Saudi weighs paying contractors with IOUs as oil slump continues

Saudi weighs paying contractors with IOUs as oil slump continues

by WorldTribune Staff, May 20, 2016 Saudi Arabia continues to suffer from a massive cash-flow problem amid the ongoing slump in oil prices and has been forced to consider handing out IOUs to contractors. Bloomberg reports that contractors “may receive financial instruments similar to a treasury bond which they could hold until maturity or sell on […]

Israel replaces pro-U.S. defense minister with pro-Moscow Lieberman

Israel replaces pro-U.S. defense minister with pro-Moscow Lieberman

by WorldTribune Staff, May 19, 2016 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu solidified his power base on May 18 by replacing moderate pro-U.S. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon with nationalist pro-Russia former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The move came amid increasingly toxic relations between Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama who is seen as likely to make […]

The South Korean split over Gwangju revolt still festers, empowering the North

The South Korean split over Gwangju revolt still festers, empowering the North

Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, EastAsiaIntel.com GWANGJU ― The ghosts of the uprising of May 18, 1980, hover over this old but new city in a restive spirit that shows the disunity, the factional splits and the regional hatreds that persist in undermining the ability of South Korea to stand effectively against challenges from […]

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,” […]

Sunni majority Maldives severs ties with Shi’ite Iran

Sunni majority Maldives severs ties with Shi’ite Iran

By World Tribune Staff on May 18, 2016 The island nation of Maldives has followed its Sunni Saudi ally’s lead by cutting ties to Shi’ite Iran. The Maldives government on May 17 said it decided to sever its 40-year-old diplomatic ties with Iran, saying Teheran’s policies in the Middle East are “detrimental to peace and […]

In first, hundreds of Jordanians find employment in Israel

In first, hundreds of Jordanians find employment in Israel

By World Tribune Staff on May 17, 2016 Jordanians for the first time are being allowed to take jobs in Israel as part of a new pilot program. About 700 Jordanians have recently found employment in Israel, The Washington Post reported on May 16. The program between Israel and Jordan will allow 1,500 Jordanians to […]

Libyan prime minister: West allowed country after ousting Gadhafi to descend into chaos

Libyan prime minister: West allowed country after ousting Gadhafi to descend into chaos

By World Tribune Staff on May 16, 2016 The West is largely responsible for the current chaotic situation in Libya, the prime minister of the country’s new unity government said. Fayez al-Sarraj said the West lost interest after longtime dictator Col. Moammar Gadhafi was ousted. Hillary Clinton, then-U.S. secretary of state, played a major role […]

Iran cracks down on women modeling without headscarves online

Iran cracks down on women modeling without headscarves online

By World Tribune Staff on May 16, 2016 Iranian women are required to wear headscarves not only in the real world but in the virtual world as well. Iranian police recently arrested eight people in a new crackdown targeting “un-Islamic acts” online such as female models posting images of themselves without the hijab, state media […]

Egypt disconnects last power line, imposes southern Gaza blackout

Egypt disconnects last power line, imposes southern Gaza blackout

By World Tribune Staff on May 16, 2016 A full electric blackout is in effect in southern Gaza after the last power line from Egypt to Gaza was disconnected, reports say. Gaza’s electricity company announced that the two lines that fed electricity from Egypt to southern Gaza have now been completely disconnected by Egypt. The […]