1.   An agreement seemed near between the president and his Republican antagonists to continue government spending until sometime next month.

2.   An agreement seemed near on funding for the International Monetary Fund.

3.   And his survival seems near certain unless there is a secret plan to land troops to find and kill him, some Arab officials say.

4.   Another reason why a breakthrough does not seem near is that Russian officials know missile defense is a campaign issue.

5.   At first, the talks seemed quite cordial and a breakthrough often seemed near.

6.   At that moment, Seau briefly seemed near tears.

7.   Berger said the U.S. continues to look for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, while saying that none seems near.

8.   Bonior said Clinton seemed near tears and was clearly struggling with his apology.

9.   Both men seemed near death.

10.   A final budget agreement seemed near, perhaps in time to break the logjam and pass other critical time-sensitive legislation.