The narrow cobblestone alleyways of the Old City were packed with Israelis visiting for the week-long Passover holiday and Christian pilgrims who are here for Easter Holy Week.

VOA: standard.2010.04.01

Israel national police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says Monday was especially sensitive as 30,000 Jewish worshippers approached the compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount at the start of the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

VOA: standard.2009.10.05

Governments and corporations have long considered the eve of a long holiday weekend the best time for dumping embarrassing or unpleasant news.

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Lawmakers waited until the end of business on Friday for the long public holiday weekend in a "well-orchestrated" plan, according to Hart.

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However, trading could die down quickly as U.S. and Canadian traders may hit the exit doors early today, ahead of the long holiday weekend.

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