Today's Story Line

The United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon epitomize grace under fire. And their charitable acts have become a model for other UN forces.

Who owns genetically engineered seeds once they've been released into the environment? That's the crux of a David vs. Goliath legal feud in Canada.

A British mother renounces her parliamentary seat, saying the House of Commons is a "gentlemen's club".

Press censorship in Sri Lanka: Can this be a democracy if the public is kept in the dark?

David Clark Scott World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB..

*GONE BOWLING: During his recent trip to Sri Lanka, South Asia bureau chief Bob Marquand was amazed by just how oblivious the country's elite was to the ongoing civil war. "The war is so far away from their lives," he says. For them, Colombo is a playground of restaurants and nightclubs. And now, everyone who's anybody in Colombo is rushing to the country's first bowling alley. For about $5 each (a month's salary for most Sri Lankans), Bob and his Muslim translator joined the in-crowd, donned funky shoes, and did their best to avoid gutter balls."For me, it emphasized just what an abstraction the war is for some people."

*FALLEN PEACEKEEPERS: Mideast correspondent Scott Peterson found numerous memorials to UN soldiers who died in Lebanon. During two decades of peacekeeping, the price has been high. But the 235 casualties are remembered often - and well. Scott was invited to a private ceremony for the Irish contingent, which has lost 44 soldiers. Bagpipes wailed as their names were read out, and was followed by a prayer written by St. Francis of Assisi: "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace," an officer read, as flags were lowered to half mast. "Where there is hatred let me sow love ... where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy."

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