41.   Banking shares climbed amid hopes the government would change land taxes to make it easier to sell land held as collateral for bad loans, traders said.

42.   Bank shares are often held as much for their dividend yields as for any potential gain in their share prices.

43.   BETHLEHEM, West Bank The site that tradition holds as the birthplace of Jesus had seemed like a safe haven.

44.   Both are being held as material witnesses in the bombing.

45.   A cease-fire was holding as members of the multi-ethnic government met and approved a plan proposed by President Boris Trajkovski to end the conflict and disarm the rebels.

46.   A government plan to boost land sales could also help banks sell off land held as collateral for bad loans.

47.   A government plan to boost land sales also could help banks sell off land held as collateral for bad loans.

48.   A man held as a material witness in the bombing was charged Tuesday with conspiracy and firearms violations.

49.   A woman who was a passenger in his car was being held as a witness, police said.

50.   After the stock market closed, Vice Finance Minister Tadashi Ogawa said the government may buy property that banks are holding as collateral.