21.   The U.N., the United States, the European Union and aid agencies were preparing to rush aid to the scene.

22.   They are also quite likely to dissent again as intelligence agencies prepare a new assessment for the president, administration officials said.

23.   Various government agencies prepared to shut down operations for the second time in a month.

24.   While lawmakers prepared to dicker over the spending bill language and other weightier policy matters, government agencies were preparing themselves for the possibility of a shutdown next week.

25.   Agencies prepare for more refugees.

26.   At U.N. offices in Geneva, aid agencies prepared Friday to send emergency supplies to Albania, where food shortages were reported in southern areas.

27.   But the agency normally prepares a transcript, which is released when it holds a public hearing on the accident.

28.   Declining budgets and an aging work force of nuclear specialists have concerned some commission officials as the agency prepares for a rush of new business.

29.   Drivers union officials presented a detailed counteroffer during talks Monday, and the transit agency was preparing a counterproposal of its own after a brief meeting Tuesday afternoon.

30.   Flood agencies were preparing for rising river levels to accompany the next round of gales with rain forecast well into the weekend.