51.   Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres said Thursday he expected to form a new government within a week and shrugged off feuding among Labor Party leaders over senior Cabinet posts.

52.   An angry crowd stoned police as they cleared a path to escort ousted President Joseph Estrada from his home in the first arrest of a Philippine leader over corruption.

53.   An official who demanded anonymity said Israeli negotiators were consulting with government leaders over whether the talks would resume.

54.   Bush met with Republican and Democratic leaders over breakfast at the White House.

55.   But the optimism has been tempered by growing disputes among the rebel leaders over their demands and the division of ransom payments.

56.   Diplomats in Burkina Faso said summit delegates plan to draft a resolution on the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea after making rough recommendations to their leaders over the weekend.

57.   Divisions grew Wednesday between political leaders over how to define the role of premier-designate Antonio Maccanico, who is trying to put together a government.

58.   Diplomats in Burkina Faso said summit delegates plan to draft a resolution on the conflict after making recommendations to their leaders over the weekend.

59.   Dozens of policemen and troops guarded the PT Masipon factory complex in Surabaya as government officials negotiated with strike leaders over salary and conditions.

60.   Duhalde spent much of Wednesday wrangling with political leaders over the appointment and what steps the government should take to deal with a devastating four-year recession.