QUICK HITS

1 Candidates lose ballot case: The Michigan Court of Appeals kept two Republican candidates off the Aug. 2 primary ballot Wednesday, declaring that election officials suspecting signature fraud had no obligation to examine campaign petitions line by line. The court first ruled against Perry Johnson, a wealthy businessman considered to be a leading candidate for the Republican nomination, and then applied the decision to investment adviser Michael Markey.

2 Hinckley to go free: A federal judge gave his final blessing Wednesday to full freedom for John Hinckley, who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981. U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Friedman said in September he would free Hinckley from all remaining restrictions June 15 as long as Hinckley continued to do well living in Virginia as he has for years.

3 First woman service chief: President Joe Biden hailed Adm. Linda Fagan as new Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and the armed forces’ first female service chief, declaring during a change of command Wednesday, “It’s about time.” “the trailblazing career of Admiral Fagan shows young people entering the services, we mean what we say: There are no doors — no doors — closed to women,” Biden said.

4 Germany to buy helicopters: Germany plans to buy 60 Boeing Chinook transport helicopters as part of a massive procurement drive to upgrade its military, the country’s defense ministry said Wednesday. The ministry said the plan is to buy 60 Chinook CH-47F aircraft. German news agency dpa reported that some 5 billion euros are earmarked for the purchase.

5 Chicken exports banned: Malaysia suspended exports of live chickens Wednesday to guarantee supplies for domestic markets, prompting distress in neighboring Singapore, where chicken rice is a national dish.