Math Error Fuels Fight Over Rating  —  A mathematical error discovered late Friday by Treasury Department officials threw into limbo, at least temporarily, plans by ratings firm Standard & Poor's to downgrade the top-notch AAA credit rating the U.S. has held for 70 years, people familiar with the matter said.

Standard & Poor's has been wrong before.  But they're right now.  —  Standard Poor's decision to downgrade the United States has led to a lot of criticism of Standard Poor's.  The White House called their performance, which included a miscalculation of about $2 trillion, “amateur hour.”

S.&P. Downgrades Debt Rating of U.S. For the First Time  —  WASHINGTON — Standard & Poor's removed the United States government from its list of risk-free borrowers for the first time on Friday night, a downgrade that is freighted with symbolic significance but carries few clear financial implications.

Govt Officials: US Expecting S&P Downgrade — Based on ‘Serious Mistake’ in Analysis*  —  Two government officials tell ABC News that the federal government is expecting and preparing for bond rating agency Standard & Poor's to downgrade the rating of U.S. debt from its current AAA value.

United States loses AAA credit rating from S&P  —  (Reuters) - The United States lost its top-notch AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's on Friday in an unprecedented reversal of fortune for the world's largest economy.  —  S&P cut the long-term U.S. credit rating by one notch to AA-plus …

United States of America Long-Term Rating Lowered To ‘AA+’ Due To Political Risks, Rising Debt Burden; Outlook Negative … TORONTO (Standard & Poor's) Aug. 5, 2011—Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that it lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States of America to ‘AA+’ from ‘AAA’.

S&P Downgrades U.S. Debt Rating — Press Release  —  Standard & Poor's took the unprecedented step of downgrading the U.S. government's “AAA” sovereign credit rating Friday in a move that could send shock waves through global.  The following is a press release from Standard & Poor's:

S&P Strips U.S. of Top Credit Rating  —  Unprecedented Downgrade Comes After Last-Minute Standoff; Treasury Says Decision Is ‘Flawed by a $2 Trillion Error’  —  A cornerstone of the global financial system was shaken Friday when officials at ratings firm Standard & Poor's said U.S. Treasury debt …

Why S&P Has No Business Downgrading the U.S.  —  Standard & Poor's downgrade of America's debt couldn't come at a worse time.  The result is likely to be higher borrowing costs for the government at all levels, and higher interest on your variable-rate mortgage, your auto loan, your credit card loans, and every other penny you borrow.

S&P downgrades U.S. credit rating for first time  —  Standard & Poor's announced Friday night that it has downgraded the United States credit rating for the first time, dealing a huge symbolic blow to the world's economic superpower in what was a sharply worded critique of the American political system.

31 Americans, 7 Afghans killed in helicopter crash  —  KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A military helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan, killing 31 U.S. special operation troops and seven Afghan commandos, the country's president said Saturday.  An American official said it was apparently shot down …