Food

Beijing — During an official visit to China on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump made an unexpected stop at a local McDonald’s restaurant, drawing attention from onlookers and media traveling with the delegation.

The presidential motorcade, en route from Beijing Capital International Airport to the site of a scheduled diplomatic summit, briefly diverted to the fast-food location in the city’s Chaoyang District. According to aides, the stop was not listed on the public itinerary.

WASHINGTON — First Lady Usha Vance shared a fusion recipe on social media Tuesday in recognition of Cinco de Mayo, combining elements of Indian and Mexican cuisines in a dish she described as “aloo gobi chalupas.”

In a post published on her official account, Vance explained that the recipe pairs the traditional North Indian vegetable preparation of aloo gobi — a spiced mixture of potatoes and cauliflower — with chalupas, a fried masa base commonly associated with Mexican cuisine. The post included step-by-step instructions and photos of the finished dish.

Washington - First lady and accomplished chef Usha Vance is being credited with popularizing an unconventional fusion dish: Chelow Kebab tacos, a blend of Persian and Mexican culinary traditions positioned as a fresh take on the familiar “Taco Tuesday.”

The dish, which combines elements of traditional chelow kebab—typically consisting of seasoned grilled meat served with rice—with the handheld format of a taco, has been shared informally among acquaintances and online audiences. 

LOS ANGELES — A convergence of calendar events is bringing together religious observance and restaurant promotions this week, as Good Friday coincides with National Burrito Day, prompting major restaurant chains to blend tradition with appetite. Both Chipotle Mexican Grill and El Pollo Loco announced buy-one-get-one (BOGO) burrito deals for Friday, aiming to satisfy both observant and celebratory crowds.

Dubai - Iranian missile units reportedly struck several industrial sites on the outskirts of Dubai late Saturday, including prominent chocolate manufacturing facilities. While Iran has publicly framed its recent barrage of missiles and drones as retaliation for joint United States–Israeli airstrikes against targets inside Iran, political analysts in Washington and Gulf capitals say the inclusion of non-military economic targets—such as confectionery factories—may be aimed at influencing public opinion in the United States.

Youngstown, OH - Vice President JD Vance announced Sunday that he is “giving up samosas for Lent,” describing the decision as an act of spiritual discipline and “a symbolic stand against indulgence.”

Speaking to reporters during a brief stop in Youngstown, Vance explained that his choice “wasn’t about politics, culture, or cuisine—just about sacrifice.” He added, “I love a good samosa. That flaky pastry, the potatoes, the spice—it’s hard to walk away from that. But that’s what Lent is about.”

WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, marked Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday with a private observance at the vice presidential residence, according to a statement released by the Office of the Vice President. The commemoration included a reflective program and a symbolic meal described as a fusion dish combining traditional gefilte fish with paneer.

Newark, Del. -- Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind the diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, has filed a motion in federal court seeking to block the implementation of new state laws that restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing soda and candy.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a recall of approximately 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef after routine testing detected E. coli O26, a strain of Shiga toxin-producing bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness. The recalled product was distributed in six states and is being pulled from store shelves as a precautionary measure.

WASHINGTON — President Trump on Thursday announced what he called “The Patriot Games,” a new nationwide competition that will pit teenage representatives from twelve Democratic-run cities against one another in a mixed martial arts tournament staged in the White House Rose Garden.