Pizza Hut, where sales have lagged with arrival of delivery culture, will be sold for $2.7 billion
Pizza Hut, the 68-year-old chain that has long struggled with growing competition and outdated restaurants, will be sold for $2.7 billion by parent company Yum Brands. Yum said Tuesday that the private equity firm LongRange Capital will buy the U.S. business for about $1.5 billion. The mainland China Pizza Hut will be purchased by Yum China Holdings Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion. Pizza Hut has been squeezed in recent years by the growth of DoorDash, Uber Eats and other restaurant delivery companies which marketed access to a slew of cuisines besides pizza. In February, Yum Brands announced plans to close 250 U.S. Pizza Hut locations.
Meet Merlin the duck, a Mexico City streetside regular turned World Cup mascot
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez may have scored for Mexico, but Merlin the duck stole the show. The 2-year-old duck dressed in Mexico’s national colors became an internet sensation during Mexico’s World Cup-opening victory over South Africa. Images of Merlin parading through Mexico City went viral, making him an unofficial mascot. Fans quickly embraced him, calling him a national treasure. In Mexico City, however, Merlin is already a local celebrity. He often accompanies his owner Carla Gómez as she sells beverages in the city. Gómez says Merlin is like family and hopes he continues to bring luck to Mexico in the tournament.
Wisconsin beagle research facility that drew protests is closing as rescue group takes in dogs
A Wisconsin beagle research facility that’s drawn animal welfare protests is closing and its remaining dogs are being taken in by a Florida rescue group. Big Dog Ranch Rescue announced Monday that it has reached an agreement for the permanent closure of Ridglan Farms and the transfer of its 475 remaining beagles starting this week. The rescue group said some of the beagles will be sent to its Florida and Alabama campuses where they will be spayed, neutered, and prepared for adoption. The group acquired more than 2,000 of the facility’s beagles in April. The dog breeding and research business said all the dogs being transferred are “happy, healthy animals.”
A diamond, a whale bone and lots of letters: What's inside the America 250 time capsule
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A 900-pound time capsule marking the 250th anniversary of American independence has been sealed shut and shipped to Philadelphia, where it will be buried next month. The 2016 law creating the nonpartisan America 250 commission mandated the creation of a time capsule to be buried on July 4, 2026, and opened 250 years later. The time capsule was built at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with careful attention paid to ensuring it will be watertight and airtight. It includes submissions from the three branches of the federal government, all 50 states, the five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The commission publicly released the list of contents on Monday.
Helicopter with singer Oliver Tree on passenger list collides with another in Brazil, killing 6
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Two helicopters have collided over Rio de Janeiro, crashing in the city’s western zone and killing all six aboard. The crash happened Sunday morning. Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department reports that one helicopter crashed on a car dealership, igniting a fire among several parked electric vehicles. The fire was extinguished. Officials say an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision. Police said that American singer and comedian Oliver Tree was on the list of passengers handed to aviation authorities, but have not been able to identify the bodies of those killed in the crash.
Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' opens No. 1, while 'Obsession' sensation continues
NEW YORK (AP) — Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day,” billed as his first popcorn movie in years, launched with $44 million in domestic theaters. “Disclosure Day” opened largely as expected, collecting $92.9 million worldwide over its first weekend. That was good enough to give the 79-year-old Spielberg, who conceived the film’s story, his best opening weekend for an original movie, not accounting to inflation. Meanwhile, the “Obsession” sensation continues. Though it originally opened with $17.2 million, the Focus Features release has exceeded that for four consecutive weekends. It did so again this weekend, collecting $19 million in ticket sales to bring its North American haul to $188.3 million and it worldwide total to $286.5 million.
‘Spider-Man of Yemen’ dies in fall while climbing volcanic crater
CAIRO (AP) — A Yemeni adventurer, known as “The Spider-Man of Yemen,” has died after falling into a volcano crater, authorities said. Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, 30, was climbing the steep walls of the Hardah Dam volcanic crater, in the southern province of Dhale without safety equipment, on Friday when he lost his grip and fell. The Civil Defense Authority deployed rescue teams, including diving specialists, to retrieve his body. They found it 100 feet below the water surface. Antar had gained fame for his high-risk climbing videos, which often went viral on social media platforms.
Jalen Brunson bet on himself and bet on the Knicks. A championship and a Finals MVP was his reward
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jalen Brunson was fully aware of how much money some people spent to see the New York Knicks finally become champions again. Some tickets during the NBA Finals sold for $5,000, some for $50,000, some for probably more. Of course, Brunson parted with more money than any of those fans did. Brunson is now an NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP in large part because of what he did against the San Antonio Spurs in the finals — though, really, his biggest contribution to this title run likely came in 2024, when he left as much as $113 million on the bargaining table to allow the Knicks the financial flexibility they needed to finish building a championship roster.
James Harden is arrested in Houston on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has been arrested in Houston on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon in a motor vehicle, according to the Harris County District Clerk’s Office. Harden was arrested at 3:41 a.m. Saturday and booked just before 5 a.m. He posted $100 bond and was released from police custody, according to charging documents. The documents say Harden had a handgun in plain view that was not in a holster. His arraignment is scheduled for June 22, according to the clerk's office website. Harden is listed as a Houston resident in court documents.
Ford recalls more than 250,000 Focus models because engines can stall unexpectedly
Ford is recalling more than 250,000 vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under a previous recall meant to fix a problem that caused the engine to stall while driving. The recall includes 255,404 Ford Focus automobiles, model years 2012-2018. Ford said the canister purge valve may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of crash and injury. To fix the problem, dealers will provide a powertrain software update free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
