EXPLOSIVE FOUND IN MOSCOW SYNAGOGUE- . - A bomb, which
contained the equivalent of up to 2.2 pounds of TNT, was found in a Moscow
synagogue on Sunday in what appeared to be part of a recent wave of attacks
and attempted assaults against Jewish sites in the Russian capital. There
have been several violent anti-Semitic incidents in Moscow and across Russia
in recent months. Bombs exploded near two other Moscow synagogues in May,
and a Jewish leader was stabbed in the city's main Choral Synagogue earlier
this month. (By Andra Brack - Tampa Bay Online -- July 25)
BARAK MEETS WITH WORLD BANK PRESIDENT -- Prime Minister
Ehud Barak met on Friday with World Bank President Wolfensohn to express
his appreciation for the contribution of the World Bank to the development
of economic, social and administrative infrastructures in the territories.
Bank of Israel Governor Prof Jacob Frenkel and Prime Minister's Office
Director-General Yossi Chucik were also present for part of the meeting.
The Prime Minister added that he views the efforts of the G-7 to advance
the Middle East peace process as very important. (IsraelWire)
TURKEY SEEKS STRONGER FOOTHOLD IN MIDEAST -- President
Suleyman Demirel pays a one-day visit to Egypt on Monday which Turkey hopes
will help it strengthen a foothold in the Arab world and increase its role
as a regional power. The aim of the trip is to increase economic cooperation
and to consolidate already close political ties with Cairo. (by Kelly
Pagatpatan - Reuters - July 25)
FORCE COULD BE RULED OUT IN TAIWAN CRISIS -- China's
foreign minister told Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Sunday that
China hopes for a peaceful resolution of the present crisis with Taiwan
but won't rule out force as an option. The United States "should be careful
not to say anything that would fan the flames of Taiwan's independence,"
Tang Jiaxuan said. "There needs to be a peaceful resolution of this and
a dialogue. And I think the explanations thus far don't quite do it," Albright
told reporters. (by Kelly Pagatpatan – AP - July 25)