Having spent many years rallying troops on the edge of despair, Mr Ashdown now finds himself in the unusual position of dealing with the consequences of success.

ECONOMIST: The party is either being very clever, or very stupid

Although Mr Rudd drove many to despair, the brutal manner of his exit has left her with problems.

ECONOMIST: Australia's neck-and-neck election

To Mr Peres, who believes there is still hope of talking peace with Mr Arafat, who knew, and approved, of his negotiations with Mr Korei, unilateralism is a counsel of despair.

ECONOMIST: Israel and the Palestinians

' But other people who did talk, they were in despair, really, because they said Mr. Mugabe's going to be in power until 2008 and they couldn't see any change, any betterment of their situation until he kind of got out of the way.

NPR: Examining the Political Climate in Zimbabwe

For all his despair at the state of the world, Mr. Springsteen doesn't lose faith.

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As charming as Peter is, Hook will be the meat of the series, made so by Mr. Ifans's ability to convey all the passion, despair and horror of which a man may be capable.

WSJ: Neverland on SyFy; I Hate My Teenage Daughter on Fox: Television Reviews by Nancy deWolf Smith

But in the depths of despair a year into a yearned-for premiership that had misfired on most fronts, Mr Brown turned again to his former friend.

ECONOMIST: Andrew Rawnsley's political vivisection

With admirable restraint, Mr. Shore supplies music that's vital atmosphere to a world where sadness never surrenders to despair and wonder can come about as if a natural occurrence.

WSJ: Who Will Win the Oscar for Best Score? | By Jim Fusilli