Today's Story Line

Turkish rescue-and-aid workers have responded more quickly to the quake in Turkey last Friday. Also, among the first on the scene: an Israeli rescue team winning international respect. Quote of note: "The goal is to ... save lives. It doesn't matter if they are Christians, Jews, or Muslims, or where in the world they are." - Israeli rescue leader.

Are the UN sanctions against Afghanistan going to nudge the Taliban regime to give up Osama bin Laden? Not likely .

- David Clark Scott World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB

* INTERVIEW EN MASSE AT A MOSQUE: After the missile attacks on US and UN buildings, the Monitor's Robert Marquand visited a mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad. About 20 young men - prayers finished - were ushered into a side room to talk to Bob. He was seated on a bare floor, offered tea and crackers. But security guards posted outside, nervously entered the room. "They were moderates. But they were surprised to see an American there and suspicious that I was a spy," says Bob. "I had to carefully explain that I was not a representative of US policy." The young men were extremely polite, aware of the latest developments, and articulate, but "all wanted to tell me how messed up US policy toward Afghanistan was."

* SUMMIT? WHEN's THE GAME?: At a briefing in Mexico on this week's Ibero-American summit, there was plenty of information about key topics, tte--ttes, and what the wives of leaders would be invited to do. "But what the journalists really wanted to know is when the big baseball game between the Cubans and the Venezuelans will take place," notes Monitor correspondent Howard LaFranchi. Cuban leader and El Maximo baseball fanatic Fidel Castro accepted a challenge from Venezuelan President Chvez, himself a former baseball player. The two will be in the stands rooting for their teams at Havana's Latinoamericano Stadium on Nov. 18.

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