The Ministry of Public Security and six other agencies would work together “to purify the Internet’s cultural environment,” the government said in a statement.

For business travelers facing sudden illness or acts of terrorism, several companies offer help.

High manufacturing costs, declining demand for luxury goods in the current economic downturn, and a weak dollar overstretched the finances at the Irish maker of luxury crystal and ceramics.

The management of Bank Medici, which has emerged as one of the largest victims of the Madoff scandal, resigned, leaving day-to-day operations in the hands of an overseer.

The Irish developer Sean Dunne, who became a symbol of the country’s boom, faces a foundering economy.

Global stocks were mostly higher Monday, adding to their New Year gains for a second session.

A politically tinged dispute over the price of fuel has led to a complete halt in supplies to Ukraine and disruptions to four other Eastern European countries.

The story of Liu Yongxing — a former factory worker who is now listed by Forbes as the wealthiest person in China — is a peek into the changes facing China.

Poland, Romania and Bulgaria reported dwindling flows of natural gas after Russia halted shipments to Ukraine.

Russian gas flows to Bulgaria dropped in a fresh sign that Moscow’s decision to cut off Ukraine in a row over pricing was disrupting supplies to some E.U. members.

New reports from the world’s leading economies showed manufacturing continuing to slump amid the worst slowdown since the Great Depression.

After a catastrophic year for global markets, analysts are cautioning investors not to expect the big rebound that usually follows a sharp downturn.

Eleven people were convicted of roles in a counterfeiting ring that distributed pirated software around the world.

Relatives said Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet — who committed suicide in the wake of the Madoff scandal — felt personally responsible losing his clients’ money.

European and Asian indexes rose, but trading volumes remained light ,with many traders not back at their desks until next week.

The Russian energy giant Gazprom shut natural gas deliveries in a move that could spell shortages for Europe.

Australia is beginning a spending program of 17 billion Australian dollars ($11.8 billion) to stimulate the economy amid the global financial crisis.

India’s exports fell for a second consecutive month, adding pressure on the central bank to cut interest rates.

Hungary’s current-account deficit widened more than expected in the third quarter as imports increased faster than exports and investors took money out of the country.

The Swiss bank agreed to sell a stake in its global investors business to Aberdeen Asset Management for 250 million British pounds ($361 million) in stock after losses at the unit.