Today's Story Line

Should the world have the right to stick its nose into the affairs of a single nation? Sovereignty is a touchy issue. But gross violations of human rights are becoming a persuasive rationale for global intervention .

Individuals are less bound by such lofty principles. Behind the Indonesian headlines are numerous, sometimes heroic, personal acts of kindness.

A call to expand the British drug war: all criminal suspects may be tested.

- David Clark Scott, World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB *SOUNDS OF FRUSTRATION: Reporter Alex Todorovic covered the hour-long march through Belgrade on Sept. 27 and he was struck by the decibel level of the protesters. Most journalists cover these protests by walking just ahead of the procession. That's also the loudest and rowdiest place to be. "The drums are there. The soccer club members are there. And you can hear people literally barking at the police - it's sort of the Serbian equivalent of calling a cop a pig," explains Alex. But the worst noise comes from the trills of thousands of whistles being tooted as marchers pass a government office or media building. In preparation for the next demonstration, Alex is hunting for a pair of ear plugs.

MILESTONES *FREEDOM TO FISH: It took 700 years. But women have finally won the right to go trawling for eels in Lake Albufera, reports the Spanish newspaper ABC, a daily in Valencia. On Sept. 27, under a court order, the all-male fishing guild allocated 45 permits to women in the village of Palmar. "As of today, we can say we are fisherwomen, and we are happy to have made our dreams into reality," said Carmen Serrano. The roots of the dispute go back to a decree issued in 1250 by King Jaime I of Valencia, who said only men could fish in the lake. The fishing guild vowed to challenge the court order.

FOLLOW-UP ON A MONITOR STORY *SANDER THOENES: In calling for an inquiry into the death of the Dutch journalist killed last week in East Timor, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan released a statement saying, "This tragic and unnecessary death is only the latest in the chronicle of horror and bloodshed to which the people of East Timor have themselves been subjected in recent months." The White House also issued a statement, which said in part: "The international media must have the freedom to shine a spotlight on events in East Timor.... We will remember Mr. Thoenes for his outstanding work, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends...."

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