1.   Also Thursday, Ariel Sharon was named temporary leader of the Likud Party, replacing Netanyahu who stepped down hours after his crushing election defeat against Barak.

2.   Parvanov gained support mainly for his plans to try and form a coalition with other leftist groups to overcome political isolation after a crushing election defeat a year ago.

3.   A crushing election defeat spurred by the death of an opposition leader has left President Leonel Fernandez facing two years under the thumb of political rivals.

4.   But the government also risks severe domestic criticism if it gives in too much, especially after a crushing election loss by the ruling party in June.

5.   Disappointed by a crushing election defeat and suffering health problems, former Grenada Prime Minister George Brizan said Thursday he will retire from politics.

6.   Despite a crushing special election defeat, Prime Minister John Major insisted Friday that his Conservative Party can still win the national elections he must call within weeks.

7.   Just three months after resettling in his homeland and founding the National Movement, he upset the Union of Democratic Forces with a crushing election defeat.

8.   The government suffered two crushing state election defeats in February.

9.   The Democrats suffered a crushing election defeat last month.

10.   But the pro-devolution vote looks distinctly stronger this time round with Labour recording crushing election victories last week in both Scotland and Wales.