By David Montero, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - All throughout the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan’s impoverished western border with Afghanistan, lie the ruins of barbershops and music and video stores – symbols of Western-oriented life that religious extremists have destroyed in a growing wave of violence.

rasmussenreports.com

There’s a simple reason the immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate is unpopular with voters—the general public doesn’t believe it will reduce illegal immigration. And, in the minds of most voters, that’s what immigration reform is all about.

By SINAN SALAHEDDIN, Associated Press Writers

BAGHDAD - A battle raged Thursday in west Baghdad after residents rose up against al-Qaida and called for U.S. military help to end random gunfire that forced people to huddle indoors and threats that kept students from final exams, a member of the district council said.

Live from Bangkok:
Special Commission was appointed after/by the Military coup leaders, to investigate the Democrat (Thai) Party AND the majority Thai Rak Thai (Thai Loves Thai) Party of Premier Taksin; RULE on whether or not there was malfeasance in office (corruption); and whether or not Taksin will be exiled for 5 years; and whether or not the two aforenamed Parties will be allowed to participate in politics now.

Taksin, independently wealthy BEFORE he became genuinely elected Prime Minister, has ALWAYS drawn criticism for his money, his communications savvy and his drive to bring Thailand into the Top Ten Richest Nations in the world… WHERE IT IS, NOW!

Special Commission ruling expected any moment now, demonstrators in the streets, (lotsa ’sides’) and riot police decked out…

Johnny Onda Spott

UPDATE: after nearly 5 hours of readout, the Special Commission has recessed its reading of Decisions… the Thai Democrats are calling themselves winners, but Taksin’s Thai Rak Thai Party will be dealt with after the recess, tonite… Check in later to separate the Win from the Spin, where I Call BS!

From correspondents in Khartoum

THE Sudanese government said overnight that new sanctions imposed by US President George W. Bush over violence in the western Sudanese region of Darfur expose Washington’s “hostile” intentions.

By JORGE RUEDA, Associated Press WriterPresident Hugo Chavez defended his decision not to renew the license of a popular opposition-aligned television network on Tuesday and warned he might crack down on another critical TV station, accusing it of trying to incite attempts on his life.

Chavez Closes Reality-Linked TV Station

“Imagine a world with no free press. For many Venezuelans, it’s dawned for the first time that this is no imaginative fear anymore. It’s real. Chavista supporters and poor voters have taken to the streets alongside their middle-class brethren to call for free speech as the biggest television station, RCTV is shut down by Chavista decree.”

Kos and the Kossites think this is a good thing. Over there. In Venezuala-land. Not here. Others among us think ‘a world with no free press’ is NOT a good thing. What do YOU think?