31.   But after years of neglect and underinvestment, the country is in dire economic straits and its infrastructure is crumbling.

32.   Chabrier said his visit found Pakistan in dire economic straits.

33.   His dire financial straits were surprising, given his reputation as a savvy market forecaster.

34.   It would certainly help us out of our present dire economic straits.

35.   We all knew that Nenaco has been in dire financial straits since last year due to the financial crisis.

36.   Warouw was quoted by Antara as confirming that five local newspapers were in dire financial straits due to the cost of newsprint.

37.   With many clubs in dire financial straits, top players have fled into exile to play in Europe, and attendance at local stadiums has plummeted.

38.   It now controls only a handful of municipalities and it is in dire financial straits.

39.   Apart from his personal connections, he can hold out a large carrot of potential private investment to regional governments who are all in dire economic straits.

40.   Arabdiou was known for his commitment to union work and to the defense of the weekly which is in dire financial straits.