1.   Checkpoints ringed Tiananmen Square, marring the beginning of the lunar new year, the most auspicious date in the Chinese calendar.

2.   Early Wednesday, police checkpoints ringed the square as officials weeded out sect members from the crowd.

3.   Israeli military checkpoints ringed West Bank towns, barring residents from leaving.

4.   Police checkpoints ringed Nardaran.

5.   When Centennial Park reopened Tuesday, it was blanketed with police reinforcements from across the state and ringed by checkpoints at the entrances.