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Russia's attempt to pay for two of its dollar bonds using rubles was deemed a potential default scenario by a derivatives industry watchdog on Wednesday, bringing the country to the brink of its first default in a century. The Credit Derivatives Determinations Committee — a panel within the The International Swap and Derivatives Association — ruled that a "potential failure to pay" event had occurred, Reuters first reported. It is still possible for Russia to avoid a default if it manages to pay bondholders using dollars before a one-month grace period ends on May 4. Russia has become increasingly cut...

MILAN - Fiat Chrysler and unions are discussing plans for beefed-up health measures at Italian plants to pave the way for most profitable production to restart as soon as the government eases a national lockdown, unions said on Wednesday. An extension of a national lockdown due to expire on April 13 cannot be ruled out, but recent coronavirus data allowed growing confidence that the virus was on the retreat in Italy. Measures proposed by FCA’s unions include rearranging assembly layouts, staggering shifts, and marking floors to ensure a one-meter distance is kept between workers, FIM representative Raffaele Apetino said, adding...

Donald Trump was asked on “Fox & Friends” this morning for his opinion on the shooting outside Pam Geller’s “Draw the Prophet” contest, and he didn’t mince his words. Brian Kilmeade asked whether he still believed “in freedom of speech, regardless of what they’re talking about — you’ve got to think they could do without being shot, don’t you think?” Trump replied that it’s “very terrible,” but was heartened that the police acted “very strongly” by killing the two suspects. After blaming the “weak action” of the Baltimore police for the destruction of “over 200 businesses in a single night,”...

Heads up PA FReepers - protest planned for Rove speech~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thursday, May 4 - 6-7:30 pm WHAT: Vigil for Peace, Unwelcoming Party for Karl Rove Vigil for Peace, Unwelcoming Party for Karl Rove Along Route 30, on sidewalk, in front of The Host Resort 2300 Lincoln Highway East (Route 30) Lancaster, PA

Tech adds to Vietnam Center collection By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Texas Tech recently took delivery of two contrasting collections maintained by Kent State, the Ohio university where the shooting deaths of four student protesters 34 years ago galvanized the nation's anti-Vietnam War movement. Tech's Vietnam Center received the Social Movements Collection, which documents anti-war sentiment throughout the United States during various conflicts, including Vietnam. It also has guardianship of a collection from Voices in Vital America, an organization that sought information about POWs, MIAs and their families. It was during a campus anti-war rally on May 4, 1970, that student...