1.   His comments seemed to dash hopes the Fed would move to lower short-term interest rates before the next meeting of its policy makers in late March.

2.   Larger-than-expected figures would further dash hopes for rate cuts in the U.S. and eventually help the dollar to rise, he said.

3.   The conflicting statements appeared to dash hopes of an imminent reversal in the escalating tension that followed nuclear tests by both countries last month.

4.   Heavy factional fighting in Monrovia on Wednesday continued to dash hopes for an end to a conflict that most civilians have given up trying to understand.

5.   But hardline Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appeared to dash hopes for the Peres plan.

6.   But hardline Sharon has appeared to dash hopes for the Peres plan.

7.   But hardline Prime Minister Sharon appeared to dash hopes for the Peres plan.

8.   But the hardline Sharon has appeared to dash hopes for the Peres plan.

9.   The renewed fighting appeared to dash hopes that an internationally brokered ceasefire had put an end to the latest violence in the west African country.