WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose for the third straight week, a sign that the highly contagious delta variant may be slowing the job market’s recovery. The Labor Department said Thursday that claims were up by 11,000 last week to 362,000 the previous week.  Since topping 900,000 in early January, applications have mostly fallen steadily as the economy bounces back from last year’s shutdowns. But they’ve risen recently as coronavirus cases tick up again. The numbers, which are a proxy for layoffs, remain elevated: Before the pandemic hit th ..read more

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is worried about media freedom in Slovenia after the head of the country’s only news agency resigned over a public service contract that would dictate the way STA is funded. The news agency’s director resigned Thursday because he said the draft contract would damage the agency. The Slovenian government currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency and has been keeping a stranglehold on funds to STA. Prime Minister Janez Jansa insists that much of Slovenia’s media is biased against him. But he said in July that the funding issue would be resolved this fall. EU ..read more

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling more than 550,000 cars and minivans in the U.S. because the turn signals can flash in the opposite direction of what the driver intended. The recall covers Hyundai’s Sonata midsize car from the 2015 through 2015 model years, and Sonata gas-electric hybrids from 2016 and 2017. Kia’s Sedona minivan from 2015 through 2017 also is affected. Hyundai says software in a junction box may not properly interpret signals sent from a multi-function switch. The Korean automaker says it doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries from the problem. Dealers will update ..read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose for the third straight week, a sign that the highly contagious delta variant may be slowing the job market’s recovery. The Labor Department said Thursday that claims were up by 11,000 last week to 362,000 the previous week.  Since topping 900,000 in early January, applications have mostly fallen steadily as the economy bounces back from last year’s shutdowns. But they’ve risen recently as coronavirus cases tick up again. The numbers, which are a proxy for layoffs, remain elevated: Before the pandemic hit the ..read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy expanded at a 6.7% annual pace from April through June, the Commerce Department said, slightly upgrading its estimate of last quarter’s growth in the face of a resurgence of COVID-19 in the form of the delta variant. The government’s estimate of growth in the second quarter — its last of three — was up from its previous estimate of a  6.6% annual pace. It will likely mark a high point for the economy’s expansion this year as the virus slows some activity, government support programs wind down and manufacturing supply-chain issues persist.  The post ..read more

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish police say they are seeking a man in connection with an explosion and fire at a large apartment building that injured 16 people, four of them seriously. The man is wanted on suspicion of public destruction but not been located yet, police said. Authorities did not name him. Swedish media reported that the suspect was a man in his 50s who had lived with his mother in the building in Goteborg, Sweden’s second-largest city. Daily newspaper Aftonbladet said the property owner had been trying to evict the man and his mother from their apartment. The local Goteborg-Posten ne ..read more

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest news about California Governor Gavin Newsom is less dramatic but more personal than the recall effort he easily defeated two weeks ago. He has written a children’s book. Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, announced Thursday that Newsom’s “Ben and Emma’s Big Hit” is scheduled for Dec. 7. It’s illustrated by Alexandra Thompson. The book draws upon Newsom’s dyslexia in telling of a boy named Ben and his struggles in school. The words will appear in OpenDyslexic font to make it more readable for people with dyslexia. The post Newsom writes children’s bo ..read more

LONDON (AP) — A serving London police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping, rape and murder of a woman he tricked into his car using his police identification and COVID-19 laws. Wayne Couzens was accused of falsely arresting 33-year-old Sarah Everard for violating lockdown restrictions as she walked home from visiting a friend in south London on March 3. Prosecutors said he handcuffed Everard, drove her far outside the city, and then raped and strangled her with his police belt. Couzens had pleaded guilty. The sentencing judge on Thu ..read more

BEIJING (AP) — Defense officials from China and the U.S. have held two days of talks in a small sign of progress amid a continuing sharp downturn in relations. The video conference held Tuesday and Wednesday was led by Maj. Gen. Huang Xueping, deputy direct of the People’s Liberation Army’s Office for International Military Cooperation, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Michael Chase. The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson says they exchanged in-depth views on relations and issues of common concern. However, he blamed continuous provocation and containment of China by ..read more

BEIJING (AP) — Defense officials from China and the U.S. have held two days of talks in a small sign of progress amid a continuing sharp downturn in relations. The video conference held Tuesday and Wednesday was led by Maj. Gen. Huang Xueping, deputy direct of the People’s Liberation Army’s Office for International Military Cooperation, and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Michael Chase. The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson says they exchanged in-depth views on relations and issues of common concern. However, he blamed continuous provocation and containment of China by ..read more