11.   The messy bankruptcy of that southern California county last week provided a mesmerizing backdrop for discussions about congressional priorities for revising securities litigation rules.

12.   The Times expects the new editions to be home-delivered as far south as Richmond, as well as into the southern counties of New Hampshire.

13.   They have, however, slighted Northern Ireland, where the pattern of settlement diverged sharply from that of the southern counties.

14.   Thundershowers will be scattered over northern Florida, but southern counties will be bright and hot.

15.   A flood watch covered eight southern counties, and water managers prepared for more rain by opening drainage canal floodgates across much of the Miami area.

16.   Bret Schundler, the mayor of Jersey City just west of New York, grabbed support from the Jersey shore and southern counties in early returns.

17.   Even after the new law was passed, a shelter in southern Tainan county was found drowning strays.

18.   Florio locked up seven southern New Jersey counties from his political base, and has gained support in Warren, Sussex, Morris and Passaic counties.

19.   Hurricane warnings were posted in seven southern Florida counties and the Bahamas on Monday as tropical storm Erin gained strength while moving east through the Bahamas.

20.   Hurricane warnings were posted in seven southern Florida counties and the Bahamas on Monday as tropical storm Erin gained strength while moving west through the Bahamas.