RT News - July 08, 2014 (17:00 MSK)

Eastern Ukraine's two biggest cities are braced for a military blockade after the new President personally orders a siege is put in place; At least five Palestinians are killed as Israel launches a large-scale offensive against Gaza, with reports that its troops are preparing for a ground invasion; And France's Finance Minister says the global currency system needs to move away from the dollar, after one of the country's biggest banks is hit by a 9 billion dollar fine for not complying with sanctions put in place by Washington.