Bombings in Thailand target tourist cities, killing 4 people

HUA HIN, Thailand (AP) – Attackers struck a series of tourist resort towns across southern Thailand with homemade explosives and firebombs in some of the worst violence to hit the country since a military coup two years ago. At least four people were killed and dozens wounded, including 11 foreigners. It was not clear who […]

Green-tinged Olympic diving pool closed for practice

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The pool at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center was closed for diving practice Friday to allow more time to clean the green-tinged water. The water suddenly changed color Tuesday, midway through the synchronized diving events. Officials insisted the water was safe for diving, even after an adjacent pool used for […]

Putin fires chief of staff, sign of fatigue with old guard

MOSCOW (AP) – President Vladimir Putin on Friday abruptly replaced his longtime chief of staff with a low-profile younger aide, the latest in a series of moves by the Russian leader to rid himself of members of his old guard. Analysts see the dismissal of the 63-year old Sergei Ivanov as a reflection of Putin’s […]

Super Simone! Biles soars to Olympic all-around title

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Simone Biles and Aly Raisman stood side by side in Rio Olympic Arena, clutching each other while waiting for the inevitable coronation. When the floor exercise judges validated what Raisman and every other gymnast has known for years – that Biles is the greatest of her generation and perhaps of […]

Greenland shark now oldest living animal with backbone

WASHINGTON (AP) – In the cold waters of the Arctic, a denizen of the deep lurked for centuries. Now scientists calculate that this female Greenland shark was the Earth’s oldest living animal with a backbone. They estimated that the gray shark, part of the species named after Greenland, was born in the icy waters roughly […]

Pressuring Trump, Clinton releases 2015 tax returns

WASHINGTON (AP) – Hillary and Bill Clinton earned $10.6 million last year, according to a tax filing released by her campaign Friday that sought to pressure presidential rival Donald Trump to disclose his tax returns. The filing shows that the Clintons paid a federal tax rate of 34.2 percent in 2015. The bulk of their […]

Mr. Food: Easy funnel cakes

What You’ll Need: 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 2 cups milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Oil for frying Confectioners’ sugar for sprinkling What To Do: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; […]

Girl OK after being left in hot SUV; dad, grandma arrested

LAKE WALES, Fla. (AP) – A Florida man and his mother are facing child neglect charges after authorities say they left a 3-year-old girl alone in a sports utility vehicle while they shopped at a Wal-Mart store. Lake Wales police Lt. David Black said in a news release that a customer saw the child Wednesday […]

Puerto Rico reports 10,690 Zika cases amid ongoing epidemic

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has reported 1,914 new Zika cases over the past week. Health Secretary Ana Rius said Friday there are 10,690 cases altogether, including 1,035 involving pregnant women. Zika has been tied to severe birth defects. Rius said 90 people have been hospitalized because of […]

Parents who opted out of Florida school tests challenge law

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The parents of Florida students who opted out of the state’s standardized tests are suing because their children weren’t promoted to the fourth grade. A Tallahassee judge is holding a hearing Friday on whether to block the state law that school districts are relying on to hold them back. Fourteen parents […]