31.   U.S. congressional opponents of the embargo in the past have successfully defeated attempts to ease the sanctions.

32.   Hong Kong new ministerial system of government cleared its final obstacles Thursday after the government defeated attempts by pro-democracy legislators to make last-ditch amendments.

33.   All previous attempts have been defeated by the commission, which completes its annual six-week session on Friday.

34.   The new ministerial system won approval from the Legislative Council last week when the government defeated attempts by pro-democracy legislators to make last-ditch amendments.

35.   MPs were getting ready for a fresh debate Thursday after they overwhelmingly defeated an attempt to divert the discussion.