World

Steer Clear of Manning Protests in Iceland

Staff / Truthdig Aug 24, 2013 As though there weren’t already enough paranoid and unfounded warnings coming from American officials, the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik sent out a cautionary message Thursday regarding Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning supporters. The emergency notice advised Americans to be wary of traveling to Iceland, or worse, walking by the embassy downtown, for fear of the protesters. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Laser Eavesdropping on Publishers of Leaks

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 23, 2013 Listening devices designed to pick up vibrations produced by sound waves bouncing off solid surfaces could be used by spies looking to learn about surveillance leaks, the U.K. government warned The Guardian newspaper. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Don’t Throw a Fit—Toss a Cellphone Instead

Staff / Truthdig Aug 22, 2013 Finland is known for outside-the-box thinking when it comes to a lot of things, especially education. But now Finns have come up with a new way to de-stress and disconnect: A town in southeast Finland is hosting a Mobile Phone Throwing Competition. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Arab Spring Best Left Alone

William Pfaff / Truthdig Aug 22, 2013 Critics are expected to propose solutions. I have a radical one, which I offer in full confidence that it will be universally regarded as frivolous and certainly not adopted. It changes the scene of action to Israel-Palestine. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Zurich’s Safe Sex Shacks

Staff / Truthdig Aug 21, 2013 In response to the increase in women being coerced into the sex trade, the Swiss city has designed alarm-equipped wooden sheds in which prostitutes can practice their trade more safely. The shacks, dubbed “drive-in sex boxes” by locals, were put forth in an initiative that was approved by voters in 2012. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Venezuelan Communes Need More Government Aid, Maduro Urges

Staff / Truthdig Aug 20, 2013 Nicolas Maduro, Hugo Chavez’s former right hand man and current president of Venezuela, called on his administration Thursday to offer more help on constructing socialist settlements in the country. The president, addressing the nation on his TV show, “Bolivarian Dialogue,” emphasized that the communes are a priority and require support in order to expand. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Moment the U.S. Ended Iran’s Brief Experiment in Democracy

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Aug 20, 2013 Sixty years ago this week, the United States, in collaboration with Britain, staged a coup in Iran to preserve the control of Western companies over Iran’s rich oil fields. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Greenwald’s Partner Told He Would Be ‘Put in Jail’

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 20, 2013 In his first interview since being detained and interrogated for nine hours Sunday by British authorities under the Terrorism Act, David Miranda, the partner of the Guardian journalist who broke stories of mass surveillance by the National Security Agency this summer, has accused Britain of a "total abuse of power." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Pinup for Our Muslim Brothers

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Aug 20, 2013 Dig deeper

Airport Screeners Help Spot Forced Marriages

Staff / Truthdig Aug 17, 2013 In the U.K. this summer, airport security machines are detecting a different kind of danger, but these alarms are being intentionally triggered as young girls who suspect they are being taken abroad for a forced marriage place metal spoons in their underwear to alert authorities. The idea was spread by a charity called Karma Nirvana, which serves as a helpline for girls who have been ordered to wed against their wishes. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

A Lack of Spine on Egypt

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Aug 16, 2013 There may be little the United States can do to end the savage bloodletting in Egypt, but at least our nation can be loyal to its ideals by bearing witness and telling the truth. In this, President Obama has failed. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Egypt’s Transition Has Failed: New Age of Military Dictatorship in Wake of Massacre

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 16, 2013 The horrible bloodshed in Egypt on Wednesday marked a turning point in the country’s modern history, locking it in to years of authoritarian paternalism and possibly violent faction fighting. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )