11.   But dire predictions seem to be what titillates the crush of reporters who have descended on the story from around the world, he said.

12.   But despite such dire predictions, the United States and Europe have been slipping toward a trade war over bananas for more than six years.

13.   But dire predictions of disaster from Congress and the Joint Chiefs of Staff sent him scurrying for cover.

14.   But just as surely, the dire predictions of his enemies have fallen woefully wide of the mark.

15.   But nearly all the dire predictions from Vice President Dick Cheney on down never came true.

16.   But scientists skeptical of the importance of global warming said the EPA report is part of an overall retreat from dire predictions about global warming.

17.   But so far, the cases offer little support for the dire predictions that courts will be choked by litigation over the issue.

18.   But the fact that the mixed neighborhood under the raised walkway has thrived since then seems to have made a lie of that dire prediction.

19.   Certainly the public, inundated for months with dire predictions of huge cost overruns, incendiary headlines, and talk-show bombast, seemed to anticipate sweeping changes.

20.   Classical music goes on, despite the dire predictions of critics and the pandering to popularity of arts marketers.