Fast food
KFC bets on boneless chicken and new drinks to claw back share
The Yum Brands chain is rolling out revamped tenders, more sauces, a Kwench drink line and new store designs as chicken competition intensifies
Latest News
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- Markets react to Iran deal Stocks rally, oil drops as U.S.-Iran deal points to Hormuz reopening Brent crude fell to about $83 a barrel and major indexes rose as investors bet a tentative framework could ease a months-long energy shock, though signing and implementation remain ahead
- Midyear TV A quieter TV year still has standouts at the halfway mark A midyear critics’ roundup points to fewer breakout hits, with “Widow’s Bay” emerging as a surprise and “The Comeback” among the returning favorites
- World Cup health preparedness Ebola risk at World Cup is very low, experts say, but US hospitals are on alert Health officials are watching an outbreak in the DRC as millions travel for the tournament, while experts say measles, COVID-19 and flu remain more likely crowd-related threats
White House
UFC comes to White House lawn for Trump’s 80th birthday
The Freedom 250 card, tied to America’s 250th anniversary, drew thousands, a legal challenge and a title upset by Justin Gaethje
WNBA
Harrison ejected after dragging Reese down in Dream’s rout of Tempo
The Flagrant 2 foul came in the third quarter of Atlanta’s 102-77 win in Toronto, where Reese finished one offensive rebound shy of a WNBA record
Rural Ontario crash
Five children from one family killed in rural Ontario crash
The children, ages four to 12, died in a two-vehicle collision near Mapleton Township that also left several people seriously injured
Food safety
Nara organic infant formula recalled after 3 botulism cases
The voluntary recall covers whole milk powdered infant formula sold in the U.S. through Target, Target.com and Nara.com, according to an FDA notice
World Cup finances
Saudi, Spain budgets dwarf Uruguay in World Cup Group H
A report on Group H finances shows Spain at about €403 million and Saudi Arabia near €400 million, while Uruguay’s football turnover is roughly €35 million
Streaming theater
Jessie Buckley, Liza Minnelli Tribute Lead Theater Streaming Picks
A new theater-streaming roundup highlights a National Theater staging of Shakespeare, Matthew López’s “The Inheritance” and a tribute to Liza Minnelli
Long-delayed cleanup
St. Mary’s is set to clear 110 vats of abandoned fish sauce waste
The Newfoundland town’s 25-year problem is expected to take roughly 200 dump-truck loads, a $1.74-million cleanup contract and a landfill 160 kilometres away
Digital health records
Manitoba plans shared hospital patient records by next spring
The province says all hospitals will be added by March 31, 2027, though the first phase will be limited to acute care settings and will not include family doctors or pharmacists
Energy diplomacy
Hormuz Reopening Deal Begins Longer Test for Energy Markets
A U.S.-Iran agreement may ease pressure from the energy crisis, but the recovery hinges on whether companies trust the deal to hold and be extended
Obituary
Investigative journalist Roger Cook dies aged 83
The New Zealand-born broadcaster, best known for ITV’s The Cook Report, was remembered for a confrontational style that shaped television investigations
Online safety
UK plans under-16 social media ban as enforcement doubts mount
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain will pursue an Australia-style age ban while adding tighter rules for livestreaming, gaming and other features used by minors
U.S.-Iran deal
Shipping Firms Cautious as U.S.-Iran Deal Targets Strait Reopening
Shipowners welcomed the move but are waiting for firmer security assurances, while U.S. officials say major terms still need to be worked out
World Cup 2026
Manuel Neuer breaks Germany age record in World Cup opener
The goalkeeper’s start against Curaçao moved him past Lothar Matthäus in Germany’s record book and into the top tier of the oldest players to appear at a World Cup
Media consolidation
Fox to buy Roku in $22 billion streaming deal
The cash-and-stock agreement would pair Fox’s live news and sports business with Roku’s streaming platform and is expected to close in the first half of 2027
Iran diplomacy
Netanyahu’s Iran Strategy Faces Scrutiny After U.S.-Iran Framework
The reported framework appears to leave out some of the most important provisions Israel had sought, sharpening questions over Israel’s approach
Yemen
Spider-Man of Yemen' dies after fall into volcanic crater
Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, a 30-year-old free-climber known for risky online stunts, fell while climbing the Hardah Dam crater without safety equipment, authorities said
Markets
SpaceX rises after record IPO as valuation doubts grow
Shares added about 6% in premarket trading after Friday’s historic debut pushed the company’s market value above $2 trillion
U.S.-Iran framework
U.S.-Iran Framework Eases Oil Fears, but Hormuz Reopening May Take Time
Trump and Iranian officials pointed to an agreement set for signing Friday, while shipping data and unresolved security issues showed the path back to normal remains uncertain
World Cup 2026 opponent watch
Iran’s first opponent New Zealand brings a squad shaped across continents
The All Whites’ 26-man list is led by Chris Wood and includes only six native New Zealand players, according to a Varzesh3 profile
Diplomacy
U.S. and Iran announce deal aimed at ending war, reopening Hormuz
Trump and mediators say a signing is set for Friday, but the deal text has not been released and nuclear and sanctions questions remain for further talks
Middle East diplomacy
U.S.-Iran Deal Leaves Lebanon Cease-Fire Hopes Uncertain
Pakistan says the agreement covers fighting in Lebanon, but no public terms have been released and Israel has shown no readiness to halt its offensive against Hezbollah
World Cup
Tunisia reels after 5-1 World Cup opening loss to Sweden
Sebastian Tounekti apologized to supporters after the Carthage Eagles’ heavy Group F defeat, with Japan next in a match that could decide whether their campaign stays alive
World Cup 2026
Egypt’s lineup mystery builds before Belgium opener
Former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobier says Hossam Hassan may be holding back a tactical surprise, with questions lingering in defense, midfield and the third attacking spot
Stadium naming rights meet FIFA rules
Why SoFi Stadium became ‘Los Angeles Stadium’ for a FIFA match
FIFA’s commercial rules forced U.S. venues to strip sponsor names during the tournament, with Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium getting a limited exception
Argentina fitness watch
Martínez returns to Argentina training before Algeria opener
The goalkeeper trained for a second straight day in Kansas City, but Argentina’s staff has not yet confirmed whether he will start after a finger injury
World Cup Group D
Australia lands in Vancouver with Turkey opener already simmering
Tony Popovic says all 26 players are fit as Australia prepares to face a favored Turkey side returning to the World Cup after 24 years
Tuchel's 'W' strategy
England's clever plan to crush Croatia
England begin their bid to end a 60-year wait for a World Cup title against Croatia in the sweltering heat of Dallas on Wednesday.
Euro zone rates
ECB raises rates to 2.25% as Iran war fuels inflation
The quarter-point move, the bank’s first hike since 2023, came with higher inflation forecasts and a weaker growth outlook for the euro zone
Public safety
N.L. reviewing shelved law aimed at problem properties
The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act passed in 2007 but was never brought into force. The province says a comprehensive review is underway
World Cup 2026
2026 World Cup opens with bigger field and no clear favourite
The 48-team tournament begins Thursday in Mexico City, with co-host Canada set to stage its first men’s World Cup match Friday in Toronto
Middle East escalation
Kuwait reopens airspace after U.S. strikes in Iran; Israel warns of Lebanon launches
The alerts followed U.S. strikes on Iranian military sites, with Trump threatening more attacks after saying earlier that a deal was close
NHS pressures
Nearly 3,000 patients a day in England face corridor care
Newly published figures show thousands were treated in corridors, side rooms, car parks or near wards without a bed in May
Myanmar
Thai woman faces murder charges in killing of U.S. diplomat in Myanmar
The American diplomat was found dead at a Yangon residence hotel near the U.S. Embassy; officials have released few details about the case
Inflation
Wholesale prices jump 1.1% in May as energy costs surge
The producer price index rose faster than economists expected, lifting annual wholesale inflation to 6.5%, its highest rate since November 2022
Music reunion
Mis-Teeq reunite for Wembley show marking 25 years of debut album
The UK garage-era trio will play London’s Wembley Arena in September, with Alesha Dixon saying the comeback began in the group chat
France
Patrick Bruel placed under formal investigation for rape
The French singer and actor denies the allegations and was released under judicial supervision after two days in custody in Nanterre