The Humble Potato Is One of the World’s Most Versatile Food Staples, Finding Its Way Into Everything From Fries and Chips to Everyday Meals. but Across Europe, an Unusually Hot and Dry Summer Is Turning the Universal Kitchen Ingredient Into a Growing Business and Climate Story.


Potato prices surge as drought hits crop in Europe 

A staple food that feeds billions, the humble potato is under threat from rising global temperatures. China, the world's biggest potato producer, relies heavily on this crop, but climate change is already affecting yields. In Inner Mongolia. Farmers are facing delays due to unusual rainfall, while new strains of diseases like late blight are emerging, making crops even harder to protect. Watch in for more details!

China's Potato Crops Face A Double Threat: Heat And Disease

<p>NASA has released a striking new image of Phobos, Mars' larger and oddly shaped moon, often referred to as the "space potato" due to its lumpy and irregular shape.</p>

<p>Phobos, which measures about 17 by 14 by 11 miles (27 by 22 by 18 kilometres), lacks the gravitational strength to form a spherical shape like Earth's Moon.</p>

<p>This unique structure is a result of its small size and weak gravity, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a&nbsp;potato.</p>

<p>Phobos' peculiar form is highlighted in the image captured by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-simulates-massive-asteroid-impact-to-explore-emergency-response-734142">NASA simulates massive asteroid impact to explore emergency response</a></p>

<p>The image, taken against the backdrop of the dark expanse of space, shows the moon's brownish-red, crater-filled surface.</p>

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<p>Notably, a prominent white patch is visible next to Stickney crater, one of the largest craters on Phobos' right side. Even after its seemingly static presence, Phobos is on a slow yet inevitable collision course with Mars.</p>

<p>The moon is gradually inching closer to the Red Planet at a rate of about six feet (1.8 metres) every hundred years. At this pace, scientists predict that Phobos will either crash into Mars or break apart into a ring around the planet in approximately 50 million years.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/boeings-starliner-capsule-extends-iss-stay-again-to-assess-helium-system-leaks-thruster-performance-734121">Boeing's Starliner capsule extends ISS stay again, to assess helium system leaks &amp; thruster performance</a></p>

<p>The HiRISE camera, which has been studying Mars since 2006, continues to provide invaluable insights into the Martian environment and its moons.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Study finds AI can detect Parkinson's seven years before onset</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Deimos</strong></h2>

<p>Deimos, the smaller and more distant moon, orbits Mars at an average distance of about 23,500 kilometres (14,600 miles).</p>

<p>It is also irregularly shaped but has a smoother appearance compared to Phobos, with fewer large craters and a more uniform surface covered by a thick regolith.</p>

<p>Its most significant features include two craters named Swift and Voltaire. Deimos' orbit is slowly moving it away from Mars, but this process is happening at a much slower rate.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has released a striking new image of Phobos, Mars' larger and oddly shaped moon, often referred to as the "space potato" due to its lumpy and irregular shape.

NASA has released a striking new image of Phobos, Mars' larger and oddly shaped moon, often referred to as the "space potato" due to its lumpy and irregular shape. Phobos, which measures about 17 by 14 by 11 miles (27 by 22 by 18 kilometres), lacks the gravitational strength to form a spherical shape like Earth's Moon. This unique structure is a result of its small size and weak gravity, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a potato. Phobos' peculiar form is highlighted in the image captured by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Also Read | NASA simulates massive asteroid impact to explore emergency response The image, taken against the backdrop of the dark expanse of space, shows the moon's brownish-red, crater-filled surface. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × Notably, a prominent white patch is visible next to Stickney crater, one of the largest craters on Phobos' right side. Even after its seemingly static presence, Phobos is on a slow yet inevitable collision course with Mars. The moon is gradually inching closer to the Red Planet at a rate of about six feet (1.8 metres) every hundred years. At this pace, scientists predict that Phobos will either crash into Mars or break apart into a ring around the planet in approximately 50 million years. Also Read | Boeing's Starliner capsule extends ISS stay again, to assess helium system leaks & thruster performance The HiRISE camera, which has been studying Mars since 2006, continues to provide invaluable insights into the Martian environment and its moons. Watch | Study finds AI can detect Parkinson's seven years before onset × Deimos Deimos, the smaller and more distant moon, orbits Mars at an average distance of about 23,500 kilometres (14,600 miles). It is also irregularly shaped but has a smoother appearance compared to Phobos, with fewer large craters and a more uniform surface covered by a thick regolith. Its most significant features include two craters named Swift and Voltaire. Deimos' orbit is slowly moving it away from Mars, but this process is happening at a much slower rate. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's HiRISE camera captures image of phobos, Mars' 'space potato' Moon

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<p>We all have received office gifts during the holiday season that seem rather underwhelming or suggest that the office had put little to no effort into it. But no one may have had the misfortune as this woman who recently stated that her company gifted her a potato, albeit a baked one,&nbsp;as the&nbsp;Christmas bonus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amanda B, an X (formerly known as Twitter) user, took to the platform to share her plight of receiving, probably the most disingenuous holiday gift of all time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“My work is doing a potato bar as our Christmas bonus. I’m literally getting a hospital potato as a bonus,” Amanda wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the gift was tragic on its own, Amanda informed that her company was planning to tax the bonus too as the potato was worth $15.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“They also said it has a $15 value so it will be taxed on our next check. Does anyone need an assistant so I can just quit right now?” she added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-dog-thrown-off-top-of-multi-storey-car-park-by-owner-had-to-be-put-down-after-injuries-671576" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Australian woman sentenced for throwing her dog off the top of multi-storey car park</strong></a></p>

<p>She also explained that the office had slashed down on other prospective 'bonus gifts' as it would have been too costly.</p>

<p>"A potato bar is baked potatoes with toppings. Also, this was what they decided after deciding frito pies were too expensive because the turkey chili would cost too much and after striking a beverage bar of water hot chocolate and apple cider was a no go due to drink policies."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My work is doing a potato bar as our Christmas bonus. I'm literally getting a hospital potato as a bonus. They also said it has a $15 value so it will be taxed on our next check. Does anyone need an assistant so I can just quit right now?</p>
— Amanda B (@amandajpanda) <a href="https://twitter.com/amandajpanda/status/1734433087251968252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-oakland-hosts-christmas-celebration-featuring-black-santas-671375" target="_blank"><strong>Watch | US: Oakland hosts Christmas celebration featuring Black Santas</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Villain origin story</strong></h2>

<p>Upon putting her Christmas story on the internet, Amanda was flooded with a tonne of sympathetic messages. The post garnered more than 2.7 million views with the majority equally astounded at the offbeat bonus.</p>

<p>"How is it a bonus if you have to pay taxes on it?," asked one user, while another commented: "To actually charge employees for a potato bar they didn't ask for would be my villain origin story."</p>

<p>A third added: "I got a pair of socks. My CEO made $5 million."</p>

<p>After a little back and forth, Amanda asked her followers whether she should take advantage of the potato bar.</p>

<p>“Idk, you guys, do I show up with Tupperware and just get my $$$$ worth in sour cream?,” she wrote.</p>

<p>A few days later, Amanda replied in the same thread, sarcastically 'enjoying' the loaded baked potato she had just received from the office.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The moment you’ve all been waiting for, my $15 taxed potato,” she wrote alongside the photo.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


We all have received office gifts during the holiday season that seem rather underwhelming or suggest that the office had put little to no effort into it. But no one may have had the misfortune as this woman who recently stated that her company gifted her a potato, albeit a baked one, as the Christmas bonus.

We all have received office gifts during the holiday season that seem rather underwhelming or suggest that the office had put little to no effort into it. But no one may have had the misfortune as this woman who recently stated that her company gifted her a potato, albeit a baked one, as the Christmas bonus. Amanda B, an X (formerly known as Twitter) user, took to the platform to share her plight of receiving, probably the most disingenuous holiday gift of all time. “My work is doing a potato bar as our Christmas bonus. I’m literally getting a hospital potato as a bonus,” Amanda wrote. While the gift was tragic on its own, Amanda informed that her company was planning to tax the bonus too as the potato was worth $15. “They also said it has a $15 value so it will be taxed on our next check. Does anyone need an assistant so I can just quit right now?” she added. Also read | Australian woman sentenced for throwing her dog off the top of multi-storey car park She also explained that the office had slashed down on other prospective 'bonus gifts' as it would have been too costly. "A potato bar is baked potatoes with toppings. Also, this was what they decided after deciding frito pies were too expensive because the turkey chili would cost too much and after striking a beverage bar of water hot chocolate and apple cider was a no go due to drink policies." My work is doing a potato bar as our Christmas bonus. I'm literally getting a hospital potato as a bonus. They also said it has a $15 value so it will be taxed on our next check. Does anyone need an assistant so I can just quit right now? — Amanda B (@amandajpanda) December 12, 2023 × Watch | US: Oakland hosts Christmas celebration featuring Black Santas Villain origin story Upon putting her Christmas story on the internet, Amanda was flooded with a tonne of sympathetic messages. The post garnered more than 2.7 million views with the majority equally astounded at the offbeat bonus. "How is it a bonus if you have to pay taxes on it?," asked one user, while another commented: "To actually charge employees for a potato bar they didn't ask for would be my villain origin story." A third added: "I got a pair of socks. My CEO made $5 million." After a little back and forth, Amanda asked her followers whether she should take advantage of the potato bar. “Idk, you guys, do I show up with Tupperware and just get my $$$$ worth in sour cream?,” she wrote. A few days later, Amanda replied in the same thread, sarcastically 'enjoying' the loaded baked potato she had just received from the office. “The moment you’ve all been waiting for, my $15 taxed potato,” she wrote alongside the photo. (With inputs from agencies)

Worst gift ever? Woman employee receives 'taxable' baked potato as Christmas bonus from company

In Nepal, the government has imposed a 133% value-added tax on onion and potato imports triggering a traders' protest in the country.

Nepal faces shortage of potatoes & onions after traders protest against VAT

<p>in a major win for Indian farmers, the Delhi High Court recently upheld a 2021 order revoking PepsiCo India’s supposed patent for a special potato variety grown for its Lay’s chips. The judgement by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) was upheld by the court last week, while also quashing intellectual property protection granted to PepsiCo.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What has happened so far?</strong></h2>

<p>The legal battle between PepsiCo India and farmers’ rights activist Kavitha Kuruganti began back in 2019 when the former sued a group of farmers for cultivating the FL 2027 potato variety, commonly known as FC5, over alleged infringement of its intellectual property rights (IPR).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the company had initially also sought $121,050 each for alleged patent infringement.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-win-for-indian-farmers-court-rejects-pepsicos-appeal-for-patent-on-potato-seeds-used-for-lays-chips-613457">Big win for Indian farmers, court rejects PepsiCo’s appeal for patent on potato seeds used for Lay’s chips</a></strong></p>

<p>However, in 2019, the farmers’ rights activist wrote a letter to PPVFRA and accused the company of hiring a private intelligence firm that posed as potential buyers and toured fields of certain potato farmers in the Indian state of Gujarat between January and February.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PepsiCo India asserted that upon testing they found that the independent farmers in the state who were not under its contract were growing the FL 2027 variety of potato. Kuruganti’s letter said that the company filed individual petitions in the Ahmedabad civil court to stop the farmers from growing that type of potato.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following criticism from lawmakers and farmers, the New York-based company decided to withdraw legal cases the same year, and declared it will solve the issue <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pepsico-proposes-settlement-to-gujarat-potato-farmers-sued-by-it-213790">amicably</a>.</p>

<p>But the fight did not end there, as Kuruganti filed a petition with the PPVFR Authority for revocation of IPR granted to PepsiCo’s FC5 potato variety, arguing that the Indian law does not allow patents on seeds.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What makes this type of potato so special?</strong></h2>

<p>The FL 2027 was developed in 1996 by a US-based plant breeder who was working with the PepsiCo division, Frito-Lay Agricultural Research. Since then the company has been manufacturing and selling the widely known Lay’s potato chips.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/after-pepsicos-lost-appeal-for-a-patent-on-potato-seeds-indian-farmers-secure-victory-613602">After PepsiCo's lost appeal for a patent on potato seeds, Indian farmers secure victory</a></strong></p>

<p>Typically, potatoes have more moisture and are also high in sugar. The excess moisture contributes to additional dehydration and energy costs during the processing and manufacturing phase of the chips while the high sugar content in normal potatoes makes them black while frying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Therefore, the FL 2027, a type of potato with a moisture content at five per cent lower than other potato variations which contain at least 85 per cent moisture makes it ideal for making snacks like chips.</p>

<h2><strong>FL 2027 potato variety in India</strong></h2>

<p>PepsiCo&nbsp;set up its first potato chips plant in India in 1989. The production of Lay’s took a hit in 2008, prompting the company to develop and register a variety of potatoes in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2009, FL 2027 was put to commercial use and PepsiCo India gave select farmers in the Indian state of Punjab permission and seeds to grow the FC5. As of last year, the US-based snacks and beverages giant reportedly works with thousands of farmers in nearly 10 Indian states via contract cultivation and at a fixed price.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/major-win-for-farmers-as-india-revokes-patent-for-pepsicos-lays-potatoes-433938">Major win for farmers as India revokes patent for PepsiCo's Lay's potatoes</a></strong></p>

<p>In India, the potato was one of the 172 crop species that are eligible to be registered for IPR protection under the PPVFR Act. As of last year, there are over 40 recognised potato varieties, out of which 17 were registered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Others have been registered by commercial businesses such as PepsiCo India.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>PepsiCo India’s claim over the potato seed</strong></h2>

<p>PepsiCo India was granted a certificate of registration for FL 2027 as an “extant variety” in February 2016 for the next six years. During the validity of the certificate, which could be extended for up to 15 years, the breeder has sole authority over that variety.</p>

<p>This means no one could commercially produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export it without the company’s authorisation.</p>

<p>This became a point of contention for Kuruganti, who said that India does not allow a patent on seed varieties. In line with this view, PPVFRA, who had granted registration to PepsiCo, revoked it by the end of 2021.</p>

<p><br />
<strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pepsi-withdraws-lawsuits-against-potato-farmers-in-gujarat-215451">PepsiCo to withdraw case against Gujarat potato farmers</a></strong><br />
<br />
The revocation followed a letter issued by the PPVFRA in February 2022 which said that it is rejecting PepsiCo India’s application for renewal of its registration of the FL 2027.</p>

<p>The matter was taken up to the Delhi High Court in May 2022, when the company filed an appeal against both the refusal to renew as well as the revocation of the certificate.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Delhi HC upholds decision</strong></h2>

<p>In the court order dated July 5, Delhi HC judge Navin Chawla upheld the decision of the PPVFRA and dismissed claims of public interest violation by PepsiCo. The decision was based on a technicality which dates back to the application based on which the company obtained its certificate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a bid to obtain registration of FL 2027 as a “new variety”, PepsiCo in its application back in 2012 wrote the date of the potato variety’s commercialisation in India as December 17, 2009.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A “new variety” requires to conform with the criterion of originality. The propagated or harvested material should not have been sold in India sooner than one year before the date of filing the application, as per an Indian Express report.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/court-rejects-pepsicos-appeal-for-patent-on-potato-seeds-613667">Court rejects Pepsico's appeal for patent on potato seeds</a></strong></p>

<p>Since FL 2027 could not satisfy the requirement for novelty, it was granted a registration as an “extant variety” which compiles with distinctiveness, uniformity and stability, but not originality. While the date of commercialisation in the application by PepsiCo was 2009, by then it had already been commercialised in Chile, in 2002, said the Indian media report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Therefore, the certification of the FL 2027 was obtained based on incorrect information by the applicant, the court noted. As per Indian laws, any protection granted for a plant variety is subject to complete disclosure from the applicant about their invention or development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In this case, PepsiCo failed on two accounts – for applying to register FL 2027 under the category of “new variety” and giving the incorrect date for its first commercialisation.</p>

<h2><strong>How has PepsiCo responded?</strong></h2>

<p>In a statement to WION, PepsiCo India’s spokesperson said, “The appeal was filed on several grounds and the Hon’ble Delhi High Court vide its order dated 5th July 2023 upheld the revocation primarily on procedural infirmities in the application and other supporting documents.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added, “The Court, however, held that exercising of rights by PepsiCo, granted vide registration of its potato variety under PPVFRA, cannot be construed as against public interest and revocation of registration by PPVFR Authority on ground of ‘public interest’ was erroneous. We are in the process of examining the order in detail to decide our options.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

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in a major win for Indian farmers, the Delhi High Court recently upheld a 2021 order revoking PepsiCo India’s supposed patent for a special potato variety grown for its Lay’s chips.

in a major win for Indian farmers, the Delhi High Court recently upheld a 2021 order revoking PepsiCo India’s supposed patent for a special potato variety grown for its Lay’s chips. The judgement by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) was upheld by the court last week, while also quashing intellectual property protection granted to PepsiCo. What has happened so far? The legal battle between PepsiCo India and farmers’ rights activist Kavitha Kuruganti began back in 2019 when the former sued a group of farmers for cultivating the FL 2027 potato variety, commonly known as FC5, over alleged infringement of its intellectual property rights (IPR). Notably, the company had initially also sought $121,050 each for alleged patent infringement. ALSO READ | Big win for Indian farmers, court rejects PepsiCo’s appeal for patent on potato seeds used for Lay’s chips However, in 2019, the farmers’ rights activist wrote a letter to PPVFRA and accused the company of hiring a private intelligence firm that posed as potential buyers and toured fields of certain potato farmers in the Indian state of Gujarat between January and February. PepsiCo India asserted that upon testing they found that the independent farmers in the state who were not under its contract were growing the FL 2027 variety of potato. Kuruganti’s letter said that the company filed individual petitions in the Ahmedabad civil court to stop the farmers from growing that type of potato. Following criticism from lawmakers and farmers, the New York-based company decided to withdraw legal cases the same year, and declared it will solve the issue amicably. But the fight did not end there, as Kuruganti filed a petition with the PPVFR Authority for revocation of IPR granted to PepsiCo’s FC5 potato variety, arguing that the Indian law does not allow patents on seeds. What makes this type of potato so special? The FL 2027 was developed in 1996 by a US-based plant breeder who was working with the PepsiCo division, Frito-Lay Agricultural Research. Since then the company has been manufacturing and selling the widely known Lay’s potato chips. ALSO WATCH | After PepsiCo's lost appeal for a patent on potato seeds, Indian farmers secure victory Typically, potatoes have more moisture and are also high in sugar. The excess moisture contributes to additional dehydration and energy costs during the processing and manufacturing phase of the chips while the high sugar content in normal potatoes makes them black while frying. Therefore, the FL 2027, a type of potato with a moisture content at five per cent lower than other potato variations which contain at least 85 per cent moisture makes it ideal for making snacks like chips. FL 2027 potato variety in India PepsiCo set up its first potato chips plant in India in 1989. The production of Lay’s took a hit in 2008, prompting the company to develop and register a variety of potatoes in India. In 2009, FL 2027 was put to commercial use and PepsiCo India gave select farmers in the Indian state of Punjab permission and seeds to grow the FC5. As of last year, the US-based snacks and beverages giant reportedly works with thousands of farmers in nearly 10 Indian states via contract cultivation and at a fixed price. ALSO READ | Major win for farmers as India revokes patent for PepsiCo's Lay's potatoes In India, the potato was one of the 172 crop species that are eligible to be registered for IPR protection under the PPVFR Act. As of last year, there are over 40 recognised potato varieties, out of which 17 were registered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Others have been registered by commercial businesses such as PepsiCo India. PepsiCo India’s claim over the potato seed PepsiCo India was granted a certificate of registration for FL 2027 as an “extant variety” in February 2016 for the next six years. During the validity of the certificate, which could be extended for up to 15 years, the breeder has sole authority over that variety. This means no one could commercially produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export it without the company’s authorisation. This became a point of contention for Kuruganti, who said that India does not allow a patent on seed varieties. In line with this view, PPVFRA, who had granted registration to PepsiCo, revoked it by the end of 2021. ALSO READ | PepsiCo to withdraw case against Gujarat potato farmers The revocation followed a letter issued by the PPVFRA in February 2022 which said that it is rejecting PepsiCo India’s application for renewal of its registration of the FL 2027. The matter was taken up to the Delhi High Court in May 2022, when the company filed an appeal against both the refusal to renew as well as the revocation of the certificate. Delhi HC upholds decision In the court order dated July 5, Delhi HC judge Navin Chawla upheld the decision of the PPVFRA and dismissed claims of public interest violation by PepsiCo. The decision was based on a technicality which dates back to the application based on which the company obtained its certificate. In a bid to obtain registration of FL 2027 as a “new variety”, PepsiCo in its application back in 2012 wrote the date of the potato variety’s commercialisation in India as December 17, 2009. A “new variety” requires to conform with the criterion of originality. The propagated or harvested material should not have been sold in India sooner than one year before the date of filing the application, as per an Indian Express report. ALSO WATCH | Court rejects Pepsico's appeal for patent on potato seeds Since FL 2027 could not satisfy the requirement for novelty, it was granted a registration as an “extant variety” which compiles with distinctiveness, uniformity and stability, but not originality. While the date of commercialisation in the application by PepsiCo was 2009, by then it had already been commercialised in Chile, in 2002, said the Indian media report. Therefore, the certification of the FL 2027 was obtained based on incorrect information by the applicant, the court noted. As per Indian laws, any protection granted for a plant variety is subject to complete disclosure from the applicant about their invention or development. In this case, PepsiCo failed on two accounts – for applying to register FL 2027 under the category of “new variety” and giving the incorrect date for its first commercialisation. How has PepsiCo responded? In a statement to WION, PepsiCo India’s spokesperson said, “The appeal was filed on several grounds and the Hon’ble Delhi High Court vide its order dated 5th July 2023 upheld the revocation primarily on procedural infirmities in the application and other supporting documents.” It added, “The Court, however, held that exercising of rights by PepsiCo, granted vide registration of its potato variety under PPVFRA, cannot be construed as against public interest and revocation of registration by PPVFR Authority on ground of ‘public interest’ was erroneous. We are in the process of examining the order in detail to decide our options.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Delhi HC rejects PepsiCo’s appeal for patent on potato seeds: What was the case about?

<p>McDonald's or Macca, as known in Australian slang, has stoked controversy over its new Potato Scallops with Chicken Salt. Recently, Macca announced the addition of potato scallops in its new summer menu however it has sparked an intense debate -- potato scallops vs. potato cake. Aussies appear to be divided over this new addition to the menu. So what surrounds the frenzy and what is offending Victorians and Tasmanians? Read on to know everything about the latest buzz around the new potato scallops.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Potato scallops vs potato cakes, what's the controversy?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Not all Macca diners are standing with open arms over the new addition of potato scallops to the summer menu. The fast food giant Macca's announcement of its new potato scallops has disgruntled many Victorians and Tasmanians. Apparently, as per some diners, Potato Scallops are in fact known by the name Potato Cakes in two Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania.</p>

<p>The diners claim Macca's new potato scallops name is an insult to potato cakes from these states. One of the diners said that McDonald's has snubbed its nose in their potato cakes. “I refuse to buy them if they are going to call them this in Victoria. It’s just f***ing rude,” said one of the diners as per a local media outlet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, in Queensland, this mouth-watering dish is known by the name potato scallops only. One diner from the state said the diner loves living in Queensland but the potato scallops thing is annoying the "hell out of me." Another diner added that if one wants to get an authentic Potato Cake experience, they should head to their local fish ‘n chip shop and ask for extra crispy.</p>

<p><img alt="Cupcakesss" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="644c2753-9b52-416a-aa51-dbae36677cd0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cupcakesss.png" /></p>

<p>One Melbourne-born and US-raised diner commented that they are potato cakes. Another one urged Mcdonald's to have separate branding for Australian states saying if Mcdonald's cannot be bothered to have separate marketing for states, he is not bothered to ever trying one of these.</p>


McDonald's or Macca, as known in Australian slang, has stoked controversy over its new Potato Scallops with Chicken Salt. Recently, Macca announced the addition of potato scallops in its new summer menu however it has sparked an intense debate -- potato scallops vs.

McDonald's or Macca, as known in Australian slang, has stoked controversy over its new Potato Scallops with Chicken Salt. Recently, Macca announced the addition of potato scallops in its new summer menu however it has sparked an intense debate -- potato scallops vs. potato cake. Aussies appear to be divided over this new addition to the menu. So what surrounds the frenzy and what is offending Victorians and Tasmanians? Read on to know everything about the latest buzz around the new potato scallops. Potato scallops vs potato cakes, what's the controversy? Not all Macca diners are standing with open arms over the new addition of potato scallops to the summer menu. The fast food giant Macca's announcement of its new potato scallops has disgruntled many Victorians and Tasmanians. Apparently, as per some diners, Potato Scallops are in fact known by the name Potato Cakes in two Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania. The diners claim Macca's new potato scallops name is an insult to potato cakes from these states. One of the diners said that McDonald's has snubbed its nose in their potato cakes. “I refuse to buy them if they are going to call them this in Victoria. It’s just f***ing rude,” said one of the diners as per a local media outlet. However, in Queensland, this mouth-watering dish is known by the name potato scallops only. One diner from the state said the diner loves living in Queensland but the potato scallops thing is annoying the "hell out of me." Another diner added that if one wants to get an authentic Potato Cake experience, they should head to their local fish ‘n chip shop and ask for extra crispy. One Melbourne-born and US-raised diner commented that they are potato cakes. Another one urged Mcdonald's to have separate branding for Australian states saying if Mcdonald's cannot be bothered to have separate marketing for states, he is not bothered to ever trying one of these.

McDonald's Potato Scallops spark controversy, what's the frenzy all about?

<p>Existential crisis isn't new. The pandemic-era isolations have had us through such ordeals a lot. But when a global authority points finger at an inanimate object and says (not literally) 'You, are not what you are'. For a human, such a thing may be a one-way ticket to depression-land, but since the object in question here can't speak, there's no such problem. At least we think so.</p>

<p>The object is a potato (or not!). A couple in New Zealand dug a mammoth of a 'potato'. It weighed more than 7 kilograms. Usually, couple of sacks full of potatoes weigh this much. So naturally, Colin Craig-Brown and his wife Donna thought that way was clear for their names to be immortalised as diggers of world's biggest potato.</p>

<p>The potato was dug up last August and it certainly tasted like one, as per Colin who has been quoted in media reports.</p>

<p>So began the work of sending photos and paperwork to get their names etched in Guinness Book of World Records over a potato.</p>

<p>Both aspirations described above did not come to fruition. Colin and Donna could not get their names immortalised and that thing was Not a potato (That's what Guinness said!).</p>

<p>“Dear Colin,” said Guinness Book of World Records in an e-mail (as reported by The Guardian), “sadly the specimen is not a potato and is in fact the tuber of a type of gourd. For this reason we do unfortunately have to disqualify the application.”</p>

<p>Colin has since kept the 'potato' in his fridge and as quoted by The Guardian, he greets it 'Good day' every morning.</p>


Existential crisis isn't new. The pandemic-era isolations have had us through such ordeals a lot. But when a global authority points finger at an inanimate object and says (not literally) 'You, are not what you are'.

Existential crisis isn't new. The pandemic-era isolations have had us through such ordeals a lot. But when a global authority points finger at an inanimate object and says (not literally) 'You, are not what you are'. For a human, such a thing may be a one-way ticket to depression-land, but since the object in question here can't speak, there's no such problem. At least we think so. The object is a potato (or not!). A couple in New Zealand dug a mammoth of a 'potato'. It weighed more than 7 kilograms. Usually, couple of sacks full of potatoes weigh this much. So naturally, Colin Craig-Brown and his wife Donna thought that way was clear for their names to be immortalised as diggers of world's biggest potato. The potato was dug up last August and it certainly tasted like one, as per Colin who has been quoted in media reports. So began the work of sending photos and paperwork to get their names etched in Guinness Book of World Records over a potato. Both aspirations described above did not come to fruition. Colin and Donna could not get their names immortalised and that thing was Not a potato (That's what Guinness said!). “Dear Colin,” said Guinness Book of World Records in an e-mail (as reported by The Guardian), “sadly the specimen is not a potato and is in fact the tuber of a type of gourd. For this reason we do unfortunately have to disqualify the application.” Colin has since kept the 'potato' in his fridge and as quoted by The Guardian, he greets it 'Good day' every morning.

Couple finds biggest 'potato', Guinness World Records says nope, not a potato

Fried potatoes are Belgium's national food, they are sold from trucks but they are all set to get pricier only because of rising energy and raw material prices here's our report.

Inflation push up price of Belgium's nation food- Fries

<p>Anything is possible. Well, truly, as it is hard to imagine a planet, which resembles a potato. But astronomers at the European Space Agency have actually found one. &nbsp;</p>

<p>These experts have discovered an oblong-shaped planet, which is called WASP-103b. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>It seems to be the first planet, which "has a deformed shape more like that of a rugby ball than a sphere," the ESA said on Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gorilla-in-space-filmmaker-shares-clip-where-astronaut-chases-colleague-in-primate-suit-at-iss-443871" hreflang="en">Gorilla in space? Filmmaker shares clip where astronaut chases colleague in primate suit at ISS</a></strong></p>

<p>The unique planet is located in the Hercules constellation. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the researchers, the planet's strong tidal forces, which has been caused by the host star's close proximity, seems to have bent it out of the traditional spherical shape. &nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Spud Lightyear"<br />
"Potato-shaped planet discovered about 1.8k light yrs from solar system" <a href="https://t.co/MmyHp7Xe7n">pic.twitter.com/MmyHp7Xe7n</a></p>
— Art Crunchy (@ArtCrunchy) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArtCrunchy/status/1481539870350786563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Although it was first discovered in 2014, the recent observations made by the ESA's Cheops telescope mission confirmed the squashed shape. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/look-up-before-its-too-late-witness-building-sized-asteroid-pass-near-earth-443787" hreflang="en">‘Look Up’ before it’s too late: Witness building-sized asteroid pass near Earth</a></strong></p>

<p>The mission looks to study planets outside the solar system. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jacques Laskar of Paris Observatory, who co-authored the research, said, "It's incredible that Cheops was actually able to reveal this tiny deformation. This is the first time such analysis has been made, and we can hope that observing over a longer time interval will strengthen this observation and lead to better knowledge of the planet's internal structure." &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Anything is possible. Well, truly, as it is hard to imagine a planet, which resembles a potato. But astronomers at the European Space Agency have actually found one.

Anything is possible. Well, truly, as it is hard to imagine a planet, which resembles a potato. But astronomers at the European Space Agency have actually found one. These experts have discovered an oblong-shaped planet, which is called WASP-103b. It seems to be the first planet, which "has a deformed shape more like that of a rugby ball than a sphere," the ESA said on Tuesday. Also Read: Gorilla in space? Filmmaker shares clip where astronaut chases colleague in primate suit at ISS The unique planet is located in the Hercules constellation. According to the researchers, the planet's strong tidal forces, which has been caused by the host star's close proximity, seems to have bent it out of the traditional spherical shape. "Spud Lightyear" "Potato-shaped planet discovered about 1.8k light yrs from solar system" pic.twitter.com/MmyHp7Xe7n — Art Crunchy (@ArtCrunchy) January 13, 2022 × Although it was first discovered in 2014, the recent observations made by the ESA's Cheops telescope mission confirmed the squashed shape. Also Read: ‘Look Up’ before it’s too late: Witness building-sized asteroid pass near Earth The mission looks to study planets outside the solar system. Jacques Laskar of Paris Observatory, who co-authored the research, said, "It's incredible that Cheops was actually able to reveal this tiny deformation. This is the first time such analysis has been made, and we can hope that observing over a longer time interval will strengthen this observation and lead to better knowledge of the planet's internal structure." (With inputs from agencies)

A potato in space? In unique discovery, oblong-shaped planet found

potato

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