1.   But families can be an important check on the process, say those close to the problem.

2.   Cortines, those close to him said, realized that the school system could not go it alone.

3.   Others say Numeric closes its funds based on asset growth too quickly, doing more harm than good.

4.   The umpires, the people close to them said, have been told to reduce the number of pitches in the games they work behind home plate.

5.   When Winnick had made inquiries, Legere told him that he had taken care of the problems, one person close to Winnick said.

6.   Clinton says deal close with Russians on Kosovo peacekeeping.

7.   Hezbollah leader says deal close on Israel-Hezbollah prisoner swap.

8.   Mediator says accord close.

9.   Still, he relishes in having survived his antagonists, especially those on Capitol Hill, say those close to Babbitt.

10.   The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is considering requests from members for an extraordinary meeting on halting plunging world oil prices, a source close to OPEC said Thursday.