News

Associated Press CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) — Even Mexico’s largest corporations are now being hit by demands for protection payments from drug cartels, and gangs are increasingly trying to control the sales, distribution and pricing of certain goods. Well-known, high-ranking business leaders aren’t even safe. The problem came to a head last week when the

Associated Press Can a six-second kiss each day lead to a more intimate relationship? That’s what couples therapists John and Julie Gottman say. They’ve taught thousands of couples therapists that an elongated kiss can help their clients. It gets couples to slow down and be intentionally affectionate. They say the kiss is long enough to

AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Pay and benefits for America’s workers grew more slowly in the April-June quarter than in the first three months of the year, a trend that could keep price pressures in check and encourage the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve. Compensation as measured by the government’s Employment Cost Index rose

Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — The militant Palestinian group Hamas has a history of swift and smooth replacement of fallen leaders killed in Israeli airstrikes. Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in the Iranian capital early Wednesday comes at a time when Hamas is under extreme pressure since the war in Gaza started nearly 10 months ago. Haniyeh

Associated Press For many college students, a dorm room is their first home away from home. How do you turn it into a work, sleep and hangout space? Decor pros offer this advice. First, make sure you and your roommate are on the same page. Find out more about the dorm room and building ahead

Associated Press PARIS (AP) — Covered with pins and adornments, Vivianne Robinson is hard to miss in the streets of Paris. The Olympics superfan has attended seven Summer Games over the span of 40 years. But this trip to Paris came at a hefty price. Ten thousand dollars, to be precise. The 66-year-old maxed out

AP Airlines Writer Boeing has a new chief executive. The company says aerospace industry veteran Robert “Kelly” Ortberg will take over as CEO next week, replacing David Calhoun. Boeing announced Ortberg’s hiring on Wednesday as it reported a second-quarter loss of more than $1.4 billion. The company’s revenue was even lower than Wall Street’s dismal

AP Business Writer Etsy says it will begin testing its first-ever loyalty program in September. The effort is designed to boost the e-commerce site’s sluggish sales and draw in occasional shoppers. Brooklyn-based Etsy said Wednesday that select buyers will receive an invitation for the program. The program will be called Etsy Insider. It will offer

AP Sports Writer PARIS (AP) — Canada has lost its appeal against the deduction of six competition points following a drone-spying scandal in the Olympic women’s soccer tournament. The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday said its panel of three judges dismissed Canada’s appeal and confirmed the six-point deduction imposed last weekend by FIFA.

Associated Press ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Balkan countries are battling wildfires stoked by high temperatures, winds and a weekslong drought. Firefighters in Croatia say they faced their toughest day so far this season and North Macedonia is suggesting it might need to seek help from NATO. Croatia’s Firefighters’ Association said the demanding 24-hour period included

BANGKOK (AP) — The military regime that seized power in Myanmar 3 1/2 years ago extended a state of emergency in the civil war-wracked country for another six months, saying it needs time to prepare for long-promised elections. The state of emergency was initially declared when troops ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu

PARIS (AP) — A storm Wednesday interrupted all high-speed train traffic connecting Paris to the southeast of the country as well as Switzerland in both directions, France’s rail company said, leaving thousands of travelers stranded amid the Olympics and departures for summer vacation. The SNCF said all the fast trains leaving from and arriving at