1.   A security cordon was thrown round Oxford City Centre bringing it to a virtual halt as police evacuated thousands of shopperss, workers from offices and college students.

2.   Almost all the action now is in the bond market as stock underwriting has come to a virtual halt.

3.   Although analysts do not expect serious economic damage beyond the next few days, cattle sales came to a virtual halt this week and beef prices soared.

4.   American car imports to Mexico have ground to a virtual halt.

5.   A strike by the society would bring the court system to a virtual halt.

6.   But this is actually a much deeper crisis than the one that brought growth in Mexico to a virtual halt for two years.

7.   Dredging in the harbor came to a virtual halt, and as the channels began filling up, shipping interests began looking elsewhere.

8.   It brought illegal immigration to a virtual halt.

9.   On the unyielding western flank of the high, a low pressure system came to a virtual halt, setting the stage for recurrent rain and snow.

10.   Security was strong outside the embassy Wednesday and Thursday, and work came to a virtual halt.