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Popular snack food gets patriotic makeover in time for America’s 250th summer festivities

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To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Superpretzel is turning its iconic stadium snack food into a star-shaped offering for the summer festivities — joining a number of other brands that are releasing special-edition products this year.

The pretzels are crafted in the shape of “America’s most iconic symbol” and are “patriotic from the freezer to the fork,” Superpretzel said in a news release. 

America’s 250th is a celebration people will remember for years to come, and we wanted to create something simple, fun and shareable for families to enjoy together,” said Lynwood Mallard, chief marketing officer at J&J Snack Foods.

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The food is made in a place steeped in history, the company noted.

“Each star-shaped pretzel is produced in the Philadelphia area, where the nation’s founding began. This regional heritage makes the Star Pretzel more than a seasonal novelty. It is a snack with history baked in, coming straight from the heart of ‘Pretzel Country.'”

In addition to being sold at sports and amusement parks, movie theaters and other entertainment venues, Superpretzels can be found in the freezer aisle of most grocery and mass retail stores nationwide.

The company said the snack can be “freezer-to-oven ready in minutes” and recommended preparing it in an air fryer for extra crispness.

The star pretzels will be released on Memorial Day — and will be available until September.

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Several other heritage brands are joining the America 250 celebration with limited-edition, patriotic-themed food and drink offerings, as Fox News Digital previously reported.

Maker’s Mark announced that starting June 1, bourbon lovers will be able to buy the Kentucky-made liquor in a bottle featuring its “signature hand-dipped red wax, accented with a white wax dip and a blue rendition of its iconic seal.”

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the limited-edition bottles will go toward Farmer Veteran Coalition, which Maker’s Mark reported is “a national nonprofit that has helped more than 58,000 U.S. veterans build meaningful careers in agriculture.”

Pillsbury announced its contribution to the celebration is a line of Funfetti Stars & Stripes products, including “festive cake mixes and vibrant frostings in patriotic colors.”

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The Sparkling Ice company is collaborating with Life Savers candy to release a new red, white and blue variety 12-pack of its zero-sugar sparkling water.

The brand is also partnering with rapper Flavor Flav, “because he has an innate ability to connect old school with a new era,” Lisa Holcomb, vice president of Sparkling Ice parent company Talking Rain, said in a release.

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Coca-Cola will look different this summer season, too — the company announced it’s rolling out special America 250 packaging and collectible mini-cans designed to celebrate the unique features of all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Cheerios also said it’s releasing a special birthday cake-flavored cereal, set to hit shelves in commemorative red, white and blue boxes.

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Mountain Dew went all-out in honoring the nation’s special occasion.

The soda company has rebranded itself “American Dew” — and added stars and stripes to its bottles and cans.

Oreo got in the spirit of things by unveiling its new Firecracker Pop Oreo cookie, created in partnership with Popsicle. 

The red, white and blue crème consists of blue raspberry, lemon and cherry flavors, and is sandwiched between golden Oreos.

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Victor Wembanyama scores 33 as Spurs dominate Thunder in Game 4 to even Western Conference Finals

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The San Antonio Spurs have evened up the Western Conference Finals in dominant fashion, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 103-82, on Sunday night.

With both teams winning two games now, it will be a pivotal matchup in Game 5 back at Paycor Center in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night to see who will have the upper hand heading into a decisive Game 6.

One of the biggest stories in this game revolved around the Thunder’s 3-point shooting percentage. It was such an advantage in Game 3’s victory, as they shot 44.7% and 48.1% from the field overall.

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But the Spurs adjusted their defense, and it showed in Game 4 as the Thunder shot just 6 of 33 from beyond the arc (18%), resulting in only 33% shots made from the field.

San Antonio wasn’t much better, making only 27% of their 3s (9 of 33) and shooting just 39% from the field. However, they were playing aggressively and getting chances at the charity stripe, shooting 32 free throws compared to Oklahoma City’s 18.

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The aggression was clear from both teams, but it was San Antonio making the best of those moments, and it began in the first quarter.

The Spurs got out to a hot start, owning a nine-point lead after the first quarter and moving it to double digits by halftime to the home crowd’s delight. Then, in the third quarter, the Thunder were struggling to hit shots, as they started to turn the ball over, which the Spurs have capitalized on all season long.

San Antonio scored 25 of its points off the Thunder’s 20 turnovers, and they were finding success in fast-break moments, too.

At one point, the Spurs had a 25-point lead, and it’s always sweet for a team to rest its starters in the fourth quarter with a victory in hand.

Victor Wembanyama was back to his efficient ways from the floor, leading the Spurs with 33 points (11 of 22), while nailing three 3-pointers, collecting eight rebounds and dishing five assists. He also had three blocks on the other end.

But Stephon Castle (13 points, three rebounds, six assists), Devin Vassell (13 points, six rebounds, three assists) and De’Aaron Fox (12 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) all contributed well in the starting five in the winning effort. The Spurs also had six bench players score, including Dylan Harper, who finished with seven points and five rebounds.

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a poor shooting night, hitting just six of his 15 shots, though he made all seven of his free throws. He had four rebounds, seven assists and four turnovers for Oklahoma City.

As always, the Thunder had solid contributions from its bench, but it wasn’t to their standards. Players like Aaron Wiggins and Jared McCain, pivotal pieces in Game 3’s win, shot a combined 3 of 21 from the field for eight total points.

These two top seeds in the West will battle Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Deadly suicide blast rips through Pakistan train route, killing at least 23

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At least 23 people were killed and about 70 others wounded in a major attack Sunday morning after a suicide bomber targeted a passenger train in Pakistan, according to The Associated Press (AP).

The assault — in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan province — occurred when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a railway line as a passenger train passed, causing two train cars to overturn and catch fire. The region has long been the site of a low-level but persistent insurgency involving separatist and militant groups.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group fighting for the province’s secession from Pakistan, reportedly claimed responsibility, saying it was targeting a train carrying security personnel.

The Times of India reported that the train was carrying army personnel and family members traveling from Quetta to Peshawar for the Eid holidays; AP reported more generally that the BLA said it targeted a train carrying security personnel. The area is also known for having a strong security presence.

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The blast reportedly sent shockwaves through the area.

According to witness accounts and images circulating on social media, the force of the explosion caused two train cars to overturn and burst into flames, sending thick black smoke into the sky, The AP said. Nearby buildings were also heavily damaged, and more than a dozen parked vehicles were impacted, the outlet added.

Several victims were reportedly transported to local hospitals. Among the wounded, about 20 were reported to be in critical condition, according to doctors cited by The AP.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of terrorism” and saying that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“I strongly condemn the heinous bomb explosion near Chaman Phatak, Quetta, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and left many others injured. Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.

“I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the people of Balochistan in this hour of grief.”

INDIA VOWS TO HUNT TERRORISTS ‘TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH’ AS TENSIONS WITH PAKISTAN RISE AFTER KASHMIR ATTACK

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti alleged that the group is supported by Indian-sponsored proxies aimed at destabilizing Pakistan. The two countries have long been locked in a bitter dispute over territorial claims in Kashmir, though India has consistently denied such accusations.

“The terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan are proving their savagery by targeting innocent civilians, women, and children,” Bugti said, describing the group as “evil originating from India.”

“Those who shed the blood of innocent people deserve no leniency. Let the enemy hear this: there will be no safe haven left for terrorists in Balochistan. We will hunt down the terrorists, their facilitators, and their masterminds one by one and bring them to justice, and this war will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.”

The BLA has increasingly carried out large-scale suicide operations targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in Quetta, according to The Times of India.

In 2024, at least 26 people, including soldiers, were killed in a suicide bombing at a train station in Balochistan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Teen sailor killed aboard USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor identified after 82 years through DNA analysis

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The remains of a 17-year-old sailor killed during the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor are returning home more than 84 years later for a proper burial.

Royle Bradford Luker will be laid to rest with full military honors in Plainview, Arkansas, on May 30, according to his obituary. He will be buried alongside his parents, including his father, who was a World War I veteran.

“As a Fireman Third Class in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. West Virginia, he gave his all and was killed in the line of duty during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941,” his obituary from Cornwell Funeral Homes stated.

His burial was arranged after modern forensic testing and DNA analysis comparing his remains with DNA from living relatives confirmed his identity decades later, the obituary said.

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For his service and sacrifice, Luker reportedly received numerous military honors, including the Purple Heart, awarded to those wounded or killed in combat, and the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, which recognizes extraordinary heroism by military units under enemy fire.

Other honors and awards listed in his obituary include the Gold Star Veteran designation, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

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Luker was among the 106 crewmen killed when the USS West Virginia was struck during Japan’s surprise assault on Pearl Harbor.

For decades, he was listed as killed in action, while his remains were  unidentified and interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. His name was also memorialized on the Courts of the Missing there.

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Nearly 82 years after his death, Luker was officially accounted for on May 29, 2024, after authorities exhumed numerous caskets for modern forensic and DNA testing, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

The teen sailor was the son of George F. Luker, a WWI veteran, and Nettie Estelle David Luker, according to his obituary.

Family members, some of whom lived in Arkansas during his deployment, reportedly said Luker was remembered “with pride and love.”

According to the obituary, he is survived by two nephews, Donald Bradford Henderson and John Luker, as well as a niece, Becky Downen Lensing.

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“More than 80 years later, DNA from Royle Luker and a family’s willingness to share their DNA bridged the gap between loss and knowing,” his obituary stated. “He will now be returned home and laid to rest.”

According to the U.S. Navy, the USS West Virginia was moored at Ford Island in 1941 when Japanese aircraft launched torpedoes against the battleship. The ship suffered multiple torpedo hits and eventually sank to the shallow harbor floor.

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