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 […]
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 […]
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,” […]
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 […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Governments throughout the world seem increasingly nervous if not paranoid over a free press and media, according to a searingly poignant survey by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The annual survey of the global media in 180 countries, the French-based monitor report underscores a gradual deterioration […]
Special to WorldTribune.com The United States is supporting a resolution to restore the UN mission in Western Sahara. The UN said the resolution addresses an “urgent need” to restore the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) after Morocco recently expelled 75 UN staffers. Morocco maintains that Western Sahara is an integral […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Leaders of Gulf Arab states have pledged solidarity with Morocco in its dispute with the UN over the fate of Western Sahara. Morocco expelled dozens of UN staff from the mission in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO, last month after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon referred to Morocco’s 1975 annexation of the region […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Two men who survived when an overcrowded boat sank in the Mediterranean between Libya and Italy described the tragic events that led to the deaths of as many as 500 people. Muaz Mahmud Aymo, a 25-year-old Ethiopian, and Mowlid Isman, a 28-year-old Somali, said they had been on a boat of about […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says that missiles, not negotiations, are the key to his country’s future. Khamenei’s remark, posted on his official website on March 30, came as Western powers called for the UN Security Council to consider possible action in response to Iran’s […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler NEW YORK — Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates slammed both the Obama Administration and the presidential primary candidates calling for long-term realism in America’s fight against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) terrorism. “I think that the president has all along underestimated ISIS, has underestimated the degree […]