11.   The government in the past has approved alliances between U.S. and foreign airlines, but its stance on large-scale domestic pairings is untested.

12.   The report does not say how many of those flights the two carriers should be asked to give to competitors before the alliance is approved by the Transportation Department.

13.   The U.S. Justice Department yesterday approved the alliance on condition that other U.S. operators could gain access to the French and German markets.

14.   The U.S. Transportation Department has said it must have an open skies agreement with the British government before it approves the alliance.

15.   After nearly four decades of talks, Episcopalians approved an alliance in July that allows the churches to share clergy, sacraments and programs.

16.   Episcopalians took a big step forward in Christian unity by approving an alliance with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

17.   Last December, the EU head office said it would approve the alliances after Spain agreed to open its telecoms market.

18.   Last December, the EU head office said it would approve the alliances after Spain agreed to open its telecommunications market.

19.   Last June, board members approved an alliance with rival exchange, Frankfurt-based Eurex.

20.   Swiss regulators must approve the alliance and Swisscom must gain one of the new licenses in the upcoming auction.