21.   Court officials contacted by phone declined comment.

22.   Contacted by phone afterward, McAliskey said her daughter had never been to Germany and nobody had informed her of any extradition warrants.

23.   Even after Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji blamed a lone madman, parents contacted by phone continued to accuse officials of lying.

24.   His doctor, contacted by phone, suggested Bush be taken to a hospital as a precaution.

25.   Kandahar appeared largely deserted Monday, except for pickup trucks of Taliban soldiers armed with rocket launchers and Kalashnikovs, according to residents contacted by phone.

26.   Kandahar appeared largely deserted, except for pickup trucks of Taliban soldiers armed with rocket launchers and Kalashnikovs, according to residents contacted by phone.

27.   Kandahar residents contacted by phone said the city was largely deserted, except for pickup trucks of Taliban soldiers armed with rocket launchers and Kalashnikovs.

28.   Local officials contacted by phone refused to give details and one woman said local leaders had imposed a news blackout.

29.   Local officials contacted by phone on Tuesday declined to confirm any deaths, despite the deaths reported in state-run newspapers.

30.   Local officials contacted by phone Tuesday declined to confirm reports of fatalities by state-run newspapers.