Washington, D.C.

Microsoft warns users about serious new flaw

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday warned about a serious flaw in all versions of its popular Windows software that could allow hackers to seize control of a person’s computer when victims read e-mails or visit Web sites.

Microsoft assessed the problem’s urgency as critical, its highest level, and urged customers to download a free repairing patch immediately from its Web site, www.microsoft.com/security.

An Internet security company, iDefense Inc. of Chantilly, Va., said Wednesday it learned about the flaw in December 2002 from Roland Postle, a respected British computer security researcher widely known on the Internet as “Blazede,” and passed the information to Microsoft on Jan. 9.

Florida

Hijacked Cuban plane lands under military escort

A Cuban airliner carrying 29 passengers was hijacked at knifepoint Wednesday night and landed under U.S. military escort in Key West, U.S. authorities said.

Six hijackers took over the plane and surrendered to authorities in Key West, said FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela in Miami. They will face federal hijacking charges, she said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries among the hijackers, passengers or six crew members. Five of the passengers were minors, an airport spokesman said.

It was not immediately known what motivated the hijackers. Nor was their destination clear.

Washington, D.C.

Standoff near Mall ends

The farmer who drove his tractor into a pond near the National Mall and threatened to set off explosives surrendered Wednesday after a 48-hour standoff that snarled rush-hour commutes and kept some monuments off-limits to tourists.

Dwight Watson, who was protesting farm policies he said were forcing him out of his family’s tobacco-farming business, was taken into custody about noon. No explosives or weapons were found in a preliminary search of both the tractor and the Jeep he had abandoned in the large pond in Constitution Gardens, a federal park east of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

U.S. Park Police planned to consult with federal prosecutors on potential charges against the 50-year-old Watson of Whitakers, N.C. Authorities may decide to seek a psychiatric exam.

California

Gore joins Apple board

Former Vice President Al Gore, who popularized the “information superhighway” as vice president, was elected Wednesday to the board of Apple Computer in Cupertino.

Gore, who announced last fall he would not seek the presidency in 2004, also serves as a senior adviser to the search firm Google Inc. and is a visiting professor at several universities.

Gore fills a seat left vacant by the September resignation of Oracle Corp. chief executive Larry Ellison.

Despite critically acclaimed products, Apple has only a 3 percent share of the U.S. personal computer market, according to the research firm IDC.