Firefighters are overstretched and facing a “desperate” summer, according to New South Wales Rural Fire Service group captains who have lambasted the state government over what they see as cuts to the organisation’s salaried staff.

from john pilger …..

The Brutal Past and Present are Another Country in Secret Australia

from politicoz …..

The government's new media strategy – explain as little as possible – is now causing considerable disquiet among journalists.

The financial fallout from a spate of corruption inquiries is beginning to hit crooked former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid.

IT was all over in a few seconds, but the assassination of John F Kennedy on 22 November 1963 has generated five decades of "painstaking, and for some unsatisfying, analysis," the Daily Mail says.

London: Former Prime Minister John Howard has poured scorn on the "alarmist" scientific consensus on global warming, comparing those calling for action on climate change to religious zealots in a speech to a gathering of UK climate sceptics.

from new matilda ….

From the master of hypocrisy, Gerard Henderson...

The lucky country? Try selfish and deluded, too

What Americans don't know and don't understand is quite an obstacle to progress.

If you think the widening chasm between the rich and the rest spells trouble for American democracy, have a look at the growing gulf between the information-rich and-poor.

Justification for airport detention of partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald alarms human rights groups and Tory MP

The detention of the partner of a former Guardian journalist has triggered fresh concerns after it emerged that a key reason cited by police for holding him under terrorism powers was the belief that he was promoting a "political or ideological cause".

from peter fitzsimons …..

It's about the Pope's move last week to dismiss German Bishop Franz-Peter Terbatz-van Telst of Limburg, after finding out he'd spent no less than 31 million euros on his private residence. An admirable move, one might think, given that this Pope's motif seems to be simplicity and humility

Pakistan's interior minister has said the death of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud has destroyed the country's nascent peace process.

"This is not just the killing of one person, it's the death of all peace efforts," Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said.

Pakistan summoned the US ambassador to protest over Friday's drone strike that killed Mehsud.

It came a day before a Pakistani delegation had been due to fly to North Waziristan to meet Mehsud.

In opposition, Tony Abbott promised Australians they would get a "no-surprises" government.