41.   The government spokeswoman rejected speculation about tax rises.

42.   The International Cricket Council Wednesday rejected speculation it was ready to extend the role of the third umpire to adjudicate on bat-pad appeals in test matches.

43.   The Mexican government vehemently denied the rumors and the White House also rejected the speculation.

44.   The spokesman also rejected speculation that wavering IRA members had helped the dissidents by lending them explosives, detonators or other technical support.

45.   Thuneibat rejected speculations that there is a conflict between two trends in the movement-the moderates and the hardliners.

46.   He rejected speculation that ASEAN would take advantage of the presence of China, Britain and France at the summit to persuade them to come aboard.

47.   He fervently rejected weekend speculation he was about to quit or be replaced by a Euro-sceptic.

48.   In Tokyo, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto flatly rejected speculation by Fujimori in his London interview that ransoms may have been paid for Japanese hostages.

49.   In Tokyo Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto flatly rejected speculation by Fujimori that ransoms may have been paid for Japanese hostages being held.

50.   Chinese police rejected speculation the blast could have been the work of separatists.