Gloomy gable ends and scruffy shopfronts are among 24 sites in Waterford’s city centre scheduled for a spectacular makeover in the next few days.

Despite the economic compromise, the US could still lose its coveted AAA debt rating some time in the next six months, largely because the agreement does not cut enough spending.

News that European leaders were drawing up a new rescue plan for Greece and taking a broader approach to dealing with Europe’s debt troubles drove markets higher Thursday.