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☆ McDonald's and Krispy Kreme are in talks to expand partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Doughnuts are sold at a Krispy Kreme store on May 05, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The doughnut chain reported yesterday that it plans to take the company public again. Krispy Kreme said Thursday it's in talks to expand its partnership with McDonald's . Krispy Kreme uses a "hub and spoke" model that lets it make and distribute its treats efficiently. Krispy Kreme also owns the late-night cookie chain Insomnia Cookies, although it announced in October that it's exploring strategic alternatives for that business.

Persons: Krispy Kreme, McDonald's, Kreme, Josh Charlesworth, Charlesworth Organizations: McDonald's, CNBC PRO Locations: Chicago , Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Lexington , Kentucky

☆ How to Hijack a Quarter of a Million Dollars in Rare Japanese Kit Kats
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | More About Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The precious sweets landed safely enough in California, and were trucked about 30 miles across Los Angeles County to a temporary storage facility in South El Monte, run by a company called Japan Crate Acquisition. Mr. Black, who runs a freight brokering company called Freight Rate Central in Sarasota, Fla., is part of an invisible army of professionals who coordinate and marshal the fleets of trucks that crisscross the country carrying everything from chickens to smartphones. He posted the job on a trucking board that is something like a Craigslist for freight. Someone named Tristan with HCH Trucking accepted the job (though he was using a Gmail account), and said he would have the shipment picked up shortly. On Aug. 9, Tristan wrote in an email, “Hey man, The first one is loaded and rolling, the second one we’ll pick it up tomorrow first thing in the morning.”

Persons: Shane Black, . Black, Bokksu, Black, Tristan, HCH Trucking, ” Organizations: South El Monte, Japan Locations: California, Los Angeles County, South El, Pacific, Carlstadt, N.J, Sarasota , Fla

Voters in Ohio will decide on enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, as well as legalizing recreational marijuana use. Will voters in Ohio back abortion rights? Beyond abortion, the most watched initiative will be, again, in Ohio, where voters will decide whether cannabis should be legalized for recreational use. That could put pressure on Congress to move forward legislation at least to ease restrictions on interstate banking for legal cannabis businesses. Texans will also decide whether to raise the mandatory retirement age of state judges to 79, from 75.

Persons: Biden’s, Donald J, Trump, Biden, Glenn Youngkin, Youngkin, Daniel Cameron, Andy Beshear, Steve Beshear, Beshear, Roe, Wade, Frank LaRose, Thomas E, Dobbs, Jackson, Tate Reeves, Brandon Presley, Presley’s, Brett Favre, Reeves, I’ve, Mr, Presley, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Warren of Organizations: New York Times, Democratic, Republican, State Senate, Republicans, —, Supreme, Affordable, Mississippi Public Service Commission, Texans, Liberal Locations: Ohio, Ohio , Kentucky, Virginia , Mississippi, Siena, Virginia, Kentucky, Richmond, Kansas, Mississippi, Dobbs v, Nettleton, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

☆ This Ancient Sea Creature Prowled the Waters Over North Dakota
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Orlando Mayorquin | More About Orlando Mayorquin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

They went extinct at the same time as the dinosaurs. “Do I necessarily agree that it’s a new genus and species?” Dr. Caldwell said. But those are sort of the scientific quibbles, right?”It’s more likely, Dr. Caldwell said, that the fossil described in the study is simply a new species of the clidastes genus. Under this view, it would take the name Clidastes walhallaensis. Still, the paper adds “extremely valuable” data for future research to consider as the field develops what is still a fledgling understanding of the evolution of mosasaurs, Dr. Caldwell said.

Persons: Amelia Zietlow, Richard Gilder, Jormungandr, Zietlow, Dr, Caldwell, walhallaensis Organizations: Richard, Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Locations: clidastes

As residents across Maine sat riveted to their TVs on Oct. 27, waiting anxiously for updates on the manhunt for a gunman who had killed 18 people, state officials opened their news briefing with a stern directive for the cameras in the room. “For the consideration of the four Deaf victims and their families, we are requesting that the ASL interpreter is in all frames for language access,” Michael Sauschuck, the state’s public safety commissioner, said after a flurry of complaints from Deaf viewers about broadcasts cutting the interpreter out. “They are grieving and have a right to know the latest information.”It was a stinging reminder of the heavy toll borne by Maine’s small Deaf community, which counted four of its own among the dead and three more among the 13 injured in the shootings on Oct. 25 in Lewiston. And it reflected its ongoing fight for access and recognition, a struggle rooted in a history of trauma that, amid their pain, has fostered solidarity. Closely connected by a shared language and culture, and a statewide web of social ties, many Deaf residents of Maine first met and forged friendships at the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, on Mackworth Island near Portland, long the only public, residential school for Deaf students in the state and a beloved center of Deaf society.

Persons: Michael Sauschuck, Governor Baxter Organizations: Governor, Governor Baxter School Locations: Maine, Lewiston, Portland

☆ Six Members of My Family Are Hostages in Gaza. Does Anyone Care? - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Alana Zeitchik | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

I spent the day waiting for news from my family in Israel. I wake up each morning only to remember again my family is being held hostage by terrorists. So maybe you can imagine my surprise the first time I heard my Israeli family called “white colonizers.” When did we become white? Everyone in my large extended family has mobilized alongside me, demanding the safe return of our loved ones and of all the hostages. We’ve been told by the Israel Defense Forces that my family is alive in Gaza, and for now, this gives us a glimmer of hope.

Persons: I’ve, Sharon Cunio, David, Emma, Yuli, Danielle Alony, Amelia, Nir Oz, “ Allahu akbar, ”, I’m, Mohammed Abujayyab, Avraham, Sara, it’s, Rather, haven’t, We’ve, Riki Organizations: United Nations, Hamas, Jewish Voice, Peace, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Israel, Gaza, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Yemen, Sana

☆ Even in a City Used to Voting Scandals, This One Is a Doozy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A judge this week tossed out the results of the Democratic mayoral primary, citing surveillance video that appears to show significant voting irregularities. He ordered election officials to hold a new primary but had no authority to postpone the general election in the meantime. And so, on Tuesday, the general election will go on as planned. The city finds itself in this mess after videos surfaced that showed suspicious activity at absentee ballot drop boxes. In clip after clip, two women are seen stuffing wads of paper into the boxes.

Persons: ”, Steven Stafstrom Organizations: Democratic Locations: Bridgeport, Conn

☆ Rock ’n’ Soul: The Amazing Story of Sly & the Family Stone
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Alan Light | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

THANK YOU (FALETTINME BE MICE ELF AGIN): A Memoir, by Sly Stone with Ben GreenmanIt is difficult to convey just how astoundingly unlikely it is that this book exists. Sly Stone is one of pop music’s truest geniuses and greatest mysteries, who essentially disappeared four decades ago in a cloud of drugs and legal problems after recording several albums’ worth of incomparable, visionary songs. “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” — named for Sly & the Family Stone’s monumentally funky 1969 No. 1 hit — is the first title from Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s new publishing imprint, and even the drummer/author/filmmaker acknowledges that it isn’t a definitive story. “There is plenty, too, that is not here,” writes Questlove, who is currently working on a Sly Stone documentary, in the foreword.

Persons: Sly Stone, Ben Greenman, Amelia Earhart, Ness, ” —, ”, Questlove, Sly, “, Jackson, Prince, Miles Davis, D’Angelo, Janet Jackson, LL Organizations: YOU, Roll Hall of Fame, Sly, Beastie

☆ Israel-Hamas war: What are the US MQ-9 Reaper drones that have been flying over Gaza?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone sits in a hanger at Amari Air Base, Estonia, July 1, 2020. Below is a description of the MQ-9 drone based on information from the Air Force and its maker, General Atomics. The Reaper, which entered service with the U.S. Air Force 16 years ago, can be equipped with weapons such as air-to-ground missiles. MQ-9s have also been bought by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the UK Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force and the Spanish Air Force. According the U.S. Air Force, four MQ-9 aircraft with sensors, a ground control station and a satellite link cost about $56.5 million.

Persons: Janis Laizans, Atomics, Amelia Smith, Chris Sanders, Mike Stone, Gerry Doyle, Nick Macfie Organizations: U.S . Air Force, Base, U.S, REUTERS, Reuters, Air Force, WHO, Honeywell, U.S . Department of Homeland Security, NASA, Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force, French Air Force, Spanish Air Force, New York Times, Thomson Locations: Estonia, Baltics, Gaza, United States, GAZA, U.S

☆ Restaurant Brands revenue disappoints Wall Street as Burger King same-store sales miss estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Burger King said it demanded the main operator of its franchises suspend restaurant operations in Russia, but that "they have refused." Restaurant Brands International on Friday reported weaker-than-expected quarterly revenue, hurt by Burger King's disappointing same-store sales growth. Restaurant Brands said that unfavorable currency exchange rates hurt Tim Hortons, which accounts for roughly 60% of the company's revenue. Tim Hortons' same-store sales growth of 6.8% met Wall Street's expectations. Popeyes was Restaurant Brands' only chain to outperform expectations for same-store sales growth.

Persons: Burger, Papa John's, Burger King, Tim Hortons, Josh Kobza, that's, Popeyes Organizations: McDonalds, Brands, LSEG, Restaurant Brands, U.S, U.S . Burger King's, Restaurant, CNBC, KFC Locations: Russia, U.S ., U.S . Burger King's U.S, Canada, China, U.S

The U.S. military is flying surveillance drones over the Gaza Strip, according to two Defense Department officials and an analysis by The New York Times. The officials said the drones were being used to aid in hostage recovery efforts, indicating that the U.S. is more involved than previously known. While Israel frequently conducts reconnaissance flights over Gaza, U.S. defense officials said it was believed to be the first time that U.S. drones have flown missions over Gaza. The unarmed surveillance flights are not supporting Israeli military operations on the ground, according to the Defense Department officials. But the surveillance flights suggest that the Pentagon is taking a more active role in a key I.D.F.

Persons: Amelia Smith, Smith loitered Organizations: U.S, Defense Department, The New York Times, U.S . Special Operations, Pentagon, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, American, The Times, U.S . Air Force’s Locations: Gaza, U.S, Israel, Gaza , U.S, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria

☆ Lewiston Begins to Heal, One Touchdown at a Time
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | More About Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Battle of the Bridge is the biggest football game of the year in Lewiston and Auburn, cities separated by a river in Maine. The high schools — Lewiston High and Edward Little — are bitter rivals. Players wear ties to class. And in the two-day lockdown that followed, Lewiston High became a command center. Helicopters landed on the grass fields, and police officers met in the school buildings to plan their search for the gunman.

Persons: Edward Little — Organizations: Lewiston, Lewiston High, Helicopters Locations: Lewiston, Auburn, Maine

☆ Starbucks unveils plan to add 17,000 locations by 2030, cut $3 billion in costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Starbucks on Thursday presented the latest stage in its plan to drive growth for the company, which involves accelerating its global footprint and saving $3 billion in costs over the next three years. The company said it plans to expand to 35,000 locations outside of North America by 2030. In total, the coffee giant aims to reach 55,000 locations globally by 2030, up from its current count of more than 38,000. Starbucks also announced a $3 billion cost-savings plan. The announcement comes after more than 350 Starbucks locations have unionized under Workers United, according to National Labor Relations Board data.

Persons: Michael Conway Organizations: Starbucks, Workers United, National Labor Relations Board, NLRB Locations: North America

☆ Starbucks stock rises 6% as U.S. customers buy into pricier drinks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The company's same-store sales rose 8%, fueled by higher average checks and a 3% increase in customer traffic to its cafes. Analysts surveyed by StreetAccount were expecting same-store sales growth of 6.8%, but the company's domestic locations outperformed. And in China, Starbucks' second-largest market, same-store sales rose 5%. Looking to fiscal 2024, Starbucks expects same-store sales growth of 5% to 7%, down from its long-term forecast of 7% to 9% same-store sales growth. Starbucks projects that China will report same-store sales growth of 4% to 6% during the last three quarters of the fiscal year.

Persons: StreetAccount, Laxman Narasimhan, we're, Narasimhan, Rachel Ruggeri, Ruggeri Organizations: Starbucks, LSEG Locations: New York, North America, China, Its U.S, New York City

☆ Newly identified species could shed light on evolution of prehistoric ‘sea monsters’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Paleontologists recently described the previously unknown mosasaur from fossils found near the North Dakota town of Walhalla. The town’s name comes from Valhalla, the feasting hall of Norse mythology where dead heroes gather, so the scientists dubbed the mosasaur Jormungandr walhallaensis. When the scientists examined the skull, they quickly realized they had something unusual on their hands. This combination of traits convinced the researchers that what they were looking at was a new genus and species. Here is a line drawing of the skull of the Jormungandr walhallaensis.

Persons: Amelia Zietlow, Richard Gilder, Jormungandr, Zietlow, “ He’s, ” Zietlow, Henry Sharpe, Takuya Konishi, Jormungandr walhallaensis, “, it’s, Konishi, walhallaensis, ” Konishi, Clint Boyd, ”, ” Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, American Museum of, American Museum, Natural, Richard Gilder Graduate, North, North Dakota Geological Survey, American, of, University of Cincinnati, Scientific Locations: North Dakota, Walhalla, Valhalla, New York City, Clidastes, United States

☆ Slow Pizza Hut sales in the U.S. weigh on Yum Brands' revenue
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

(photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)Yum Brands on Wednesday reported third-quarter revenue that fell short of analysts' expectations, hurt by weak same-store sales growth at Pizza Hut. Yum China CFO Andy Yeung said that sales had softened in late September through October, hurting its fourth-quarter results. But in the U.S., its second-largest market, KFC saw flat same-store sales growth. The pizza chain reported 2% same-store sales growth for international restaurants and flat same-store sales in the U.S.Pizza Hut isn't the only pizza chain that has struggled to win over U.S. consumers. Rival Domino's Pizza reported a 0.6% drop in same-store sales during its third quarter.

Persons: Mike Kemp, Andy Yeung, Yum, David Gibbs, Gibbs, Chick, Taco Bell Organizations: Getty, Brands, Refinitiv, Indian, Taco, KFC, U.S Locations: Birmingham, United Kingdom, China, Taco Bell's U.S, U.S

On Sunday, Arthur Barnard will bury his oldest child, Artie Strout, 42, who was one of the 18 people killed in the country’s deadliest mass shooting so far this year. “They’re not going to try to do a mass shooting with a pistol,” he said. In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Oct. 25, the state is facing intense scrutiny over its permissive gun laws. For instance, Maine allows most adults to carry a concealed weapon in public without a permit. Recent attempts to enact laws requiring universal background checks and waiting periods have failed.

Persons: Arthur Barnard, Artie Strout, Barnard, They’re, ” Locations: Lewiston , Maine, Maine

☆ McDonald's, Chipotle to raise menu prices in California next year as fast-food wages rise to $20
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

McDonald's and Chipotle Mexican Grill will raise their menu prices in California next year to offset the state's minimum wage increase for fast-food workers, executives said as both chains announced quarterly earnings in recent days. McDonald's has not decided how much it will hike prices in California as workers' wages rise to $20 an hour, CEO Chris Kempczinski said Monday. Restaurants have been hiking menu prices for more than two years in response to rising ingredient and labor costs. Unlike Chipotle, which owns the overwhelming majority of its locations, most of McDonald's California locations are run by franchisees. "We believe we're in a better position than our competitors to weather this, so let's use this as an opportunity to actually accelerate our growth in California," Kempczinski said.

Persons: McDonald's, Chris Kempczinski, Chipotle, Jack Hartung, Hartung, Kempczinski Organizations: U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, McDonald's, National Owners Association, U.S, CNBC Locations: California, McDonald's, McDonald's California, McDonald's U.S

☆ Lewiston, Finally, Gathers to Grieve
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | More About Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For two days after a gunman killed 18 people and injured 13 in Lewiston, Maine, Patrick Hynes and other residents in the area felt grief, emptiness and rage. Now, no longer under lockdown, they can feel that together. “We’re social animals, whether we like it or not,” said Mr. Hynes, 65, who lives in nearby Durham and attended a vigil with his wife, Heather, in Lisbon on Saturday night. “We need other people.”This weekend, as residents tried to process the worst mass shooting in the nation this year, they could finally meet up to mourn in person, sharing meals, filling churches or just giving one another a hug.

Persons: Patrick Hynes, “, ”, Mr, Hynes, Heather Locations: Lewiston , Maine, Durham, Lisbon

☆ Coke and Pepsi stocks are both struggling — but one beverage giant has more to worry about than the other
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Coke's overall volume rose 2% in the third quarter, while Pepsi reported flat beverage volume and a 1.5% decline in its food volume. Coke reported flat volume, while Pepsi's North American beverage unit saw volume fall 6%. "Coke has been taking share from Pepsi for many, many quarters," RBC Capital Markets analyst Nik Modi said. McDonald's has served Coke products since Ray Kroc opened his first franchised location, and is the beverage company's largest restaurant customer. International success can offset more sluggish domestic demand, like the 6% volume decline for Pepsi's North American beverage.

Persons: Luke Sharrett, Coke, James Quincey, Edward Jones, Brittany Quatrochi, Nik Modi, snacking, Modi, Quincey, McDonald's, Ray Kroc, Taco, Quatrochi Organizations: Pepsi Co, Bloomberg, Getty, Cola, PepsiCo, Coke, Atlanta -, Pepsi, Pepsi's, Gatorade, RBC Capital, Frito, U.S, Taco Bell, Yum Brands Locations: Jasper , Indiana, Atlanta, North America, United States, Europe, North, U.S, Argentina, Turkey

The man who killed 18 people and wounded 13 more in Lewiston, Maine, marking the deadliest mass shooting in America this year, had paranoid beliefs that people were talking about him and may have been hearing voices, the authorities said on Saturday. The attack sparked a two-day manhunt that ended on Friday night when police found the man dead in a trailer at a recycling plant in Lisbon, where he had once worked. Officials said he appeared to have shot himself. The revelation brought a sense of relief through Lewiston and neighboring towns, where residents had been sheltering in place and many businesses were shuttered. On Saturday, officials provided more details about the gunman, who was in the Army Reserve and had grown up in Bowdoin, near Lewiston.

Persons: Robert R Organizations: Army Reserve Locations: Lewiston , Maine, America, Lisbon, Lewiston, Bowdoin

The official said that Mr. Card was later evaluated at a mental health facility. Mr. Card was in his hometown, Bowdoin, to hunt deer as recently as last fall, a neighbor of his family said. Robert has a brother who had also been in the military and a younger sister, Mr. Goddard said. At the address for the Card family home, no one answered the door on Thursday, and there was only one car parked out front. “We’re on edge right now because we know this is his stomping area,” Mr. Goddard said.

Persons: Robert R, ” Col, William G, Ross, Card, Camp Smith, Bryce Dubee, Dubee, Bowdoin, Rick Goddard, Robert, Goddard, Card’s, Mr Organizations: Maine State Police, Pentagon, Army Reserve, 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment, Army, Police, National Guard, West, Subaru, Bowdoin, Mr Locations: Maine, Lewiston, U.S, Saco , Maine, West, Card’s, Lisbon

I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war, like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime. For the good of my community, I will work with any colleague to get this done in the time that I have left in Congress. Representative Jared Golden of Maine, a centrist Democrat, called for a ban on assault weapons Thursday afternoon, reversing a long-held stance after 18 people were killed in a mass shooting in Lewiston. That position, Mr. Golden said on Thursday, reflected in part “a false confidence that our community was above this, and that we could be in full control, among many other misjudgments.”“The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure,” Mr. Golden said. Standing by him at a news conference, Senator Susan Collins, a centrist Republican, declined to back a ban on assault weapons.

Persons: Jared Golden of, Golden, ”, Mr, “, Susan Collins, “ There’s, Alexandria Ocasio, Golden’s, — Organizations: United States Congress, Democrat, Marine Corps, Republican, Republicans — Locations: Lewiston , Maine, Lewiston, Jared Golden of Maine, Cortez, New York

☆ Chipotle Mexican Grill easily tops earnings estimates, as price hikes help offset higher food prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chipotle Mexican Grill on Thursday reported quarterly earnings that beat expectations, helped by higher menu prices for its burritos and bowls. Shares of the company rose more than 5% in extended trading. Earlier this month, Chipotle raised menu prices for the first time in more than a year, citing inflation. Same-store sales rose 5%, beating StreetAccount estimates of 4.6%. The company credited higher transactions and menu prices for the quarter's same-store sales growth.

Persons: Chipotle, Brian Niccol Organizations: LSEG Locations: Chicago , Illinois

After spending the night indoors, afraid to even open the curtains, Traelynn Smith, 19, and Serenity Moczara, 18, ventured out around lunchtime Thursday to get something to eat. “I’ve never seen my state like this.”Colonel Ross said on Thursday that a vehicle found at a boat landing in Lisbon, Maine, about eight miles from Lewiston, had been connected to Mr. Card. He had no combat deployments and served as a petroleum supply specialist, shipping and storing vehicle and aircraft fuel. The official said that Mr. Card was later evaluated at a mental health facility. The first 911 call reporting gunfire at the bowling alley on Wednesday came in at 6:56 p.m., Colonel Ross said.

Persons: Traelynn Smith, Moczara, Smith, ”, “ I’ve, Colonel Ross, Card, Camp Smith Organizations: Mr, Military, Army Reserve, 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment, National Guard Locations: Lisbon , Maine, Lewiston, Saco , Maine, West, New York

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