KFC is embarking on a comprehensive brand transformation that promises an enriched menu along with refreshed branding and restaurant aesthetics.

“The brand is set to open a new generation of spaces designed for hospitality, not just efficiency, with environments that feel more dynamic and adapt throughout the day to meet different occasions,” the fried chicken chain announced in a recent news release detailing the revamp.

The initial manifestation of these redesigned spaces is an open-concept establishment in McKinney, Texas, which aims to blend the brand’s classic charm with a modern twist. This innovative venue is slated to open by late summer.

This prototype restaurant will be known as Open House, as shared by KFC President Catherine Tan-Gillespie during an interview with Restaurant Business.

According to reports, this concept will be trialed close to KFC’s parent company, Yum! Brands’ headquarters, in Plano, Texas, highlighting the brand’s commitment to innovation in its home territory.

“We’re taking the idea that we can do all the things with our system, but how do we jolt the system and jump forward a decade?” Tan-Gillespie said.

“What would the reinvention of KFC look like if the (founder) Colonel (Sanders) was here today? How do we take all of his legacy, his DNA, to a next-generation concept?”

Table service, a drive-thru and takeout will be part of the Open House restaurant, Restaurant Business reported.

“It’s the idea of serving hot chicken in a warm and welcoming environment with a bold new restaurant design,” Tan-Gillespie said. “It’s the reinvention of product, promotion and place.”

Along with the “next-gen restaurants,” KFC announced several menu additions.

The company is expanding its boneless menu items and adding “a lineup of 20-plus sauces ranging from modern takes on classic recipes to internationally inspired yet familiar flavors.”

Examples of new dipping-sauce flavors include Chimichurri Ranch and Hot Honey Habanero.

“Kwench by KFC” is another initiative the company has introduced in some countries (it hasn’t arrived in the US yet) that features Boba Refreshers, Krunch Shakes, Sparkling Lemonades and Iced Coffees.

In 2024, the company launched its first Saucy! by KFC, a concept restaurant focused on chicken tenders and sauces, in Orlando, Florida.

The company has since expanded Saucy! to 10 Florida locations and announced plans earlier this year to bring the concept to Texas.

Along with the new restaurants and menu items, Colonel Sanders is getting a new look.

“The brand is evolving its most distinctive assets to feel more relevant, more expressive and more in tune with modern culture, while staying true to itself and grounded in the Colonel and its iconic ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ ethos,” the company said.

The brand’s recognizable bucket is “refreshed with new energy alongside a subtle evolution of the Colonel himself, ensuring the brand’s legacy remains front and center,” KFC said.

During a training exercise off the coast of Southern California, a U.S. Marine aboard the USS Anchorage was reported missing, sparking an expansive search operation involving multiple agencies. The effort, initially focused on finding the missing Marine, has now transitioned into a recovery mission, according to a statement from the Navy.

The disappearance was reported at approximately 1:21 a.m. on Thursday, prompting an immediate response from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. The Marine was participating in integrated training exercises with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit when they were reported missing, said Navy officials.

As part of standard protocol, the Navy has chosen to withhold the Marine’s identity until 24 hours after informing their next of kin, ensuring that family members are notified prior to any public announcement.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time,” the Navy said in a news release on Saturday.

The Navy transitioned from search-and-rescue efforts to a search-and-recovery operation at about 9 p.m. Friday.

The search covered approximately 2,400 square miles over 43 hours and involved three surface ships and 12 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force, according to the Navy.

The USS Anchorage is an amphibious transport dock ship assigned to the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.

News Media has reached out to the Navy for additional information.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In a significant escalation of military tensions, the U.S. launched another wave of airstrikes targeting Iran on Saturday, as ordered by President Donald Trump. This comes amidst continued hostilities from Tehran, which recently struck both Bahrain and Kuwait, casting doubt on a temporary agreement meant to de-escalate the conflict between the two nations.

The strike on Kuwait marked the first attack since both countries inked a ceasefire deal designed to pause hostilities. Meanwhile, a multinational maritime organization, managed by the U.S. Navy, announced an expansion of a route in the Strait of Oman to facilitate both incoming and outgoing traffic. This move is likely to create a new area of contention with Iran.

Central Command of the U.S. military revealed that the strikes targeted a range of Iranian military assets including “surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.” These actions were a response to an earlier incident on Saturday morning involving an attack on the Panamanian-flagged tanker Kiku, which was transporting crude oil for Qatar’s state-run energy firm. Qatar has played a crucial role as an intermediary in the ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Via social media, Trump communicated that U.S. forces had struck various Iranian missile and drone facilities, as well as coastal radar sites, in retaliation for what he described as violations of the Cease Fire Agreement. He further cautioned that the U.S. might soon be compelled to take decisive military actions if the provocations continue.

“Should such a scenario unfold, the Islamic Republic of Iran will cease to exist!” Trump declared on Truth Social.

The incident follows a similar back and forth that occurred just days prior when an Iranian drone struck a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman on Thursday and the U.S. military retaliated with strikes.

US says strikes were a response to Iranian attack on oil tanker

According to ship tracking websites, the Kiku left a Qatari oil field in the middle of the Persian Gulf earlier in the week and was bound for a port in the United Arab Emirates that sits on the Gulf of Oman, just on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz.

It appeared to be attempting to use a route that was established near the coast of Oman that is serving as an alternative to the route sanctioned by Iran that runs through its own waters.

The U.S. military said that “Iran had a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement” but “elected not to” when its forces attacked the Kiku.

Iran state TV reported explosions in an area just north of the Strait of Hormuz.

After the U.S. strikes early Sunday, Kuwait’s military said air defenses intercepted incoming Iranian drones and missiles. It offered no immediate information on any damage. Kuwait is home to a major U.S. Army base.

Bahrain condemns Iran’s drone attack

Earlier on Saturday, a statement from Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said a “number of Iranian drones” targeted the country. It called the attack “a flagrant threat to the security of citizens and residents.” There were no immediate reports of damage.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard earlier issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency saying it had targeted several locations “of the U.S. terrorist army in the region.” It did not name what areas were targeted.

Bahrain has been one of the strongest critics of Iran and is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. It just hosted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s foreign ministers, which ended with a call for an end to Iran’s attacks and for the strait to be completely open.

Overnight into Saturday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said it had struck Iranian missile and drone locations and coastal radar sites.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who has led the negotiations with Iran, said on social media Friday night that Iran should “pick up the phone” if there are disagreements about the ceasefire agreement, “but violence will be met with violence.”

The U.S. and Iran are negotiating terms of the deal including issues such as getting ships through the strait that’s vital to global supplies of oil and natural gas and addressing the future of Iran’s nuclear program and stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Under the interim deal, the two sides have 60 days to work out the details. Ending the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group is a key part of the deal.

Ship comes under attack as strait route expands

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said that a tanker was attacked Saturday in the strait, with the crew safe and no environmental damage reported. No one immediately claimed the strike, but suspicion fell on Iran.

Just after that report, the Joint Maritime Information Center, overseen by the U.S. Navy, said the route near Oman’s shore is expanding to allow for inbound and outbound traffic.

Iran has insisted that ships must obey its orders and warned it will start charging fees for transit through the strait. However, ships have been increasingly trying to leave the Gulf in recent days.

Ebrahim Azizi, who heads the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, wrote Friday that “the Strait of Hormuz is governed by Iran, so: Respect the rules.”

The U.S. and Gulf Arab states have rejected Iran’s demands. The strait is considered as an international waterway, despite being the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.

The Joint Maritime Information Center warned that the threat to ships was “substantial,” adding that “mariners are advised of the existence of mines and should expect a naval presence as clearance operations continue.”

The International Maritime Organization on Friday halted a new effort to evacuate ships said it won’t resume until there are guarantees that the other ships won’t be attacked. It said about 115 ships have been able to move out of the strait in recent days.

Jude Bellingham left his small-town beginnings behind well before rising to stardom with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

Among England’s football talents, Bellingham seems tailor-made for the grand stages of New York, with its dazzling lights offering endless possibilities.

So here’s the headline: Bellingham is once again stepping into the spotlight, taking on the crucial role of England’s hero, a part he brilliantly played during Euro ’24.

During a challenging match against Panama at the sprawling Meadowlands on Saturday, as England risked landing a second-place finish in Group L, it was Bellingham who rose to the occasion.

England fans were visibly anxious after 60 goalless minutes at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel looked as if he had stepped straight out of Edvard Munch’s iconic painting, The Scream.

‘We lack subtlety, we lack creativity, we lack innovation,’ Gary Neville said on television and he was right. 

England lost yet another right back when Jarell Quansah had to be helped off. All the optimism that accompanied England to the USA was disappearing into the miserable, sodden evening.

And then Bellingham did what Bellingham does. He transformed the game. 

His energy had never waned anyway, even in the face of England’s uncertainty, but when Bukayo Saka swung a corner over in the 61st minute, Bellingham poked it in. A few minutes later, he set up England’s second for Harry Kane.

Bellingham has scored five goals now in major tournaments. This was his second at this World Cup, to go with the individual effort against Croatia in Dallas. 

Here at the MetLife, he spared England embarrassment and ensured, with this 2-0 victory, that when they head south for their Round of 32 match, they can go to Atlanta with a dream.

Tuchel made several changes from the team that had laboured to a goalless draw with Ghana earlier in the week. 

He utilised Bellingham’s versatility to move him back to play alongside Elliot Anderson and rested Declan Rice, who has been carrying an injury. 

Marcus Rashford and Saka, England’s two best wide men, started together for the first time at this tournament. Morgan Rogers was given a deserved chance at number 10.

There is a concern about right back, though. The position has been a point of contention since Tuchel omitted Trent Alexander-Arnold from his squad and now, frankly, it has become a problem. 

Reece James is injured, which was predictable, and Tino Livramento has already gone home. Jarell Quansah started against Panama and he is a fine player but against better teams, will it be an area that is targeted?

England were so dominant in the early stages at the MetLife that defensive vulnerability was not a consideration. 

Rashford started strongly. He cut in from the left, ignored the pleas of Bellingham to give him the ball, and speared a shot to the near post. Orlando Mosquera got down sharply to push it wide.

Panama were not without ambition, though. They broke dangerously after a quarter of an hour, and if Jose Luis Rodriguez had played the ball to his left when he was left one-on-one with Ezri Konsa on the edge of the box, England might have been in trouble. Rodriguez did not see the pass and the danger dissolved.

Just after the hydration break, which reached new levels of absurdity as it was taken in the pouring rain, Panama stretched England again and Rodriguez brought a smart diving save out of Jordan Pickford with a shot he hammered in to the near post. 

It was at this point that news came through that Croatia had taken the lead against Ghana. England were second in the group.

England rallied a little. Saka appealed for a penalty after he claimed he was pulled back in the area. The referee ignored him. A minute later, Rashford headed just over from close range. Bellingham tried to set the tone with his relentless energy, but England struggled to respond.

Rashford curled a free kick just wide on the stroke of half time. When the ball rebounded off the advertising hoardings and rippled the back of the net, some of the England fans high in the stadium thought that the ball had gone in. 

It was the most encouragement they had had all evening.

Panama came close again ten minutes into the second half. 

Anderson lost the ball near the touchline and Rodriguez ran across the face of the box and unleashed a shot that curled just wide. 

Harry Kane brought a good save out of Mosquera just before the hour. The clock started to tick down.

England’s right back issue worsened when Quansah had to be helped from the pitch with an injury, but then the man who has made a habit of becoming England’s saviour got in on the act again. 

Saka swung over a corner from the left and Bellingham poked out his left foot ahead of his marker and steered a volley into the corner.

Five minutes later, Bellingham raced on to a ball down the left and held it up near the edge of the area. He turned and twisted and made space for a cross. He floated it into the six-yard box where Kane met it and wrong-footed the goalkeeper with a firm header into the roof of the net.

England survived a late scare when Jose Fajardo raced in on goal and hit a shot high past Pickford into the roof of the net, but they were spared by the linesman’s flag.

England breathed a sigh of relief. They were through to the Round of 32 and top of the group. 

They had escaped. They had conquered the doubt that had started to wash over them. Bellingham enjoyed the moment. He is top of the list, king of the hill.

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A New York woman, celebrated for her gracious spirit, tragically lost her life in a devastating multi-boat accident on Lake Michigan late Thursday night. The incident also left four others with serious injuries.

The victim, 26-year-old Johanna Gregory, was killed when one boat reportedly overtook another, leading to a crash around 11:30 p.m. near Chicago’s Monroe Harbor. Jason Lach, Deputy District Chief of the Chicago Fire Department’s Marine Dive Operations, shared details with reporters on Friday.

Despite being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Gregory succumbed to her injuries early Friday morning.

Originally from Rochester, NY, Gregory had moved to Chicago, where she worked as a pediatric occupational therapist. She had embarked on a new chapter in her career this February, as per her LinkedIn profile.

Her father, Douglas Gregory, expressed his grief to the Chicago Sun-Times, saying, “She had a heart of gold, and it’s incomprehensible to me how such a sweet soul could be taken from us.”

The two boats involved in the fatal crash, a 38-foot and a 42-foot vessel, were roughly 1.5 miles from Monroe Harbor, a popular docking spot in Downtown Chicago, officials said.

The three boaters left in critical condition were riding on the boat that was struck as the second vessel rode on top of the other, Lach said.

Officials didn’t reveal which boat Gregory had been a passenger on.

“It was a definite hard collision,” Lach said.

Two people were thrown overboard from the force of the crash, but both boaters were rescued by other passengers before first responders arrived at the scene.

Detectives are investigating if alcohol or drugs were involved and if the boat that was struck had lights on at the time of the crash.

Water and weather conditions are not believed to have played a role in the fatal collision, Lach said.

The boat passengers ranged in age from approximately 18 to 26.

“There’s a lot of questions we can’t answer until all the investigations done,” Lach said.

Gregory, a graduate of Gannon University in Pennsylvania, was remembered after her time as a Division II volleyball player.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Johanna’s family, friends, former teammates, coaches, and all who knew and loved her. She will always be remembered as a member of the Golden Knight family,” the Gannon University Athletics Department said.