In Japan (down from 37th to 51st place) kishas, or exclusive press clubs, froze out reporters from humbler outlets.

ECONOMIST: The rich aren't always free, nor the poor unfree

Hercus, 27, moved from Sale on a two-year deal last summer, but Stephen Jones' return to Stradey froze him out.

BBC: Dragons net USA duo and Scot prop

Citi, which usually cooperates in arranging meetings with leading analysts and the institutional investors who work with them, refused to meet with Mayo for several years. and froze him out on conference calls.

FORBES: Break Up Citi and Prosecute The CEO?

In the absence of such rules, our financial markets spun out of control, credit markets froze, and our economy nearly plummeted into a second Great Depression.

WHITEHOUSE: Weekly Address: Time for Action on Financial Reform for the Economy | The White House

In New York, some parents and teachers said students froze or broke into tears because they ran out of time to finish new tougher tests in mid-April.

WSJ: New School Standards Spur a Backlash

It froze the scheme last year because cost estimates were turning out far higher than expected, at a time when it was reining in spending.

ECONOMIST: In the house of horror

New York state education officials have already begun to weigh the fallout from tougher standardized tests tied to new academic standards after schools and parents complained this week that children ran out of time, collapsed in tears or froze up.

WSJ: State Tests Spark Ire, Analysis

The Florida State Board of Administration (SBA), which manages the fund as well as the state's pension assets, froze withdrawals after investors became fearful of major losses and began taking out large sums of money.

FORBES: Florida Fund Meltdown: Bad To Worse