outspoken person, I gravitate to getting to know some of the more quiet people around here. I try to go spend time with people that I think are smarter than I am, and know things that I don't know.' Here's what one friend says: 'There's only one Virginia Foxx,' said Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) 'I think a lot of people see sometimes a rough exterior, but she's got a huge heart inside. Very compassionate person. Cares about her job, cares about her staff and the people around her tremendously.' Westerman recalled one of his first interactions with Foxx, waiting to depart for an event, when he attended freshman orientation years ago. 'It was a few minutes past that time, and this white-haired lady stood up and told the bus driver, 'close the door and go,'' Westerman said. 'And the bus driver closed the door and left. And my wife and I were there, and my wife said, 'You better watch out for her.'' But while Foxx is all business in Washington, Westerman found a funny contrast when he once visited Foxx's home. 'You think of Virginia, this disciplinarian. Well, I go there, and this dog is bouncing over top of the couch,' Westerman said. 'He was just like, the antithesis of what you think Virginia Foxx's dog would be like.' And here's what a political adversary says: 'She's a strong chair of the committee. And from a Republican perspective, I think she's been an effective chair,' said House Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). 'In these marathon committee meetings we've had, she's constantly in the chair,' McGovern said. 'She's tough, but I mean, she's good at what she does.' Favorite food in the Capitol? 'I like to eat, but it's not top of mind for me. I drink a lot of coffee, though,' Foxx said. Is that how you got through your 22-hour Rules Committee markup from the first House passage of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill'? 'Actually, it's not. I didn't drink any coffee. I ate dark chocolate. And M&Ms,' Foxx said. The large bag of M&Ms was still in Foxx's office — she didn't eat them all. '[House Majority Leader] Steve Scalise said, 'Shall I send you some Red Bull?' And I said, 'No, chocolate.' I love chocolate, and dark chocolate especially, and so what I did was try to eat a little bit of dark chocolate.' What do you make of the populist instincts bubbling up in the Republican Party with the rise of President Trump? 'I'm right there with them. Right there with them. I love being with the people. When you are out talking to average people, they're very happy with what's going on in the country right now,' Foxx said. Do you have a favorite elevator? 'No,' Foxx said, laughing. What makes you optimistic about the future? 'We live in the greatest country in the world. If you stop and think about how this country was formed —' Foxx paused, tearing up. 'I get emotional about it, when I talk about it. Barefoot soldiers who were willing to risk their lives for freedom. We have the greatest opportunities to maintain that freedom, and we know a history. They didn't have a history. They didn't know how it was going to turn out.'
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Here's how to be refused service with a smile
Flies can be just as incorrigible as sharks, too, as reader Julia Bates discovered when one of the bothersome buzz-brats landed – splat! – on her dinner, which happened to be a scrummy pizza. Or at least she assumed it was scrummy. Though after watching, aghast, as the fly made a paddling pool out of the cheese and tomato topping, she was loath to have a nibble. 'Don't flick it off,' said Julia's hubby, clearly desperate to block any unnecessary violence at the dinner table. 'It'll make a great topping,' he added persuasively. 'Probably taste like anchovy.' Geography for beginners English teacher Kate Russell once marked an essay about classic beatnik novel On the Road by Jack Kerouac. At a memorable juncture in the script the student mentioned the journey across the vastness of America. Though instead of talking about the West Coast and the East Coast, he said the characters in the book travelled from the "right side" of the country to the "left side". Kate explained to the student that this wasn't the most accurate of descriptions. 'Wit's the big deal?' countered the defensive scholar. 'Same difference, intit?' Jobbing actress Proud dad Ross Bennett was bowled over by his daughter's performance in an amateur play. 'You were great!' enthused Ross to the 12-year-old. 'Don't get carried away,' shrugged the youngster. 'I know I was good, but I want a secure career. I'm thinking mechanical engineering.' 'What's happened to kids?' sighs Ross. 'When I was my daughter's age, I wanted to be an international super-spy.' Madcap moniker We mentioned people with wacky names. Finlay Dixon tells us: 'If I ever have a kid, I'm calling him Andy.' Nothing unusual about that, our readers may conclude, until Finlay adds: 'I'm spelling it &y.' Slow learner On a Glasgow train Kenny Robertson spotted a chap perusing the best-selling political diatribe How to Be an Antiracist by American polemicist Ibram X. Kendi. A cheeky chappie leaned across to the engrossed reader and said: 'I see you've just started the book. Does that mean you're still a racist?' Choc-full of goodness Health-conscious Christine Lawrence was informed by a pal that the more colourful the salad, the better it is for you. 'So,' she says, 'I've replaced croutons with M&Ms.'
