81.   Comments by Japanese Finance Minister Wataro Kubo yesterday sparked concern that interest rates in Japan, now at record lows, might rise.

82.   Concerns about the crumbling peace prospects have hurt the peso, which traded this week at a record low against the dollar.

83.   Concern that interest rates in Japan, now at record lows, might rise was spurred yesterday by comments from Japanese Finance Minister Wataro Kubo.

84.   Confidence that Japanese interest rates will stay at record lows boosts the dollar by enhancing the allure of higher-yielding U.S. assets.

85.   Courtyard fountains were frozen and tropical plants fought for survival Thursday after a sudden cold wave struck the Deep South, plunging temperatures toward record lows for December.

86.   Companies have financed their investments largely because interest rates have remained at record lows, economists said.

87.   Confidence that interest rates will remain at record lows here boosts bonds since many investors fund their bond purchases by borrowing at shorter maturities.

88.   Dams across central Chile are at record lows following an exceptionally dry winter, with the situation set to get worse as summer begins.

89.   Dams across central Chile are at or near record lows.

90.   De Ocampo said the Philippines might tap the Japanese market, where interest rates have fallen to record lows, to refinance some of its debt.