Europe News Protesters surround EU buildings as anti-TTIP anger voiced in Brussels A protest has shut down much of central Brussels. Its initial intent was to overshadow the last day of the EU’s summit in the Belgium capital, but 19/12/2014
Ukraine Obama set to sign bill on more Russian sanctions by end of the week The White House says President Obama will sign legislation by the end of the week to authorise new sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine 16/12/2014
Japan Japanese voters go to polls with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe likely to hold onto power Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looks set to be re-elected in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. Opinion polls show he is on course for a huge 14/12/2014
Economy Fitch Ratings downgrades France's credit ratings to 'AA' France’s credit ratings were cut from AA+ to AA on Friday. Fitch Ratings took the step despite recent budget-saving measures by the French 13/12/2014
Economy Merkel slams Russia for "standing in the way" of Eastern Europe The German Chancellor has accused Russia of standing in the way of Eastern European countries wanting to be close to the EU. In an interview with Die 07/12/2014