AT&T 1Q earnings fall 9.7 percent but beat Wall Street estimates

NEW YORK — Strong results from the wireless business softened the effect of the weak economy at AT&T Inc., helping the country’s biggest telecommunications carrier beat analyst estimates for the first quarter.

Report: Russia’s foreign defense contracts under threat

MOSCOW — Russia’s defense manufacturers may not fulfill all of their foreign weapons contracts this year, an adviser to the country’s state arms trader said Wednesday, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

EU lawmakers vote for new price cap on sending text messages from abroad

STRASBOURG, France — EU lawmakers have voted for a new price cap that will cut the cost of sending text messages from abroad by nearly two thirds.

As Second Life matures, site plans to let users filter out adult content

NEW YORK — Second Life is getting a little less steamy for people who want to use the virtual world for a myriad of PG-rated experiences, such as taking classes, prototyping buildings or designing virtual goods.

Intel director says high-value info gained in tough questioning of terror suspects

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s top intelligence official privately told employees last week that “high value information” was obtained in interrogations that included harsh techniques approved by former President George W. Bush.

Broadcom launches hostile $764 million bid for Emulex; 1Q earnings miss Street

IRVINE, Calif. — Chip designer Broadcom Corp. is launching a $764 million hostile takeover offer for network gear maker Emulex Corp. Broadcom said Tuesday the deal would help it develop new technologies for corporate data centers.

Elevator, heating equipment results push down first-quarter profit at United Technologies

HARTFORD, Conn. — United Technologies Corp. said Tuesday its first-quarter profit fell 28 percent, as frail construction markets dragged down orders for its Otis elevators and Carrier heating and ventilation systems.

House oversight committee reopens probe of data disclosures on Internet file-sharing services

WASHINGTON — A House committee is reopening its investigation of Internet services that let computer users distribute music and movies online amid reports the same software was exploited to gain unauthorized access to government and private data.

LG Electronics reports quarterly loss of $147 million on FX and LG Display losses

SEOUL, South Korea — LG Electronics Inc., a major manufacturer of mobile phones and flat screen televisions, stayed in the red for a second straight quarter, knocked by foreign exchange losses and a poor result from its flat panel affiliate LG Display.

Japan’s KDDI to release solar-powered mobile phone in June

TOKYO — Cell phone users could soon be turning to the skies to charge their handsets.

Kolkata has a car simulator

KOLKATA - The Automobile Association of Eastern India (AAEI) has introduced car simulator to Kolkata.

Shanghai Auto Show a showdown for global, Chinese car makers fighting over only growth market

SHANGHAI — China’s up-and-coming automakers unveiled a smorgasbord of new vehicles Monday at Shanghai’s auto show, from compacts and electric vehicles to the biggest, brassiest SUVs and luxury sedans, maneuvering to upstage their global rivals in the world’s only major growing market.

China Telecom 1Q profit down 27.4 percent as demand for fixed-line service drops

BEIJING — China Telecom Ltd. said Monday its first quarter profit plunged 27.4 percent as demand for traditional fixed-line telephone services weakened.

Nouth Korea offers warning, dialogue to South Korea amid tensions

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea’s military has warned South Korea to stay out of a U.S.-led initiative to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, while Seoul postponed plans to announce its participation after a surprise offer of dialogue by Pyongyang.

South Korea says North Korea has proposed meeting on joint industrial complex

NKorea proposes meeting on joint factory park

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea says that North Korea has proposed a meeting on a joint factory park in the North next week.