The present public uncertainty has allowed Mr Berlusconi's coalition to pass legislation first to make it difficult to prosecute him and finally to bar him from judgment.

ECONOMIST: Letters | The

The technology sector has powerful "network effects" that, some say grant outsize advantages to first movers and make it particularly difficult for competitors to break in.

WSJ: FTC Probes Apple Business Practices

Finding the right man and having children first may make it difficult to spend the time and money to go back to school later on.

ECONOMIST: Constitutional questions

Its ally, Syria, at first pressed it to make things difficult for the Israelis in the hope of luring them to joint peace talks.

ECONOMIST: Lebanon

If Merck really can defend itself, the damage could be minimal--but it's difficult to make any predictions until the first of the Vioxx cases go to court later this year.

FORBES: Why Merck's CEO Should Keep His Job

First and foremost, holiday tours here make it very difficult to close the East Room.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Any blanket restriction, they say, would clash with First Amendment press freedoms and make it difficult for the public to monitor what the police do on its behalf.

ECONOMIST: Law and the media

It was the perfect start to the second half for the home side, who has endured a difficult first period in which goalkeeper Charlie Mitten was called on to make several important saves.

BBC: Margate 1-1 Telford