31.   They raised the ceiling more than I thought they would.

32.   Unless the debt ceiling is raised before October, the government automatically shuts down, no longer able to borrow money.

33.   British deputy Ambassador Stephen Gomersall said the council had generally agreed to wait until Secretary-General Kofi Annan makes a report in January with specific proposals for raising the ceiling.

34.   But share prices later inched higher on unconfirmed market talks that the government will raise the ceiling on foreign stock investment in two state-owned corporations.

35.   But Washington and London had to agree to look favorably on any recommendation by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to raise the ceiling.

36.   He also said Japan would raise the ceiling on government-provided insurance for investment in Southeast Asia by Japanese companies or joint ventures.

37.   However, the recovery in world oil prices prompted the United States to rethink its proposal and U.S. officials are now talking about raising the ceiling instead.

38.   If the ceiling is not raised, the government cannot pay its debts to holders of U.S. Treasury securities.

39.   In November, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries contributed to the decline by raising its ceiling for production.

40.   Kuwait and Qatar have both said they want higher quotas if the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries raises its official production ceiling.