Modern slavery: Silent scourge that reduces humans to commodities is a $150 billion business

Modern slavery: Silent scourge that reduces humans to commodities is a $150 billion business

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Calling for an end to “human trafficking and other forms of human slavery,” British Cardinal Vincent Nichols presented a stunning testimony against the “resurgence of slavery” where up to 21 million people are affected by the scourge. As Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Nichols has led […]

U.S. deploys aircraft capable of disrupting ISIL’s communications

U.S. deploys aircraft capable of disrupting ISIL’s communications

Special to WorldTribune.com The United States has introduced an aircraft for the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) that can disrupt communications and jam detonators for roadside bombs. A squadron of Marine EA-6B Prowlers has arrived at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey for a deployment that is expected to last through September, […]

Al Qaida gaining strength in Afghanistan (and in Yemen)

Al Qaida gaining strength in Afghanistan (and in Yemen)

Special to WorldTribune.com Al Qaida has a larger presence in Afghanistan than U.S. defense officials had previously thought and its ties to the Taliban make the terror group a “big threat” in the country. Maj. Gen. Jeff Buchanan, Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. military force in Afghanistan, said the recent discovery and destruction […]

Saudi religious police ordered to be ‘kinder, gentler’

Saudi religious police ordered to be ‘kinder, gentler’

Special to WorldTribune.com Public outrage has spurred Saudi Arabia to strip powers from its 10,000 religious police and require them to be “kinder and gentler.” Saudi authorities have stripped the powers of pursuit and arrest from the Haia force, also known as the Mutawa and formerly the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the […]

UN urges moratorium in Iran on executions for drug offenses

UN urges moratorium in Iran on executions for drug offenses

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein has called on Iran to temporarily halt executions for drug offenses until parliament debates a new law to end the mandatory death penalty for such crimes. “Given the broadening recognition in Iran that the death penalty does […]

Egypt’s Sisi defends Red Sea islands deal with Saudis

Egypt’s Sisi defends Red Sea islands deal with Saudis

Special to WorldTribune.com Amid heavy criticism, Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi has defended the transfer of two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. In a TV address on April 13, Sisi said Egypt did not give up the territory but rather “restored” the rights of Saudi Arabia to the islands. The islands, Sanafir and […]

‘By the way, go to hell’: Former Obama defense secretaries tell how they coped

‘By the way, go to hell’: Former Obama defense secretaries tell how they coped

Special to WorldTribune.com Three former defense secretaries were blunt in their criticism of President Barack Obama and his “inexperienced advisers” for their distrust, micromanaging and second guessing of senior military commanders. A report by Fox News anchor Bret Baier revealed that low-level White House staffers went so far as to place phone calls to the […]

Telecommuting peacekeepers: U.S. eyes ‘restructuring’ Sinai force amid ISIL threat

Telecommuting peacekeepers: U.S. eyes ‘restructuring’ Sinai force amid ISIL threat

Special to WorldTribune.com The United States is planning to automate and reconfigure its peacekeeping force in the Sinai Peninsula as Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) grows in strength and number, the Pentagon said. Pentagon spokesperson Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said Egypt and Israel were informed on April 12 that the U.S. would be […]

Report: Iran special forces suffering heavy losses in Syria

Report: Iran special forces suffering heavy losses in Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com More than 30 soldiers from an elite brigade of Iranian commandos were killed in battle in Syria just days after being deployed, reports say. Senior commanders from Iran’s special forces Brigade 65 were among those killed, according to unofficial Syrian reports. On April 12, Al Qaida affiliate Nusra Front released a video […]