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, […]

‘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 […]

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 […]

ISIL seizes control of major Palestinian camp from Al Qaida

ISIL seizes control of major Palestinian camp from Al Qaida

Special to WorldTribune.com Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) has taken control of most of a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus that was held by Al Qaida’s Syria affiliate. ISIL on April 12 attacked Nusra Front positions “and took control of 60 percent of the (Yarmouk) camp,” Anwar Abdel Hadi, the Palestine Liberation Organization […]

ISIL recaptures key supply town on Turkey border, executes Christians

ISIL recaptures key supply town on Turkey border, executes Christians

Special to WorldTribune.com Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) has taken back a key supply town at the Syria-Turkey border after losing the town last week to a rebel alliance that includes Al Qaida’s Syria affiliate. ISIL jihadists on April 11 recaptured Al-Rai from rebel forces who are allied with Al Qaida affiliate Nusra […]

CENTCOM deploys B-52 bombers against ISIL

CENTCOM deploys B-52 bombers against ISIL

Special to WorldTribune.com The United States has deployed B-52 bombers to join the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). In the first use of the Cold War-era bombers in the Middle East since the war in Afghanistan in 2006, the U.S. Air Force said the B-52 Stratofortress aircraft arrived in Qatar on […]

Bones of Christian saint found in rubble of Syrian monastery destroyed by ISIL

Bones of Christian saint found in rubble of Syrian monastery destroyed by ISIL

Special to WorldTribune.com What are believed to be the bones of a Christian saint were discovered amid the rubble of a monastery in Syria that was destroyed by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). The bones were unearthed near the fifth-century St. Elian, or Mar Elian, monastery in the town of Qaryatain, which was […]

Obama rejected CIA plan in 2012 to stop ISIL, ex-officials say

Obama rejected CIA plan in 2012 to stop ISIL, ex-officials say

Special to WorldTribune.com President Barack Obama in 2012 rejected a covert CIA plan to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad that likely would have stopped the rise of Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), former U.S. officials say. An upcoming book by a former CIA operative reveals the agency had forged a “muti-tiered plan” to […]

Mass grave in Palmyra contained 24 civilians, 3 children

Mass grave in Palmyra contained 24 civilians, 3 children

Special to WorldTribune.com Syrian regime forces made a gruesome discovery after driving Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) from Palmyra. The soldiers uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of 42 people slaughtered by the terror group’s jihadists. The Syrian army “uncovered a mass grave of officers, soldiers, members of the popular committees (pro-regime […]