At UN debate, platitudes about terrorism and near silence about state sponsors

At UN debate, platitudes about terrorism and near silence about state sponsors

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Stressing that terrorism “can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach” involving the active participation and collaboration of all States, the UN Security Council hosted an open debate on developing a counter-narrative campaign to in effect dissuade, discourage and ultimately defuse this widening […]

Report finds record 40.8 million people displaced by conflict in 2015

Report finds record 40.8 million people displaced by conflict in 2015

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty The number of people uprooted within their own countries by war and conflict rose last year to a record 40.8 million, a report published on May 10 found. “This is the highest figure ever recorded and twice the number of refugees worldwide,” said Jan Egeland, head […]

Austrian chancellor steps down amid tensions over migrant crisis

Austrian chancellor steps down amid tensions over migrant crisis

Special to WorldTribune.com Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann resigned on May 9 amid the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe and a lack of support within his own Social Democrat party. “This country needs a chancellor who has the party’s full support,” Faymann said in a statement. Vice Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner, of coalition partner People’s Party, was […]

New London mayor hits Cameron’s tactics from ‘Trump playbook’, condemns Labour’s anti-Semitism

New London mayor hits Cameron’s tactics from ‘Trump playbook’, condemns Labour’s anti-Semitism

Special to WorldTribune.com The first Muslim elected mayor of a major Western city said Prime Minister David Cameron was following the “Donald Trump playbook” in an attempt to prevent his election. London Mayor Sadiq Khan on May 7 said Cameron and his Conservative Party tried to divide London’s communities by linking him to Islamic extremists. […]

Egypt defeats Israel – in falafel competition

Egypt defeats Israel – in falafel competition

Special to WorldTribune.com Egyptians are relishing a triumph of the deep-fried variety over Israel. A team of Egyptian chefs from the falafel bar Zooba rolled to victory in the finals over team Israel at the 2016 London Falafel Festival on May 1. The Egyptian dish, a charred-aubergine-stuffed falafel made with fava beans, received the majority […]

International media silent as Turkey teeters on the brink of civil war

International media silent as Turkey teeters on the brink of civil war

Special to WorldTribune.com GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu resigned on May 5, in a move initiated by President Reçep Tayyip Erdoğan in order to circumvent the lack of parliamentary numbers which could change the constitution to create an executive presidency. The increasing consolidation of power in the president’s hands, however, has […]

Germany’s Merkel expects Turkey to honor migrants pact she concluded with ousted PM

Germany’s Merkel expects Turkey to honor migrants pact she concluded with ousted PM

Special to WorldTribune.com Germany fully expects Turkey to honor a deal limiting refugee flows to Europe despite the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, with whom German Chancellor Angela Merkel hammered out the deal. “The chancellor has worked very well until now with Davutoglu and all Turkish representatives and we assume that this good and […]

In super free Estonia, you can start a new company in 20 minutes, online

In super free Estonia, you can start a new company in 20 minutes, online

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — When I first visited Estonia over twenty years ago, the Baltic country had recently regained its independence from the Soviet Union. Tallinn, the capital and an old Hanseatic trading city, offered an intriguing mix of medieval architecture and shoddy Soviet style construction. Situated on the […]

What goes around . . .: Boastful jihadist, propagandist who recruited Brits for ISIL killed in airstrike

What goes around . . .: Boastful jihadist, propagandist who recruited Brits for ISIL killed in airstrike

Special to WorldTribune.com An Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) jihadist who boasted on social media of his prowess in recruiting British fighters and jihadi brides was reportedly killed in a drone strike in Syria. Raphael Hostey, also known as Abu Qaqa al-Britani, who left Manchester to join ISIL in 2013, was heavily involved […]

ISIL affiliate’s ‘large-scale’ anthrax attack foiled in Kenya

ISIL affiliate’s ‘large-scale’ anthrax attack foiled in Kenya

Special to WorldTribune.com Authorities in Kenya say they have foiled a “large scale biological terrorist attack.” Kenyan police arrested three members of an affiliate of Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) who were allegedly planning to use anthrax in an attack in Kenya. The three arrested, married medical students Mohammed Abdi Ali and Nuseiba […]