Bomber's release divides papers

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Most of the papers are preoccupied with the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/21/abdelbaset-al-megrahi-lockerbie-bombing">The Guardian's front page </a> shows him in a baseball cap with material over his face while clutching a walking stick.

Meanwhile, <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/">the Times pictures crowds greeting him at Tripoli,</a> under the headline: "Home to a hero's welcome".

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-compassion-amidst-suspicion-1775090.html">Independent acknowledges that behind his conviction lies a story</a> which has never been properly investigated - and may never be.

Inquiry calls

Scotland's papers sense that Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi's release is not the end of the story of the Lockerbie bombing.

Calling on the UK government to launch an inquiry, the <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/editorial/display.var.2526624.0.Compassion_for_the_Lockerbie_bomber.php">Herald believes truth has been a casualty of the case so far.</a>

<a class="inlineText" href="http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/leaders/History-will-record-Megrahi39s-release.5575342.jp">The Scotsman agrees, </a> while claiming history will record the decision to release him as the right one.

Megrahi's release was "humane", according to the Daily Mirror. However, <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208001/Heros-welcome-Lockerbie-bomber-Megrahi-slaughtered-270.html"> the Daily Mail condemns it as "a shabby deal</a> and a betrayal of justice".

Hope amid violence

Despite violence marring Afghanistan's presidential elections, <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2599459/26-killed-as-Afghans-defy-Taliban-in-historic-election.html">the Sun detects a glimmer of hope</a> - sensing attempts to intimidate voters failed.

The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest/2009/08/21/vote-count-begins-after-afghan-poll-115875-21612521/">Daily Mirror reports that millions of people</a> brushed aside Taliban warnings to vote.

But the <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/6062344/Afghanistan-election-low-turnout-as-voters-fear-Taliban-attacks.html">Daily Telegraph reckons voters were frightened away</a> by a wave of Taliban attacks.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/3f72c260-8db3-11de-93df-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F3f72c260-8db3-11de-93df-00144feabdc0.html&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fhome%2Fuk">The Financial Times worries that a low turnout,</a> even in central Kabul, could undermine the legitimacy of the result.

'Grade inflation'

There is a sense of weariness in the papers about the annual debate over A-level results.

The Daily Mail congratulates the students but says it would be fairer on them if the exams were made tougher.

Thousands of youngsters are discovering that they have become a <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/21/alevel-results-university-places">debased currency when it comes to securing a university place, the Guardian says.</a>

Grade inflation is a cruel confidence trick and <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/6063012/A-level-results-grade-inflation-is-just-a-cruel-confidence-trick.html">A-levels are becoming unfit for purpose, argues the Telegraph.</a>