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Internet News RecordLibertyNewsprint.com U.S. Edition24/10/09 - 25/10/09
Ex-guerrilla leads in Uruguay polls
By Rory Carroll (World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk)
Submitted at 10/25/2009 5:45:04 AM
Opinion polls put former radicalahead of ex-president LuisAlberto Lacalle but he could beforced into run-off vote nextmonthA charismatic former guerrillawith a knack for insulting the restof South America is favourite towin most votes in Uruguay'spresidential election today.José Mujica, 74, has caught theimagination of the young and thepoor with a blunt, folksy style anda promise to nudge the countryleftwards.Opinion polls put the formerradical, who spent 14 years in jailduring Uruguay's dictatorship,ahead of rivals but suggested hewould be forced into a run-off vote next month.To court the middle class,Mujica, popularly known as Pepe,has played down his guerrilladays with the Tupamaros NationalLiberation Movement and casthimself as a grandfatherly figurewho ignores diplomatic protocolbut endorses mainstreameconomic policies."I'm not the apocalypse nor thepromised land," he said. "This isan election, not a war. Whateverhappens, the country will continuemoving ahead."Mujica is running on the rulingBroad Front coalition's ticket andhas the support of the outgoingcentre-left president, TabaréVázquez, who leaves office withhigh approval ratings.The frontrunner has spent muchof the campaign apologising forimpolite remarks aboutneighbours. He brandedArgentina's politicians stupid,Brazilian tourists snobs andVenezuela's Hugo Chávezauthoritarian.Thousands of Uruguayanemigrants have streamed back home in recent days to vote not just for a new president but also anew congress and in tworeferendums on permitting postalballots for voters abroad and theprosecution of military officialswho committed abuses during thedictatorship.Mujica's main challenger is aformer president, Luis AlbertoLacalle, 68, of the centre-rightNational party. A lawyer bytraining and a free marketadvocate, his support is strongestin rural areas.A veteran survivor of variousscandals, he has compared hisdurability to the Die Hard films."Bruce Willis, my good friend.Every time I see those movies Isay 'You and I are made for this,'"he said in a recent interview.Trailing a distant third is PedroBordaberry of the rightwingColorado party. He is the son of the former dictator JuanBordaberry, currently under housearrest for crimes during militaryrule in the 1970s.In a second round most of Bordaberry's votes are expected togo to Lacalle but analysts saidMujica could still prevail, inwhich case Uruguay, population3.5 million, would remain part of the region's so-called pink tide of leftist governments.Dubbed the Switzerland of South America for its relativewealth and stability, its imagewould be shaken up with a formerguerrilla and self-described "hothead" in charge.The Tupamaro Marxistinsurgency in the 60s and 70sincluded the 1971 kidnapping of the British ambassador, an eventwhich may have partly inspiredGraham Greene's novel TheHonorary Consul.Mujica spent many of his prisonyears in solitary confinement andtwice escaped. After democracy'srestoration in 1985 he served as acongressman, senator andagriculture minister beforeresigning last year to run forpresident.A vegetarian with a penchantfor cardigans and rumpledtrousers, he has campaigned usingpublic transport and carrying arucksack. "He is not interested inclothes or money and says thatwhat is important in life is towork as little as possible so as toenjoy it more," Adolfo Garcé, ananalyst in Montevideo, told theBBC.Mujica has tried to minimisegaffes by speaking from preparedtexts and wooed doubters bypromising to delegate economicpolicy to his vice presidentialcandidate, Daniel Astori, who isconsidered a safe pair of hands.• UruguayRory Carrollguardian.co.uk© GuardianNews & Media Limited 2009 |Use of this content is subject toour Terms & Conditions| MoreFeeds
MicrosoftAcknowledges ProblemsWith Windows 7Student EditionUpgrades [Microsoft]
By Chris Jacob (Gizmodo)
Submitted at 10/24/2009 3:47:00 PM
If you've been eyeing thedownloadable student editionupgrade of Windows 7 with thatsweet, sweet $29 price, you mightwant to hold off. Microsoft hasacknowledged that downloadsfrom Digital River, the providerof student edition upgrades, areexperiencing problems.Apparently Microsoft decided torelease the upgrade as an installerinstead of an ISO file, and it'scausing all kinds of headaches.Users are reporting that after theinstaller goes through the"Unloading the BOx" step, anerror occurs and the installationfails.There are workaroundsavailable, like instructions tobuild your own ISO out of theinstaller, but it's probably best towait a bit until this is all sortedout. [ PC World]
Buzz Makers of the Week: 'Twilight,' Jon & Kate, and More!
(ETonline - Breaking News)
 
2Internet News Record
Police review Lockerbie evidence
(World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk)
Submitted at 10/25/2009 5:58:48 AM
Relatives of British victims of 1988 Lockerbie bombing told of new lines of inquiry and possiblenew investigationRelatives of people killed in theLockerbie bombing havewelcomed news that there couldbe a fresh investigation into theatrocity.Families of British victims havebeen advised that police arefollowing several new lines of inquiry, including a review of forensic evidence into thebombing.A total of 270 people werekilled when Pan Am Flight 103exploded over the town of Lockerbie on 21 December 1988.It is understood that the CrownOffice in Scotland has contactedrelatives via email informing themof the plans for a newinvestigation.The Sunday Telegraph hasreported that Lindsey Miller, asenior procurator fiscal who wasinvolved in preparing evidence forAbdelbaset al-Megrahi's trial, haswritten: "Throughout theinvestigation we have, at varioustimes, taken stock of the evidenceas a whole with a view toidentifying further lines of inquirythat can be pursued."Now that the appealproceedings are at an end a furtherreview of the case is under wayand several potential lines of inquiry, both through a 'desktop'(paper) exercise and consultationwith forensic science colleaguesare being considered."You will of course appreciatethat it would not be appropriatefor me to elaborate on these linesbut please be assured that this isnot simply paying lip service tothe idea of an 'open case'."Pamela Dix, who lost herbrother Peter in the 1988bombing, said: "As far as weunderstand it there are avenueswhich are being pursued, and Ithink that should be interpreted asa good thing."Expectations around Megrahi'sappeal were really quite high buthopes were profoundly dashedwhen the appeal was abandoned."The situation is unresolved andit is unfinished business."Dr Jim Swire, who has longbeen a campaigner for a fullinquiry into the bombing, said: "Ithink that if they are really goingto have a meaningful investigationthen that is all well and good andlong overdue. I would be all for it."But if it is just a dodge toprevent an investigation into whythe lives of those killed were notprotected then I would be livid."Megrahi, the only man to beconvicted of the bombing, wasreleased on compassionategrounds from Greenock Prison inAugust.The release of Megrahi, whohas terminal cancer, led toprotests from American relativesof Lockerbie victims.The decision to free him andallow him to return home to Libyawas taken by Kenny MacAskill,the justice secretary in theminority SNP administration inEdinburgh.The Sunday Telegraph reportedthat Detective Chief InspectorMichael Dalgleish, who was partof the original team that broughtthe case against Megrahi, isheading the investigation.Four detectives from Dumfriesand Galloway police areunderstood to be working on thecase full-time.Megrahi, 57, a former Libyanintelligence officer, has alwaysmaintained that he had nothing todo with the bombing of Flight 103from Heathrow to New York.After being declared one of thetwo chief suspects behind thebombing by the Britishgovernment in 1991, Megrahispent nearly 10 years on the FBI'smost wanted list.He finally handed himself in tothe United Nations in April 1999,saying he was willing to standtrial in a neutral country.He was convicted of the massmurder in 2001 before a panel of Scottish judges at Camp Zeist inthe Netherlands and told he wouldspend a minimum of 27 years inprison before being considered forparole.He twice appealed against hisconviction, arguing that the guiltyverdict had been a miscarriage of  justice – finally dropping hissecond appeal.He was linked to the bombingby fragments of clothing that werefound wrapped around theremnants of the Lockerbie bomb.But his decision to drop hisappeal left British families, manyof whom are sceptical about hisguilt, fearing that new informationthat should have been madepublic would remain secret.News of a fresh inquiry comesas relatives' group UK FamiliesFlight 103 delivered a letter to theprime minister, Gordon Brown,asking him to instigate a fullindependent inquiry into theLockerbie bombing under theauspices of the Inquiries Act2005.Members of the group have alsorequested a meeting with him.A spokeswoman for the groupsaid: "Since 1989 senior politicalfigures from successivegovernments have agreed inprinciple to an inquiry but havequalified their comments bysaying that it could not take placewhile the criminal investigationwas ongoing."With the abandonment of Megrahi's appeal against hisconviction, there has been noresolution to any aspect of responsibility for the bombing."During the trial andsubsequently, we heard of 'significant information' from aforeign power. On repeatedoccasions, Her Majesty'sgovernment has sought to preventor obstruct access to documents,some viewed by the ScottishCriminal Cases ReviewCommission, for reasons of 'national security'. We seek accessto documents previously thesubject of Public InterestImmunity Certificates."Article 2 of the EuropeanConvention on Human Rightsdemands that an inquiry into thecircumstances of a death conformto certain minimum standardswhere it has occurred at the handsof a state or at the hands of agentsof a state."As host nation, the state – ie theUK – had responsibility for thesecurity of the aircraft, asconfirmed in the findings of theLockerbie fatal accident inquiryand for the safety of its country'sairports, as well as for theproficient use of intelligence thatmight have prevented the disaster."We maintain that there has beenno investigation compliant withthe Article 2 rights of the families."We have waited patiently foralmost 21 years to learn the fulltruth of what happened. Now weawait Gordon Brown's response toour renewed calls for a fullinquiry into all the circumstancesof the bombing."• Lockerbie plane bombing• Abdelbaset al-Megrahi• Libya• Scotlandguardian.co.uk© GuardianNews & Media Limited 2009 |Use of this content is subject toour Terms & Conditions| MoreFeeds
Sunday CrunchWord Puzzle!
By Doug Aamoth (CrunchGear)
It’s back! Here’s the latestCrunchGear-themed crosswordpuzzle. You can find the answersto the clues spread throughout thisweek’s posts. Enjoy!CrunchWord Puzzle for Sunday,October 25th
World/ Gadgets/ 
 
3Internet News Record
Pakistan captures Taliban stronghold
By Declan Walsh (World news and comment from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk)
Submitted at 10/24/2009 4:37:02 PM
In a breakthrough in the week-old Waziristan campaign, troopscapture the home town of militantchief Hakimullah MehsudPakistan notched up the firstmajor success of its Waziristancampaign yesterday with thecapture of Kotkai, home to theTaliban leader HakimullahMehsud, a week after it launcheda sweeping assault on themilitants' heavily protectedmountain fortress.The victory came hours after anAmerican drone blasted a militanthideout at the other end of thetribal belt, killing 22 people andunderscoring Washington'sdetermination to press ahead withits campaign of targetedassassinations even as Pakistaniground troops press in on themain Taliban stronghold. Theapparent target of the strike,commander Faqir Muhammad,reportedly escaped.The army seized control of Kotkai, a strategically locatedvillage along one of three axes of attack, after five days of combatthat saw warplane attacks andgunfights around mountainoutposts. At least 44 militants and10 soldiers were killed in thefighting, according to armyfigures, and the village changedhands several times before thegovernment achieved completecontrol this morning. As well asbeing home to the Taliban'sruthless young leader, Kotkai isalso the birthplace of QariHussain Mehsud, a notoriousextremist known as the godfatherof the Taliban's legion of suicidebombers."Thank God, this was the army'sbig success," said spokesmanMajor General Athar Abbas."This place was a stronghold of terrorists, where a majority of houses had been converted intostrong bunkers." Abbas saidintercepts indicated that Talibandeserters were shaving theirbeards and trimming their hair toblend in with fleeing civilians.But, as with much that is saidabout South Waziristan, littlecould be verified. Since fightingerupted on 17 October, the areahas been sealed off to local journalists; foreigncorrespondents have beenforbidden to visit for years. OnFriday the Taliban prohibitedreporters from entering NorthWaziristan.The Red Cross has appealed toboth sides to let its officials intothe area, saying it is worried aboutthe fate of civilians in thebattlezone. Some 155,000 of anestimated 550,000 residents havefled into neighbouring areas,where a humanitarian crisis isbrewing.Now the army is advancingtowards Makeen and Ladha, thetowns at the heart of Mehsudterritory, from where it saysTehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)is directing a campaign which hasplunged the country into a virtualstate of war.The past five days have seenattacks on a major air base, anIslamic university and a buscarrying wedding guests,following assaults on armyheadquarters and policeinstallations. More than 200people have died in attacks sincethe start of the month, triggering asecurity clampdown in the citiesand a sharp drop in thestockmarket.More than before, ordinaryPakistanis are jittery about theirfuture, particularly since theclosure of schools and universitiesthat followed Thursday's doublesuicide attack on the InternationalIslamic University in Islamabad.Analysts said the capture of Kotkai was a milestone butcautioned that the army has a longway to go. "Nobody expects thetop leadership or anyone whoreally matters in the TTP to stillbe in Kotkai," said KamranBokhari of the US thinktank Stratfor. "The Taliban leadershiphas most likely vacated the areaand moved deeper into theterritory."The American strike occurred inthe Bajaur tribal agency, 200miles from Waziristan at thenorthern end of the tribal belt. Thetarget, Faqir Muhammad, aTaliban commander with a fiercereputation and a sphere of influence spanning the border,was reportedly absent. A localofficial said that most of the 22people killed were Afghannationals.Although Pakistan formallyprotests at the drone strikes, itssecurity services quietly assistthem. But the Predator and Reaperattacks have acquired an evengreater sensitivity during theWaziristan operation. Pakistanworries that US strikes onterritory controlled by Hafiz GulBahadur and Maulvi Nazir, twoethnic Wazir Taliban commanderswho have agreed to stay neutral inthe attack on the TTP Mehsudstronghold, could lead them to join the fight.Bokhari said the Americansappeared to be playing along withthe Pakistani strategy, but only fornow. "There may be anunderstanding to hold off ondrone strikes until the SouthWaziristan operation is over, butit's a cost-benefit analysis. If theUS locates an al-Qaida top dog inGul Bahadur's territory, I doubtthey would say 'Let's hold back'."Meanwhile, the humanitariantoll is rising. According to the UNabout 155,000 have fled thefighting and although 60,000people have registered forgovernment help in the past 10days, very little has been on offer,leading human rights groups toaccuse the government of punishing all Mehsuds for the sinsof the Taliban.Last week Hekmatullah, 22, astudent from the Talibanstronghold of Ladha, queued withhundreds of men outside agovernment centre. "It's a verybad situation," he said. "At homeevery second house has beendestroyed, yet the governmentdoesn't want to help us. If theycan drop bombs, they can dropfood."Daud Khan, a bearded manfrom Spin Kamar village nearMakeen, said he had fled in a pick -up packed with 40 people thatdrove through the night with itslights off to avoid being hit. Hishome had been completelydestroyed, he said.Like many refugees, he wasreluctant to criticise the Taliban –whether for reasons of sympathyor personal safety was not clear."We don't know if the governmentor Taliban is right or wrong. Butwe just want this problem over."• Pakistan• Taliban• Al-QaidaDeclan Walshguardian.co.uk© GuardianNews & Media Limited 2009 |Use of this content is subject toour Terms & Conditions| MoreFeeds
Digital Contents Expo Tokyo: Sony’s flashy stereoscopic 3D display (video)
By Serkan Toto (CrunchGear)
Submitted at 10/25/2009 3:44:41 AM
Sony is demoing a 3D display atthe Digital Contents Expo thattakes place in Tokyo right now,and today I went there and made afew pictures and shot a video of the device, too. Two of the 360stereoscopic displays weredisplayed to the general public,and the tech is pretty impressive.The specs aren’t that great(96×128 resolution, 24-bit colorpalette), but this is just a firstprototype.Here’s how Sony thinks we oneday could use the display:I took the following video at theexpo today:
World/ Gadgets/ 
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