Today's Story Line

Kosovo's divided city of Mitrovica is getting police reinforcements - and a new judge. A trustworthy justice system may be the most crucial step in restoring peace in the city, and the region.

In two decades of ruling Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe hasn't tasted defeat. Until now. How Mr. Mugabe responds to this week's referendum loss could determine his longevity in office.

Today, Iranians will exercise their democratic right to choose a parliament. Conservative clerics are squaring off against reformist candidates. Their national referee and spiritual guide is "God's deputy on earth," Ayatollah Khamenei .

- David Clark Scott World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB

*WHOSE RALLY IS IT? The Monitor's Scott Peterson showed up at a political rally in Tehran, Iran, for Hashemi Rafsanjani, the former president of Iran and a parliamentary candidate. But Scott wasn't sure if he was in the right place. There wasn't a single sign or poster of the conservative cleric. Instead, the crowd was waving photos and screaming the name of President Mohamad Khatami, who most observers consider a reformist. "Yes, my translator assured me, this is a Rafsanjani rally," says Scott. But, the translator explained, the conservatives know Rafsanjani is unpopular. "They're embarrassed to show his face," he told Scott, adding that they're savvy enough to use the popularity of President Khatami to try to co-opt it.

*THE REVERENT REPORTER: Shawn Donnan arrived at Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia and was tempted to climb it. "It's a stunning sight and I enjoy climbing, " says Shawn. Most visitors do hike the red hump. But Aborigines prefer that people not clamber on their sacred site. Shawn respected their wishes. "There are parts of the Vatican that people aren't allowed to go into, and I wouldn't disregard that. Why should this be different?" he asks.

FOLLOW-UP ON A MONITOR STORY

*A BETTER REP? A French village is protesting the choice of supermodel Laetitia Casta as Marianne, the symbol of the Republic. As reported Sept. 14, French mayors voted for Ms. Casta to be the model for statues placed in town halls nationwide. But the mayor of Eygalayes said Casta was not representative of French women. His answer? The town square was named after a local chemist.

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