1.  For two millenniums and more the territory comprising modern Turkey has been a vital geographic bridge connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

2.  In addition to serving as the sole connection between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, it is a vital bridge for migrating fish and other marine creatures.

3.  Das said that rescue efforts were hampered as separatist rebels blew up a vital bridge Monday morning that links Gauhati with the area where the blast occurred.

4.  Rescue efforts were hampered because a vital bridge that links Gauhati with the area of the blast had been blown up by rebels, he said.

5.  Rescue efforts were hampered because a vital bridge that links Gauhati with the area of the blast was blown up Monday morning by rebels, he said.

6.  A vital bridge across the Yamuna was washed away and another is under sater.

7.  Tamil Tiger guerrillas on Monday attacked an army post protecting a vital bridge in eastern Sri Lanka, killing or wounding several troopers, defence sources said.