The World This Week

July 16-18

Madrid, Spain will host an interfaith dialogue of Muslims, Christians and Jews. Prominent figures will discuss international cooperation, human rights, and issues of security and peaceful coexistence.

The same day,

Lawyers for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will cross-examine Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky in the corruption probe. Talansky said, in evidence, that he had given Olmert hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.

July 18

Former South African President Nelson Mandela8217;s 90th birthday celebrations will begin in South Africa. The South African Reserve Bank says 5 million five-rand coins, featuring a smiling Nelson Mandela, will go into circulation on that day.

July 20

A peace march calling for the release of the rest of the hostages held by FARC rebels is scheduled without rescued hostage Ingrid Betancourt who will not take part due to family fears of reprisals by FARC.

Also

the introduction of traffic restrictions in Beijing to help reduce pollution during the Olympics Games. Private cars will be banned on alternate days, depending on whether their number plates end in odd or even numbers!