9:27am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Berkshire Hathaway's Credit Rating Knocked Down A Notch

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 9:53 am

Credit Donald Bowers / Getty Images for Fortune

Billionaire investment legend Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has had its credit rating lowered from AA+ to AA by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

In a statement, S&P says that even though Berkshire Hathaway has an "excellent business profile," the lower credit rating "better reflects our view of BRK's dependence on its core insurance operations for most of its dividend income." (S&P's statement is posted on its website, but you have to register to view it.)

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8:49am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Hiring Julie Hermann, Rutgers Seeks A New Era In Athletics

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 9:18 am

Credit Mel Evans / AP

Rutgers University officials are welcoming the arrival of new athletic director Julie Hermann as the beginning of a new era, as the school seeks to rebound from the turmoil that recently engulfed its athletics department.

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8:47am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Reports: Note Found In Boat Where Boston Suspect Hid

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 11:10 am

Credit Darren McCollester / Getty Images

In a message written on a wall of the boat where he was found hiding, Boston bombings suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was motivated by anger over the Afghan and Iraq wars, sources familiar with what was found have told CBS News correspondent John Miller.

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7:57am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Conflicting Signals From Latest Economic Indicators

Thursday morning's economic news:

-- There were 360,000 first-time claims for unemployment insurance last week, up 32,000 from the week before, the Employment and Training Administration says. At 360,000, the pace was the fastest since the last week of March. But it remained well below the 400,000-and-higher rate that lasted from mid-2008 into 2011.

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7:35am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Twitter Users Risk Damnation, Say Saudi Religious Police

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 8:57 am

Credit Fayez Nureldine / AFP/Getty Images

"The head of Saudi Arabia's religious police has warned citizens against using Twitter, which is rising in popularity among Saudis," the BBC reports. "Sheikh Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said anyone using social media sites — and especially Twitter — 'has lost this world and his afterlife.' "

International Digital Times notes that:

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7:35am

Thu May 16, 2013
Commentary

What Was I Thinking for May 16, 2013

Commentator Brian O'Nuanain is looking for some Southern Ice Tea Converts. He's here to share the proper approach to brewing a pot of tea.

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7:08am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Suspect Apprehended In New Orleans Second-Line Shooting

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 3:30 pm

Credit New Orleans Police Department / EPA /LANDOV

"CAPTURED!"

That's how the New Orleans Police Department spread the word on Facebook early Thursday that its officers had "arrested 19-year-old Akein Scott in connection with the shooting of 19 people on Mother's Day."

Update at 4:05 p.m. ET. Second Suspect Arrested:

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6:45am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Book News: Amazon's Tiny Tax Payment Draws Fresh Scrutiny

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 10:00 am

Credit Bruno Vincent / Getty Images

The daily lowdown on books, publishing, and the occasional author behaving badly.

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6:27am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

At Least 13 Dead, Including Americans, After Attack In Kabul

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 7:46 am

Credit Zhao Yishen / Xinhua /Landov

Early casualty reports indicate that a powerful suicide car bombing Thursday in Kabul killed at least seven Afghan civilians, four foreign civilian contractors who were working for international forces and two members of the international military force.

Dozens more people were reportedly injured by the blast in Afghanistan's capital city.

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6:08am

Thu May 16, 2013
The Two-Way

Texas Tornado Leaves 6 Dead, Dozens Hurt, Hundreds Homeless

Originally published on Thu May 16, 2013 7:38 am

Credit Joyce Marshall / Fort Worth Star-Telegram / MCT / Landov

"A massive emergency response" is underway in North Texas, where tornadoes blew through Wednesday night, The Dallas Morning News says. A twister that hit Granbury, about 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth, left at least six people dead, more than 100 injured and even more homeless, The Associated Press adds.

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