1.   In the United States, where night skies are often overlit and hazy, Muslims learn of the crescent moon that announces the beginning of Ramadan by telephone chain.

2.   Inside the grand new federal courthouse on the South Boston waterfront, the popular congressman announced the beginning of the end of nearly five decades in politics.

3.   On Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also announced the beginning of an open design competition for a memorial to be constructed outside the Pentagon.

4.   The market mostly marked time until President Clinton announced the beginning of the bombing in Yugoslavia, apparently dispelling some of the uncertainty that Wall Street detests.

5.   The music announces beginnings.

6.   Their recent meeting was convened weeks before they plan to formally announce the beginning of the Northeast League on Wednesday.

7.   Thursday, with typical understatement, Mary Robinson will announce the beginning of her third improbable career.

8.   Today, those leading the fund-raising drive are expected to announce the beginning of the Save Amelia Bronzing Project.

9.   Union guns posted to the north and east quickly replied, announcing the beginning of the Battle of Antietam.

10.   Papandreou announced the beginning of an international publicity campaign to coincide with the Salt Lake City Winter Games.