The Battle of Big Brother: As a US district court judge rules National Security Letters unconstitutional in their current usage in counterterrorism investigations, lawmakers are planning to fight back against use of classified and military spy satellites for domestic spying:
- Judge Invalidates Patriot Act Provisions (Washington Post)
- Lawmakers Challenge Plan to Expand Spying (Washington Post)
Hamas continues its heavy-handedness against unruly Fatah demonstrators, using stun grenades and firing into the air to disburse Fatah members from open-air Friday prayers and continues roughing-up journalists:
- Forces Clash in Gaza Strip (Reuters/Washington Post)
Dissatisfaction with political system and lack of constitutional reform has many Moroccans voting for moderate-Islamist Justice and Development Party:
- Moroccans Vote for New Parliament (BBC News)
Problems in Pakistan worsen as army morale plummets while fighting the Taliban, vigilantes murder two women for alleged prostitution and the government orders the arrest of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif’s brother:
- Pakistan Crisis ‘Hits Army Morale’ (BBC News)
- Pakistan ‘Prostitutes’ Beheaded (BBC News)
- Order for Sharif Brother Arrest (BBC News)
In Somalia, some hope for peace emerges as relatively moderate elements in the Islamic Courts Union and members of the Transitional government hold low-key talks in Djibouti:
- ‘Secret Talks in Djibouti’ Between Interim Government and Islamic Courts (Adnkronos International)
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