But Abou-Zahr hastens to add that countries in Africa do not present a uniformly bleak picture.

VOA: standard.2009.05.21

Transforming the bleak future of these poor women and men is no mean feat.

VOA: standard.2010.03.29

The former president says that merchants see a bleak economic future for Iran because of rising prices, lack of investment,lower oil revenues and the elimination of price controls.

VOA: standard.2010.07.20

"We have seen some diminution." But even if the U.S.economy is losing jobs at a slower pace than half a year ago, the overall unemployment picture remains bleak, according to Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group.

VOA: standard.2009.07.02