Thai police asked the operator of the popular "Line" instant messaging app for access to records of online chats, raising concerns about intrusive surveillance despite promising only suspected criminals would be targeted.

Technology Crime Suppression division chief Pisit Paoin said Tuesday that police want to review the data of users they suspect are involved in crimes, including making statements against the Thai monarchy, arms trading, prostitution and drug dealing.

Researchers in the U.S. have put together a robot that can jump and climb.

That could make it particularly useful for military search missions or supply transport.

For English football, it has long seemed unthinkable: a league season starting without the finger-jabbing, combative colossus of management on the touchlines.

Alex Ferguson will be a bystander for the first time since 1986, watching from afar as Manchester United starts its pursuit of a record-extending 21st English title.

Maria Sharapova's return to WTA tournament play after more than a month away was short-lived as the Russian suffered an upset loss to American Sloane Stephens 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the second round of the Western & Southern Open on Tuesday.

In a match that lasted 2 hours, 22 minutes, Stephens overcame double faults on two match points to pick up her first victory over Sharapova in four meetings.

Brazil's sports minister is concerned about the pace of construction at the 2014 World Cup stadiums that need to be ready in December.

Aldo Rebelo said Tuesday that work needs to be accelerated at five of the six stadiums that are under construction because they "are facing a tight deadline." The minister said that only the Sao Paulo stadium that will host the opening match next June is comfortably on track to be completed on time.

Never count out Yelena Isinbayeva, especially when she is performing before a rapturous home crowd at the world championships.

Five years after her last major outdoor pole vault victory, the Russian turned back the clock with a vintage performance to beat Olympic champion Jenn Suhr with a leap of 4.89 meters, her best outdoor effort in four years.

Israel began the process of releasing 26 Palestinian prisoners late Tuesday, an initial gesture on the eve of renewed Mideast negotiations.

Thousands of Palestinians have spent time in Israeli prisons since Israel's capture of the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in 1967. They were jailed on charges ranging from throwing rocks to killing civilians in bombings and other attacks.

Smart phones that respond to signals from plants? Laptops that coordinate irrigation at dozens of vineyards? Remote weather stations programmed to text frost alerts?

Many commercial growers are using laptops, tablets or smart phones to keep costs down and production up. Home gardeners too, if they can afford it.

David Baldacci has decided to enter the fantasy world.

The best-selling thriller writer has a deal with Scholastic Inc. for a young adult novel, "The Finisher." Scholastic, a top U.S. children's publisher, announced Monday that the book is scheduled to come out in March.

Stuffed shrimp are decor rather than dinner for some of the folks who have caught the really big sort — invasive Asian tiger shrimp — in the Gulf of Mexico or along the East Coast.

Sometimes the shrimp become both food and a wall display. Joe Strange of Joe's Taxidermy in Houma said he mounted three last year, dining on the meat he removed from the two smallest, about 7 and 10 inches ( 20 and 25 1/2 centimeters) long.