21.   In addition, Arafat is a secular Palestinian who has been fighting off a stiff challenge from the Islamic militants of the Hamas organization.

22.   In Massachusetts, Democratic Sen. John Kerry beat back a stiff challenge from Republican Gov. Bill Weld.

23.   In Contra Costa County, incumbent Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher is facing a stiff challenge from Republican Claude Hutchison.

24.   Incumbent Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry beat back a stiff challenge from Republican Gov. Bill Weld.

25.   It must produce convincing evidence that Microsoft violated the antitrust laws, and legal experts say that is a stiff challenge.

26.   It will be a stiff challenge, considering that St. Louis has one of the best group of wide receivers in the league.

27.   It still faces stiff challenges, including two games with Dallas, but Saturday was a time for celebration and relief.

28.   Microsoft was faced with a stiff challenge from Netscape, the upstart young company which was pushing its Netscape Communicator.

29.   Most are governing with little public support or facing stiff parliamentary challenges.

30.   Now she has been presented with the stiff challenge of winning in two of her not-so-favorite events.