21.   How such officially condoned activities could have remained secret for so long boggles the mind.

22.   In a separate report, a survey by the National Association of Purchasing Management showed that manufacturing activity remained weak in September, pointing to continued slow economic growth.

23.   In addition, merger activity remained strong, implying that dealmakers find attractive situations despite generally high stock prices.

24.   More recent figures for March, published Monday by the National Association of Purchasing Management, suggest factory activity remained sluggish last month.

25.   More recent statistics released yesterday suggest manufacturing activity remained subdued in May.

26.   Overall manufacturing activity remained mixed during the month.

27.   Separately, a new survey published today suggests economic activity will remain subdued in the opening months of the new year.

28.   Stock prices were mixed and activity remained subdued Monday as traders and investors delayed putting money to work before an important inflation report that is scheduled for release Wednesday.

29.   The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said manufacturing activity remained sluggish in the Southeast in November.

30.   The policy said homosexual activity would remain banned in the military, but that gays and lesbians may serve as long as they keep quiet about their sexual orientation.