The French Bellwether

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig May 8, 2007 Is Europe moving right? Is the democratic left in trouble? The decisive victory of Nicolas Sarkozy over Socialist Segolene Royal in France's presidential elections on Sunday was the most recent example of the battering that moderate-left parties are taking from the forces of globalization and discontent over immigration. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Borders, Bullies and Global Health

Scott Tucker / Truthdig Apr 21, 2007 Australian Prime Minister John Howard is hurting politically, and so he has despicably turned against the vulnerable, arguing recently that Australia should have a blanket ban against HIV-positive immigrants. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

American Kangaroo Court Claims Its First Victim

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Mar 28, 2007 David Hicks pleaded guilty Monday to supporting terrorism, probably to escape the living hell of Guantanamo Bay, with its show trials and "interrogation" chambers that continue to shame America at home and abroad. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Cheney Down Under

Staff / Truthdig Feb 23, 2007 Vice President Dick Cheney celebrated the Australian government's commitment to the Iraq war (1,450 troops) on Thursday, saying "the whole world respects you for it." But Australians certainly don't: More than two-thirds of the nation's population want a withdrawal. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Aussie Leader Howard Slammed Over Obama Remarks

Staff / Truthdig Feb 15, 2007 Watch Australia's prime minister, John Howard, get pilloried (by opposition leader Kevin Rudd) for calling Barack Obama al-Qaida's favored candidate. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Shark Swallows Then Rejects Diver

Staff / Truthdig Jan 24, 2007 A three-meter-long white pointer shark swallowed an Australian diver headfirst, up to his torso, only to discover that it couldn't stand the taste. The dissatisfied shark then spat out Eric Nerhus, who experts believe was mistaken for a seal. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Are Americans Ignorant?

Staff / Truthdig Jan 16, 2007 This Aussie TV spot reminds us that not only do the finer points of public policy debates go over some people's heads, but many Americans don't even know the major religion of Israel; nor, for that matter, do they know how many sides a triangle has. Oy vey. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Photos That Damn Hezbollah

Staff / Truthdig Aug 1, 2006 An Australian newspaper published this picture of Hezbollah members manning an antiaircraft gun in a Lebanese suburb -- proof that Hezbollah is using the cover of residential areas to wage its attacks on Israel and in effect using innocent civilians as human shields. Story and more photos (h/t: BuzzFlash) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )