1.   The agreement removes the last serious obstacle to the signing of the arms treaty.

2.   A win over Purdue leaves either Valparaiso or Rhode Island as the last remaining obstacle to the Final Four.

3.   Florida stands as the last obstacle to their second consecutive national championship.

4.   He personally met for many hours with Arafat and spent a tense final week with the PLO leader in September ironing out the last obstacles.

5.   His decision removes the last obstacle to a store the neighborhood needs.

6.   His postgame responses were often as concise and punishing as the hits he put on the unfortunate defensive backs who were often the last obstacle before the end zone.

7.   In recent weeks, as arrangements for the Israeli withdrawal from Hebron were settled, the dates for additional withdrawals emerged as the last obstacle to agreement.

8.   Philadelphia was the last obstacle to Boston.

9.   Sanford bolted for the pros last summer, and when Watts revamped his diet the last obstacle was removed.

10.   The agreement among the five companies promises to remove the last major obstacle preventing manufacturers from bringing digital video recording devices to the market.