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In flap over S. Carolina law, old tensions and a campaign issue

By Andy Sullivan COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - The state that fired the first shot in the Civil War is once again battling the U.S. government in a racially charged conflict that is drawing ...

Divers suspend search of capsized Italy liner

By Steve Scherer and Gabriele Pileri GIGLIO, Italy (Reuters) - Divers searching the capsized Italian cruise liner Costa Concordia suspended work on Wednesday after the vast wreck shifted slightly but officials said they are ...

Italy ship search suspended after hulk moves-officials

GIGLIO, Italy (Reuters) - Italian divers suspended their search of the capsized cruise liner Costa Concordia after the vessel shifted slightly on its resting place near the Tuscan island of Giglio, officials said on Wednesday. ...

Finmeccanica Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Orsi poses in a helicopter during the opening ceremony of the new Terminal of Vertiporto dell'Urbe in Rome January 19, 2009. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Finmeccanica chairman resigns after arrest in corruption scandal

Posted : Friday, 15 February 2013 07:51AM

MILAN (Reuters) - Giuseppe Orsi, the chairman of Italian air defense group Finmeccanica who was arrested this week over his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal, has resigned his position, Orsi's lawyer said on Friday.

Orsi has also tendered his resignation as a Finmeccanica board member, the lawyer, Ennio Amodio, told reporters.

Orsi, who was questioned by prosecutors on Friday, faces allegations of paying bribes to win a 560-million-euro contract for the company's AgustaWestland unit to supply helicopters for use by senior Indian politicians. Orsi has denied any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday Finmeccanica appointed company insider Alessandro Pansa as Chief Executive, a position formerly held by Orsi.

(Reporting By Emilio Parodi, writing by Stephen Jewkes, editing by Silvia Aloisi)