World briefs 5/11/04

Filipinos choose between president, action star

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipinos voted for president Monday in a contest that pits an incumbent who strongly backs the U.S. war on terror against an action movie star, but the run up to the contest was marred by attacks that killed 114 people. The final pre-election polls showed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pulling ahead of actor Fernando Poe Jr., but the surveys also indicated as many as one-quarter of the nation's 43 million voters were undecided. Final results were weeks away amid fears that alleged plotting to rig the outcome could explode into unrest.

'Sasser' worm creator programmed new version

BERLIN -- An 18-year-old German who confessed to creating the "Sasser" computer worm apparently released a new version of the program shortly before he was arrested last week, investigators said Monday. The teenager was arrested Friday in the northern town of Waffensen after informants seeking a reward tipped off Microsoft Corp. On Monday, German investigators said Microsoft had reported some computer users were having problems with "Sasser e," a variation of the original worm.

Palestinian Cabinet to hold local elections

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- The Palestinian Cabinet decided Monday to hold unprecedented municipal elections and appealed for international help in setting a date for general elections, in an attempt to restore the legitimacy of Palestinian leaders. The local elections will be held in stages, with the first voting to take place in the West Bank town of Jericho by the end of August, followed by elections in Gaza Strip municipalities, Local Affairs Minister Jamal Shobaki said.

Warning issued before Puerto Rico plane crash

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A flight attendant's warning to passengers to brace themselves before a crash landing probably saved lives, a passenger on the commuter flight told a newspaper. American Eagle Flight 5401, with 26 people aboard, was arriving Sunday at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan from the western Puerto Rican city of Mayaguez when it blew a tire on landing. At least 12 people were injured.

Slain Chechen president buried; son named to post

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia -- Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov was buried in his home village Monday, one day after his death in a bomb attack that dealt a new blow to Russia's efforts to control the separatist republic. His son -- the widely feared former chief of his security service -- was named to a top government post. Crowds of mourners converged on Tsentoroi, the Kadyrov clan's home village in the southeastern Chechen foothills, for a traditional burial ceremony, including singing and circles of men slowly dancing.

Ex-Haiti president requests refuge in South Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has officially asked South Africa for asylum until his personal situation "normalizes," the Foreign Affairs Ministry said Monday. The ministry said in a statement that the request was made through the Caribbean Economic Community, or CARICOM, and Mozambique President Joaquin Chissano, who is the chairman of the African union.

-- From wire reports