21.   The mergers come in the face of increasing consolidation in Europe as many corporations seek to expand their influence regionally as part of a plan to go global.

22.   The Muslim world grew more powerful in its own neighborhood and expanded its influence in places other than Europe.

23.   The purchase of the Dole business will also expand the influence of Ms. Marram, who was hired with much fanfare from RJR Nabisco last year.

24.   The purchase is a blow to ING Groep, which had tried to expand its influence in the U.S. by purchasing the rest of Dillon Read.

25.   The purchase is a blow to ING, which had tried to expand its influence in the U.S. by purchasing the rest of Dillon Read.

26.   The proposal aims to expand the influence of fast-growing Rocky Mountain states that have long been overshadowed by California, which would not be invited to join.

27.   This Lynn Majors was a bully, losing his temper over menial assignments, expanding his influence in the ICU through sheer force of will.

28.   With the Ferruzzi-Gemina merger, Mediobanca would have expanded its influence in Italian industry without paying a cent.

29.   And the Cuban church hopes to expand its influence.

30.   As part of a government-backed push to expand Islamic influence, voluntary religion classes are offered at almost every primary school in Sarajevo.