Just How ‘Socially Advanced’ Is the U.S.? You Might Be Surprised

Roisin Davis / Truthdig Apr 10, 2015 The Social Progress Index has published the latest global data on quality of life, and America's "We're No. 1" crowd isn't left with much to shout about. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

European Nations Funding Al-Qaida Through Ransom Payments

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Jul 30, 2014 Although the governments of several European countries weren't exactly willing to corroborate this story, The New York Times reported Tuesday that al-Qaida has made a consistent practice of kidnapping European citizens for ransom, and it has paid off very well. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Mexican Journalists Silenced to Death

Staff / Truthdig May 21, 2012 Freedom of the press is threatened every day in Mexico as journalists are tortured and killed; Obama's support of gay marriage distracts the public from the impunities in Afghanistan; press freedom is also under attack in the U.S. as journalists are arrested for protesting. These discoveries and more after the jump. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

S&P Downgrades and Banks: Threats to Global Stability

Nomi Prins / Truthdig Jan 19, 2012 The markets weren’t shocked by last week’s wave of pre-broadcast S&P sovereign debt downgrades. For months, the question wasn’t “if” but “when.” And true to form, just as with the U.S. downgrade, S&P’s reasoning skated the surface of prevailing wisdom.Standard & Poor’s likes moving on Friday nights after the markets are closed. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Libyan Intervention Exposes European Disunity

William Pfaff / Truthdig May 25, 2011 The European intervention in Libya has provided a needed practical demonstration of the European states' ability to influence world affairs, while at the same time discrediting the expectation that the European Union itself can or will conduct a united foreign and security policy. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Speculators [A cartoon from Austria]

Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria May 17, 2010 Dig deeper

Vow of Silence [A Cartoon From Austria]

Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Mar 19, 2010 Dig deeper

Study Suggests Fish Oil Can Ward Off Psychotic Episodes

Staff / Truthdig Feb 3, 2010 Schizophrenia is one of the most baffling of mental illnesses, but a group of scientists studying the phenomenon in Austria may have hit upon a significant discovery that could help young potential schizophrenics prevent the onset of full-blown psychosis, and the treatment comes in a familiar form: fish oil supplements. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Prize for Hope [A Cartoon From Austria]

Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Oct 13, 2009 Dig deeper

Hedgehog [A Cartoon From Austria]

Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria May 27, 2009 Dig deeper

Austrian Artist Becomes Nigerian Ancestor

Gbemisola Olujobi / Truthdig May 22, 2009 How did an Austrian girl who was born into a Christian family end up as high priestess of a Yoruba goddess in Nigeria? Suzanne Wenger’s life demonstrates that people are just people after all, that is, when they put aside race, values, beliefs and the other things that divide us. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Austrian Rightist’s Postmortem Outing?

Staff / Truthdig Oct 24, 2008 Two weeks after the death of Joerg Haider, former leader of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party, media attention has moved from Haider's fascistic political life to his personal life, with the politician's sexual identity undergoing a bit of a queering, much to the surprise of his ultranationalistic supporters. Haider was a 58-year-old married father of two. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )