NEW YORK (Reuters) – Credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service cut its rating on Spanish government debt on Wednesday by three notches to Baa3 from A3, saying the newly approved euro zone plan to help Spain’s banks will increase the
By ERIC TALMADGEAssociated PressTOKYOJapan has evidence that a Chinese company exported to North Korea vehicles capable of transporting and launching missiles, in possible violation of U.N. sanctions, Japanese media reported Wednesday. China called the reports inaccurate, and denied violating any
By MENELAOS HADJICOSTISAssociated PressNICOSIA, CyprusMoody’s credit ratings agency on Wednesday drove Cyprus deeper into junk status with a two-notch downgrade to Ba3 over an increased likelihood that debt-crushed Greece will leave the eurozone. Moody’s said in a statement that it
This morning on “Morning Joe” on MSNBC, Joe Scarborough launched into a tirade about “cheeto-eating” bloggers, suggesting that they should “shut up,” and that they were irrelevant to the political debate: “You know, you can go online and act like
We’ve reported on the rank anti-semitism at David Brock’s Media Matters for America. We’ve also reported on Media Matters’ war on Christians – which is likely based on Christians’ loyal support for Israel. Heck, they’ve even sprinkled in some Islamophobia on
The primetime soap opera “Dallas” introduced us to the richer than rich Ewing clan. Today, being “rich” isn’t as much fun as it used to be, if the new “Dallas” reboot is any indication. The Washington Times’ Peter Suderman reviews
(AFP) US comedy legend Jerry Lewis spent the night in hospital in New York after feeling faint, but is doing “fine” and was expected to be released Wednesday, an aide said. The 86-year-old “Nutty Professor” actor was rushed to hospital
The hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” features some epic sword battles and gore. And, apparently, the disembodied head of the 43rd President of the United States. (See video below) The web site io9.com reports the first season DVD of
By ROBERT JABLON and ANDREW DALTONAssociated PressLOS ANGELESHenry Hill spent much of his life as a “goodfella,” believing his last moment would come with a bullet to the back of his head. In the end he died at a hospital
American liberals are the new face of anti-Mormonism, according to a new study by American National Election Studies (ANES). According to ANES, 35 percent of Americans in February said they weren’t inclined to vote for a Mormon, an upswing of
A new Gallup poll shows that union member support for President Obama has dropped dramatically since his huge election victory in 2008. During that election, 67 percent of union members voted for Obama. Today, just 57 percent of union members
Tea Party favorite Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has said that he will vote with Democrats if he has to in order to confirm President Obama’s choice for ambassador to El Salvador. Obama’s current ambassador, Mari Carmen Aponte, was a recess
By JUERGEN BAETZAssociated PressBERLINGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country’s opposition leaders failed to reach an agreement on a European growth initiative in a new round of talks Wednesday, according to participants. Merkel and top opposition lawmakers held talks at
By ELENA BECATOROSAssociated PressATHENS, GreeceGreece must form a government after this weekend’s vote, Conservative leader Antonis Samaras said Wednesday, insisting that his country should stay in the eurozone and try to amend its international bailout deal to stimulate its moribund
By CHRISTINA REXRODEAP Business WriterNEW YORKU.S stocks struggled for direction Wednesday, with the debt maelstrom in Europe as an ominous backdrop. The major stock indexes opened lower, then briefly turned positive. Shortly before noon, the Dow Jones industrial average and
By PAUL HAVENAssociated PressHAVANAFor months, Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega has been under fire: called a lackey and political ally of Raul Castro’s communist government, asked to resign over his treatment of protesters and ridiculed in Miami as a snobby elitist.
By DONNA CASSATAAssociated PressWASHINGTONDefense Secretary Leon Panetta says no unauthorized information was provided to filmmakers producing a movie on the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Panetta, the former CIA director, told the Senate Wednesday that there is a Defense
(AP) Spain calls for European integration to save euroBy ALAN CLENDENNING and HAROLD HECKLEAssociated PressMADRIDSpain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy went on the offensive in parliament Wednesday, calling for greater European fiscal and banking integration in a battle to save the
The United States and India sought Wednesday to dispel doubts over their relationship as a US company signed a deal on nuclear power — an area emblematic of disappointment between the countries. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, holding annual
By GRAHAM DUNBARAP Sports WriterWARSAW, PolandUEFA fined the Russian soccer association $150,000 Wednesday because its fans attacked stadium stewards at a European Championship match. Russia could be deducted six points in its Euro 2016 qualifying group for a repeat offense.
By DIAA HADIDAssociated PressBEIRUTSyrian forces pushed out scores of rebels holed up in a rebellious area near the Mediterranean coast Wednesday and state television said they retook control of the region following eight days of fierce shelling and clashes. The
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov flew into Iran on Wednesday for a brief visit to discuss upcoming international talks over Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme. The trip preceded a new round of negotiations between Iran and the major powers that is
(AP) More than 7 in 10 US teens jobless in summerBy HOPE YENAssociated PressWASHINGTONOnce a rite of passage to adulthood, summer jobs for teens are disappearing. Fewer than three in 10 American teenagers now hold jobs such as running cash
(AP) US retail sales dropped 0.2 percent in MayBy MARTIN CRUTSINGERAP Economics WriterWASHINGTONU.S. retail sales declined in April and May, pulled down by a sharp drop in gas prices. But even after excluding volatile gas sales, consumers barely increased their
(AP) Survivor of shooting spree wins Ariz. House seatBy KEVIN FREKING and WALTER BERRYAssociated PressPHOENIXRon Barber, who almost lost his life in the Arizona shooting rampage that wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, won a special election to succeed her, giving
