1.   All-purpose linebacker Joyner, last with Arizona, reunites with his former Philadelphia Eagles crony White to fortify the defense.

2.   With a little help from friends in the Rhode Island Legislature, Hasbro Inc. Thursday fortified its defenses against a potential hostile takeover attempt by Mattel Inc.

3.   Officials scrambled to fortify flood defenses and evacuate those most at risk from flooding.

4.   Soldiers were fortifying their defenses in Jaffna.

5.   Washington decided last week to sell Taiwan destroyers, submarines and aircraft to help fortify its defenses against a possible Chinese invasion.