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Month: July 2024

Italy appeals court upholds conviction of 2 Americans in death of policeman but reduces sentences

Associated Press ROME (AP) — An Italian appeals court has upheld the convictions of two American men in the killing of an Italian plainclothes police officer during a botched sting operation but reduced their sentences. The new trial was ordered after Italy’s highest court threw out their original convictions. The court on Wednesday convicted Lee

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EU commission approves Lufthansa purchase of long-troubled Italian airline ITA, with conditions

AP Business Writer MILAN (AP) — The European Commission has approved Lufthansa’s takeover of Italian airline ITA with conditions to protect competition. Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti on Wednesday called the deal “historic,” and said it would bring an end to a long period of state help. Lufthansa will invest 325 million euros ($350 million)

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Open on July 4th: Retailers and airlines. Closed: Government, banks, stock market

NEW YORK (AP) — The Fourth of July holiday, also known as Independence Day, celebrates the Second Continental Congress’ unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a document announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. One year later a spontaneous celebration in Philadelphia marked the anniversary of American independence. But observations

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California city cancels July Fourth fireworks as firefighters battle flames amid hot weather

Associated Press OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Officials in a Northern California community have canceled an annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration as thousands of residents remain displaced while crews battle a growing wildfire amid extreme heat. California State Parks made the announcement, citing public safety concerns. The Thompson Fire sent up a huge plume of

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US filings for jobless claims inch up modestly, but continuing claims rise for ninth straight week

AP Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits inched up last week, but remain at historically healthy levels despite elevated interest rates. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that jobless claims for the week ending June 29 rose by 4,000 to 238,000 from 234,000 the previous week. The total number

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Tunisia sets elections for October. The increasingly authoritarian president hasn’t said he’ll run

Associated Press TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s increasingly authoritarian leader has scheduled the next presidential election for October without saying whether he will seek a second term. President Kais Saied has had five tumultuous years at the head of the North African nation once seen as a model of democracy for the Arab world. Saied

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The Belarus president says some seriously ill political prisoners will be released

Associated Press TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said he will release some seriously ill political prisoners who were jailed during protests against his authoritarian rule in 2020. It’s the first time Lukashenko has mentioned releasing political prisoners on humanitarian grounds since mass protests rocked the country after his disputed reelection for

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Southwest Air adopts ‘poison pill’ as activist investor Elliott takes significant stake in company

AP Business Writer Southwest Airlines has adopted a ‘poison pill’ following activist investor Elliott Investment Management taking a significant stake in the company. The airline said Wednesday that the shareholder rights plan is effective immediately and expires in a year. Southwest shareholders would need to give prior approval for an extension. Shareholder rights plans, or

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Missing nuts and bolts caused last year’s deadly construction elevator accident in Sweden

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A construction elevator that killed five people when it collapsed last year in Stockholm was missing the bolts that were supposed to hold its mast together, authorities said Wednesday. The deadly crash “was caused by failure to perform relevant safety inspections of the hoist assembly,” the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority said.

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