Emerging Story Lines

From time to time, we're going to pull together a heads-up on developing news. It won't be a sneak preview exactly. Rather, something akin to a binocular peek at what's approaching on the news horizon. These items may become Monitor stories. Or, they may swerve and miss us.

In that spirit ... today in Northern Ireland, David Trimble is prepping for perhaps the most important - and difficult - meeting of his life. On Saturday, he will try to persuade his fellow pro-British Ulster Unionist Party members that the peace pact he struck last week is a fair one.

Also, in the profiles-in-courage category: Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo. Parallel to his crackdown on corruption, Mr. Obasanjo plans to introduce a radical concept: sharing the wealth. That is, more oil-revenues for states within Nigeria that produce the oil. Currently, most of money goes into the national coffers. Indonesia, are you watching?

David Clark Scott, World editor

FOLLOW-UP ON A MONITOR STORY.

THE WINNER IS: Supermodel Laetitia Casta. French mayors voted for Casta as the model for the new "Marianne," as noted in the Sept.14 Monitor. This week she will begin to appear on official seals and statues outside town halls as a symbol of the French Republic.

REPORTERS ON THE JOB.

*BIG MACS - THEY'RE EVERYWHERE: Reporter Mahlon Meyer was getting hungry after a long day of working on today's story on Malaysia's elections. In the small town of Alor Setar, Mahlon says, "you see rice paddies and farms to the horizon. The downtown consists of a few dusty cement buildings." Asking a local journalist where to get something to eat, Mahlon was shocked to learn there was a McDonald's and a KFC outlet in town. The Malaysian reporter said somewhat indignantly, "Who do you think we are?"

Let us hear from you.

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