1.   As tension gripped the country, the army stepped up its presence in major cities, in case the rebels strike first.

2.   But tension still grips the city, the NNI said.

3.   Despite the tension still gripping Mostar, and the danger of fighting erupting with nearby Serbs, Adisa returned home in September.

4.   Fresh tension gripped the Pakistani port city of Karachi Sunday after a deadly bomb blast outside the home of a political activist gunned down hours earlier, residents said.

5.   As tension gripped the capital, the government Thursday ordered the indefinite closure of all schools amid fears that Tiger guerrillas may carry out a suicide attack against students.

6.   Extreme tension now grips the city and rumours of bombs are being reported virtually every hour.

7.   Police fired tear-gas in eastern Sri Lanka Thursday as tension gripped the region following clashes between minority Tamils and Muslims, officials said.

8.   Residents reached by telephone in Khulna said the city was gripped by tension and opposition activists have been demonstrating amid tight security.

9.   Tension meanwhile gripped Dhaka as hundreds of BNP supporters staged a rally in front of its downtown office, with opposition demonstrations nearby.

10.   Tension gripped the affected parts of the city, amid reports of vehicles being set on fire and random firing on Rangers and policemen.