Puerto Rico’s descent into junk territory has been about as certain as death and taxes, but last night it finally happened: ratings agency Standard & Poor’s cut the blue commonwealth’s debt to below investment-grade status, giving Puerto Rico membership in the very exclusive club of municipalities with junk-rated debt. Less than one percent of municipalities (and no states) share the honor.

AIPAC, the allegedly omnipotent lobby that nobody dares to fight, appears to be losing the battle over Iran sanctions. The “omnipotent Israel lobby” is one of the hoariest chestnuts of political commentary, but maybe this news will remind people of a few basic facts about American politics.

Russia’s challenge to the West has been building for a long time, and has reached a crescendo with the crisis in Ukraine. The window is closing, but there is still time to act and tip the balance.

Public pensions rode the stock market to 16 percent this year. This is good news for pensioners, but funds have mishandled similar big gains in the past—their pensions are still far from safe.

The Chinese Navy has sent its largest landing ship to conduct military exercises in the Indian Ocean to send a message to India. China’s rivals in the Pacific will be watching as well.

Bill de Blasio plans to cut over $200 million from NYC charter schools in his new education capital plan.At first this was billed as an attempt to raise more money for pre-K programs, but de Blasio later stepped in to correct the record: He just doesn’t like charters.

In a huge blow to the embattled government of Thailand’s prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, China abandoned a plan to buy a massive amount of rice from Thai farmers today. Is that a message of support for Thailand’s opposition, which is pushing toward a coup?

Our running series for college students on how to make themselves completely miserable continues with the news that Rutgers University will offer a course called “Politicizing Beyoncé” that will “explore race, gender and sexuality in America via Beyoncé’s music.” If young people simply take out massive loans and spend four years in courses like this, we promise them all the long-term unhappiness they could ever want.

After years of calling for peace talks with the Taliban, Pakistan’s Imran Khan is turning down an offer to lead the negotiations. Is Khan trying to distance himself from talks that could be doomed to failure?

Louisiana has gone all-in on education reform, and reformers have a big stake in its success. Unfortunately, 77 percent of fourth graders are reading below grade level, one of the worst rates in the nation. It’s an inauspicious beginning.