Negotiators at the Iran nuclear talks plan to announce today that they have reached a historic deal capping nearly a decade of diplomacy that would curb Iran’s atomic programme in return for sanctions relief, two diplomats said yesterday.

An Irish choir is preparing to perform at celebrations in Rome this weekend marking the 500th anniversary of the choir of St Peter’s Basilica.

Several thousand faithful packed a square in central Vienna today as Pope Benedict XVI wrapped up a three-day visit to Austria with a Mass and a stop at a medieval abbey outside the capital.