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Tucked in among the bustling streets of Riyadh, Green Mill Bakery is a cozy spot that champions artisanal breads and baked goods.

Its focus on natural sourdough and high-quality ingredients shines through, offering a wholesome yet indulgent experience.

My visit started with the carrot and walnut cake, and I was impressed. The texture was perfectly moist, and the walnuts added a satisfying crunch to the natural sweetness of the carrots. It felt like something lovingly baked at home, making it a comforting treat I would definitely recommend.

The braided chocolate croissant was another highlight. Its buttery, flaky layers encased a rich, semi-sweet chocolate filling that was not overly indulgent but just right. It is the kind of pastry that pairs beautifully with a strong cup of coffee.

Among the bread options, the sourdough multigrain baguette stood out. With its crisp crust and soft, flavorful interior it was the perfect balance of hearty and wholesome.

The nutty notes from the grains made it versatile enough to elevate a simple sandwich or complement a warm bowl of soup.

The figs and walnut sourdough, which is only available on Thursdays, offers the natural sweetness of figs combined with the earthy crunch of walnuts, creating a sophisticated flavor combination. Toasting it with a drizzle of honey? Pure bliss.

For lighter bites, the zaatar croissant was surprisingly delightful. The classic Middle Eastern spice blend paired wonderfully with the buttery croissant, offering a unique twist on a familiar flavor.

That said, the manoosha dishes did not quite hit the spot for me. While the sourdough base is undoubtedly a healthier choice, I found myself missing the softer, pillowy texture of traditional dough. It is a personal preference, but it left me wishing for a more classic take.

Overall, Green Mill Bakery is a treasure trove for bread enthusiasts and dessert lovers alike. Whether you are grabbing a quick treat or stocking up on fresh loaves, the care and craft in every item help make it a worthwhile visit.

NEW YORK: Infection rates from drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” rose almost 70 percent between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists.
Bacteria that are difficult to treat due to the so-called NDM gene primarily drove the increase, CDC researchers wrote in an article published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Only two antibiotics work against those infections, and the drugs are expensive and must be administered through an IV, researchers said.
Bacteria with the gene were once considered exotic, linked to a small number of patients who received medical care overseas. Though the numbers are still small, the rate of US cases jumped more than fivefold in recent years, the researchers reported.
“The rise of NDMs in the US is a grave danger and very worrisome,” said David Weiss, an Emory University infectious diseases researcher, in an email.
It’s likely many people are unrecognized carriers of the drug-resistant bacteria, which could lead to community spread, the CDC scientists said.

That may play out in doctors’ offices across the country, as infections long considered routine — like urinary tract infections — could become harder to treat, said Dr. Maroya Walters, one of the report’s authors.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs such as bacteria and fungi gain the power to fight off the drugs designed to kill them. The misuse of antibiotics was a big reason for the rise — unfinished or unnecessary prescriptions that didn’t kill the germs made them stronger.
In recent years, the CDC has drawn attention to ” nightmare bacteria ” resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. That includes carbapenems, a class of antibiotics considered a last resort for treatment of serious infections.
Researchers drew data from 29 states that do the necessary testing and reporting of carbapenem-resistant bacteria.
They counted 4,341 cases of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections from those states in 2023, with 1,831 of them the NDM variety. The researchers did not say how many of the infected people died.
The rate of carbapenem-resistant infections rose from just under 2 per 100,000 people in 2019 to more than 3 per 100,000 in 2023 — an increase of 69 percent. But the rate of NDM cases rose from around 0.25 to about 1.35 — an increase of 460 percent, the authors said.
A researcher not involved in the study said the increase is probably related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know that there was a huge surge in antibiotic use during the pandemic, so this likely is reflected in increasing drug resistance,” said Dr. Jason Burnham, a Washington University researcher, in an email.
The CDC’s count is only a partial picture.
Many states are not fully testing and reporting cases. Even in states that do, cases tend to be among hospital patients sick enough to warrant special testing. Many hospitals also aren’t able to do the testing needed to detect certain forms of genetic resistance.
The CDC researchers did not have data from some of the most populous states, including California, Florida, New York and Texas, which means the absolute number of US infections “is definitely underestimated,” Burnham said.
This is not the first study to report a rise. A CDC report published in June noted an increase in NDM cases in New York City between 2019 and 2024.