11.   The vote was the clearest signal to date of a growing reluctance in Congress to radically alter existing environmental laws.

12.   Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor has given the clearest signal yet that he wants to remain in charge beyond the current Ashes series against England.

13.   It was the clearest signal yet that criminal cases could be brought against figures implicated by the commission in gross human rights violations.

14.   The data was the clearest signal yet that the manufacturing sector is pulling out of a long slump and that the recession that began a year ago is easing.

15.   Traders interpreted his comments as the clearest signal yet that Japan might take action if the dollar surges against the yen.

16.   The postponement of the summit had been the clearest signal yet of White House dissatisfaction over heavy civilian casualties in Chechnya.