Ethics investigation of SC gov’s travel began 10 days ago; Sanford allows probe to be public

CONWAY, S.C. — The head of the South Carolina Ethics Commission is confirming that an investigation of Gov. Mark Sanford’s travel has been going on for 10 days.

Calls for SC Gov. Sanford to resign or be impeached grow as ethics questions being raised

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Calls are growing louder for Gov. Mark Sanford to resign over his extramarital affair and questionable travel on commercial, state and private planes.

If there is an ethics probe of SC gov, Sanford says he would allow information to be public

CONWAY, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford says he doesn’t know if ethics investigators are looking at his travel, but the Republican says he will allow any probe to be public.

New Mexico Gov. Richardson’s political future brighter after fed pay-to-play probe ends

SANTA FE, N.M. — A dark cloud over Gov. Bill Richardson’s political future has lifted after the federal government’s decision against indictments in a pay-to-play investigation that prompted the governor to withdraw his nomination as U.S. commerce secretary earlier this year.

Diplomats from 5 European Union embassies visit wife of jailed Cuban political activist

HAVANA — Representatives from five European Union embassies in Cuba visited the wife of jailed political opposition activist Darsi Ferrer on Thursday, but insisted their visit was not political.

SC governor calls travel probe ’selective outrage’ after predecessors bought pricey tickets

GREENVILLE, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Thursday that a state senator shouldn’t single him out by investigating his travels after other governors bought pricey flights for years.

Myanmar activist criticizes China, others for dealing with junta while ignoring corruption

MANILA, Philippines — China and other governments with lucrative business deals in Myanmar are ignoring massive corruption by its ruling military junta, a pro-democracy activist said Thursday.

SC gov: ‘Folks who were never fans’ won’t force him to step down over affair, travel questions

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two months after admitting to an affair, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said “folks who were never fans” won’t push him out of office early, including his second in command who said the state cannot solve critical problems under his leadership.

SC gov embroiled in affair scandal: Won’t be ‘railroaded’ out after lt. gov’s call to quit

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford rebuffed his lieutenant governor’s call to resign Wednesday, two months after he admitted an affair, saying he will not be “railroaded” out of office.

SC lt. gov calls on embattled gov. to quit, citing distractions and questions since affair

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s lieutenant governor called on Gov. Mark Sanford to resign Wednesday, promising to put aside his own political ambitions if that convinces fellow Republicans wary of elevating him to urge Sanford to step down.

Late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Ted Kennedy): Brief Biography

A chronology of the life of Sen. Edward Kennedy

Highlights in the life of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy:

Holder’s probe of CIA interrogations angers conservatives and liberals for different reasons

WASHINGTON — Conservatives say it will endanger Americans. Liberals say it doesn’t go far enough. Neither end of the political spectrum is happy with Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to appoint a federal prosecutor to investigate possible abuses by CIA interrogators in using harsh tactics on terror detainees.

From budget to university scandal, Illinois governor gaining reputation as indecisive

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — First, Gov. Pat Quinn demanded that the University of Illinois board of trustees resign over an admissions scandal. Then he gave them time to think it over. Then he set a deadline. Then he pushed back the deadline.

Convicted NJ senator Bryant reports to federal prison in West Virginia

LAWNSIDE, N.J. — Former state Sen. Wayne Bryant has reported to prison.

‘Inhumane’ CIA tactics on detainees spur new rules, and criminal probe of interrogators

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is setting strict new standards for treatment of terror suspects, as the Justice Department launches a criminal probe of past interrogation tactics during President George W. Bush’s war on terrorism.

NJ gov says challenger crossed line as US Attorney; challenger says Dems’ outrage is ‘fake’

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey GOP gubernatorial contender Chris Christie accused Democrats of “fake outrage” over a $46,000 loan he made to a federal prosecutor he supervised.

Ensign trying to move past affair, but comparison to Clinton makes it difficult

FERNLEY, Nev. — Two months after a weary looking John Ensign hastily confessed to having an extramarital affair with a former campaign aide who was his best friend’s wife, the Nevada senator set out to reconstruct his image before a forgiving crowd in the Fernley Community Center.

Former ally of Venezuela’s Chavez seeks asylum in Peru to avoid corruption charges at home

LIMA, Peru — A former ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in Peru seeking political asylum to avoid corruption charges at home that he contends are politically motivated, his lawyer said Friday.

Jury convicts ex-La. congressman’s brother on 4 counts, including bribery, acquits on 3 counts

NEW ORLEANS — A federal jury has convicted New Orleans political operative Mose Jefferson of bribery charges less than a month after his brother, a former Louisiana congressman, was found guilty of unrelated corruption charges.

Obama warns Libya against splashy welcome for Lockerbie bomber and objects to his release

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama urged Libya not to give a hero’s welcome to the convicted perpetrator of the Pan Am 103 bombing, who was released from a Scottish prison Thursday over U.S. objections. Hours later Abdel Baset al-Megrahi arrived in Tripoli to a festive greeting by thousands.

President Obama serves notice on Libya that freed Lockerbie bomber must be under house arrest

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the Libyan convicted in the Pan Am 103 bombing and freed Thursday by Scottish authorities must not receive a hero’s welcome upon his return to Libya.

Judge says ex-Bosnian leader Karadzic’s war crimes case ready for trial; no date set

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The pretrial judge in the war crimes case against former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic said Thursday he believes the case is ready for trial.

Afghans vote for president under Taliban violence threat; Karzai and Abdullah top contenders

KABUL — Afghans voted under the shadow of Taliban threats of violence Thursday to choose their next president for a nation plagued by armed insurgency, drugs, corruption and a feeble government nearly eight years after the U.S.-led invasion.

Voting starts in Afghanistan’s presidential election; Karzai and Abdullah top contenders

KABUL — Afghans voted under the shadow of Taliban threats of violence Thursday to choose a new president for a nation plagued by armed insurgency, drugs, corruption and a feeble government nearly eight years after the U.S.-led invasion.

Voting starts in Afghanistan’s presidential election

KABUL — Afghans voted under the shadow of Taliban threats of violence Thursday to choose a new president for a nation plagued by armed insurgency, drugs, corruption and a feeble government nearly eight years after the U.S.-led invasion.

Fears of election day attacks pulse through Afghanistan during presidential election

KABUL — Threats of Taliban violence and rumors of fraud cast a shadow over Afghanistan’s election, in which millions of voters will choose a new president Thursday to lead a nation plagued by armed insurgency, drugs, corruption and a feeble government.

Lawyer says 10 Tsvangirai parliamentarians arrested in Zimbabwe, accused of disturbing peace

HARARE, Zimbabwe — A lawyer says 10 Zimbabwean lawmakers from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party have been arrested and charged with disturbing the peace as they headed into the Finance Ministry for a meeting.

Taiwan typhoon victims berate President Ma; more lawmakers offer to resign over gov’t response

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese survivors of Typhoon Morakot berated the president on Wednesday for his government’s slow response to the deadly disaster, and two more Cabinet members offered to resign to take responsibility.

AP sources: NJ corruption prosecutor now faces internal probe amid heated campaign

WASHINGTON — The top federal prosecutor in New Jersey is facing an internal ethics investigation over public comments that may have helped his ex-boss’ campaign for governor, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Analysis: Afghan presidential winner faces daunting game of catch-up after years of US neglect

KABUL — An open secret among U.S. officials in Kabul is that Afghanistan was the Bush administration’s second-string war. After years of neglect, Taliban violence skyrocketed, prompting President Barack Obama to boost the American commitment — in guns and gold.