11.   The announcement ends a brief lull in merger activity among major U.S. banks, following four billion-dollar transactions in three weeks in August and September.

12.   The announcement ends weeks of speculation about his financial status.

13.   The announcement ended a thunderous campaign with little more than a whimper.

14.   The announcement ended months of speculation about where the new Dreamworks lot would be relocated from its temporary space at the Universal Studios.

15.   The announcement ended several weeks of speculation, with Tony officials saying they were later than usual with the decision.

16.   The announcement ends a two-month delay in Iraqi exports, caused chiefly by wrangling over a plan for the distribution of aid.

17.   The announcement ends months of negotiations between the airplane maker and one of its best customers.

18.   The announcement ends months of speculation about a project that most investors and analysts expected.

19.   The announcement ends six weeks of speculation that United would acquire USA, the sixth-largest U.S. airline, possibly sparking industrywide consolidation.

20.   The announcement ends weeks of speculation over what company would make a bid for Terra.