Portugal downgraded, banks reported to shun bonds

Portugal's credit rating was downgraded again on Tuesday and the country's biggest banks reportedly threatened to stop buying government debt, urging the caretaker administration to seek a short-term loan during pre-election limbo.

Portugal banks urging govt to seek loan

Portugal's biggest banks will stop buying government bonds and are urging the caretaker administration to seek a short-term loan to secure financing until a June 5 election, business daily Jornal de Negocios

U.S.-Russian crew blast off for space station

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft, carrying two cosmonauts and a U.S. astronaut to the International Space Station, blasted off early on Tuesday from Russia's launchpad in Kazakhstan, blazing a fiery trail across the

Euro edges off 5-month high

Oil sat near a two-and-a-half year high scaled on fears of further supply disruptions from the Middle East and Africa and the euro edged off a five-month high against the dollar on

Obama kicks off 2012 re-election campaign

U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday opened his 2012 re-election campaign with a website announcement and e-mails and text messages to supporters. "This campaign is just kicking off," a short announcement said