Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras has reinforced his diplomatic offensive to try to convince European creditors to pay out the bailout loans the country needs to avoid default.

Greece has entered a new round of bailout talks with creditors that are expected to stretch into the weekend, but insists it is not ready to make key concessions despite facing a major debt repayment soon.

Greece has sent its European creditors a last-moment proposal meant to unfreeze talks on its bailout programme and end uncertainty over its future in the euro.

Ireland will have to wait for up to six months before knowing the verdict of the European Commission on its tax agreement with Apple.

Luxembourg has fought back after a report revealed details of hundreds of secret tax deals with multinational companies as Germany’s finance minister said the nation has work to do on complying with global standards.