21.   Earnings of European defense companies have shrunk in recent years amid declining orders from national governments.

22.   Even so, prices have risen to their highest since the Gulf War this year amid shrinking worldwide supplies and rising demand.

23.   Expectations of a linkup have grown this year amid intensifying competition, as more competitors enter the relatively small market for business news television.

24.   Few stocks have been battered as badly as PNB over the past few years amid concern about its bloated payroll, weak profits and unprofitable assets.

25.   Financial pressures on teaching hospitals have increased in recent years amid cost cutting by insurers and reductions in federal reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid patients by Congress.

26.   Expectations of a link-up have grown this year amid intensifying competition in the small and fast-growing business news TV market.

27.   Four American bishops have resigned this year amid their own sex scandals, and many other bishops have been accused of protecting abusive priests.

28.   Fragrances sales have slumped this year amid sluggish economic growth in Europe, while flavor sales declined in the U.S. and Japan, the company said.

29.   General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler have shed workers for years amid feverish international competition and pressure to boost efficiency.

30.   Government bond markets are rallying this year amid perceptions that inflation, which erodes the value of principal and interest, is slowing.