41.   Primakov, speaking at a news conference in Moscow, said his ministry has urged Iraqi leaders to avoid provocative actions that escalate tensions in the region.

42.   Sharon rejected the idea, saying such remarks only escalate tensions.

43.   Sharon said such remarks only escalate tensions.

44.   Seven Lebanese died Thursday in guerrilla and Israeli attacks in the south, further escalating tensions.

45.   She told him that the missiles could trigger countermeasures by Turkey and seriously escalate tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

46.   Tensions were further escalated by a failure to arrange a late-night meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

47.   Tensions were further escalated by a failure to arrange a late-night meeting between Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

48.   Thai and Burmese troops have exchanged artillery fire along the border, escalating tensions as Burma wages a major offensive against ethnic Karen rebels.

49.   That case escalated tensions over espionage between Washington and Moscow.

50.   The abduction sharply escalated tension between the Chechen government and Moscow.