1.   Nevertheless, this can be a difficult environment for black players, because the minority population is quite small.

2.   The decline in earnings reflected the more difficult trading environment experienced by our downstream oil and chemicals businesses.

3.   Although it was adversely affected by the difficult trading environment, it nonetheless demonstrated the considerable cash generating capability of our businesses.

4.   And the company is mindful of the difficult environment in which its employees live.

5.   As venture groups retrench in this more difficult environment, many are improving their systems to keep better track of the progress and setbacks at their portfolio companies.

6.   At Burger King, Dasburg will face another difficult negotiating environment.

7.   According to Ambrose, early Africans may have used beads the way the San do now, as a social survival mechanism in a difficult environment.

8.   AES has plenty of experience in difficult environments.

9.   Albright insists that the administration did the best it could in a difficult political environment.