A Crisis Economy of Language

Staff / Truthdig Dec 27, 2010 With the world economy still wallowing in crisis and social services being cut across poor and rich nations alike, it’s not surprising that the winner of Merriam-Webster’s annual “Top Ten Words of the Year” for 2010 is … austerity. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Ailing Spanish Economy Seeks a Cure

Staff / Truthdig Dec 4, 2010 Awash in debt and 20 percent unemployment, the Spanish government on Friday approved an austerity package aimed at reviving its moribund economy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Irish Take to the Streets

Staff / Truthdig Nov 28, 2010 Tens of thousands of people took to the Irish streets Saturday to sound off against an IMF-backed austerity plan that would usher in deep spending cuts and higher taxes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

French Demonstrations Mark the End of an Era

William Pfaff / Truthdig Oct 21, 2010 It is not pension claims that are driving the current political uproar. It is popular fury at the people who created the present economic crisis and have been rewarded, with everyone else left to face the consequences. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Unemployment: It Ain’t Over Till It’s … 2015

Staff / Truthdig Oct 1, 2010 Those waiting for recovery from unemployment woes might have to wait a bit longer. The U.N.’s International Labor Organization has warned that it may take until 2015 for the global economy to bounce back to pre-crisis employment levels. Meantime, look for more social unrest of the kind now unfolding across Europe. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ecuador in State of Emergency

Staff / Truthdig Oct 1, 2010 Add Ecuador to the list of countries whose people are letting their governments know that they're not having the "austerity measures" officials are attempting to enact. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Greek Protester Throws Shoe at Prime Minister

Staff / Truthdig Sep 11, 2010 Possibly taking a cue about resistance from the beloved Iraqi journalist who chucked his shoes at George W. Bush back in 2008, a 49-year-old doctor has thrown a piece of his own footwear at Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in protest of the government's economic austerity measures. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Technical Difficulties Bring Luck to Calif. Workers

Staff / Truthdig Jul 17, 2010 California's outdated technical infrastructure has made 200,000 state employees very, very happy. After an injunction by the governor to cut workers pay to the state's $7.25 minimum wage, the state controller has successfully argued that such pay docking would be impossible given the state's outdated payroll computer system. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Cutbacks Clip U.K. Anti-Terror Effort

Staff / Truthdig Jul 2, 2010 Budget worries are sparking a new debate in Britain, with spending cuts taking aim at police services in what some see as a threat to the country's anti-terror efforts. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Snag in Jobs Bill Could Hit Struggling States

Staff / Truthdig Jun 26, 2010 Strapped-for-cash states may be up the creek on this one: A jobs bill has stalled in the Senate, jeopardizing billions in federal aid to struggling states. Local and state officials are warning of layoffs in the hundreds of thousands and drastic spending cuts if the bill is not resuscitated. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Italian Strike Shakes Up Country

Staff / Truthdig Jun 25, 2010 Italy's largest union has launched a nationwide strike, upending public transport and government services in protest over the government's recent austerity measures. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Kanellos the Protest Dog

Staff / Truthdig May 7, 2010 A stray dog named Kanellos has apparently been on the front lines of most major protests in Greece over the past two years. He is also the focus of a blog, the subject of a recent Guardian photo essay, and the inspiration for several YouTube video homages. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )