21.   EUROPE OPENS NEW MICROSOFT INQUIRY The European Commission said it had begun an inquiry into Microsoft because of concerns that its .NET Passport system violated privacy rules.

22.   Federal and state investigators have also begun inquiries.

23.   Fearing the forces of the Politically Correct Police, the good people of Blacksburg, Va., have begun an inquiry into whether they should change their mascot.

24.   Federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission have since begun an inquiry into those allegations.

25.   Following a telephone call from the Dayton Daily News, officials at Marycrest began an inquiry.

26.   Geneva authorities began an inquiry into suspect Russian money in Swiss accounts last year, and some banks reported suspicious transfers from the Bank of New York.

27.   Giuliani, speaking on a radio call-in program Friday, said that a task force would meet Monday to begin an inquiry.

28.   Giuliani, speaking on a radio call-in program Thursday, said that a task force would meet Monday to begin an inquiry.

29.   He also barred the department from beginning similar inquiries until a three-judge panel can rule on the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act.

30.   He has begun an inquiry into the legality of the transaction.