101.   Japan argues whale populations have recovered to acceptable levels to renew commercial hunting and says whales are competing directly with fishing vessels for catches.

102.   Many of the rivers have pollution levels several hundred times higher than acceptable levels, leading to heightened incidence of cancer and intestinal ailments among local residents.

103.   On Wednesday, Bundesbank vice-president Johann Wilhelm Gaddum ruled out the possibility of lower rates until money supply growth declines to an acceptable level.

104.   The challenge was to marry economic convalescence with growth while keeping inflation at an acceptable level and avoiding recourse to state intervention, he explained.

105.   The levels of radioactivity were beyond acceptable levels but had not endangered anyone, as the substance was contained within the coolant system, they said.