41.   A group of Russian lawmakers has been in Grozny negotiating the release of more than a dozen Russian servicemen captured in recent fighting.

42.   A military delegation is in Kinshasa attempting to negotiate the release of the boat and its crew.

43.   A Georgian presidential envoy arrived in Chkhalta later Friday and negotiated the release of the remaining captives.

44.   A Muslim extremist leader told a local radio station Monday that he would kill an American hostage that day unless the government appoints two Malaysians to negotiate their release.

45.   A photograph of the Americans was sent to their families by e-mail for reassurance as Washington negotiates their release, diplomats said.

46.   A top politician in Pakistan said Monday he has been asked to negotiate the release of five Westerners who were kidnapped in India by Kashmiri militants.

47.   A Montreal man is still being held by Niger rebels despite several attempts to negotiate his release.

48.   A top Yemeni official was dispatched Saturday to try to negotiate his release, the Berlin official said on condition of anonymity.

49.   After police negotiated the release of the children and the wife had escaped to safety from inside their locked car, the man swallowed the poison.

50.   Also Tuesday, police were negotiating the release of two officers and a civilian believed to have been kidnapped by separatists.