31.   Three companies had pledged IPO stock, but none seem near going public.

32.   Two nights ago the end of the baseball strike seemed near.

33.   Chechen fighters seemed near collapse after waves of artillery and rockets pounded the city Thursday in the heaviest assault of the month-long Russian offensive.

34.   Even as a breakthrough seemed near on the issue of aboriginal catches, other topics appeared headed for disagreement.

35.   House-Senate bargainers seemed near resolution of differences over lifting some trade sanctions with Cuba and whether to change federal milk pricing rules.

36.   In Bosnia, a widely violated truce between government and Serb forces seems near collapse, threatening U.N. peace efforts.

37.   More than eight months later, he is still a prisoner and his freedom does not seem near.

38.   Seeming near tears and her voice trembling, Compagnoni explained she was calling it quits to preserve her health.

39.   The talks bogged down in September, when a deal seemed near.

40.   With Magic Johnson and Muhammad Ali backing him up, Tyson seemed near tears upon learning he would be allowed to return from his boxing exile.