41.   A TOP World Health Organisation official has backed plans to separate the slaughtering of ducks and geese from chickens.

42.   A senior U.S. official backed Australia Wednesday in its bid press the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to deregulate agriculture throughout the region.

43.   Bush said he was willing to retract the lawsuit if officials for Vice President Al Gore back off their demand for a hand count of thousands of ballots.

44.   But German officials have since backed off suggestions that Germany might take over.

45.   But officials later backed off of the promise, saying authorities instead would develop the area for construction by paving roads and installing water and sewage lines.

46.   Compton school officials backed the idea and the group began the first of a series of training camps over the weekend.

47.   Deputies contacted the Saudi Embassy in Washington after al-Saud told them she had diplomatic immunity and embassy officials backed her claim.

48.   Eager to show that it is not targeting the Iraqi people, Clinton administration officials have backed expanding humanitarian assistance to the country while keeping the sanctions clamped down.

49.   EU officials backed the deal against U.S. opposition.

50.   He is believed favored by Washington, although U.S. officials are not backing anyone publicly for fear of jeopardizing that candidates chances with U.S. critics.