51.  Authorities have lost contact with the kidnappers of a British land mine removal expert and his Cambodian interpreter, a provincial official said Wednesday.

52.  Both northern and southern Thailand have been hit by floods, the paper said, citing provincial officials.

53.  But provincial officials have said rains have abated in recent days and the flood situation was improving.

54.  But provincial officials refused to certify her as the winner because the Commission on Elections said she failed to meet residence requirements.

55.  Cambodian refugee sources in Bangkok say two FUNCINPEC provincial officials, a deputy governor of Kratie province and the governor of Prey Veng province, have escaped to safety.

56.  Central authorities have found it effective to make provincial officials specifically responsible for carrying out policies.

57.  Chief Magistrate Heinrich Moldenhauer, who heads the inquiry, Wednesday warned provincial officials to stop harassing witnesses.

58.  Cambodian refugees in Bangkok say two FUNCINPEC provincial officials, a deputy governor of Kratie province and the governor of Prey Veng province, have escaped to safety.

59.  China is appealing for international help for Tibetan nomads struggling with unusually heavy snows in northwestern Qinghai province, a provincial official said Wednesday.

60.  Dissidents in Shandong and Hubei were encouraged last week when provincial officials did not flat out refuse their application.