11.   Labor groups often use the holiday to hold protests related to issues they espouse.

12.   Many Bangkok residents use the holiday to visit relatives up-country, or head to the beach.

13.   Russians grow much of their own food, and many used the holiday this year to plant seedlings at their suburban cottages.

14.   U.S. general says Saddam may use holiday to hide weapons.

15.   With incomes rising, a growing flow of tourists use the holiday to travel abroad.

16.   Yeltsin used the holiday as a chance for stump for more support in his tough race for re-election against Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov.

17.   Hundreds of Israeli tourists have been using their holidays in Jordan to visit the dentist for as little as a third of the price at home.