AUGUSTA (AP) — An effort is under way to do away with Maine’s presidential caucuses and replace them with primaries. Republican Senate President Kevin Raye has proposed a change in state law that would establish a Maine presidential primary one week after New Hampshire’s firstin the-nation presidential primary starting in 2016. Raye tells Maine Today […]

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea announced plans today to blast a satellite into space on the back of a long-range rocket, a provocative move that could jeopardize a weeks- old agreement with the U. S. exchanging food aid for nuclear concessions. The North agreed to a moratorium on longrange launches as part of […]

HONG KONG ( AP) — Apple- mania gripped Asia today as the company’s latest iPad went on sale, drawing hordes of die- hard fans to shops selling the highly anticipated tablet. Gadget fans lined up in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore so they could be among the first to get their hands on the device. […]

BEIRUT ( AP) — Syrian troops clashed with army defectors in several areas near the capital Damascus in the first significant battles there since President Bashar Assad’s forces regained control of the suburbs weeks ago, activists said today. The clashes highlight the shifting nature of the Syrian conflict, with rebel fighters igniting new fronts soon […]

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Isle Royale National Park’s gray wolves, one of the world’s most closely monitored predator populations, are at their lowest ebb in more than a half-century and could die out within a few years, scientists said today. Only nine wolves still wander the wilderness island chain in western Lake Superior and […]

LEWISVILLE, Texas (AP) — The comedian Gallagher is hospitalized in stable condition after suffering a heart attack at a North Dallas bar before going on stage for a show. Gallagher’s promotional manager, Christine Scherrer, says the 65-year-old is sedated and “slowly recovering” after collapsing Wednesday night. Marc Cummins, the manager of Coach Joe’s Hat Tricks […]

FRANKLIN, N. C. ( AP) — Authorities say five people died after a small private plane crashed while trying to land at an airport in western North Carolina. Macon County Airport manager Neil Hoppe said the county medical examiner indicated five people died in Thursday’s crash. The identities of the victims haven’t been released. A […]

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A Turkish military helicopter crashed into a house near the Afghan capital today, killing 12 Turkish soldiers on board and two young girls on the ground, Turkish and Afghan officials said. The helicopter, a Sikorsky, was on a mission for U.S.-led NATO forces when it went down near Kabul, the Turkish […]

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium has started a day of national mourning for the 28 people who died in a school bus crash in Switzerland, with solemn music filling the airwaves and official buildings lined with flags at half staff. As a chilly morning fog lifted, the nation of 11 million began preparing for a minute […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Longtime U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, a feisty Democrat known as much for scolding bankers and regulators as he was for his personal quirks like living in a houseboat in Washington, D.C., has decided to retire even though he likely faced an easy re-election. Ackerman, who has represented diverse communities in Queens […]