11.   At the same time, the musicians turned down a proposal that would have made any benefits and wage increases from a contract agreement retroactive.

12.   A disappointing half-year report from Barclays Plc offset a surprise dividend increase from British Petroleum plc.

13.   A pending boost to the minimum wage next month may also prompt another round of price increases from companies.

14.   But for most folks who run Windows, the speed increase from the Pentium Pro will be disappointing.

15.   But most of the increase from the book value to the purchase price would be reflected as intangible assets, known in the accounting trade as good will.

16.   But it agreed to increase from seven to nine the number of shuttle flights to Mir with supplies that the Russians would otherwise have to launch on unmanned rockets.

17.   Callers to the customer service center saw their average hold time increase from one minute to four minutes over the same period.

18.   Cooper could not estimate how much overall electricity prices have spiked as a result of deregulation, citing a varying gamut of increases from state to state.

19.   Crude oil futures soared amid perceptions U.S. crude imports are set to fall just as demand increases from domestic refiners pushing to replenish lean heating oil and gasoline inventories.