21.   Public transportation has ground to a virtual halt nationwide as the strikes cripple rail, subway and bus service.

22.   Shops, financial markets and newspapers shut, bringing the high-tech, round-the-clock society to a virtual halt.

23.   That could bring the country to a virtual halt.

24.   The general strike and road blockades brought Yugoslavia to a virtual halt.

25.   The massive international effort to bring peace to Bosnia has ground to a virtual halt.

26.   The Zastava arms workers have staged some of the most intensive demonstrations in the past several years in Yugoslavia, protesting the virtual halt in production.

27.   Within China, the Cultural Revolution had brought sports to a virtual halt.

28.   A general strike brought Djibouti to a virtual halt Wednesday as labour unions forced a showdown with the government over austerity measures.

29.   Campaigning for historic Palestinian elections came to a virtual halt Sunday as candidates joined in mourning for Yehiya Ayash, the Islamic bomber assassinated by suspected Israeli agents.

30.   Official celebrations were cancelled, the private sector ground to a virtual halt, and schools and colleges told students to stay home.