BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Authorities in Eastern Europe say more than 500 people have died during a record- breaking cold snap that has brought the heaviest snowfalls in recent memory. Authorities in Russia say 205 people have died in the deep freeze that began in late January, while in Ukraine there have been 112 fatalities, […]

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras ( AP) — Trapped inmates screamed from their cells as a fire swept through a Honduran prison, killing at least 272 inmates, authorities said today. The fire broke out Tuesday night at a prison in Comayagua, a town 90 miles north of the Central American country’s capital, Tegucigalpa. The prison holds about 800 […]

BRUSSELS (AP) — Some eurozone countries have strong doubts over whether a second massive bailout can actually save Greece, officials said today, even as Athens rushed to meet tough conditions to qualify for the (euro) 130 billion ($170 billion) rescue. The wrangling over Athens’ aid money comes after almost two years of frantic efforts to […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders are gauging lawmakers’ reactions toatentativedealextendinga2percentage point payroll tax cut and extra jobless benefits through 2012, a pact bargainers reached after House Republicans conceded that the tax cut would not have to be paid for with spending cuts. Both sides cautioned late Tuesday that the agreement was not final and still […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s attorney general has ruled that a Belfast police officer was justified in using deadly force when he shot and seriously wounded a 26-year-old man who was armed with a shotgun and refused to heed orders to put his hands up. A report released Tuesday concluded that it was reasonable for Officer […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine environmental-health activists say they’ll press state officials to consider a new rule eliminating the chemical bisphenol-A from containers of infant formula, baby and toddler foods. The Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine on Tuesday announced a signature collection effort to press the Board of Environmental Protection for a new rule […]

WATERVILLE ( AP) — Maine’s acting director of the State Planning Office is out of a job after his arrest for drunken driving. Richard Swanson Jr. says the action was swift. He told the Morning Sentinel that he resigned under pressure on Tuesday after being arrested the night before in Waterville. Swanson said he was […]

GARDINER (AP) — Three men escaped serious injury after the all-terrain vehicle they were riding on sank into the frigid waters of the Kennebec River. The Morning Sentinel reported that one of the men was able to get out of the water and call for help just before 10 p.m. Tuesday. Gardiner fire and rescue […]

PORTLAND ( AP) — A Maine hypnotist convicted of sexual assault of a minor and accused of using hypnotism to keep the teenage girl quiet about their sexual encounters is appealing his conviction to the state’s highest court. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments today from lawyers representing 38-year-old Aaron Patton, of Jay, who […]