11.   The strikes coincided with helicopter raids on Palestinian targets in the West Bank towns of Ramallah, where Arafat has been trapped for some two weeks, and Jenin.

12.   The strike will coincide with final day for nominations.

13.   The strike also coincides with the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Robin Raphel, who has held talks with opposition leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed.

14.   The strike coincides with a two-day visit by Vice President Hamzah Haz to Aceh.

15.   The strike coincided with protests by Kashmiri lawyers against alleged excesses by the security forces and continuing attacks on Muslims in the western state of Gujarat.

16.   The strike coincides with a huge electricity shortage caused by a drought that has dried up reservoirs feeding hydro-electricity stations.

17.   The strikes coincided with helicopter raids on Palestinian targets in the West Bank towns of Ramallah and Jenin.

18.   The miners strike partially coincided with a strike by schoolteachers which began on Tuesday also over unpaid wages.