Starbucks to sell control of China business to Boyu Capital in $4 billion deal

Starbucks announced it will sell a controlling stake in its China operations to investment firm Boyu Capital for $4 billion, forming a joint venture in which Boyu holds up to 60% and Starbucks retains 40%. Starbucks will continue to own and license its brand and intellectual property to the new entity. The total value of Starbucks’ China business is expected to exceed $13 billion, including … Continue reading Starbucks to sell control of China business to Boyu Capital in $4 billion deal

Pizza Hut’s parent company says it’s considering selling the chain

Pizza Hut may be put up for sale as Yum Brands announced a formal review of strategic options for the struggling pizza chain. Despite a global presence of nearly 20,000 stores in over 100 countries and international sales growth of 2% in the first nine months of the year, U.S. sales—which account for nearly half of revenue—fell 7%. Challenges include large, outdated dine-in locations and … Continue reading Pizza Hut’s parent company says it’s considering selling the chain

Grubhub partners with Avride for the future of food delivery

Grubhub has partnered with startup Avride to pilot delivery robots on the streets of Jersey City, following the company’s earlier deployment of 100 Avride robots on college campuses across North America. At Ohio State University, Avride’s fleet completes over 6,000 orders weekly, demonstrating reliable autonomous delivery at scale. Navigating an urban environment presents new challenges, including mixed traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, narrow sidewalks, and construction, which … Continue reading Grubhub partners with Avride for the future of food delivery

Commercial space station demo, data center precursor launch on SpaceX rocket

SpaceX successfully launched its Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission to low Earth orbit, carrying an Nvidia-backed data center demo, a Vast commercial space station testbed, and AI-powered weather satellites. Liftoff occurred at 1:09 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral’s pad 40, with a 95% chance of favorable weather. The mission used Falcon 9 booster B1091, previously flown for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which landed safely at Landing Zone 2 … Continue reading Commercial space station demo, data center precursor launch on SpaceX rocket

Jury selection begins for DC man charged with throwing sandwich at federal agent

Jury selection is set to begin Monday for Sean Dunn, a former DOJ paralegal charged with misdemeanor assault for throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal agent in August during a law enforcement surge in D.C. Dunn was initially facing felony assault, but a federal grand jury declined to indict on that count. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are disputing jury instructions, particularly the elements required … Continue reading Jury selection begins for DC man charged with throwing sandwich at federal agent

California dad who faked infant’s kidnapping gets 25 years to life for killing the boy

Jake Haro, 32, was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life in prison for murdering his 7-month-old son, Emmanuel, and falsely claiming the infant had been kidnapped. He also received an additional six-year sentence for a prior child abuse case, to be served consecutively. Haro had pleaded guilty to murder, child endangerment, and filing a false police report, while his wife, Rebecca Haro, faces similar … Continue reading California dad who faked infant’s kidnapping gets 25 years to life for killing the boy

Non-credible bomb threats temporarily halt voting in Northern New Jersey

Multiple polling places in Northern New Jersey temporarily closed Tuesday morning after receiving emailed bomb threats, later deemed not credible, forcing some voters to cast ballots at alternate locations. Authorities confirmed that the emails contained false claims of bomb threats, and law enforcement found no credible danger. Polling sites affected spanned Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties. Officials, including Lt. Gov. Tahesha … Continue reading Non-credible bomb threats temporarily halt voting in Northern New Jersey

New details in search for Santa Barbara child Melodee Buzzard

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, last seen with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, on Oct. 9. Surveillance footage shows the pair crossing the Colorado-Utah border in a rented 2024 white Chevrolet Malibu, the last confirmed sighting of Melodee. She was reported missing by her school on Oct. 14, having not been seen since August, and authorities say … Continue reading New details in search for Santa Barbara child Melodee Buzzard

Vietnam flood death toll rises to 37

Central Vietnam is grappling with severe floods and landslides that have killed at least 37 people, displaced tens of thousands, and left many areas without power or communication. Heavy rains in late October inundated villages, swept away homes, and blocked major highways, while rivers in Hue City reached dangerous levels. Rescuers and aid workers have delivered food, water, medicine, and shelter, and are helping restore … Continue reading Vietnam flood death toll rises to 37

Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Mexico over asylum claim of former prime minister

Peru has severed diplomatic ties with Mexico after Mexico granted asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is under investigation for rebellion linked to a failed 2022 coup attempt by ex-President Pedro Castillo. Peru’s government called Mexico’s action an “unfriendly act” and accused it of repeated interference in domestic affairs. Chávez, accused of aiding Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress, faces up to 25 … Continue reading Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Mexico over asylum claim of former prime minister

Tanzanian opposition claims security forces are secretly dumping bodies after election violence

Authorities in Tanzania are facing international scrutiny over deadly crackdowns on post-election protests, with the main opposition party, Chadema, claiming security forces have secretly disposed of hundreds of bodies. Protests erupted after the Oct. 29 election, which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with over 97% of the vote amid low turnout and barred opposition candidates. Security forces used live bullets and tear gas, enforcing a … Continue reading Tanzanian opposition claims security forces are secretly dumping bodies after election violence

13 suspected drug cartel members killed in shootout with police in Mexico

Thirteen suspected cartel members were killed Monday in a shootout with authorities in Guasave, Sinaloa, while four others were arrested and nine kidnapped victims rescued. The clash began when security forces on patrol were attacked by gunmen hiding under a bridge. Authorities seized seven vehicles, high-powered weapons, and tactical gear following the firefight. Sinaloa has been engulfed in a violent internal war within a major … Continue reading 13 suspected drug cartel members killed in shootout with police in Mexico

China sentences infamous Myanmar scam mafia members to death

A Chinese court has sentenced five senior members of the notorious Bai family mafia to death, part of a wider conviction of 21 family members and associates for fraud, homicide, injury and other crimes. The Bais ran a criminal empire based in Laukkaing that evolved from casinos and red‑light districts into massive cyberscam operations exploiting trafficked workers, many of them Chinese. Authorities say their networks … Continue reading China sentences infamous Myanmar scam mafia members to death

Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves at least 26 dead in Philippines, with survivors trapped on roofs and in cars

Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 26 people in the Philippines, mostly due to flooding across central provinces like Cebu and Southern Leyte. Floodwaters trapped residents on rooftops and submerged vehicles, while power outages were reported in affected areas. Separately, six people died when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed while delivering aid to storm-hit provinces, the AP has reported. The typhoon, with winds of … Continue reading Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves at least 26 dead in Philippines, with survivors trapped on roofs and in cars

UK stabbing suspect named, charged with attempted murder

Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder following a mass stabbing on a train in the U.K. He was arrested at Huntingdon station Saturday night after multiple people were injured and also faces charges of actual bodily harm and possession of a bladed article. Williams is linked to a previous incident on Nov. 1 at Pontoon Dock tube … Continue reading UK stabbing suspect named, charged with attempted murder

Avalanche in Nepal kills 7 climbers on Mount Yalung Ri

An avalanche on Monday struck a base camp on Mount Yalung Ri in Nepal, killing five foreign climbers and two Nepali guides. Five other foreigners were injured, though their identities and nationalities have not been released. Rescue efforts were hampered by bad weather, preventing a helicopter from reaching the site, with authorities planning another attempt at dawn. The U.S. State Department said it is monitoring … Continue reading Avalanche in Nepal kills 7 climbers on Mount Yalung Ri

Worker dies after partial collapse of medieval tower in Rome

A 66-year-old worker, Octav Stroici, died after being trapped for nearly twelve hours when part of Rome’s medieval Torre dei Conti collapsed. He was conscious during the rescue, but his heart stopped in the ambulance and doctors were unable to save him. Stroici, a Romanian national, had been carrying out conservation work on the abandoned 13th-century tower near the Roman Forum. Rescue efforts were complicated … Continue reading Worker dies after partial collapse of medieval tower in Rome

House Dems and GOP float compromise plan to end shutdown

A bipartisan group of House moderates unveiled a proposal Monday to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for two years, aiming to break the stalemate that has kept the government shut down for over a month. The plan would phase out eligibility for households earning $200,000–$400,000, introduce income verification, strengthen fraud prevention, and increase transparency on the value of tax credits. Lawmakers behind the … Continue reading House Dems and GOP float compromise plan to end shutdown

U.S. seeks UN approval for Gaza security force with broad two-year mandate

The U.S. has circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution proposing an international force in Gaza for at least two years, with the possibility of extensions through 2027. The International Security Force (ISF) would be an enforcement, not peacekeeping, mission tasked with securing borders, protecting civilians and humanitarian corridors, training a new Palestinian police force, and demilitarizing Gaza, including disarming Hamas if necessary. The draft … Continue reading U.S. seeks UN approval for Gaza security force with broad two-year mandate

Trump threatens to cut funds if ‘communist’ Mamdani wins mayoral election

On the eve of New York City’s mayoral election, President Trump threatened to withhold federal funds if Democrat Zohran Mamdani wins, calling him a “communist” and urging voters to back independent Andrew Cuomo or Republican Curtis Sliwa instead. The White House has already clashed with New York over congestion pricing and withheld $18 billion for a tunnel project during the government shutdown, with a judge … Continue reading Trump threatens to cut funds if ‘communist’ Mamdani wins mayoral election

N.J. governor’s race is close with all eyes on Trump voters

New Jersey’s closely watched gubernatorial race is between Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican businessman Jack Ciattarelli, with polls showing a tight contest. Sherrill, leveraging early voting momentum and support from former President Obama, has tied Ciattarelli to Trump and emphasized affordability and utility costs, promising a state of emergency on electricity rates if elected. Ciattarelli, endorsed by Trump, has leaned into MAGA themes and … Continue reading N.J. governor’s race is close with all eyes on Trump voters

Virginians set to pick 1st woman governor in historic election

Virginia is set to swear in its first female governor, with Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in polls and outspending her seven-to-one. Spanberger has earned endorsements from the Virginia Police Benevolent Association and former President Barack Obama, while Earle-Sears has backing from the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association, 50 individual sheriffs, and support from former President Trump. The candidates clashed in … Continue reading Virginians set to pick 1st woman governor in historic election

NYC voters head to polls for Election Day 2025 to cast votes in mayoral race

Election Day 2025 is underway in New York City, where Democrat Zohran Mamdani, independent Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa are locked in a tight mayoral race. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. across all five boroughs following record early voting turnout. Mamdani, a 34-year-old Queens assemblyman, leads most polls and could become the city’s first Muslim mayor and second-youngest in history. … Continue reading NYC voters head to polls for Election Day 2025 to cast votes in mayoral race

U.S. to Pay Partial SNAP Benefits for November During Shutdown

The Trump administration informed a Rhode Island federal judge that it will use $4.65 billion in contingency funds to pay only 50% of November SNAP benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown. The move affects about 42 million low-income Americans who rely on food stamps. The administration rejected the judge’s suggestion to make full payments using additional funds from the Child Nutrition Program. Judge Jack McConnell … Continue reading U.S. to Pay Partial SNAP Benefits for November During Shutdown

Jesus, not Virgin Mary, saved the world, Vatican says

The Vatican has ruled that Mary should not be called the “co-redeemer” of the world, affirming that Jesus alone saved humanity. The decree, approved by Pope Leo, ends decades of theological debate within the Catholic Church about Mary’s role in redemption. The document warns that the title “co-redemptrix” could cause confusion about core Christian beliefs. While acknowledging Mary’s vital role as the mother of Jesus … Continue reading Jesus, not Virgin Mary, saved the world, Vatican says