http://pix04.revsci.net/H07707/b3/0/3/0806180/469208998.js?D=DM_LOC%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.themuslimtimes.org%252Fwp-admin%252Fpost-new.php%26DM_CAT%3DNYTimesglobal%2520%253E%2520General%26DM_EOM%3D1&C=H07707PARIS — Standard & Poor’s downgraded the credit ratings of France, Italy and seven other European countries on Friday, a move that may have more symbolic than fundamental financial impact but served as a reminder that Europe’s economic woes were far from over.

Another memory jog came Friday from Greece, the original source of Europe’s debt troubles. Talks hit a snag between the new Greek government and the banks and other private investors that Athens hopes will agree to take losses on their debt so that Greece can avoid a default.   Read more