US Patriot Act anti-terror law extended

Negotiators from the two chambers of the US Congress reached an agreement today to extend the Patriot Act, the government’s premier anti-terrorism law, before its major provisions expire at the end of the month.

“All factors considered it’s reasonably good, not perfect, but it’s acceptable,” said Republican Senator Arlen Specter, who is the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, as he announced the deal.