Wise Guys are out: China bans Web sites from glamorizing mafia lifestyle and violent games

BEIJING — China has banned Web sites from advertising or linking to games that glamorize violence, another step in China’s censorship campaign aimed at ensuring social stability ahead of the 60th anniversary of communist rule on Oct. 1.

The twittering civil servant: British government publishes microblogging guidelines

LONDON — The British government has told civil servants: Go forth and tweet.

IAC and NBC’s Ben Silverman team up in new venture, but details remain scarce

NEW YORK — A new venture that NBC Entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman is leaving the network to form with Barry Diller’s IAC/InterActiveCorp promises better integration of ad campaigns by involving advertisers earlier in a show’s development.

Moldovans to hold a new nationwide vote after uprising triggered in part by Twitter

CHISINAU, Moldova — Moldovans go to the polls Wednesday, three months after protesters stormed the capital accusing the communist-led government of rigging nationwide elections — and used Twitter to rally support after cell phone networks went down.

AT&T says controversial Web site blocked temporarily as source of Internet attack

NEW YORK — AT&T says it blocked freewheeling Web site 4chan.org this weekend.

NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman leaving to head new multimedia venture with Diller’s IAC

NEW YORK — Ben Silverman will be leaving his job as co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Movie Studios to head a new venture with Barry Diller’s IAC/InterActiveCorp focusing on producing and distributing multimedia content.

3 months after post-election violence, Moldovans to hold another nationwide vote

CHISINAU, Moldova — Three months after their country was wracked by violent post-election protests, Moldovans vote again this week in a tightly contested ballot that could see the ex-Soviet republic remain in Russia’s orbit or edge closer to the European Union.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin steps down to write a book, build right-of-center coalition

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — At times, it seemed like a flashback to the 2008 presidential campaign.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin formally steps down to write book, build right-of-center coalition

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Sarah Palin stepped down Sunday as Alaska governor to write a book and build a right-of-center coalition, but she left her long-term political plans unclear and refused to address speculation she would seek a 2012 presidential bid.

Sarah Palin formally steps down as Alaska governor, with her future plans unclear

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has resigned from office.

Palin steps down as Alaska governor, future plans unclear

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Sarah Palin stepped down Sunday as Alaska governor to write a book and build a right-of-center coalition, but she left her long-term political plans unclear and refused to address speculation she would seek a 2012 presidential bid.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s resignation day arrives, future plans still unclear

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin steps down Sunday giving few clues about a political future clouded by ethics probes, mounting legal bills and dwindling popularity.

It is a tough job being foreign minister (Capital Buzz)

NEW DELHI - If there is one thing common between Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna and his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee, it is their propensity to work 24×7. The only difference is that while Mukherjee seemed to be enjoying all that whirligig, Krishna looks like a reluctant foreign minister thrust into the high profile job.

Parents police social networking sites

NEW DELHI - If you are a teenager, be careful who you talk to and what you say on social networking sites — for papa and mama may be watching, sometimes with good reason.

Questions won’t stop as Palin exits Alaska politics, promises to keep speaking her mind

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin gained fame — and to some infamy — since she embarked on a vice-presidential bid less than a year ago.

Alaska Gov. Palin exits national stage as she entered it: facing questions

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin gained fame — and to some infamy — since she embarked on a vice-presidential bid less than a year ago.

All 13 astronauts relax on first day off in more than a week after 4 grueling spacewalks

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The astronauts in orbit, all 13 of them, enjoyed their first day off in more than a week Saturday after a series of grueling spacewalks.

Iran government builds Internet walls but activists still slip around in political turmoil

CAIRO — The tweets still fly and the videos hit YouTube whenever protesters take to the streets in Iran — even as the Internet battle there turns more grueling.

Twitter to Preach religion to youth

Hindus have asked their flock to use micro-blogging services like Twitter to make the message more attractive and accessible, especially for youth.

Palin report prompts Alaska lieutenant governor to seek recommendations on ethics probe leaks

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell is asking Alaska’s attorney general to recommend ways to stop people from leaking confidential information in ethics investigations.

Schwarzenegger addresses woes of Calif. budget cuts with giant knife in online video message

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When a tall, muscular man wields a 2-foot-long knife on-camera, it’s usually not for a thank-you video.

Schwarzenegger introduces latest Twitter video about Calif. budget crisis with giant knife

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ever the entertainer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has posted a Twitter video related to the state’s budget crisis in which he picks up an oversized knife and jokes about autographing state vehicles that will be auctioned to raise cash.

Ex-Christian Coalition firebrand looking for redemption with broader venture

ATLANTA — Ralph Reed was once a powerful force in Republican politics, able to marshal millions of religious conservatives to the polls while leading the Christian Coalition.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin implicated in ethics investigation of legal defense fund

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Days before Gov. Sarah Palin is scheduled to leave office, the former vice presidential candidate is facing yet another legal distraction: An independent investigator found evidence she may have violated ethics laws by trading on her position as she sought money for lawyer fees.

AP NewsBreak: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin implicated in ethics investigation of legal defense fund

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An independent investigator has found evidence that Gov. Sarah Palin may have violated ethics laws by trading on her position in seeking money for legal fees, in the latest legal distraction for the former vice presidential candidate as she prepares to leave office this week.

Gunfire erupts in Newark; 3 dead, 7 others wounded in three shootings

NEWARK, N.J. — Three shootings in Newark on Monday have left three people dead and seven wounded in the latest outburst of violence in northern New Jersey.

Gunfire erupts in Newark; 3 killed, 7 wounded in three incidents

NEWARK, N.J. — A third shooting in six hours in Newark has left two people wounded, making it three killed and seven wounded in a day of violence in New Jersey’s largest city.

Another ethics complaint filed against Alaska governor by outspoken critic

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Another ethics complaint was filed against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday — less than a week before her resignation — alleging she failed to submit complete gift disclosure forms in a timely manner.

Gunfire erupts in Newark; 3 dead, 5 others wounded in separate incidents

NEWARK, N.J. — A pair of shootings in New Jersey’s largest city have left three people dead and five others wounded.

India-US ties enter Phase III with two n-reactors, defence and space pacts (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - India Monday approved two sites for the US nuclear reactors as the two countries launched the much-discussed third phase of their strategic partnership