21.   A spokeswoman for FTD, another BigSmart retailer, said the national florist service has severed its ties to BigSmart but would not elaborate.

22.   A year later, bin Laden left the Sudan for Afghanistan, but U.S. officials insist that Sudanese leaders never severed their ties to him.

23.   According to Tapia, Opus Dei browbeat her into breaking off her engagement and severing ties with her family.

24.   About to sever ties with Puma, Carter will most likely sign a new shoe contract in the next year with either Nike, Adidas or Reebok.

25.   According to the State Department, the two officials once again urged King Hussein to sever economic ties with Iraq, and especially to stop importing oil from Iraq.

26.   Acquaintances and federal investigators who have interviewed him say he has severed ties with his brother and rarely communicates with the rest of the family.

27.   After O.J. Simpson was arrested for double murder, Hertz severed its ties with him.

28.   After the ADL published excerpts of the speech, condemnations poured in and the Congressional Black Caucus severed ties with Farrakhan.

29.   After severing ties with its longtime spokeswoman Cindy Crawford last year, the company had retreated from signing marquee names.

30.   After the trades were revealed, Foley severed his ties with the firm.