It’s only this week that budget negotiations get seriously political, writes Gerard Howlin.

Greece is on target to tap bond markets for money again by the end of this year and exit its bailout programme next summer, representatives from the country's European creditors said.

Greece is seeking to persuade its creditors in Europe that it has done enough to receive another chunk of bailout loans and a commitment on alleviating Athens' hefty debt burden.

The Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has said Ireland will accept at least 1,100 asylum seekers from Greece by September next year.

Greece’s Parliament has passed a budget of continued austerity as mandated by the country’s creditors, but which forecasts robust growth for 2017.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has recalled talking global politics with Fidel Castro.

Greece's bailout lenders have been urged to grant the country relief on its massive debts if Athens agrees to impose tougher budget austerity measures.

Greece's prime minister has vowed to exhaust diplomatic and, if necessary, legal means to wrest reparations from Germany for its brutal occupation of the country in the Second World War.

Greece has told its European and IMF creditors it cannot implement some of the extra changes sought in exchange for fresh bailout loans, sources close to the talks said yesterday.

Greece's parliament has approved a bill reforming the debt-ridden country's pension and tax systems.

Greece said it’s aiming for an agreement with creditors on the next tranche of emergency loans by the beginning of May as German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble sought to play down debt relief expectations.

The EU’s refugee deal with Turkey is already causing confusion and fear among asylum-seekers and authorities alike, write Tania Karas and Lauren Bohn from the Greek island of Lesbos

Greece has demanded an explanation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after an apparently leaked transcript suggested the IMF may threaten to pull out of the country’s bailout as a tactic to force European lenders to offer more debt relief.

Greece and its international lenders resumed talks in Athens yesterday on the country’s fiscal and reform progress, rekindling Athens’ hopes that its first bailout review may be concluded before the end of April.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the ongoing refugee crisis.

EU Council president Donald Tusk told illegal economic migrants not to risk their lives or money on a perilous trip to Europe “for nothing” but said unilateral actions by European Union states to deal with the crisis must stop.

The troika’s disastrous policy has cost taxpayers dearly, writes Yanis Varoufakis

Eurozone deputy finance ministers provisionally approved the payout of a €1bn aid tranche for Greece yesterday after Athens withdrew a disputed package of social justice measures from parliament.

Greece is aiming for a deal with international lenders today on the next set of reforms to unlock extra aid, but differences remain over how to handle banks’ bad loans. 

Greece’s parliament has approved a 2016 budget that includes deep spending cuts and tax increases amid economic recession.

Some of the stranger stories from around the globe

Public services have shut down across Greece as workers hold the first general strike since the country’s government initially came to power in January.

Any Greeks hoping their days of economic pain are over following the latest bailout agreement with international lenders should look to the dire projections from Europe’s three main institutional forecasters for a reality check.

The EU is predicting that 3m more migrants could arrive in the 28-nation bloc by the end of next year, with the refugee emergency already providing a stern test of EU capacities to offer shelter and welcome.

The recent election that returned Alexis Tsipras to power saw a turnout 1.6m down on the referendum vote in July. Passionate Greeks have been left glum, says Yanis Varoufakis

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Greece must implement its bailout programme fast to achieve its main aim of regaining access to market financing and escaping international supervision, re-elected leftist prime minister Alexis Tsipras has said.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Alexis Tsipras has received the formal mandate to form a government for the second time this year, after his left-wing Syriza party won Greece’s elections with an unexpectedly wide margin.

Greek voters yesterday returned Alexis Tsipras to power with a strong election victory, ensuring that the charismatic leftist remains Greece’s dominant political figure despite caving into European demands for a bailout he once opposed.

Greece’s former prime minister says he is seeking an absolute majority for his radical left Syriza party in upcoming early elections.

Former Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras played down fears yesterday that a snap election in two weeks would produce a fractured result, saying there were enough undecided voters to produce a clear winner on the day.

The ECB has reduced the amount of emergency funding available to Greek lenders, a person familiar with the matter said, as capital controls and an agreement between the country’s government and its creditors eased deposit outflows.

Greece’s new prime minister has named the members of her caretaker government as the country prepares for early elections next month.