Americas

Brazil Could Take Extraordinary Measures for Privacy

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Sep 26, 2013 Years from now, we might look back on NSA spying as the thing that broke the Internet. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Brazilian President Speaks Out Against U.S. Spying (Video)

Staff / Truthdig Sep 25, 2013 After revelations that the NSA has been engaging in corporate and political espionage in Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff has made it clear her country will not stand for such a violation. Tuesday, at the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, she gave a scathing speech assailing the agency's surveillance. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Was the Venezuelan President Banned From Flying Over U.S. Territory?

Staff / Truthdig Sep 22, 2013 En route to China to discuss loans, oil and what have you, President Nicolas Maduro meant to fly over Puerto Rico on Thursday night. That is until Washington denied him permission to do so. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Hacking of U.S. Exposes China’s Plan to Manufacture Drones

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Sep 22, 2013 Hackers in Shanghai spent the last two years pursuing plans for the technology behind the United States' most advanced military drones, targeting at least 20 foreign defense contractors in all. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Brazil Cancels State Visit Over NSA Spying

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Sep 18, 2013 Calling the US government's spying on Brazilian officials "a grave matter, an assault on national sovereignty and individual rights, and incompatible with relations between friendly nations," the South American country has pulled out of the only White House state dinner scheduled this year. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Silicone Buttocks Injections Are Killing Venezuelan Women

Staff / Truthdig Sep 17, 2013 In a nation that is famous for its gorgeous women—Venezuela holds the Guinness World Record for the country with the most winners of worldwide beauty pageants—people go to extremes to attain an impossible standard. And this obsession with aesthetic perfection is starting to take lives. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Kerry, Kissinger and the Other Sept. 11

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Sep 12, 2013 As President Barack Obama's attack on Syria appears to have been delayed for the moment, it is remarkable that Secretary of State John Kerry was meeting, on Sept. 11, with one of his predecessors, Henry Kissinger, reportedly to discuss strategy on forthcoming negotiations on Syria with Russian officials. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Chile’s 9/11: 40 Years Since Pinochet’s U.S-Backed Coup

Staff / Truthdig Sep 11, 2013 Sept. 11 is not just the anniversary of the fall of the twin towers in 2001. Decades before, despotic Gen. Augusto Pinochet led a coup against democratically elected Salvador Allende on the same date. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

A Leading Critic of American Hypocrisy Goes Quiet

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Sep 11, 2013 Saul Landau, a prolific filmmaker, writer and Truthdig contributor, died Monday from a fight with cancer. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Brazil Faces Drops in Crops

By Jan Rocha, Climate News Network Sep 8, 2013 One of the world’s major producers and exporters of food faces severe reductions in crop yields unless current farming methods are adapted now to address problems caused by climate change. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Cries for Economic Independence on Brazil’s Independence Day

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Sep 7, 2013 People protesting corruption, poor public services and a corresponding heavy tax burden disrupted a Rio de Janeiro military parade Saturday celebrating Brazil's independence day. Five people were injured and 10 were arrested in the clash. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

It’s Never Too Late for Chilean Officials to Say Sorry

Staff / Truthdig Sep 5, 2013 After having ignored thousands upon thousands of court cases requesting justice during the reign of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, the Chilean judges association has apologized at last for its inaction. Wednesday, the organization publicly recognized that judicial officials had failed their country. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )