UN on defensive after backing down to Saudi Arabia over children rights report

UN on defensive after backing down to Saudi Arabia over children rights report

by WorldTribune Staff, June 8, 2016 Rights groups are blasting the UN’s decision to remove Saudi Arabia from a blacklist of nations accused of harming children in armed conflict. “It appears that political power and diplomatic clout have been allowed to trump the UN’s duty to expose those responsible for the killing and maiming of […]

Report on Syria: ‘Labyrinth of Hell which has no apparent exit’

Report on Syria: ‘Labyrinth of Hell which has no apparent exit’

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Words cannot begin to describe the devastation and suffering which has befallen Syria, now in its fifth year of civil war. Upon his return from the ravaged country, the UN’s Humanitarian chief, Stephen O’Brien, solemnly told the UN Security Council, “I have run out of […]

Al Qaida attack on Yemen port city thwarted; Houthis retake ground from government forces

Al Qaida attack on Yemen port city thwarted; Houthis retake ground from government forces

by WorldTribune Staff, June 3, 2016 Yemeni government forces foiled an attempted terror attack by Al Qaida in the port city of Mukalla which the terror organization recently lost control of. Security forces found an explosives-laden car that Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) was planning to blow up near an administrative headquarters in […]

ISIL hangs tough in Fallujah, fears grow for 20,000 trapped children

ISIL hangs tough in Fallujah, fears grow for 20,000 trapped children

by WorldTribune Staff, June 1, 2016 The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) is holding off the Iraqi offensive in Fallujah, leading to fears of a humanitarian catastrophe for some 20,000 children said to be trapped in the city. “Children face the risk of forced recruitment into the fighting, strict procedures for security screening […]

Iraqi forces under ‘heavy fire’ as ISIL fights back in Fallujah

Iraqi forces under ‘heavy fire’ as ISIL fights back in Fallujah

by WorldTribune Staff, May 31, 2016 Iraqi forces launched an offensive on Fallujah on May 31 but were stopped by a counter-attack by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) at the city’s southern gates, reports say. Soldiers from the elite Rapid Response Team stopped their advance about 500 meters from the al-Shuhada district in […]

UN calls on Hamas to stop planned public executions

UN calls on Hamas to stop planned public executions

by WorldTribune Staff, May 26, 2016 The UN’s Middle East envoy has publicly urged Hamas to halt the public executions of 13 men, most convicted of murder connected to robberies. UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council that public executions are prohibited under international human rights law. “I urge Hamas not to carry out […]

Religious freedom group calls for UN action on ISIL genocide of Christians

Religious freedom group calls for UN action on ISIL genocide of Christians

by WorldTribune Staff, May 26, 2016 A religious freedom group is calling on the United Nations to “mobilize the international community” to take action to protect Christians against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) atrocities. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), in a letter to the UN, detailed ISIL’s executions of Christians […]

Except for south Asia, the global economy is stalling as government spending soars

Except for south Asia, the global economy is stalling as government spending soars

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — “Economic activity in the world economy remains lackluster, with little prospect for a turnaround in 2016,” cites the gloomy prognosis by the World Economic Situation and Prospects Update for 2016. The UN survey cautions that weak global growth “continues to linger,” posing a serious challenge […]

U.S. protests as Russia joins Islamic countries in banning pro-Gay groups from UN AIDS meeting

U.S. protests as Russia joins Islamic countries in banning pro-Gay groups from UN AIDS meeting

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Russia has joined several dozen Islamic countries in barring 22 LGBT-rights groups from participating in a major United Nations meeting on HIV/AIDS next month. The move to exclude the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) defenders has drawn sharp criticism from UN officials, Western diplomats, and […]

IMF warns Iran not to rely on oil revenues to boost economy

IMF warns Iran not to rely on oil revenues to boost economy

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty A top International Monetary Fund official warned Iran not to count on a big jump in oil revenue to boost its economy, but said it should seek other opportunities to re-engage with the global economy. “I speak here today at a pivotal moment for Iran’s economy,” […]