21.   Campaigns by the two historical rivals to host the games have been marred by accusations of bribery and false rumors.

22.   Charges have included attempts to buy votes, acts of violence and spreading false rumors against rival candidates.

23.   Daniel Auteuil leads as Francois Pignon, a meek accountant who is about to be fired and so spreads a false rumor that he is gay.

24.   Dave Brossman, another regular at the diner, expressed frustration over the false rumors as he polished off a plate of liver and onions.

25.   False rumors about a major accident at a nuclear power plant in western Ukraine have frightened people into staying indoors with sealed windows and doors, officials said Friday.

26.   False rumors about a major accident there a week ago alarmed residents across the country, frightening some into staying indoors for days despite the unusually warm spring weather.

27.   He said the military was in control and warned reporters not to report false rumors.

28.   He said many militiamen had long heard false rumors of U.N. atrocities in East Timor and wanted to see for themselves before deciding whether to return.

29.   He then bribed stock dealers to spread false rumors and boost the prices of stocks he owned in Chungwon and electronics parts and furniture companies, the prosecutors said.

30.   Hours later, hundreds of Cubans surrounded the Spanish Embassy in Havana after false rumors emerged saying Spain would grant a large number of visas.