Violent Weekend

A weekend of bombings in Iraq, including one truck bomb near Kirkuk that killed at least 150. Reuters (video) The Iraqi parliament can’t get it together - even reach quorum - to get anything done. ABC (video)

A case attempting to challenge the NSA wiretap program was dismissed by an appeals court. The program is so secret, no one could prove it’s damaging. The irony is “the program’s secrecy is proving to be its best legal protection.” New York Times

After the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow, will the British Muslim community step up and communicate with police to expose other terror cells? Telegraph Britain needs more Muslim spies, says the country’s former domestic spy chief. (London) Times Scotland asks, “Why us?” New York Times

Brainwashed, 10-year-old, wannabe martyrs and President Musharraf’s shaky regime clash at the Red Mosque in Pakistan. (London) Times

Unemployment at over 80% and children living on the street. These photos show the “Secret Lives” of Zimbabwe. Guardian

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about private equity lately. What’s the deal? Economist

Cellphones are combining all kinds of functions these days. This one can be used for self-defense.

Scoot Free

After being convicted of lying to federal prosecutors, former Cheney chief-of-staff Scooter Libby’s 30-month jail sentence is commuted by President Bush. The Prez says Scooter’s prison sentence was “excessive.” Here’s the statement: AP/Washington Post Excessive??? Thirty months is consistent with other “excessive” sentences Bush and the Justice Department have pushed for in similar crimes. New York Times There’s hypocrisy on all sides of this. AP/MSNBC

Pakistani security forces warn of a “last chance” for students at the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad where 24 people have already died in clashes there. CNN What is so controversial about this mosque? BBC

Seven of the eight people arrested in connection with the London and Glasgow bombings are doctors. Newsweek

What’s in it for Hamas to secure the release of the BBC journalist? Time

Here’s an new way to protest land clearing laws: Cut down trees. (London) Times

Book your tickets. The Winter Olympics will be in Russia in 2014. Reuters With murder, carjackings and home robberies on the rise in South Africa, will the country be ready to host the World Cup in 2010? Guardian

Watch the concert. Save the planet. That’s what Al Gore and the organizers of Live Earth are hoping for. USA Today

Were you smart enough not to do any of these things with fireworks at your 4th of July BBQ?

Two More Arrests

A total of seven have now been arrested in the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow. Telegraph

Ten years after Hong Kong’s handover to China. Economist Last year, the U.S. imported 40% of its consumer goods from China. They’re cheap, but numerous recalls linked to China are questioning the safety of the country’s products. Time

Every day, it seems like someone compares the U.S. to the Roman Empire. It’s been going on since America’s founding. New York Times

These days, you can’t fall asleep at the game without somebody taping you.. And the rest of the stadium knowing about it.