ABC brings back digital news with internet tie-ins
ABC is officially launching a 24-hour digital news channel broadcast on television but also available through internet and wireless devices after flirting with the idea last year. The network launches its all-news station 10 years behind both Fox and MSNBC, in an already crowded market where the two battle each other and CNN for a relatively small audience. It’s a tough area to get into right now, with viewers having lots of different online and television outlets for the news. The network premiered its new station in 6 million of the country’s 110 million television homes beginning with last summer's political conventions. It was taken off the air in January while execs deliberated its market value. It will re-up in July, having retained no commitments yet from satellite or cable carriers. Local programming contributed by 10 of the networks’ affiliate stations will help pad out ABC News Now's offerings. The channel, which will mainly broadcast reruns of other ABC news programs, may need it.  The fresh programs it will be running include "Politics Live" with Sam Donaldson and Chris Cuomo and "Money Matters," covering the New York Stock exchange.

Uprising-wary Chinese ban e-tributes to pope
All over the world people are mourning and discussing the Pope’s death. But Chinese citizens can forget about making comments over the web. Chinese internet portals have banned prayers and other comments on Pope John Paul II. Officials are concerned that his death might cause religious and political uproar. One Chinese web site spokesperson said his company is afraid people will make inappropriate remarks. Most of the online messages posted over the weekend were prayers and blessings, but some people criticized the Vatican for having diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Florida AG files suit against alleged spammers
Major corporations like Microsoft are not the only ones fighting spam. Some states are taking a crack at it. Florida attorney general Charlie Crist has filed civil claims against Tampa residents Scott J. Filary, 25, and Donald E. Townsend, 34. The pair are accused of running a spam operation that generated more than 65,000 deceptive emails since 2003, with 48,000 of them being sent after the enactment of the Florida Electronic Mail Communications Act on July 1 of last year. Their messages directed people to 75 different web sites that engaged in fraudulent or illegal business activities and touted prescription drugs, cash advances and internet downloads. In the lawsuit filed Friday in Hillsborough Circuit Court, the defendants face up to $24 million in fines if convicted. Florida’s law is similar to the federal Can-Spam Act.

E-bid for the 'Christmas Story' house (sans lamp)
There’s always an object of curiosity for sale on eBay. Most recently there’s been a supposedly miraculous piece of toast and a balcony with a royal view. This week, it's a house made famous by a movie. The house where the 1983 holiday movie "A Christmas Story" was set went up for bid on eBay. For $150,000, the Cleveland, Ohio, home went to Brian Jones, a San Diego resident and former Navy man who grew up loving the movie. So much so, in fact, that he turned his interest into a business, selling 45-inch tall leg lamps similar to the one owned by the family in the movie. As for the house, Jones plans to restore it and create a museum dedicated to "A Christmas Story," complete with Ovaltine, BB guns and, of course, those high-heeled leg lamps.