BEIRUT (AP) — Fresh clashes between Syrian soldiers and rebels erupted today as U.N. envoy Kofi Annan urged the Syrian government to lay down its weapons first to immediately end the nation’s yearlong crisis. Syrian President Bashar Assad accepted a peace plan brokered by Annan earlier this week, but the bloodshed has persisted despite calls […]

PARIS ( AP) — French police detained 19 people today as they launched a crackdown on suspected Islamist extremists in cities around the country, President Nicolas Sarkozy said, promising more raids to come. Tensions are high following a spate of killings in southern France by a radical Islamist that left seven people dead and two […]

OMAHA, Neb. ( AP) — A world-record $ 540 million Mega Millions jackpot has lottery players lining up for tickets today and many wondering if there’s any way to guarantee becoming an overnight multimillionaire. The answer: Not unless you already are one and own a magic wand. The jackpot is so large, someone with enough […]

OLD ORCHARD BEACH (AP) — Police are investigating after what has been described as a “considerable” amount of money was found missing from the Old Orchard Beach library’s operational account. Town officials said Thursday that the town will take over management of the Edith Belle Libby Memorial Library’s money in response to the board learning […]

OXFORD (AP) — A casino in Oxford has taken another step toward opening with the installation of the first slot machines. The first of more than 500 video-screen machines were installed in the casino on Thursday and a spokesman says the goal is to open the casino in June. Spokesman Scott Smith tells the Sun […]

AUGUSTA ( AP) — A day ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to Maine, the Republican-led state Senate has passed a resolution urging the president to support the completion of the Keystone Xl pipeline. The nonbinding resolution passed 17-15 following a long, partisan debate, and still faces a House vote.

AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage has signed emergency legislation that increases fines for elver fishing violations. The new law carries $2,000 fines for fishing without a license, tampering with elver fishing gear or using untagged gear, and it includes license suspensions for second offenses. With fishermen receiving up to $2,000 a pound for baby […]

DOVER-FOXCROFT (AP) — The Piscataquis County Sheriff ’s Department says an Austrian tourist missing for a week while on a motorcycle trip in Maine has been found. Officials say 25-year-old Johannes Stummer was found walking on a logging road Thursday. He was last seen on March 22 in Big Moose Township, north of Moosehead Lake. […]

PORTLAND ( AP) — A Somalia native who lied about living in refugee camps to enter the U.S. and made false claims to obtain MaineCare benefits has pleaded guilty to federal charges. Mohdi M. Ali of Lewiston entered his guilty pleas Thursday in federal court in Portland. Ali faces up to 10 years of imprisonment […]

ROCKLAND ( AP) — A judge has thrown out the confession made to police by a 35-year-old Rockland man charged with killing his exgirlfriend in 2010. Justice Jeffrey Hjelm ruled Thursday that the confession can’t be used at trial because investigators didn’t stop questioning Arnold Diana when he asked them to do so. The judge […]