1.   And as the NFL season neared conclusion, Dale Hellestrae put his arms around the inevitable.

2.   A lengthy court case against Phil Spector and Allen Klein, who manages the Spector song catalog, is nearing its conclusion.

3.   It was already considering cutting its work force before this merger neared its conclusion, and there will probably be substantial layoffs after the merger is announced.

4.   Kmart has requested extra time to complete its annual report because the accounting inquiry is nearing conclusion.

5.   News of the encounter came as the first phase of the legal battle between Microsoft and the government at a drawn-out trial in Washington nears a conclusion.

6.   State budget talks neared conclusion Friday, with the areas of serious dispute narrowed to prison construction and workfare rules.

7.   Talks between the monetary fund and the government appeared to be nearing a conclusion, with some expectations that an announcement would be made Wednesday.

8.   Talks between the monetary fund and the government appeared to be nearing a conclusion and there were widespread expectations that an announcement would be made on Wednesday.

9.   The interview is obviously nearing its conclusion, and Taylor smiles and displays the arrogance that all pitchers need.

10.   The instructions are believed to be one more sign that negotiations between the San Antonio theme park and East Coast powerhouses are nearing conclusion.