WASHINGTON ( AP) — Orders for factory- made goods that signal business investment plans fell for a second straight month, part of a mixed report on manufacturing in November. Overall factory orders rose 1.8 percent, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The largest increase since July was chiefly because of a surge in airplane orders, which […]

Iran’s national currency rebounded Wednesday from record lows after the central bank chief acknowledged with rare candor that the “ psychological effects” of new U.S. sanctions were partly responsible for the devaluation and said the country might raise interest rates to stabilize the market. The comments by central bank Governor Mahmoud Bahmani were a clear […]

Keith Little envisioned a place that would house the stories of the Navajo Code Talkers and where people could learn more about the famed World War II group who used their native language as a weapon. His family now hopes to carry out his dream of a museum near the Arizona- New Mexico border that […]

After pocketing a big endorsement from John McCain, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is seeking to lock down support in New Hampshire while courting conservatives in bellwether South Carolina. His latest top rival, Rick Santorum, is facing renewed scrutiny of his record after a surprise showing in Iowa’s caucuses. The newly recast field finds Romney, […]

SAN DIEGO ( AP) — The two Navy fighter- jet pilots were in their prime, having made the cut into one of the military’s most competitive programs. Their deaths in a murdersuicide on New Year’s Day has rocked the tight-knit community of Naval aviators as investigators try to find out what happened in the condominium […]

AUGUSTA ( AP) — Gov. Paul LePage readied an ambitious agenda of energy, education and economic issues as Maine lawmakers opened their 2012 election-year session on Wednesday to a State House full of citizen and union lobbyists prepared to have their own say on matters to be decided during the next 3 1/2 months. Lawmakers […]

BRUNSWICK — People Plus will offer belly dancing classes Monday evenings beginning Jan. 23. A free trial session is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. “Belly dance celebrates every body type and every stage of life,” a People Plus release states. “The dance is proud and powerful and soft and sinewy with elegant, […]

WEST BATH — The following cases were closed in West Bath District Court from May 1 to June 30. Susan L. Alexander, 47, of Augusta, March 29, 2011, two counts of violating condition of release, jail 10 days for both counts. Stephen Beaulieu, 18, of Harpswell, March 14, 2011, operating vehicle without license, $150. Eugene […]