1.   A drop in exports to Asia -- or anywhere, for that matter -- is the last thing Japan needs.

2.   Alliance with them brings estrangement from the rest of the world, the last thing Russia needs.

3.   Given the sickening slide of many stock prices since Labor Day, more worry for investors is the last thing Wall Street needs in this autumn of its discontent.

4.   Plans for that sort of thing need to be carefully thought up, submitted and approved, officials said.

5.   That many people thought he won is absolute proof that this whole debate thing needs rethinking.

6.   That was fortunate because the last thing baseball needs in his scarred season is a World Series brawl.

7.   The last thing public television needs is a round of funding cuts and an irresponsibly broad investigation of the sort some congressional Republicans are considering.

8.   With his players at war with the league and each other, the last thing Stern needs are teams slinging mud over Pat Riley.

9.   Another bad crop is the last thing Russian agriculture needs.

10.   An unsettled Paul, who could make his England A debut against Scotland A in Stirling next Friday, is the last thing Gloucester need.