1.   FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said Tuesday there were problems with the ticket situation, but dismissed talk of a crisis.

2.   Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said he had met with lawmakers worried about possible action against Iraq, but dismissed talk of a leadership fight.

3.   HAMAS leaders said they want to keep the situation calm and dismissed talk of a Palestinian civil war.

4.   Yemen accused Saudi Arabia Tuesday of blocking progress in negotiations aimed at settling their border dispute and dismissed talk of concessions by Riyadh.