21.   But Birmingham Steel Corp. suffered the indignity this fall of having its stock delisted from the New York Stock Exchange for failing to maintain required levels of financial strength.

22.   But despite the standoff, the Taliban offered to continue talking with Pakistan, the last nation maintaining some level of diplomatic ties with the radical Islamic regime.

23.   But in the United States, he maintains the level of celebrity that once landed him on the cover of Time and fueled all-out Gorbymania.

24.   But how long can college football maintain this level of interest under the current system of bowls versus playoffs?

25.   But maintaining this level of play at tiny Loyola Marymount could require an even better coaching job.

26.   But, she says, Lois has maintained a level she might have lost and has increased her coordination and ability to move about.

27.   China was opposed to maintaining troop levels because the Caribbean nation has friendly ties with Taiwan.

28.   Conventional wisdom suggests that the Rangers need only to avoid being swept by the Athletics to maintain their level of comfort in the AL West.

29.   Daily treatment has only maintained the level of soreness in the knee, and only a period of complete rest is expected to produce much improvement.

30.   Despite the turmoil and turnover, Gwynn maintains a level of excellence in what surely will be a Hall of Fame career.