51.   Protests have persisted despite the ban, reflecting growing resentment against U.S. threats to strike Iraq unless it allows United Nations inspectors free access to suspected weapons sites.

52.   Reprisals persist despite appeals by NATO and Western governments to allow peacekeepers and international investigators bring to justice those responsible for the earlier Serb crackdown.

53.   Residents of the area said regular clashes have persisted despite fresh talks between the two governments.

54.   Rituals of Muslim pilgrimage persist despite tragedy.

55.   That faith persists despite her own personal trials.

56.   The concerns about Mexico persisted despite a pickup in the Mexican stock market and the Mexican peso.

57.   The daily violence has persisted despite a Mideast truce declared nearly three weeks ago.

58.   The attacks have persisted despite a French government crackdown against the militants on the Mediterranean island.

59.   The Congolese government said Friday it would withdraw its forces from Mani, an area in the eastern section of Congo where fighting has persisted despite a cease-fire deal.

60.   The conflict persisted despite intense American and European diplomatic efforts, which appear to be making progress.