Two Australian journalists in China were barred from leaving until they answered questions about a third Australian journalist who is in some sort of jail and being investigated for charges of journalism.

Governments that are highly repressive and secretive tend to be quick to equate asking nosy questions with spying. Of course, asking nosy questions is the job of a good journalist,

The US government has been becoming more repressive and secretive in recent decades, and we see the effects of that in the prosecution of Julian Assange.

In 2006, the US government had evidence to prosecute Purdue Pharma, but it did not. We don't know why not.

California's megafires have burned over 3100 square miles, which is more than 2% of California's land area. And the fire season still has months to run.

20 years from now, the average year will be like this year. A bad year will be far worse.

Air pollution has a high cost to society.

It would make sense, in a democratic society, to take big steps to reduce pollution.

The Rochester thug department chief and his deputy have resigned.

That's progress, but their replacements must act, with the city's firm support, to curb the violence and lies of thugs. This would be a good time to shift jobs other than confronting real criminals to other departments.