But the way he was abruptly yanked from the airwaves last week - in an opaque two-sentence statement, by one of the world's largest media goliaths - also induces the chills.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, his once almost certain re-election thrown into the balance by corruption charges, went on the counterattack tonight, but his feisty, nationally televised news conference was abruptly yanked off the air.

The Foreign Ministry is not the first or even the most important Government office whose power was abruptly yanked by angry anonymous officials of the Moscow Energy Company.

The curtain was abruptly yanked to the side, and Jaka's handsome face poked through the opening.

After 27 months of blind devotion to our forward-thinking, conspiracy unearthing Pied Piper, what are we rats to do once the rug is abruptly yanked from below?

A door squeaked and they were abruptly yanked to a halt.

Nevertheless the both of them were abruptly yanked into one of those shadows they prudently had eyed, for they had not watched the well-lit sidewalk for waiting nooses.

He was still standing there, credit card in hand, when the door was abruptly yanked open and a good-looking but grimly angry girl stalked out, carrying two suitcases.

The real question for "Curb Your Enthusiasm" may be how Mr. David's ironic vision and insistent immaturity will play to an audience that was abruptly yanked into adulthood on Sept. 11.

Reportedly in retaliation for the audacity of another Chinese film - "East Palace, West Palace," an out-of-competition film that deals with Beijing homosexuals - "Keep Cool" was abruptly yanked from official screening here.