1.   But top studio executives said Sony seemed a company almost paralyzed in its strategy, and pinned some of the blame on Schulhof and his two key associates.

2.   Three key associates of the late Kansas City financier pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in what may have been the biggest white-collar criminal investigation in local history.

3.   But Republican Party sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that Kemp has informed key associates that he would not enter the race.

4.   And on Tuesday, Ravalomanana went back on a reconciliation promise when he announced a new government that contained no key Ratsiraka associates at all.

5.   But Mullah Omar and his key associates have so far eluded all attempts to capture them.