This is astonishing, given that highly respected, influential figures and political parties have been speaking for the opposition at international gatherings.

Russia s persistence in its self defeating occupation is surprising.

The quantity of liquidity in the world economy is surprising, and monetary expansion by central banks does not explain it completely.

Social and cultural patterns of subordination persist outside the law. It is not surprising, then, that women are the victims of many forms of violence.

However, this use of aircraft is deplorable.

Yet the Syrian opposition has so far failed to present itself as a unified actor. This is astonishing, given that highly respected, influential figures and political parties have been speaking for the opposition at international gatherings.

The recent erosion of confidence in the Treaty was a matter of concern.

According to the author, this decision is surprising bearing in mind that no application had been made for custody in favour of the grandparents, the father having sought custody for himself.

The United Nations has made encouraging progress on the protection of children affected by armed conflict, but the lack of progress at the national level is disturbing.

Well, let's first look at the probability and this is very, very difficult to estimate but there have been only four studies on this in recent years, which is surprising.

That is not encouraging, given the fact that United Nations membership now stands at 191 States.

Serbia and Montenegro's cooperation has improved, but the failure to turn over the remaining fugitives is a serious concern.

This may seem surprising.

To be sure, the exploitation of children, whether sexual or otherwise, is deplorable, if only because children rarely have the power to resist.

Cynthia Schneider The surprising spread of Idol TV

The divergent proficiency profiles of officers from different nations is not surprising, given the different mother tongues, military cultures, training standards, technology and even terminology used.

This was particularly worrying for those mandates concerned with economic, social or cultural rights, and the United Nations should consider how to apply a unified approach to such issues.

But that surprise was wrong headed from the start.

For Europe, this situation is worrying on two counts.

The situation is equally worrisome in Yemen and Libya.

Russia s domestic situation remains deplorable.

That is more than a promise it is an assurance.

Russia s persistence in its self defeating occupation is surprising. Indeed, when Boris Yeltsin was Russia s president, the country came close to recognizing the need to return the Northern Territories to Japan.

It beggars belief that China and India are not members of the G 7.

That did not mean that support tasks were no longer needed on the contrary, a whole new range of demands had emerged.

Attacks on him and the Palestinian people were not surprising, especially in the light of the statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel during the general debate in the General Assembly that resolutions on Palestine were of no interest.

Nonetheless, given the fact that the system of local government was reinstituted in the country only in 2004, after being in abeyance for 32 years, the advancement of local capacity for resource mobilization and the provision of services is encouraging.

Given dysfunctional US fiscal policy, the dollar s resilience is surprising.

But that is not necessarily reassuring news for the rest of the economy.

The weak judicial sector remains of serious concern.

Encouraging progress has also been made in the finance sector.

Narratives increasingly conflict and in an astonishingly open and unsettling way.

The conclusions included in the final report of a special mission of the National Police are evidence of this situation, which indicate that the large number of internal investigations for links with criminal structures, in particular the paramilitaries is worrying .

Unsurprisingly, the young are the most estranged.

Success breeds confidence, but it also attracts envy.

Any satisfactory expansion of the Council would need to include Japan.

The rising trend of extra budgetary funding was becoming a worry.

The situation is far from hopeless.

For it is precept on precept, precept on precept line on line, line on line here a little, there a little.

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept line upon line, line upon line here a little, and there a little

Christianity is also growing in odd ways and in surprising places.

This phenomenon comes as no surprise to economists.

Obviously, the USSR is not about to be resurrected.

The increase in unfunded liabilities to 262 million is alarming.

Some encouraging progress is being made in this respect.