1.   And it illustrates the dire economic straits of U.S., European and Asia-Pacific airlines over the past five years.

2.   After two decades of one-party rule under Mugabe, Zimbabwe lies in dire economic straits.

3.   But their arrival has coincided with economic straits for many Germans facing record unemployment at a time when the abundance of social benefits is being called into question.

4.   But the reality behind the nationalist posturing is that the collapse of the Soviet economy has left the Kuriles in dire economic straits.

5.   But with Cuba now in severe economic straits, visitors to the open-air Coppelia are lucky to find two flavors.

6.   Popular understanding is limited, regulatory protections are almost nonexistent and many people are willing to grasp at straws because they are in dire economic straits.

7.   Peru was in similarly dire economic straits five years ago.

8.   Still, the Russian government may find greater understanding abroad about its difficult economic straits than at home.

9.   The senior Western diplomat predicted that Ecuador will remain in dire economic straits for months to come.

10.   Wherever Roque is, knowing the economic straits and shortage of good automobiles on the island, he is probably not driving a quality vehicle.