21.   The ministers also gave general backing for a plan aimed at slashing beef production in a bid to bring supply into line with dwindling demand.

22.   Three days before George W. Bush is inaugurated president, OPEC oil ministers will meet in Vienna and in all likelihood slash oil production, raising crude prices worldwide.

23.   All European countries except for France slashed production of this crop.

24.   Branded the worst in living memory in many places, the current drought has slashed farm production, incomes and exports.

25.   NEC would slash PC production in Japan, concentrating all manufacturing and development at its Yonezawa plant, while converting the Gunma unit into a service centre.

26.   Oil analysts said crude prices could regain their strength if OPEC slashed its extra production.