1.   Four hostages had escaped the besieged hospital Saturday.

2.   Four hostages escaped the besieged hospital Saturday.

3.   Muslim rebels holding three Americans and other hostages clashed with Philippine troops Tuesday for the second time since they escaped from a besieged hospital with their captives in tow.

4.   Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin offered to grant rebel commander Shamil Basayev one of his key demands in a telephone call to the besieged hospital.

5.   Talks continued into the evening on pulling back troops from around the besieged hospital to defuse the standoff.

6.   Talks continued into the evening on pulling back troops from around the besieged hospital.

7.   Talks continued Sunday pulling back Russian troops who surround the besieged hospital to defuse the four-day standoff.

8.   Talks were continuing on pulling back troops from around the besieged hospital to defuse the four-day standoff.

9.   Meanwhile, ITAR-TASS news agency reported a woman giving birth in the besieged hospital.