71.   The blast came after Information Minister Jonathan Moyo described the paper as a threat to national security and ruling party militants set fire to copies in the streets.

72.   The blast came amid Israeli media reports that the Jewish state was beginning to reduce its troops in southern Lebanon in a bid to cut casualties.

73.   The blast came as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon prepared to travel Sunday to Washington for talks with President George Bush on the turmoil in the Middle East.

74.   The blast came as Parliament discussed extending emergency rule in northern Sri Lanka, a measure that gives broad powers to the army and police fighting Tamil rebels there.

75.   The blast came during Purim, a joyous holiday when Israelis dress in costumes.

76.   The blast came hours after a Roman Catholic church official warned of violence against the military junta if Abacha becomes president.

77.   The blast came in the run-up to a summit of European Union leaders in Madrid on Friday and Saturday.

78.   The blast came just a day after two other bombing attacks.

79.   The blast came just two hours after three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on pedestrians in the Israeli coastal town of Netanyahu, wounding dozens of people.

80.   The blast came three days after an anti-tank rocket was launched at the PASOK headquarters in downtown Athens.