1.   Many independent petrol stations are expected to close because of the price war caused by tougher competition.

2.   Their profits are weakening thanks to tougher competition, loan write-offs and a rising cost of funds.

3.   Analysts blame the lag on lingering consumer doubts and tougher competition from major airlines.

4.   As a result, Akzo Nobel is expected to pose much tougher competition for U.S. and European rivals like DuPont, Bayer of Germany and ICI of Britain.

5.   As the program stumbled through three coaching changes and tougher SEC competition, the decision to leave the Southwest Conference looked more and more like a football folly.

6.   At this rate, the nation is likely to trail others, including the newly industrialized economies, in a time of tougher global competition.

7.   A drive down just about any main drag in America shows how much tougher competition has gotten in the last decade.

8.   A lower won makes it easier for Korean steelmakers to sell their products abroad, providing tougher competition for Japanese companies.

9.   But everybody knew that Hance would present tougher competition.

10.   But in the past year, a combination of mistakes and tougher competition has forced the company to change the way it does business.