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Berlusconi's party that could at least temporarily save his fragile ruling coalition.
• In a speech to the Senate before the vote, Letta hailed his 5-month-old government's successes and outlined his agenda to revive Italy's moribund economy and turnaround its record unemployment as he warned lawmakers that Italy "runs a risk, a fatal risk" depending on the choices they make.
• "Give us your confidence to realize these objectives. Give us your confidence for all that has been accomplished," Letta said to applause. "A confidence vote that isn't against anyone, but a confidence vote for Italy and Italians."
• It was a last-ditch attempt to persuade enough lawmakers to defy Berlusconi's call to bring down the government. The key vote is in the Senate, where Berlusconi's allies have a narrow majority.
• Entering the senate, Berlusconi appeared less combative than he has in recent days: "We'll see what happens," Italian news agencies quoted him as saying. "We'll listen to Letta's speech and then decide."
• ___
Friends remember father whose final act likely saved daughter from Colo. rock slide
• BUENA VISTA, Colo. (AP) -- Friends preparing to bury five relatives who died in a Colorado rock slide are remembering the father credited for saving his daughter's life as a selfless volunteer who probably didn't flinch to jump in front of cascading boulders to protect his daughter.
• Thirteen-year-old Gracie Johnson says her father, Dwayne Johnson, covered her when a rock slide crashed down on the family on a popular hiking route to see a waterfall with visiting cousins. The action, according to local law enforcement, made the teen girl the only survivor in the group after Monday's slide.
• Gracie's parents and sister from nearby Buena Vista were killed, as were two of her cousins from Missouri.
• Family friend Mike Carr of Buena Vista said Dwayne Johnson was quick to help others.
• "Probably his only regret is that he didn't jump in front of his whole family. He's just that type of guy," said Carr, who joined others at a candlelight vigil Tuesday night at Buena Vista High School's football field.
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