11.   Stepashin quickly tried to deny speculation in the media of a widening rift between him and Aksyonenko.

12.   Stepashin also tried to put a good spin on the outcome, denying speculation of a widening rift between him and Aksyonenko.

13.   The case is an indication of the widening rift between the two nations.

14.   The crisis has raised fears that Yugoslavia could split amid widening rifts between its two republics.

15.   The overwhelming vote for a minimum wage was seen as a sign of a widening rift.

16.   The widening rift between Beijing and Washington has been aggravated, too, by renewed reports of Chinese missile sales to Pakistan.

17.   Singapore and the Philippines downgraded diplomatic ties Wednesday as they recalled their ambassadors in a widening rift over the hanging of a Filipina maid here.