31.   The approval cleared what was considered the last big hurdle before Iraq can begin shipping oil.

32.   The bill cleared its last legislative hurdle Thursday night after the Democrats picked off enough Republican votes to overcome a procedural challenge.

33.   The companies received antitrust clearance from the U.S. Justice Department, the last hurdle to completing the transaction, on Friday.

34.   The FCC approval is the last hurdle.

35.   The FCC is the last major regulatory hurdle to completing the buy of the cable TV company, but the acquisition still faces shareholder approval.

36.   The Federal Communications Commission is expected to approve the union as early as the end of August -- the last regulatory hurdle the deal must pass.

37.   The investigation is the last regulatory hurdle for the merger, which has already been cleared by the South African Competitions Board.

38.   The huge Citicorp-Travelers merger cleared its last regulatory hurdle, winning Federal Reserve approval contingent on selling some businesses.

39.   The last hurdle is price.

40.   The last hurdle, by no means a small one, was Kenny Lofton, the most sparkling player of the Series thus far.