41.   No one could blame Israel for its fury, but the decision to mount a major military offensive was a bad one.

42.   Oil traders are always wary about military offensives in the Middle East because the region accounts for about one-third of the world oil supply.

43.   Palestinians are dispirited by the overwhelming Israeli military offensive and by their dwindling economy, some Palestinian leaders said.

44.   Production of heroin and cocaine is skyrocketing, and Colombians are bracing for a U.S.-sponsored military offensive against drug traffickers and rebels.

45.   Recently, Israel has been intensifying its military offensive to try to wear down Palestinian militants.

46.   Residents said the electricity had gone out on Friday, the day the military offensive began.

47.   Secretary of State Colin Powell ended his Mideast peace mission Wednesday without achieving the cease-fire he sought or realizing a withdrawal by Israeli troops from their sweeping military offensive.

48.   Serb police also reportedly stepped up their military offensive in the villages of Petrovo and Malopolje.

49.   Sharon stuck to the position that Israel has no choice but to continue its military offensive in the Palestinian West Bank until terrorist networks are crushed.

50.   Speaking to a French television crew aboard the plane, he played down talk of an imminent military offensive.