Americas

U.N. Ads Reveal What Google Thinks the World Thinks of Women

Staff / Truthdig Nov 9, 2013 A series of agency advertisements using Google's auto-complete function to search phrases such as "women should" highlights widespread misogyny; ads on Twitter may soon target specific personalities; meanwhile, police freed 17 victims from a "gay addiction" torture clinic in Ecuador. These discoveries and more after the jump. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

How Is Brazil’s Spying Different From the NSA’s?

Staff / Truthdig Nov 6, 2013 After Brazilian agents were discovered to have photographed American, Russian and other diplomats, Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardoso claimed these acts were nothing like U.S. spying. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Venezuelan President Denounces ‘Massive’ Twitter Attack

Staff / Truthdig Nov 3, 2013 As thousands of pro-government Twitter accounts were suspended Thursday afternoon, Nicolas Maduro's administration expressed outrage at the infringement upon freedom of speech. Although neither a reason nor a culprit has been discovered, Maduro blamed the international right wing. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The Internet’s Losing Its Freedom, in America and Beyond

Staff / Truthdig Oct 9, 2013 Some countries are adopting ever more stringent Internet laws and increasing surveillance. Given the Edward Snowden leaks, you may not be surprised to see the United States is high on the list of nations that have decreased online freedom this year, but what about the others? Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Indigenous Brazilians Launch Protests

Staff / Truthdig Oct 9, 2013 Brazil, once at the forefront of indigenous rights protection, is now trying to undermine its native groups' constitutional rights. But these people will not go down without a massive yet peaceful fight. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Petty Politics: U.S. vs. Venezuela

Staff / Truthdig Oct 3, 2013 Three American diplomats were kicked out of Caracas on Tuesday for “plotting to sabotage the economy” according to President Nicolas Maduro. And the U.S. government has decided to retaliate. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

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 )