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Tiananmen Square is China’s most politically charged public space and authorities are desperate to avoid embarrassing incidents that could tarnish the Olympics, which the Communist leadership sees as a crowning achievement and source of massive national prestigeUnderscoring sensitivity about the square, China has told broadcasters it will bar live television shots from Tiananmen during the games—disrupting the plans of NBC and other international networks that have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to broadcast the Aug. 8-24 games and were counting on eye-pleasing live shots.The move was apparently linked to recent unrest among Tibetans and a wave of passionate protests by critics of the Communist government that followed the Olympic torch on its journey around the world last month.Other aspects of Beijing’s Olympic security regime have not been announced, although there is a marked increase in the number of police and paramilitary troops in the center of the city.China also has tightened visa restrictions and monitoring of residency permits for foreigners. 

The Detroit Tigers left Yankee Stadium this week with the hope and momentum of a three-game sweep, but Jim Leyland was cautiousJoe Mauer capped a Minnesota rally from a six-run, first-inning deficit, slapping a two-run single up the middle in the seventh to lift the Twins past the Tigers 7-6 on Sunday for their fifth straight winThe Tigers tricked Kenny Rogers into thinking he was getting that kind of support. He retired the first 11 batters he faced and should’ve been out of the seventh with a 6-3 lead, but third baseman Carlos Guillen let a routine two-out groundball hit by Nick Punto roll off his glove and through his legs.Maybe the new-look lineup will do that better.