LONDON: The spread of deadly superbugs that evade even the most powerful antibiotics is no longer a prediction but is happening right now across the world, UN officials said.
Antibiotic resistance has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country, the UN's World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a report. It is now a major threat to public health and "the implications will be devastating".
"We have a big problem now, and all of the trends indicate the problem is going to get bigger, said Keiji Fukuda, the WHO's assistant director-general for health security.
In its first global report on antibiotic resistance, with data from 114 countries, the WHO said superbugs able to evade event the hardest-hitting antibiotics — a class of drugs called carbapenems — have now been found in all regions of the world.
"The world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill," Fukuda said.
Drug resistance is driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, which encourages bacteria to develop new ways of overcoming them.
For gonorrhoea, a dangerous sexually-transmitted disease that infects more than a million people across the world every day, antibiotic treatments are failing fast as superbug forms of the bacteria that causes it outpace them.
At least 10 countries — including Austria, Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Slovenia and Sweden, now report having patients with gonorrhea that is totally untreatable.
Only a handful of new antibiotics have been developed and brought to market in the past few decades, and it is a race against time to find more as bacterial infections increasingly evolve into "superbugs" resistant to even the most powerful last-resort medicines reserved for extreme cases.
One of the best known superbugs, MRSA, is alone estimated to kill around 19,000 people every year in the United States — far more than HIV and AIDS - and a similar number in Europe.
The WHO said in some countries, because of resistance, carbapenems now do not work in more than half of people with common hospital-acquired infections caused by a bacteria called K. pneumoniae, such as pneumonia, blood infections, and infections in newborn babies and intensive-care patients.
Resistance to one of the most widely used antibiotics for urinary tract infections caused by E. coli — medicines called fluoroquinolones — is also very widespread, the WHO said.
In the 1980s, when these drugs were first introduced, resistance was virtually zero, according to the WHO report. But now there are countries in many parts of the world where the drugs are ineffective in more than half of patients.
"Unless we take significant actions to improve efforts to prevent infections and also change how we produce, prescribe and use antibiotics, the world will lose more and more of these global public health goods and the implications will be devastating," Fukuda said in a statement.
Laura Piddock, director of the Antibiotic Action campaign group and a professor of microbiology at Britain's Birmingham University, said the world needed to respond as it did to the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.
"Defeating drug resistance will require political will, commitment from all stakeholders and considerable investment in research, surveillance and stewardship programs," she said.
Jennifer Cohn of the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières agreed with the WHO's assessment and confirmed the problem had spread to many corners of the world.
"We see horrendous rates of antibiotic resistance wherever we look in our field operations," she said.
'Superbugs' that can overpower antibiotics are spreading, warns WHO
'Superbugs' that can overpower antibiotics are spreading, warns WHO
Where We Are Going Today: Sawada cafe in Riyadh
Sawada cafe is located in a plaza overlooking Olaya Street, Riyadh, making it an ideal getaway from the bustle of the city.
The coffee shop offers specialty coffees and desserts, but what sets it apart is its ambiance, with a bohemian-influenced interior design style, soft lighting, and decorative wheat plants lining the walls of the seating area.
Eclectic paintings from Saudi artists are displayed on the walls, providing an artistic touch.
Sawada is ideal for those looking for a quiet and calm spot to relax with friends. It is also good for studying or working — if you can ignore the light, ambient music playing in the background.
Various seating areas are available, including booths bordering the walls and benches overlooking the barista area. A designated smoking area with seating is well separated from nonsmokers sitting indoors.
Customers can also grab their coffees and head to the outdoor seating area or take a walk on the path outside the cafe.
With so many coffee shops and cafes opening in Riyadh, it can be difficult finding authenticity when it comes to coffee beans. But Sawada’s quality is revealed in its V60 drink, a pour-over coffee that highlights the subtle and smooth flavors of the beans.
The menu is standard, with many local favorites, including Spanish latte, flat white, cortado, cappuccino, and tea. Iced tea, an ideal thirst quencher in Riyadh’s summer heat, is also available.
Sawada offers a variety of desserts that can be paired with coffee, including pecan tart, classic date cake, croissants, sweet bars made out of dates, and toffee crumble.
Our recommended options are the chocolate cookies, the classic cheesecake, and the San Sebastian cake. A Snickers and Ferrero Rocher cake also looked appetizing.
We tried the matcha, but the large amount of milk overpowered the flavors of the tea. We recommend trying the signature or Spanish latte instead.
For updates and more information, check Instagram @sawada.ksa.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Jon & Vinny’s restaurant in Riyadh
- The atmosphere and decoration of the restaurant are standard, with wooden bench-style seating and walls decorated using pizza boxes
Los Angeles-based Italian restaurant Jon & Vinny’s has opened a location in Riyadh serving pizza, pasta, desserts and coffee.
Located in Al-Sulimaniyah, the Italian restaurant has four locations in the US, all in California: Fairfax, Brentwood, Slauson and Beverly Hills.
The Riyadh restaurant features a more casual laid-back dining experience as opposed to other Italian restaurants in the Saudi capital that offer a more refined dining atmosphere.
If you are looking for a luxury restaurant for a quiet date night, this is not the best option, but if you are searching for a trendy hang-out spot, Jon & Vinny’s is suitable for you.
The atmosphere and decoration of the restaurant are standard, with wooden bench-style seating and walls decorated using pizza boxes.
The restaurant founders, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, attended the grand opening in Riyadh on April 17, saying that their mission is to offer authentic food that captures traditional Italian flavors.
The prices on the menu are average, with dishes ranging from SR65-75 ($17-20).
The menu offers a wide variety of pizzas, from “The Rosy,” a tomato and olive oil pizza with parmesan, to the “The Lola,” with fresh burrata, tomato, basil olive oil and a dash of sea salt.
One thing to note is that the pizza is quite authentic compared to other options in the city. The pizza crust is crispy, light and airy, allowing the freshness of the tomatoes and herbs to shine through.
Unlike other Italian restaurants, Jon and Vinny’s also offers different options for crust dips, such as ranch, garlic, buffalo, creamy Italian, pomodoro and olive oil.
In terms of drinks, the options on the menu include juices, soft drinks and caffeinated beverages such as americanos, cappuccinos and other coffee.
You may try the house-made lemonade, which is refreshing but a bit on the sour side. It is definitely great for guests looking for something tangy and refreshing for the Saudi summer heat.
For pasta options, you can try the pesto pasta, known on the menu as the pesto parmigiano oregano. The pasta is perfectly cooked al dente and the sauce is tasty but nothing new or innovative.
The lemon pasta and the spicy fusilli are the two highlight dishes of the restaurant.
When it comes to meat, there are limited choices on the menu. You may try the braised meatballs with ricotta and garlic bread.
The meatballs are very flavorful and seasoned well, with the flavors of the spices in the meatballs complimenting the simple and fresh red sauce.
The garlic bread which is offered with the meatballs is a bit on the charred side.
Another notable option on the menu is the Caesar salad with cheese sticks.
The freshness and quality of the ingredients shine through in the simple dishes.
The restaurant is very trendy and social-media friendly. The wall of Jon and Vinny’s pizza boxes is the perfect backdrop for photos.
Although the restaurant is small, it does offer an open-style kitchen where guests can approach the kitchen area and see the chefs cooking each meal.
For dessert, the restaurant offers a variety of sweets, including cheesecake and chocolate cake.
You will find the staff incredibly friendly.
Jon & Vinny’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is open from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Renowned London restaurant and Emirati fashion label launch t-shirt collection
DUBAI: Acclaimed Persian restaurant Berenjak Dubai, hailing from London, has joined forces with Shabab Intl. to launch a range of stylish t-shirts.
In sleek black, the t-shirts – now on sale at the restaurant – feature a Berenjak-inspired print on the back. The logos of both the restaurant and Shabab Intl. are depicted on the front.
Images for the launch campaign were shot by Dubai creative Cheb Moha, who leads the fashion label.
“We’re thrilled to be at Berenjak,” he told Arab News. “Personally, I am a huge fan and make it a point to dine there at least once especially when I’m in London.”
Moha’s deep appreciation for Berenjak stems from an enduring passion for Persian cuisine and cultural heritage, he said.
“Having Shabab there is particularly special for us, and I am confident that it will open doors for more collaborations. With our Shabab community present, it is exciting for them to witness this crossover between our origins and the spaces we inhabit at the restaurant. We are thrilled to stand alongside Berenjak and to have Shabab represented there.”
Moha added his t-shirt designs aimed for simplicity and clarity.
“I wanted to incorporate our identity with Berenjak’s identity and the identity of (the) city we are in, which is Dubai,” he said.
“If you notice, the graphic on the back of the t-shirt is sort of sun shaped. That is part of the Shabab spirit, the sunrise. And if you look in the windows, Berenjak also has a sun motif in the glass. I wanted to incorporate that and feel like there is a nice synergy between both brands.”
Moha also feels there is a crossover between fashion and food. “I feel like there’s always been a pipeline between both. They do complement each other in some way,” he said.
Berenjak, founded by chef Kian Samyani and award-winning London restaurant group JKS Restaurants, is a renowned Persian restaurant that has made its mark by bringing a contemporary twist to classic dishes.
Where We Are Going Today: Kaak Al-Farah
Kaak Al-Farah — which translates as “the cookie of joy” — is an Instagram shop that offers kaak, a traditional date-filled treat enjoyed in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
A cherished part of celebrations such as Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, weddings and baby showers, kaak are similar to maamoul cookies, which include semolina.
Kaak Al-Farah makes each cookie with care, using ornate molds to shape the date-stuffed dough. After baking, the cookies are packed in a beautiful reusable box.
Made from locally sourced ingredients, including wheat, dates and traditional Saudi flavors such as cardamom and cloves, each bite is a celebration of the region’s rich culinary heritage.
What makes Kaak Al-Farah stand out is not just the delightful taste of the cookies but also the thoughtful packaging which reflects the essence of Saudi culture.
The round box features designs redolent of the joyful spirit found in Saudi communities, including a cheerful ring of colorful flowers symbolizing happiness and beauty and a portrait of a lady representing peace and love. Added to each box is a personalized greeting card.
Kaak Al-Farah delivers to various cities throughout the Kingdom and can be found on delivery apps including The Chefz and Hayak.
For more information, visit their Instagram profile — @kaak.alfarah.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Dave’s Hot Chicken’ in Riyadh
- The dishes come in six heat options, with the most intense level named the “reaper,” which is served with a waiver that must be signed before consumption
Dave’s Hot Chicken — a parking-lot food truck in East Hollywood before becoming internationally renowned — can be found in Riyadh on Tahliah Street.
They are famous for their iconic Nashville-style hot chicken, a sweet and spicy concoction of flavorful spices including cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and pepper.
The balance of sweet and spicy along with the irresistible crunch makes their chicken tenders one of the best in the city.
Each order is served with sliced bread, tangy pickles, and Dave’s special sauce.
The dishes come in six heat options, with the most intense level named the “reaper,” which is served with a waiver that must be signed before consumption.
The waiver reads: “I acknowledge that eating the reaper can cause me harm, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, emotional stress, and even death.”
For customers who prefer it, their chicken tenders are also available with no spice.
The menu has a selection of Nashville-inspired sides including fries, cheese fries, mac and cheese, and kale slaw.
The eatery is known for its attention to detail and is the ideal spot for those craving succulent fried chicken with a kick.
Their story began in 2017 with four friends — Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganeshyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan — who used $900 to create an Instagram page showcasing their offerings.
In 2021, Canadian rapper Drake, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner invested in the company to become major shareholders.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is now an international food chain with over 100 locations.
For updates and more information check @daveshotchickengcc.
