21.   Building sites, once bustling with activity, have come to a near standstill.

22.   Business came to a near standstill in Kampala Monday after businessmen closed their shops to protest the number of illegal hawkers and vendors working in the capital.

23.   Domestic production was at a near standstill, though oil production and exports were unaffected.

24.   Large rallies for other parties brought traffic to a near standstill in several major cities.

25.   Massive daily protests and a general strike aimed at forcing President Didier Ratsiraka to step down have brought the country to a near standstill.

26.   Many Russians take vacations around the holidays, and government and industry come to a near standstill until they are over.

27.   More than half the workforce is unemployed and industrial production, already in a slump before the war, is at a near standstill.

28.   Ravalomanana says he won the election outright and has brought the country to a near standstill with daily protests and a general strike.

29.   The country has been brought to a near standstill with daily protests and a general strike aimed at forcing the president to step down.

30.   The NEAC views with concern the near standstill in credit growth.