The government yesterday proposed major changes to how the BBC is run to keep it “at the very heart of British life”, watering down more radical plans that had raised fears for the broadcaster’s future, reports AFP from London. Unveiling the proposals in parliament, media secretary…

Donald Trump was holding key talks with House Speaker Paul Ryan in Washingt on yesterday, in an attempt to unify the Republican Party for the presidential…

AFP, WASHINGTON: The White House is considering lifting a decades-old arms embargo against Vietnam in time for President Barack Obama’s visit to the booming Southeast Asian nation this month. As both countries warily eye China’s military build-up in the disputed South China Sea, officials…

AFP, BAGHDAD: The Islamic State group has released a video showing five alleged “spies” being shot dead in Iraq by young men from a crowd assembled for the execution. The 12-minute video released on social media on Wednesday mimics a participatory television show, in which members of the…

AFP, TEHRAN: Iran has failed to reach agreement with Saudi Arabia on arrangements for its pilgrims to join the annual hajj in September following the severing of ties, its culture minister said on Thursday. An Iranian delegation held four days of talks in Saudi Arabia last month aimed at thrashing out…

AFP, BERLIN: Europe will not grant visa-free travel to Turks if Ankara fails to fulfil its end of the deal, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday, after Turkey’s president flatly refused to meet a key EU condition. “We consider that it is important for these conditions…

AFP, KUWAIT CITY: Yemen’s government and Iran-backed rebels have discussed the crucial issues of military withdrawals, the handover of  weapons and the restoration of state institutions during peace talks, the UN said Thursday. Negotiators on Wednesday also debated the logistical details…