101.   With the latest school shootings, a shocked nation has closed ranks to confront the menace presented by the proliferation of handguns.

102.   Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was trying to close PLO ranks Friday ahead of difficult decisions he faces in peace negotiations with Israel this month, senior PLO officials said.

103.   Paraguay began cautiously, closing ranks in the back, ceding the midfield and mounting no serious offense.

104.   Other editorials in government-run newspapers across the Arab world called the summit a rare chance to close Arab ranks.

105.   Playing for the bronze, the Dutch controlled the pitch, creating many chances and keeping their ranks closed.

106.   Pro-Western parties have tried to close ranks to keep Welfare from leading a new government.

107.   Playing for the bronze against Pakistan the Dutch controlled the pitch, creating many chances and keeping their ranks closed.

108.   African leaders were simply closing ranks with a colleague, said John Makumbe, the chair of Transparency International Zimbabwe, an independent group that exposes corruption.

109.   African leaders closed ranks at the Commonwealth summit out of fear for their own power, he said.

110.   And once they get into politics, Stern claimed, ex-generals close ranks when the army comes under criticism in the Knesset.