21.   Presidential aides say the talk of impeaching the ailing Russian leader is a groundless attempt to stir up controversy.

22.   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a goodwill gesture to Palestinians, on Wednesday freed the ailing spiritual leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

23.   Richard Boucher, a former State Department spokesman, said he knew from experience of many rumors about coups or ailing leaders that had made financial markets fluctuate.

24.   The ailing leader, who undergoes heart surgery later this month, will retain control of the nuclear power button for as long as possible.

25.   The condition of the ailing leader of the Greek Orthodox Church improved Tuesday as doctors said he suddenly responded to treatment for a viral infection.

26.   The president of neighboring Congo, Pascal Lissouba, met with Mobutu and said he would bring unspecified proposals from the ailing leader to rebel chief Laurent Desire Kabila.

27.   The president of neighboring Congo, Pascal Lissouba, met with Mobutu and said he would bring unspecified proposals from the ailing leader to rebel leader Laurent Desire Kabila.

28.   The president of neighboring Congo, Pascal Lissouba, met with Mobutu on Saturday and said he would bring unspecified proposals from the ailing leader to Kabila.

29.   The Philippines believes China will remain politically stable, at least for awhile, after the death of ailing senior leader Deng Xiaoping, President Fidel Ramos said Wednesday.

30.   The Russians now often compare the reclusive Yeltsin to Brezhnev and other ailing Soviet leaders whose Kremlin tenures long outstripped their ability to manage state affairs.