Manslaughter convictions against Continental Airlines and a mechanic for the July 2000 crash of an Air France Concorde that killed 113 people, have been overturned by a French appeals court.

A FRENCH judge ordered Continental Airlines and five people to stand trial for manslaughter in connection with the 2000 crash of a Concorde jet that killed 113 people, a prosecutor said yesterday.

Wall Street advanced today ahead of the July 4 holiday as investors drew confidence from a smaller-than-expected dip in factory orders and new merger-and-acquisition activity.

Stocks in the US surged today on signs of resilience in the housing market and the US consumer, with falling oil prices giving investors an extra reason to rally. The Dow Jones industrials gained more than 120 points.