21.   His arrest Friday came amid increasing pressure from the United States to crack down on the cartel.

22.   His remarks opening a Security Council meeting in the Kremlin came amid increasing questions about who is in charge of the troubled Chechnya offensive.

23.   His comments came amid mounting public complaints of severe water shortages after the government announced a rationing program.

24.   His remarks at a Security Council meeting in the Kremlin came amid increasing questions about who is in charge of the troubled Chechnya offensive.

25.   It comes amid increasing government claims of rebel defections amid disenchantment in the South over splits in the rebel leadership.

26.   The attention toward Indonesia comes amid restructuring of U.S. joint military activities with various Asian nations because of the economic crisis.

27.   The accord comes amid growing cries from Texas farmers that Mexico pay a growing water debt.

28.   The deterioration in peace talks came amid fighting between supporters and opponents of independence in the former Portuguese colony that left up to four people dead.

29.   The decision came amid mounting international pressure on OPEC to pump more oil to stem surging fuel prices.

30.   The Iran-backed Hezbollah, or Party of God, claimed responsibility for the bomb blast, which came amid escalating violence in south Lebanon.