The Latest: Italy orders suspension of Bangladesh flights

ROME — Italy has ordered a one-week suspension of incoming flights from Bangladesh after a spate of coronavirus cases near Rome were traced to members of the Bangladeshi community who had recently returned to Italy. Health Minister Roberto Speranza saya beyond the dozen or so cases registered in recent...

New at Saudi hajj: Bottled holy water, sterilized pebbles

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia has issued guidelines for about 1,000 pilgrims who will be allowed to perform the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca later this month, an experience that will be unlike any before because of the coronavirus pandemic. The pilgrims will be only be able to drink holy...

Cooper vetoes bill with death investigation records change

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a broad health measure late Monday because it contains a provision that addresses the confidentiality of death investigation records. Opposition to the item has served as a rallying cry for demonstrators for racial justice outside the Executive Mansion for days. ...

Analysis: Ex Rep. Henry set path to Mississippi flag change

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Momentum built rapidly in the past month for Mississippi to decommission the last state flag in the U.S. with the Confederate battle emblem. Marching toward change took decades, and it took work by thousands. An important advocate was the late Democratic state Rep. Aaron Henry of...

General Assembly planning to return for sessions

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island lawmakers are working on plans for a rare summer session later this month to consider several bills, legislative leaders say. Committee hearings are being scheduled in both the Senate and House chambers next week and the House is expected to reconvene on July 16,...

Bill would help wounded veterans and their caregivers

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A bill co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire would strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs' caregiver program. The VA provides stipends and support to caregivers for wounded veterans. To be eligible, veterans must have sustained or aggravated a serious injury...

COVID-19 immunity proposal flounders in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Just a few weeks ago, Tennessee looked like a sure bet to become the latest state to protect businesses and other organizations from lawsuits by people impacted by the coronavirus in the push to reopen the economy. Republican Gov. Bill Lee had talked up the change and touted his...

Germany's upper house of parliament approves long-awaited bills to end the country's use of coal for power by 2038

BERLIN (AP) — Germany's upper house of parliament approves long-awaited bills to end the country's use of coal for power by 2038.

Churches with schools can't OK concealed carry, Cooper says

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have allowed churchgoers in places with schools on the property to carry their concealed weapons. “This bill allows guns on school property, which threatens the safety of students and teachers,"...

Vermont governor allows vote-by-mail bill to become law

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Thursday he's allowing a bill to allow mail in voting during the November presidential to become law without his signature. In a letter to members of the Vermont Legislature, Scott said there appeared to be a technical problem with the law that creates an ambiguity in how the...