A glance at Zika cases and complications in Latin America

A glance at the number of Zika cases and complications by country in Latin America and the Caribbean: BRAZIL: The mosquito-spread Zika virus appeared in Brazil last year and officials say hundreds of thousands of people apparently have been infected. Authorities soon saw what appears to be a sharp jump in cases of microcephaly – […]

IOC’s Bach: Rio de Janeiro Games will ‘overwhelm’ world

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – IOC President Thomas Bach predicted on Wednesday that the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will “overwhelm” the world, despite Brazil’s deep financial crisis. Bach, visiting Athens for a sporting awards ceremony, described Brazil as being in a “situation of crisis,” but said the country was on course to stage “an Olympic […]

French lawmakers approve terminal sedation, not euthanasia

PARIS (AP) – France’s Parliament has approved a bill that will let doctors keep terminally ill patients sedated until death comes but stops short of legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide. After years of tense debate over the issue and a long journey through Parliament, the bill was passed by the country’s lower house and Senate […]

Chaotic run-up to Syria peace talks reflects enormous gap

BEIRUT (AP) – The invitations are sent and preparations are underway at the U.N.’s Palais des Nations in Geneva, where the first peace talks in two years on the conflict in Syria are to begin Friday. But two days before the talks, it is unclear who will attend – or even if the U.N. special […]

Grenada man charged with murder in death of US tourist

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (AP) – A man accused of killing a tourist from Georgia in a machete attack on an isolated beach in Grenada made his first appearance Wednesday before a judge on the Caribbean island to face a charge of capital murder. Dave Martin Benjamin did not enter a plea and was not given […]

Inmate sues DOC, claiming guard did nothing during attack

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A 17-year-old former inmate has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections, claiming he was raped with a broom handle, stabbed with barbed wire and brutally beaten by other inmates while a guard stood by and did nothing. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Ocala is asking […]

Game on? Fantasy sports could become legal in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida lawmakers are moving closer to making fantasy sports legal in the state. House and Senate panels on Wednesday voted in favor of bills to allow and regulate fantasy sports contests. The legislation would cover both season-long fantasy baseball or football leagues, as well as daily fantasy leagues. Florida’s attorney general […]

Florida House passes bill to study, regulate fracking

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida would have to establish regulations for fracking under a bill passed by the House, despite arguments that the oil and gas drilling practice could contaminate groundwater. The House voted 73-45 on Wednesday for a bill that would require the state Department of Environmental Protection to study the impact of fracking […]

Drug abuse bill raises hopes for election-year achievement

WASHINGTON (AP) – In a testy election year likely to see scant collaboration between Republicans and Democrats, there’s a glint of hope in Congress for a bipartisan bill aimed at fighting heroin and opioid addiction – a deadly, growing problem that afflicts states both red and blue. Senate and House bills establishing grants to combat […]

Renderings re-imagine entrance to Naples along Davis Blvd.

NAPLES, Fla.- A new plan to change the entrance to the City of Naples at Davis Boulevard and U.S. 41 could revitalize the area and bring in more business. The project boasts residences, retail shops, a boutique movie theater and a hotel. The developer, Real Estate Partners International, offered $6.4 million for the property, matching what the county […]