To the Point

Terror in South East Asia

Saturday-s bombing on the idyllic island of Bali has led to alerts at tourist spots in Malaysia and Thailand, while Indonesia itself still copes with the aftermath of this century-s second worst act of terror. Today, on the outskirts of Manila, a bus bombing has killed several people and injured several more in the second fatal blast in the Philippines in two days. These latest acts of violence have renewed attention on South East Asia as another major front in the war on terror. Are they purely local events or a loose network of attacks with global significance? We look at the impact on Indonesia and Australia, and consider the implications for America-s impending war with Iraq, with correspondents in both countries as well as security and defense strategists. Newsmaker: Vatican Rejects US Bishops- Sexual Abuse Policy In Rome today, the Vatican issued what could be a major setback for the Catholic Church in America when it rejected the new policy on sexual abuse of children laid down by America-s bishops. John Allen, Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, says the Vatican-s letter has produced uncertainty over how to interpret and implement the Church-s recent zero-tolerance policy. Reporter's Notebook: California-s Three-Team World Series Tomorrow, when the Angels and Giants play the first game of the 2002 World Series, it will be the first time both teams began as wild cards and the first all-California pennant since 1989. Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle and Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register toss out some thoughts about the Dodgers- -cameo- role, regional rivalry and the infamous rally monkey.