Shock in Israel at U.S. ‘coin-toss democracy’

Shock in Israel at U.S. ‘coin-toss democracy’

Special to WorldTribune.com Israel is not embracing “coin-toss democracy”. Knesset members from across the political spectrum were shocked to learn that six coin tosses helped decide the outcome of the Feb. 2 Democratic Party caucuses in Iowa. Just as shocking was the phenomenal “luck” of Hillary Clinton, who won all six of the coin flips […]

Iran’s detention of BBC Persian reporter part of trend as elections approach

Iran’s detention of BBC Persian reporter part of trend as elections approach

Special to WorldTribune.com Iran is continuing its crackdown on journalists and activists ahead of key elections later this month. According to Iranian opposition website Kaleme.com, judiciary officers on Feb. 3 detained Bahman Daroshafaei, formerly a reporter for the BBC Persian service in London. Officials in Teheran gave no reason for Daroshafaei’s arrest, the website reported. […]

Tehran stock market hits one-year high after sanctions lifted

Tehran stock market hits one-year high after sanctions lifted

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty The Tehran Stock Exchange has surged to a one-year high since Iran’s landmark nuclear deal with world powers went into effect last month. The Tehran TEDPIX index soared to 73,725 on Feb. 2, boosted by an outpouring of foreign investment of $16.6 million in the 10 […]

U.S. airstrikes destroy ISIL’s ‘Voice of the Caliphate’ radio station

U.S. airstrikes destroy ISIL’s ‘Voice of the Caliphate’ radio station

Special to WorldTribune.com A radio station in Afghanistan that was operated by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) was destroyed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes. “Voice of the Caliphate” radio, operated out of a remote part of eastern Afghanistan, was destroyed by two “counter-terrorism airstrikes” on Feb. 1, according to a U.S. military official. Afghan […]

Hamas ‘tank’ mocked on social media as parade float

Hamas ‘tank’ mocked on social media as parade float

Special to WorldTribune.com Hamas recently rolled out what it said was a “captured and rebuilt Israeli tank.” The “tank” was mocked on social media as something more likely to be seen in a carnival than on the battlefield. Twitter users first spotted what looked like car tires between tank treads that were not moving and […]

Judge challenges U.S. move to drop charges in prisoner deal with Iran

Judge challenges U.S. move to drop charges in prisoner deal with Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty A U.S. judge is challenging the government’s move to drop charges against an Iranian man accused of sanctions violations as part of a U.S. prisoner swap agreement with Iran last month. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel threatened in a court order last week to deny […]

Pentagon seeks 35 percent budget increase to fight ISIL

Pentagon seeks 35 percent budget increase to fight ISIL

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty The Pentagon on Feb. 2 will provide a preview of its 2017 budget requesting more funds to beef up U.S. forces in Eastern Europe and fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant extremist group. The Pentagon’s request for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 will […]

Jordan king: ‘The dam is going to burst’ on Syrian refugees

Jordan king: ‘The dam is going to burst’ on Syrian refugees

Special to WorldTribune.com Jordan can no longer take in Syrian refugees without international assistance, King Abdullah said. The country is at its “boiling point,” Abdullah told the BBC. He said that Jordan has spent 25 percent of its budget on the hundreds of thousands of refugees. “Sooner or later, I think, the dam is going […]

Egypt’s tourism industry collapses; ‘Sharm El-Sheikh has become a ghost town’

Egypt’s tourism industry collapses; ‘Sharm El-Sheikh has become a ghost town’

Special to WorldTribune.com Egypt is looking to revive its crippled tourism industry by tapping into new markets in Europe, Asia and Latin America. During November and December, about 1 million tourists visited Egypt, down 41 percent from 2014 and the lowest number for the peak months since 2005. “The reason for the plummet in tourism […]

Turkey: NATO radars confirmed Russian jet’s airspace violation

Turkey: NATO radars confirmed Russian jet’s airspace violation

Special to WorldTribune.com Turkey reported that NATO radars detected a Russian Su-34 warplane violating its airspace. “Russia can not cover up its violation of our airspace. It’s not possible to hide such an incident if it did happen, or to make up a violation if it didn’t happen,” Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on […]