Zagat Survey ranks Wendy’s the top fast-food chain overall, also best for food and facilities

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The chain that claims it’s “way better than fast food” did better than its competitors in a new survey. Wendy’s has been named the top fast-food chain by restaurant guide publisher Zagat.

Pizza Hut, KFC, Costa Coffee franchisees get Delhi airport nod

NEW DELHI - Three companies that run popular food and beverage outlets like Copper Chimney, Costa Coffee and Pizza Hut have been awarded contracts to set up shop at the upcoming Terminal 3 at the international airport here.

US Muslims hope Obama address is catalyst for repairing strained relations worldwide

CHICAGO — Muslims across the country who woke to early alarms, stayed up well past their bedtimes and scoured the Internet for clips to hear President Barack Obama’s address from Egypt on Thursday said his words could be a catalyst toward repairing strained U.S. relations with Muslims worldwide.

Luxury brands look to well-heeled Chinese for cushion against sales drops in mature markets

BEIJING — Clutching a fistful of shopping bags from designers Vivienne Westwood, Dior and Alexander McQueen as she concluded one of her twice-monthly shopping sprees, 29-year-old Zhao Bing looked like the picture of hope for luxury retail.

Kerala allocates Rs.100 mn for returning expatriates

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, who tabled the state budget in the assembly Friday, has allocated Rs.100 million (Rs.10 crore) for the newly-floated Pravasi Welfare Fund, a scheme to help those non-resident Malayalis who have not completed two years of employment abroad but have to return on account of the global meltdown.

Hayden dropped for Twenty20s and one-dayers against South Africa

MELBOURNE - Matthew Hayden’s future with Australian cricket was in doubt Thursday after the left-handed batsman was left out from the squad for the two Twenty20 matches and the one-day series against South Africa.