strait

The ship has been in the Kattegat strait - a passage between Sweden and Denmark that connects the Baltic Sea to the North Sea - since 19 November and is being monitored by the Danish navy.

"But mainland England and Wales is in dire straits, and they will become extinct if we are unable to reverse this trend."

The chain is among several that have landed in dire financial straits this year after years of high inflation, increased labor costs and declines in customer demand.

The plan to close stores was announced as part of the company’s release of its fourth-quarter and end-of-year financial reports, which underscored its dire straits.

US President Bill Clinton quietly moved US Navy forces into the Taiwan strait to demonstrate to Beijing that the US would prevent an attack on the island.