71.   Johnson signed Monday to play the rest of the season, and Bird expects him to upgrade the Lakers despite his long absence.

72.   Newcastle had hoped to have Kieron Dyer in the lineup after a long absence with a foot and ankle injury.

73.   Mrs. Yeltsin followed the Kremlin line in reassuring Russians that the president remains in control despite his long absence from office.

74.   Rejoining the Italian squad following a long absence were Real Madrid defender Christian Panucci and Inter sweeper Salvatore Fresi.

75.   She was arrested Monday upon returning to Israel after a long absence, but her arrest was not disclosed until Wednesday.

76.   Star striker Faustino Asprilla, returning after a long absence caused by a groin injury, played the last half hour for Colombia but had little impact.

77.   That fear has been heightened by the long absence of Mobutu, who has cancer and has been convalescing in Europe since August.

78.   The family told prosecutors that his long absence had not alarmed them because Surgai frequently traveled on long business trips.

79.   The lack of leadership is aggravated by the long absence of President Mobutu Sese Seko, who has been in Switzerland more than a month receiving cancer treatment.

80.   The Italian skier said she went beyond her expectations as she returned to action this month after a long absence due to back pains.