BBC News with Jerry Smit.
International negotiators have agreed a framework for a final deal on Iran's nuclear program. President Obama called it a historic understanding, which will make the
world safer if as expected, it led to a comprehensive agreement in June. Barbara Plett Usher reports from the talks.
“After a missed deadline and 2 exhausting nights of negotiations, Iran and the 6 world powers presented their framework as a major achievement. The E.U.'s top
diplomat Federica Mogherini, read out the joint statement, outlining the main points. These include a reduction in the number of Iran's operating centrifuges, changes
to its nuclear facilities and a promise to lift sanctions if these steps are verified. This is an unwritten understanding, not a formal agreement, and it lays the
foundation for very tough negotiations ahead on the details. But for now, its architects are celebrating a hard one, potentially historic achievement.”
Israel has criticised the deal, saying it leaves much of Iran's nuclear infrastructure intact. The agreement was also criticised by President Obama's Republican
opponents as an alarming departure from the initial goals. But there've been celebrations in Iran, whose economy has been crippled by international sanctions.
Kenyan authorities say 147 people have been killed at a university in the east of the country that was stormed by al-Shabab gunmen. Witnesses described how Christians
were singled out and shot dead. Anne Soy reports from Garissa.
“ This is so far the deadliest attack launched in Kenya by the Somali militant group, Al-Shabab. 5 heavily-armed gunmen stormed the campus at the early hours of
Thursday, killing security guards and then shooting discriminately at students. Some students were able to escape. 3 or 4 hostels were then evacuated during a security
operation that was launched by the military and police officers. After a day-long battle, eventually, four of the attackers were killed. One was reported to have been
arrested.”
Israel's Supreme Court has thrown out a government plan to route its West Bank separation barrier through a valley near Bethlehem. The plan would have divided a Roman
Catholic monastery from a neighbouring convent and school. A campaign against the route has drawn the attention of Pope Francis. Yolande Knell reports.
“When the Pope visited the holy land last year, he met some of the 58 families who faced losing access to their land in this fertile valley, who was also told how the
route for the barrier proposed by the Israeli Defence Ministry would have cut between church properties, separating a monastery and convent. After the Israeli High
Court ruled against the plan, the Latin patriotic of Jerusalem Fuad Twal, said the decision coming just before Easter was a victory for everyone. Construction of a
barrier in and around the West Bank began over a decade ago. Israel says it's essential for its security but Palestinians see it as a land grab.”Yolande Knell.
World news from the BBC.
In Britain, the leaders of 7 political parities have taken part in a televised debate ahead of next month's general election. They were each given a minute to answer
questions about the economy, immigration, health and the country's future before the issues were debated. Rob Watson reports.
“The very site of 7 leaders debating was a powerful symbol that British politics is no longer a simple fight between the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats,
added it the usual mix were Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, and the anti-EU UKIP Green parties. Much of the debate focused on the economy, with David Cameroon
describing Britain as having bounced back from the brink, while the others criticised the spending cuts of the last 5 years. In the end, it was a 2-hour political
marathon that produced no clear winners or losers. The question is, would it have created some excitement so far missing among the voters? ”
State assemblies in Indiana and Arkansas have approved changes to a controversial law on religious freedom that critics in the U.S. set targeted homosexuals.
Correspondents say the backlash against the measures surprised the Republican legislators, who claimed they were acting to safeguard someone's right, not to do
anything that conflicted with their religious beliefs. Some of the biggest businesses in the 2 states have threatened to boycott Indiana and Arkansas over the laws.
Argentine Foreign Ministry officials said the country would prosecute oil companies operating near the Falkland Islands. In a statement, the Ministry said they were
drilling illegally in Argentine sea territory.
Rebels in Yemen have seized the presidential palace in the southern port city of Aden, after the heaviest fighting there since the President fled the country a week
ago. Shiite Houthis militiamen now appear to be in control of the centre of Aden, despite days of airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition aimed at driving them back.