Several smaller carriers are also involved in tense talks with their unions.

The pact comes after weeks of tense talks and averts a standoff that might have crippled Microsoft's attempt to compete against the iPod.

Bankers are bracing for tense talks with Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina in coming weeks.

Any measure that emerges from the tense back-room talks will be touted as a big "reform."

Altogether, the situation made for some tense and cautious talk.

But to a region beleaguered by months of snow and tense talk of terrorism and drooping economies, it seemed like the richest of rewards.

Even before Mrs. Puschel is finished assembling 200 examiners, up from 30, tense talks with foreign bankers have started.

After tense talks that night and another discussion that included an apology from Curtis two days later, the Yankees stressed that the disagreement was history.

Two years of tense talks followed, ending with a second letter from the Long Island diocese threatening litigation.

The Republicans' tactics became clear during tense talks between Congress and the White House.