May 22, 2004

Lt Christian Boggiano's parents collect used bulletproof vests from police officers in Jersey City and elsewhere in New Jersey and send them to his military unit in Iraq; almost 1,000 vests are donated; troops intend to line thinly armored vehicles with vests for protection; photo (M)

Sen John Kerry is considering delaying his acceptance of Democratic presidential nomination until five weeks after party's July convention so he may continue spending tens of millions of dollars he has raised for primary season; move could offset what otherwise might be severe financial disadvantage for Kerry under rules for public financing of campaigns; he and Bush are planning to use federal funds in their campaigns, and will be limited to spending $75 million apiece; spending cap kicks in at moment candidate is nominated by his party or on Sept 1, whichever comes first; Bush has five more weeks in which he can spend unlimited amount of money, while Kerry has to make his $75 million allowance last that much longer; Bush and Kerry photos (M)

Institute on Religion and Democracy, small organization in Washington, DC, has helped incubate traditionalist insurrections against liberal policies of Presbyterian, United Methodist and Episcopalian churches; institute, with financing from Scaife family foundations, Bradley and Olin Foundations and Howard and Roberta Ahmanson's Fieldstead & Co, is playing pivotal role in biggest battle over future of American Protestantism since churches split over slavery during Civil War; institute has brought together conservative groups within each denomination to share resources and tactics, including forcing heresy trials of gay clergy members; institute pres Diane Knippers photo (M)

Army Specialist Joseph M Darby says he told investigators about mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib after he decided that it was 'morally wrong'; Darby stands out from other soldiers who learned of abuse; some soldiers say they tried to report misconduct or stop it, but nothing came of their efforts; Darby's report would initiate investigation into mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib and other military facilities in Iraq and raise questions about whether abuse was authorized by military officials; seven soldiers charged in investigation are all from Darby's unit, 372nd Military Police Co; Staff Sgt Ivan L Frederick II is described as ringleader of misconduct; Darby photo (M)

Canada's Supreme Court, in case central to international debate over right to patent gene-engineered organisms, rules that Saskatchewan farmer infringed on Monsanto's patent on genetically modified canola, even though he said seeds landed in his fields by accident; while ruling upholds Monsanto's patent rights, there is no immediate financial benefit to company; court holds that Monsanto is not entitled to profits earned by farmer, Percy Schmeiser, from his genetically modified crop because he had not financially benefited from plants' engineered ability to withstand Monsanto's herbicide Roundup; case reviewed; photo of Schmeiser (M)