BEIRUT — An Israeli drone strike on a car Monday near the Lebanon-Syria border killed a prominent Syrian businessman who was sanctioned by the United States and had close ties to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, according to pro-government media and an official from an Iran-backed group. Mohammed Baraa Katerji was killed when a drone strike hit his car near the area of…

NEW YORK — The second phase of the trial in a civil lawsuit against the National Rifle Association began Monday in Manhattan, with New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking an independent monitor to oversee the powerful gun rights group’s finances. In addition, the Democrat wants Wayne LaPierre, the organization’s former CEO, banned from returning to the NRA. She is also asking for other restrictions…

Tense deliberations over how and if to allow deep sea mining are unfolding in Jamaica as at least one company threatens to apply for permission before rules and regulations are in place ByDÁNICA COTO Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Tense deliberations over how and if to allow deep sea mining unfolded Monday in Jamaica as at least one company threatened to apply for…

Asian stocks were mixed on Tuesday as investors grappled with the weak economic data from China and waited to see the outcome of a top Communist Party policy meeting in Beijing. U.S. futures rose while oil prices fell. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.6% to 41,399.72 after reopening from a holiday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 1.5% to 17,747.65 and the Shanghai Composite index…

NEW YORK — Former TV personality Carlos Watson was convicted Tuesday in a federal financial conspiracy case about Ozy Media, an ambitious startup that collapsed after another executive impersonated a YouTube executive to hype the company’s success. Watson, 53, had been free on bail but was taken into custody to await sentencing, set for Nov. 18. Brooklyn-based U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the verdict held…

Tyson Foods heir and executive John R. Tyson has pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated. Tyson entered the plea Monday in Fayetteville District Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a court spokeswoman said. Tyson is next due in court on Aug. 28. Tyson, 34, was arrested June 13 by University of Arkansas police in Fayetteville after he was seen driving carelessly and making…

SAN FRANCISCO — Billionaire Elon Musk says he’s moving the headquarters of SpaceX and social media company X to Texas from California. Musk posted on X Tuesday that he plans on moving SpaceX from Hawthorne, California to the company’s rocket launch site dubbed Starbase in Texas. X will move to Austin from San Francisco. He called a new law signed Monday by California Gov. Gavin…

Five Below says its CEO and President Joel Anderson has stepped down amid languishing sales at the discount retailer catering to teens ByANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP retail writer NEW YORK — Five Below said Tuesday that its CEO and President Joel Anderson has stepped down amid languishing sales at the discount retailer catering to teens. The Philadelphia-based company, which has been wrestling with slower spending by…

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart has spent three years overhauling its mix of adult apparel to make it stylish as well as sensible for middle America. Now, the nation’s largest retailer is seizing the back-to-school shopping season to take another shot at fashion respectability. The company plans to relaunch its 30-year-old brand for teenagers and young adults on Tuesday with a new…

WASHINGTON — NASA said Wednesday it’s canceling its water-seeking moon rover, citing cost overruns and launch delays. The Viper rover was supposed to launch in late 2023 aboard a lander provided by Astrobotic Technology, but extra testing and increased costs kept delaying the mission, threatening other projects, the space agency said. The rover had aimed to explore the moon’s south pole. About $450 million had…