61.   Word of the fall of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan came from the northern alliance, whose troops were trying Monday to consolidate their hold on the city.

62.   Yadav feels that opposing the plan will boost his popularity in the state and help him consolidate his hold over the electorate, most of which is illiterate.

63.   Forces loyal to President Burhanuddin Rabbani were able to consolidate their hold on Kabul after pushing the Taliban student militia further away from the city.

64.   In a bid to consolidate its hold on the provinces, the Saudi authorities conferred Saudi citizenship on the Yemeni tribesmen living in the disputed areas.

65.   Another church was also reported hit by gunfire as the Israelis consolidated their hold on the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

66.   The strike raised speculation that Aidid would attack other towns after consolidating his hold on Huddur.

67.   They also consolidated their hold on the important city of Frankfurt.

68.   With Russian forces consolidating their hold on the Chechen capital Grozny, the Chechen government said Wednesday it was moving its military headquarters out of the city.

69.   Speaking on Moscow Echo radio Monday night, Dudayev also denied reports that the Russian army was consolidating its hold on the capital Grozny.

70.   The Kremlin consolidated its hold over Russian natural gas giant Gazprom on Friday, as the deputy head of the presidential administration, Dmitry Medvedev, was appointed chairman.