Ireland could find its debt further alleviated if Greece is successful in renegotiating its debt burden.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has lowered its outlook on Greece’s long-term credit rating, saying it is likely that the financially troubled nation will experience a shortfall in its 2012 budget.

Greece is set to get more bailout cash from Europe, despite failing to achieve cutback targets conditional for more aid.

Tens of thousands of protesters preparing to rally at a European Union summit in northern Greece later this month will get help from an unlikely ally: the Athens government.