11.  And they said they had little doubt that the thefts were conducted by people familiar with the ground and equipped to carry out the crimes with speed and confidence.

12.  And Patriot American Hospitality Inc. is in talks with Wyndham Hotel Corp. about a combination, said people familiar with the situation.

13.  And several people familiar with talks said that the climate had become increasingly confused as attorneys general expressed differing viewpoints and varying interest groups vie for control.

14.  And, the SEC has pursued the matter by issuing a subpoena to the former executive, Maureen Castaneda, people familiar with that investigation said.

15.  Any profits would be donated to a local charity, people familiar with the plan said.

16.  At least one Jewish worker was denied employment on the project and received a cash settlement from CACI, people familiar with the case say.

17.  At the Pakistani prison, people familiar with the intelligence-gathering operation said interrogators were having some success.

18.  At the same time, people familiar with the Blech operations said, short-sellers began targeting stocks associated with the firm, pushing down prices.

19.  Banc One Corp. will soon name J. David Freeman as head of its consumer finance unit, people familiar with the bank said.

20.  Baan is the only company still in the race for the contract, people familiar with the contract process said.