41.   The announcement ended a period of intense, behind-the-scenes campaigning by several countries for the prestigious post, based in Geneva.

42.   The announcement ended months of intense speculation by Spanish media about marriage plans for Elena, an elementary school teacher who specializes in English.

43.   The announcement ended weeks of speculation.

44.   The announcement ends months of speculation surrounding the fate of the Sodi.

45.   The announcement ends months of speculation that began immediately after Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated three months ago by a right-wing extremist opposed to his peace policies.

46.   The cautionary announcements ended years ago.

47.   The planned announcement ends days of frenzied speculation about such a move.

48.   The merger announcement ends two years of fitful efforts by the London and Frankfurt exchanges to combine.

49.   The recall announcement ends an investigation the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began in February.

50.   With emotions high, however, after two days of fighting, it was unclear whether the announcement would quickly end the hostilities.