Welcome to the 2012 Hunger Games

By Rebecca Solnit, TomDispatch May 1, 2012 We have a new science fiction trilogy that’s perfect for our moment: Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games," a dystopian vision set in a North America ruled by decadent, luxurious oligarchs who sacrifice young people in an annual televised Roman-style blood contest. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

The Homeless, Wrinkles and All

Staff / Truthdig Jan 21, 2012 Life for most of us can be carefully—if unintentionally—structured to avoid confrontation with the sea of human misery, despair and hopelessness around us Whatever his intention, British photographer Lee Jeffries is interrupting the arrangementLife for most of us can be carefully structured to avoid confrontation with the sea of human misery, despair and hopelessness around us. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Inequality in Ancient Rome and Modern America

Staff / Truthdig Dec 21, 2011 Historians used the Gini coefficient, a modern measure of wealth inequality, to compare disparities between the classes in the Roman Empire 150 years after the death of Christ and those in the United States today. The ancients, with their ranks of plebeians, patricians and senators, scored slightly better than we did. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Vandals Assault Roman Treasures

Staff / Truthdig Sep 5, 2011 Police walking a beat in Rome have more than pickpockets to look out for. A new rash of vandals and treasure hunters has afflicted the home of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church, a city so stuffed with artifacts it is difficult to protect. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Vatican Beatifies Pope John Paul II

Staff / Truthdig May 1, 2011 The Roman Catholic Church has beatified Pope John Paul II despite the many child abuse scandals that took place while he was the church's leader. The ceremony was held Sunday at the Vatican. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Berlusconi Allegedly Bought Votes

Staff / Truthdig Dec 11, 2010 Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi’s political rap sheet is already quite appalling, from alleged under-age sexcapades to anti-Semitic jokes. But new allegations by state prosecutors have added another blotch on the billionaire’s bill: He's accused of buying votes to stay in power. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Moore: 1, Berlusconi: 0

Staff / Truthdig Nov 4, 2010 So, as per usual, Italy's own media baron and embarrassment-in-chief Silvio Berlusconi is embroiled in another sex scandal involving another teenage girl. This time, however, he's made it worse with homophobic commentary that didn't fly with actress Julianne Moore. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iran Joins in for Future Talk About Afghanistan

Staff / Truthdig Oct 18, 2010 An Iranian representative is now included in a league of international envoys from the EU, NATO, the U.S. and elsewhere -- aka the International Contact Group on Afghanistan -- that is engaging in an ongoing conversation about Afghanistan's future. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

SEC’s Dirty Little Secret

Staff / Truthdig Apr 23, 2010 One wonders if there is a smutty equivalent to Nero's fiddling while Rome burns. If there is, it might be applicable to the senior staffers at the SEC who spent hours watching pornography on government computers instead of policing the nation's financial system. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Nationally Themed McDonald’s Burger Causes Kerfuffle in Italy

Staff / Truthdig Feb 8, 2010 No, it's not shaped like a boot, but a new Italian-themed McDonald's sandwich with the straightforward moniker "McItaly" is causing a stir in Italy, where even the nation's agriculture minister has weighed in on the controversy. For the record, he endorses the burger and thinks those who oppose it are "ignorant Stalinists." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gore Vidal: ‘The Most Interesting Man in the World’

BLANK Apr 12, 2009 The whip-smart and ever-sly Gore Vidal visited "Real Time" on Friday, giving his historical and sometimes hysterically funny take on the state of the United States. He also revisited a few key moments from his personal history, illustrated by some priceless archival footage found by Bill Maher's crack research team. Is it too soon to make an Amelia Earhart joke? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Angels and Demons’ Not Welcome at the Vatican

Staff / Truthdig Jun 17, 2008 It would appear that the pope is not a Dan Brown fan. The Vatican has refused to allow star Tom Hanks and director Ron Howard to film scenes from author Brown's "Da Vinci Code" prequel, "Angels and Demons," on its holy territory. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )