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8. April 2017, 21:58

Eurozone announces Greece deal

Eurozone leaders have reached agreement on a third bailout for Greece following marathon talks in Brussels. The European Council President Donald Tusk said the programme included "serious reforms" as well as financial support for the country: "after 17 hours of negotiations, we have finally reached it. Leaders have agreed in principle that they are ready to start negotiations on an ESM programme which in other words means continued support for Greece." The German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the road ahead would be long and difficult but added that trust could now be regained. The Greek parliament will be required to pass the reforms by Wednesday. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said a tough battle had been fought, but that Athens had managed to avert the most extreme plans which had been put forward by conservatives in Europe. Speaking through a translator, he said the deal had ensured the country would stay in the Euro: "I have the feeling, the conviction and the hope that the development package of 25 billion Euros that we achieved, the re-structuring of the debt but also the secure financing for the next 3 years will create the feeling for the markets, for the investors, that a Grexit is a thing of the past." In another reaction, Greece's Reform Minster George Katrougalos said "the Europe of austerity has won", saying the deal had been forced upon Greece.

Iran talks continue in Vienna

The French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says he hopes and believes talks in Vienna aimed at reaching an agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme are "in the final phase." The negotiations are aimed at a deal which would restrict Iran's nuclear activities in return for relief from economic sanctions. Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says he's open to continuing the talks for "as long as necessary".

Iraqi forces start Anbar campaign

State television in Iraq says Iraqi troops backed by Shi'ite militias have launched a military operation aimed at re-capturing the country's largest province Anbar from Islamic State militants. The announcement of the offensive comes two months after IS seized the province's capital Ramadi.

Drug lord escapes from Mexican jail

The authorities in Mexico have started a manhunt for the country's most powerful drug lord, Joaquin Guzman, who's escaped from a maximum security prison. 18 prison guards are being questioned. It's the second time Guzman has escaped from a top security jail.

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