Volatile scene unfolds in Cairo as opposing sides clash

People hurled rocks and beat each other in the mayhem that erupted as police were nowhere to be seen and the army did little. Blood streamed down the faces of some protesters who were carried away from the square.

Yemen - Yemen president says won't extend term or pass to son

SANAA (Reuters) - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key US ally against al Qaeda, said on Wednesday he will not seek to extend his presidency in a move that would end his three-decade rule when his current term expires in 2013.

Jordan - New Jordan PM unlikely to appease protesters

Jordan's economy is weighed down by a record deficit of £1.2bn ($2bn) and unemployment tops 12%.

Egypt crisis: Pro-, anti-Mubarak demonstrators face off

Demonstrators for and against President Hosni Mubarak are throwing rocks at each other on Tahrir Square, CNN's Ben Wedeman reports.

Is the worse scenario about to take place with a larger confrontation. Now that the opposition has won a date for the change to start, will opposition leaders ready to move on to work with the population on the platform for change?

Egypt's defense ministry calls for return to 'normal life'

Defense ministry: "Your message is received ... it is time to go back to normal life"

Army tells protesters to help Egypt return to normal

Eurozone - Greece - Soon to come back in the news, can't escape some kind of restructuring at some point?

Markit :
Input price inflation at 30-month high in January while demand fell further

"It was not an encouraging start to the year for Greek manufacturers. As input price inflation reached a 30-month high, firms were forced to stop cutting their tariffs – a bad sign for a country facing significant competitiveness problems and very weak domestic demand. If this upward trend in price pressures continues, it could stall any near-term recovery in export orders – which is currently the brightest light on the horizon" says Gemma Wallace, Economist at Markit and author of the Greece Manufacturing PMI.

France, not at its best?

French manufacturing output growth cooled at the start of 2011
"January’s sharp deceleration in new order growth made for a shaky start to 2011 for the French manufacturing sector. Although output continued to rise at a robust pace, employment growth slowed to near-stagnation, indicating that firms remain cautious. Price pressures meanwhile continued to grow, driven by rising global commodity costs and forcing manufacturers to raise their output prices at a survey-record rate. This is hardly likely to boost sales in coming months. Indeed, with inflation and unemployment concerns weighing on the French consumer at a time of uncertainty in many key export markets, it could be a tricky year for manufacturers" says Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist at Markit and author of the France Manufacturing PMI.

Out of Egypt: Governments bring citizens away from uprising

As Egypt's president for the last 30 years announced he won't stand for re-election and hundreds of thousands of Egyptians filled streets and squares to demand his resignation, countries around the world scrambled to get their citizens out of the north African nation.

Obama speaks

Egypt - State TV shows dozens of pro-Mubarak demonstrators

Egyptian poor struggle with daily grind

Egypt can bring in the Brotherhood

Homework - Who wrote the below?

When a nation changes its opinion and habits of thinking, it is no longer to be governed as before; but it would not only be wrong but bad policiy to attempt by force what ought to be accomplished by reason. Rebellion consists in forcibly opposing the will of a nation wether by a party or a government. There ought, therefore, to be in every nation a method of occasionally ascertaining the state of public opinion with respect to government......Reason and discussion will soon bring things right, however wrong they may begin. By such a process no tumult is to be apprehended. The poor, in all countries, are naturally both peaceable and grateful in all reforms in which their interests and happiness is included. It is only by neglecting and rejecting them that they become tumultuous.

Egypt crowds unmoved by Mubarak's vow not to run

TIMELINE-Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule

Egypt - What has to offer the opposition for the next days as they are almost running out of time to be ready for elections in 6 months time?

A dire time table for Egypt's president opposition, running out of time to be ready to offer angry Egyptians for the soon coming elections a platform of civil rights and new economic freedoms as well as a multi years economic development plan involving all society to define priorities regarding the future of agriculture, infrastructures and sciences.

If winning the end of Mubarak's presidency next september was tough, to elaborate a program to suit the People's expectations and to be efficient on the economy will prove to be even tougher.

Jordan - New Jordan PM unlikely to appease protesters

Many people in Jordan have questioned the wisdom of King Abdullah in appointing Marouf Bakhit to head the country's new government.

King Of Jordan Sacks Government

Egypt - "This is my country. This is where I lived, I fought and defended its land, sovereignty and interests, and I will die on its soil," he said.

US reaches out to ElBaradei

Behind the Scenes with Bret

Egyptian voices reflect diverse crowd of protesters

Mubarak says he'll step down in September

Arsonists strike Tunisian synagogue

Have not more on that for now.

King Abdullah II of Jordan sacks government amid street protests

King Abdullah II of Jordan bowed to street protests by sacking his government in a pre-emptive strike to avoid becoming the next Egypt or Tunisia on Tuesday, only to appoint an unpopular conservative as the new prime minister.

Tunisia - Tunisia government reviews tense security situation

Synagogue, schools attacked in Tunisia, fear spreads Had hoped that following the change I wouldn't have to wear a red bandana around my leg next time I'll be driving around south, I guess I'll differ a bit my next visit?

Synagogue torched in Tunisia: Jewish leader

Egypt - Armed forces chief seen as Mubarak successor

For the remaining UK citizens in Egypt

UK to send charter to bring back Britons from Egypt
Reuters Africa - Adrian Croft, Tim Castle - ‎18 minutes ago‎
LONDON Feb 1 (Reuters) - Britain will send a charter aircraft to Egypt on Wednesday to bring back Britons who wish to leave, Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Tuesday. "I have ... decided to send a charter aircraft to enable further British ...

Egypt unrest: John Kerry says Mubarak should step aside
Leading US Democratic senator John Kerry has urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to pledge neither he nor his son will stand in this year's presidential election.

Living through the Egypt protests
Protesters are calling for a million people to join demonstrations in central Cairo on 1 February. David Cameron has joined world leaders in calling for an "orderly Egyptian-led transition".

From down under Mubarak faces fury of the masses

Jordan - Jordan's king appoints new PM after protests

Protests in Jordan demanded resignation of Rifai
By Suleiman al-Khalidi
AMMAN, Feb 1 (Reuters) - King Abdullah of Jordan, a close U.S. ally, replaced his prime minister on Tuesday following protests inspired by mass demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt, but the opposition dismissed the move as insufficient.

King Abdullah Fires his Cabinet Ahead of Demos

What we're watching: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011

Egypt latest: Talks with opposition parties under way, VP says

RPT-Egypt to start dialogue with all political parties

Jan 31 (Reuters) - Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman said on Monday President Hosni Mubarak has asked him to start a dialogue with all the political parties as protesters stayed on the streets for the seventh straight day against Mubarak's rule.

Egypt crisis: President Hosni Mubarak on the brink as he offers concessions to ...

Will Egypt protesters succeed at winning a negociated transition? Of course, Tunisia copycat with the ousting of the president, did kind of, set the standard and in a way give the appearance of a failure, should the issue be different. Ans that's all the challenge. History has rarely seen the ousting of a president changed itself into civil rights and a progress of economic freedoms. Tunisia has ousted the president but hasn't yet proved otherwise. Of course, in a country, the president is held responsible for the situation and the first slogan to come out from an angry crowd has to be for him to go, but further, what are the rights, the freedoms, Egyptians want?

True change, deep and promising into institutions comes with negociations and negociations have more to offer with someone not willing to go and a system chilly to change than the promises of the newly incoming. No doubt it is a main street point of view and after 30 years who could blame the crowd sayin they have had enough?

Mubarak offers talks, pushed by army, US, protests

US Hopes Mubarak Skips Re-Election Bid, Officials Say

Egypt: 'Time for president to quit' says Sharif

Al Jazeera appeals for content online

Egypt - Upside down is watching - Egypt protesters call for 'million man march'

Shoot-to-kill orders given to Egyptian army: Press TV ??

Egypt and Mubak future, too early to call?
Egyptian police reappear alongside army as anti-Mubarak demonstrations enter ...

A very narrow way out, times have changes and main street Egypt can't go home humiliated with empty hands fueling bitterness and raising the prospect of violence from armed groups finding a renewed legitimacy possibly help from main street as will and demonstrations proved to lead nowhere?

Military Leaders Tighten Six-Decade Egyptian Government Grip Amid Protests

The winner so far, resentment, main street Egypt slogans seen among demonstrators proves, western leaders seen responsible for the prospect of no change?

Egypt - Opinion - Unrest in Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood

Commodity - Truth and Lies - OMC and Lamy goin wild or are their political genes playin a role in the global totalitarian temptation?

Wheat. What are the numbers verses the "opinions"?(US dollars per metric ton)
December 1980 182.62
December 2010 306.99
Inflation over the thirty years period 100 1980 worth 264.63 2010
Just about to let you short of words....
For the price of wheat to be just equal what it was in 1980 today's price should be 483.27, it is "just" 37% cheaper!
True for cotton, true for wheat we'll have a look over "food prices", prices haven't spiked, they're down big time what they used to be.
Recently, prices went up but since March 2008, wheat went down from 439.72 to 157.67, a drop of 64%....

Tell me, has the end consumer seen any of the drop? If not... I guess the spot price is finally a small player in the retail price for the end consumer? Reached the conclusion the recent spike on the spot should just play out the same, well, I guess you're very poorly spirited and ill inspired not to mention you may be a trouble maker.

Enjoy!

Egypt - More Countries Help Citizens Flee Egypt

Photo: AP More countries are sending planes to evacuate their citizens from the unrest in Egypt, as leaders from around the world call on President Hosni Mubarak to seek a peaceful resolution to the week-long anti-government protests.

Al Jazeera defied Egyptian ban, determined to take legal action

Doha, 30 January – Al-Jazeera broadcasting company expressed its “utter disappointment” with the Egyptian Information Ministry's decision to block its signal on Nilesat, cancel its journalists' licenses and ban its operations in Egypt

Al Jazeera defied Egyptian ban, determined to take legal action

Doha, 30 January – Al-Jazeera broadcasting company expressed its “utter disappointment” with the Egyptian Information Ministry's decision to block its signal on Nilesat, cancel its journalists' licenses and ban its operations in Egypt

Egypt - Muslim Brotherhood Throws Support to ElBaradei

Gamal Nasser, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, told the German Press Agency dpa that his group was in talks with Mohammed ElBaradei.
Egypt’s fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood, considered the largest opposition party in Egypt, announced Sunday that it is throwing its support behind Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei’s efforts to form a unity transitional government to succeed Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt - Sharm el-Sheik: 'There was a barricade in front of the hotel'

BBC a few hours ago posted a video showing the evolving security situation was may be played down at resorts spots.... URGENT

Perilous choices for Egypt's military

Right now, the military is the only government institution that still enjoys broad legitimacy. It is at a time of maximum peril. The choices it makes in the coming days will not only help determine the military's future, but the fate of the country as well.

In case of intervention, the military if it looses its popular legitimacy may find itself facing weeks or more of urban guerilla?

Egypt - Rescue operation now underway for Finns and Dutch

Finnish travel agencies on Sunday began evacuating tourists from Egypt and cancelling scheduled holiday flights to that country.
The Foreign Ministry said Sunday that unrest in major Egyptian cities was also being reflected at holiday resorts. Previously, tourist destinations along the Red Sea had not been affected by Egyptian government measures to calm political unrest.

Several Dutch travel organisations are making preparations to bring over 3,000 holiday makers home early. TUI has some 1,600 tourists in popular resorts such as Hurghada and Thomas Cook has a further 1,500.
Several Dutch companies are also bringing out staff.

No revolution tour in armoured vehicules or fighter jets yet.. Just kidding, the Egyptian People need some privacy to sort out their future.

Stand-off in Cairo's Liberation Square

Tension is mounting in the Egyptian capital Cairo while the military has staged an apparent show of strength during a sixth day of protests against President Hosni Mubarak. Two air force jets and a helicopter have been repeatedly flying low....

ElBaradei joins protesters in central Cairo
Reuters - Marwa Awad, Dina Zayed - ‎7 minutes ago‎
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei told thousands of protesters in central Cairo on Sunday that an uprising against Hosni Mubarak's rule "cannot go back."

Egypt - "The people want to topple the president. We will sacrifice our soul and our blood for the nation,'' greeted ElBaradei

Top dissident Mohamed ElBaradei told thousands gathered at the epicentre of anti-regime protests in Cairo Sunday that they were "beginning a new era,'' amid chants for President Hosni Mubarak to stand down.
ElBaradei hailed "a new Egypt in which every Egyptian lives in freedom and dignity,'' his words however inaudible to most of the vast crowd gathered on Tahrir square that he addressed through a megaphone.
"We are on the right path, our strength is in our numbers,'' the Nobel peace laureate said. "I ask you to be patient, change is coming.''"The people want to topple the president.''
the angry crowd shouted.

ElBaradei joins protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square

Al Jazeera: the ban aims to silence the people of Egypt
Ennahar - ‎9 minutes ago‎
Al-Jazeera said Sunday that the Egyptian authorities' decision to ban the satellite channel of Qatar for its coverage of events aimed at "silencing Egyptian people." "Al-Jazeera strongly denounces the closure of its office in Cairo

Egypt - On the ground with Egypt protesters

Protesters have been on the streets of the Egyptian capital Cairo for a sixth day of demonstrations against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak.
The police, involved in violent clashes with protesters in recent days, have largely disappeared from the streets. There is a heavy military presence in the city, but soldiers are not intervening.

Evacuation underway : India and Turkey are evacuating their citizens today.

British Airways said it would put on extra flights from Cairo to Gatwick to fly people home.Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/01/30/exodus-from-egypt-begins-115875-22885038/#ixzz1CXRCViXZ ( More at the Embassy)

Mr Hague said that although flights were coming in and out of Cairo airport, there was a lack of staff there which meant it was not functioning properly.
He said the welfare of British nationals was his top priority and that he had sent extra consular staff to the airport.

Fighter Jets Fly Above Egypt Protesters

Egyptian fighter jets have swooped low over Cairo in what appears to be an attempt to assert control over protesters, who continue to call for the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt dispatches jets, helicopters over protesters on sixth day of turmoil

Fighter Jets Swoop Over Cairo as Chaos Continues

Fighter Jets Deployed Over Cairo as Demands for Hosni Mubarak's Ouster Spreads

Evacuation now crucial, underway for US, Australians, Brits, Maltese all home by now.

U.S., Turkey offer to fly citizens out of Egypt
Reuters - ‎1 hour ago‎
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The United States and Turkey on Sunday offered to evacuate citizens wanting to leave Egypt, where violent protests against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak have given way in some parts of Cairo to looting.

Foreigners flee violent Egypt revolt

Foreign governments began evacuating their nationals from Egypt Sunday amid a wave of jail breaks, killings and increasing lawlessness, as a bitter anti-government revolt raged into a sixth day. Belgium, India, Philippines have now engaged into plan to rescue their citizens reports AP and JPOST.COM.

Well, sooner better than never I guess.

Egypt's protests: What's next?

Egyptian demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Mubarak carry the body of a dead protestor past army tanks.

Egypt's Mubarak meets commanders: reports

Now confirmed US and Turkey evacuate nationals
Turkey sent three aircraft to Egypt fly its nationals home on Sunday the US said it would fly begin evacuating its citizens on Monday as the security situation deteriorates.

Egypt in crisis as Mubarak meets commanders

Egypt - President's family flee to London with 100 suicases reports Press TV

The wife of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his son Gamal Mubarak have flown to London with over 100 suitcases following the bloody protests in Egypt.

Egypt's ex-interior minister evacuated from ministry building amid gunfire - TV

Habib al-Adli, the Egyptian ex-interior minister, was urgently evacuated on Sunday from the ministry building in the center of Cairo amid gunfire, Al-Jazeera TV channel reported.

Secretary general of Egypt's ruling party arrested

By IRNA, Beirut : Secretary General of Egypt's ruling party, Egypt National Front Party, Ahmed Ezz was arrested on Saturday afternoon when he was trying to flee Cairo. He had been living in hide since since the beginning of Egyptians' protests...

U.S. offers flights to citizens out of Egypt

CAIRO Jan 30 (Reuters) - The United States said on Sunday it was offering evacuation flights to Europe for US citizens who wish to leave Egypt.

Fire in the Arab World: A real lesson for African politicians

As the African Union meets in Ethiopia, two if its long-serving members will not be there. (Modern Ghana)

Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera

Egyptian government orders Al Jazeera shutdown

Azeri embassy staff killed in Egypt

An Azerbaijani embassy worker has been killed in Egypt as the country is gripped by six days of bloody protests against the government of President Hosni Mubarak. The man, who worked as an accountant at the Cairo embassy, was killed Saturday evening.

Egyptians face lawlessness, Mubarak hangs on

Fears of anarchy and looting linger as new day dawns in Egypt

Armed Gangs Free Muslim Militants in Egypt

AP By HAMZA HENDAWI and MAGGIE MICHAEL AP An anti-government protester cries out after seeing the body of another who was shot by police... Gangs of armed men attacked at least four jails across Egypt before dawn Sunday, helping to free hundreds of ...

Turkey three planes to Egypt its nationals

Turkey said Sunday it was sending three planes to on Egypt to fly home its nationals, the Anatolia news agency reported.

S Korean Embassy telling Koreans to leave Egypt

SEOUL, South Korea — The South Korean Embassy in Egypt told South Koreans to leave the country because of the ongoing protests against President Hosni Mubarak's government.An embassy official said by phone that embassy officials began calling South Koreans in Egypt on Sunday to advise them to return home or move to another country.

Egypt: US Flights To Evacuate Citizens

Arab nations evacuate their citizens from Egypt

Americans advised to leave Egypt amid protests

CAIRO — The US Embassy advised Americans Sunday to consider leaving Egypt as soon as possible amid the continuing pro-democracy demonstrations ...

British holidaymakers tell of their relief at leaving Egypt Telegraph.co.uk

Britons urged to avoid Egypt cities The Press Association

All Maltese in rioting Egyptian cities safely home
A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday confirmed that all Maltese who were in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez when violence erupted in Egypt have returned safely to Malta.

Australians should leave Egypt: Gillard

Early morning sunday (Egypt local time) Australian PM urged Australians to leave Egypt.

Stunning : For days if not weeks, a predictable contagion of the uprising in Tunisia to other countries in the region left enough time to make sure govs advise their citizens... and had no one stranded in a People's uprising? They will probably be held accountable soon.

Egyptian army protecting Interior Ministry

CAIRO Jan 30 (Reuters) - The Egyptian army was guarding the deserted Interior Ministry headquarters in central Cairo on Sunday after officials were evacuated, an officer said. "We secured the Interior Ministry this morning and evacuated state security ...

Chaos and calm, fury and rejoicing mark Egyptian protests

CAIRO (Reuters) - While soldiers shook hands with protesters on one street in downtown Cairo on Friday, elsewhere security forces lashed out at the crowd with tears in their eyes. "We can die but Egypt must live!

Roughly 1000 inmates escape from a prison southwest of Cairo,

1000s of Egyptian inmates clash with guards, escape prisons

By AP Egyptian security officials said Sunday that thousands of inmates have escaped prisons across Egypt, including one that housed Muslim terrorists northwest of Cairo. The developments add to the chaos engulfing Egypt....

Egypt - WRAPUP 1 - Egypt descends, eyes on army

UPDATE 2-Egypt vigilantes defend homes as police disappear

Emotional protests, rampant lawlessness pervasive around Egypt

Police kill at least 3 protesters at Egypt ministry-TV

Opinion Al Jazeera creates consciousness in Arab world

Egypt - To keep a level head ( Jordan Times - Opinion)

Egypt - PIC AND PUBLISH Bloodshed on the streets

The full horror of Egypt's political convulsions has emerged as relatives gathered at morgues filled with bodies and doctors described their efforts to save the wounded.

As night falls after fifth day of riots, Egyptians seek to provide their own security...

As police withdraw from Egypt streets, government buildings set ablaze, escaped convicts run free and at least 60 rape cases during the unrest reported.

Haaretz reports Egypt's president family left for London.

Egypt moves to secure antiquities from looters

Police shoot dead 17 attacking Egypt police stations

Five days of protests transform Cairo

Protests over Egypt's Mubarak spread to US cities

Analysis: Investors face rising risks however Egypt plays out

Whatever happens, events in Egypt -- coming close on the heels of the overthrow of Tunisia's government by protests that escalated to regime change in less than a month -- have dented previous assumptions of stability.
"Either way, Egyptian risk will be priced up on Monday," said one investment strategist on condition of anonymity." The question now is whether we hit bottom quickly or slowly."

Five Days Of Protests Transform Cairo Into A Battlefield Of Burned-Out Cars ...

Army on alert amid Suez unrest

What's behind the unrest in the Arab world? An explainer

Top cleric urges 'blind, deaf, dumb' Mubarak to go

Mohamed ElBaradei, pictured in Cairo on January 28, says Egyptian President must go...

Egypt's uprising unites society in rage

Defiance on Cairo streets as protesters 'lose fear'

Iranian opposition leader hails Egypt protests

Overseas Shipholding Jumps on Speculation Egypt Unrest to Disrupt Suez

Top Arab cleric asks Mubarak to quit

Reaction expose gulf between leaders and the people

Egyptians have had enough

Thousands in Cairo defy curfew

Mubarak's Battle With Egypt Far From Over

Mohamed ElBaradei: The Egyptian people have revolted

Egypt Stock Exchange, Banks to Close Sunday as Mubarak Protests Continue

Fifth day of mass protests in Egypt, nearly 100 killed (Roundup)

Egyptian police open fire on Cairo protesters

An Egyptian anti-government protester throws a traffic cone into a burning car in front of a burning police station near the pyramids, in Giza, Egypt, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. (AP / Victoria Hazou)

A call to freedom echoes throughout the Middle East

Dozens of Israelis flee Egypt on emergency flight (The last thing needed is any incident in which not intentionally foreigners may be involved) The gov very wisely takes no chance to add to turmoil with silly and ill advised stance of abandoning behind its citizens in the midst of a People's uprising.

Egypt In Crisis: Burning Buildings And Tear Gas

Egyptians defy curfew, call for Mubarak to go

Egypt's death toll from unrest hits 95 / Photos

Egypt unrest rattles tourists

Egypt protests continue...Tourists and Egyptians trying to flee Egypt protests

Chaos reigns as Egypt on the brink of revolution

Steps towards an unfolding situation pushing contagion further
Saudi king slams Egypt protesters
Egyptian military closes pyramids after riots

Egypt - Death toll in Egypt's protests reaches 74 - sources

Hague supports 'Egyptian freedom'
No evacuation yet as companies signal no plans to evacuate their expatriate staff yet.

Cruise companies were also canceling port calls and trips. Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman Courtney Recht said Friday that its Norwegian Jade ship would go to Istanbul this weekend instead of Alexandria, where the Jade had been expected to overnight Saturday to Sunday. Two Nile cruises by Avalon Waterways, scheduled for Jan. 29 and Feb. 1, were also canceled, with guests offered refunds and a chance to rebook later.

Late Friday afternoon, Gate 1 Travel, a U.S.-based tour-booking company, which sends several thousand Americans to Egypt each year, canceled all scheduled Egypt tour departures through the end of February.

The growing unrest and spreading violence may soon force an evacuation, irresponsible EU govs warned for days if not weeks of the foreseeable contagion to Egypt and further have waited the last minute to divert flights allowing thousands to be trapped and exposed.

The last thing Egyptians need are foreign witnesses possibly caught into violent incidents throwing dirt at what's the Egyptian People's right to demonstrate to request a change of regime. That type of events in countries under an iron fist for decades can't be without any violence as contained frustration for such a long time erupts.

'El Al attempting to take Israeli tourists out of Egypt'

Egypt - M. ELBARADEI forces respect

Egypt Clashes Escalate, Nobel Laureate Mohammed ElBaradei Under House Arrest
Egyptian government 'on last legs' says ElBaradei

Commodities - Truth and Lies - Let's kill the lie, on cotton to start!

What's telling us Cotton prices over 30 years of free markets, yes we have had high and lows, lots of that, but hell no, cotton hasn't doubled, cotton is cheap today, much cheaper than it was 30 years ago by a big margin, check it out : (US cents per pound)
December 1980 : 99.16
December 2010 : 168.24
100 - 1980 worth 264.63 2010 (CPI inflation)

Conclusion :

Cotton is more than 50% cheaper than it was in 1980. What does it tell us? Producers have made tremendous efforts raising both production and productivity lowering prices and commodities markets have contributed worldwide to the results helping prices to adjust to demand and offer.

Is it worth today, as we see somekind of a correction towards a better reward of raw producers still 50% cheaper today than it was 30 years ago, to declare commodities markets gone wild? Markets have a board and are chaired, there is no reason as of today to question their professionalism, margin calls can be raised on any given commodity seen overheating should the board witness normal trading altered by extreme speculative positions.

Frankly, looking at prices over the long term, no commodity are showing signs of over heated price due to trading.

Commodities - Truth and Lies - Cotton, a good example, the commodity said to have doubled is at the very exact same price it was in May 1995, 15 years

ago! What's behind the need for alibis to explain the policies of retail prices hikes?

The numbers, just the numbers, here we go.

Cotton - Prices are in US cents per Pound for Upland cotton (Spot).

May 1995 : 115.85 December 2010 : 168.24 (Inflation : 100 1995 worth 143.08 2010)

Clearly, anyone will be able to find out about the most recent headlines about some drastic raises of the cotton as well as most commodities are just....?, let's put it that way, a strange short view preferred political self interest motivated?

Now, I guess, can someone with some memory of that period, Art?, could remind us of the market conditions around the 1995 cotton peak?

Food Prices - Truth and Lies - Are speculation and recent climate events just an alibi to justify retail and wholesale rise of food prices, the EU

leading the way?

What is telling us the most important etf small and else investors worlwide use to diversify, hedge against inflation and add a class of assets to their portfolios.

PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund's objective is to reflect the performance of the DBIQ Diversified Agriculture Index Excess Return covering most commodities involved in today's critics used to justify coming soon retail prices hike.

What is the overall performance of the fund?

1-Month 6.02%
3-Month 14.88%
Year to Date 5.04%
1-Year 32.12%
3-Year -1.63%

Since the high of 2008 -39% (03/07/2008 - 46.63)

From Feb 6th 2006 / today annualised return of 3.80%

It's possible to discuss the consequences of sudden higher costs in commodities due to extreme climate events but piling up the rise that followed the 2008 extraordinary circumstances with the most recent one to justify a rise of retail food prices is not ridiculous, it is shameful. To day's price of agriculture commodities is at the exact same level it was in january 2006, therefore there may several interesting reason to raise retail food prices whoever plans it, but please do not involve in these type of dirty policies, commodities markets and or agriculture producers.

Commodities - Lies and Truth - Since 2008 and the peak? Prices went down

Wheat made a high on Feb 27th 2008 at 1450.75 (the peak) Today January 19th at 808.50 down by 44%
Corn made a high on June 26th 2008 at 891 (the peak) Today January 19th at 667 down by 25%
It is possible to go on and on since the peak of 2008, prices are down by an average of 32%, have prices gone down?
Conclusion:

2008 peak, the DJ UBS Commodity index reaches 238 on July the 2nd 2008 and peaks again on January the 18th 2011 at 162.77, down by 31%. Such a reduction on food prices are possible, thanks to free markets, on a longer term the numbers have shown an average annualized return of a little bit over 5% (DJ UBS Commodity as well DJ UBS Agriculture sub index) with no doubt an active participation over the last ten years of the so called "speculators", the above numbers showing retail prices for the end consumers sadly don't benefit from the reduction of prices on international markets, thanks to oligopoles, lack of competition and regulations....

Now you may ask what will happened to prices regulated or not when some major players will suspend their exports due to extreme climate events, political turmoils (these days, cocoa Ivory Coast), armed conflicts or else?

If "speculators" aren't responsible for prices level and very modest returns, what about volatility, are they responsible for and are free markets their tool to do so? Looking at Ivory Coast and cocoa, what would be your first conclusion, surely it is difficult to think "speculators" have played a role in advising any of the parties at the conflict? Have free markets played a role in the dispute? So, if cocoa prices were regulated what will happen if really Ivory Coast suspends its exports? Is cocoa price to go up in several areas in the world? Of course yes, no? If it can't be on a free market with some transparency, will we see the birth of a black market to keep exchanging cocoa at record high prices with no mechanism at all?

I'm afraid the answer is yes, il has always been the case thoughout man kind history. Free markets have succeeded at many things, bring into light our worse bias, allowed to learn in a timely manner of our excesses and offered the authorities to intervene effectively should the situation to require it what they can't do on black markets.

Commodities - Truth and Lies - Food Prices, Politicians and International Markets - Who failed the consumer?

Alright, the DJ UBS Com index covers a variety of commodities including metals and energy? Yes it does reflecting a wide array of basic components. Let's narrow the total return over the last ten years on Agriculture....

What are the numbers... from international markets?

The Dow Jones UBS Agriculture sub index returned an annualized 5,30% over the last ten years.... (The facts)

Sector Weightings

Over the last ten years,

Grains returned 3.64%

Softs 4.20%

And... Livestock -5.20%

Turn it around, spin it, try upside down or ... do whatever you want, but you can't blame food prices level for the end consumer over international markets, speculation or any other lack of regulation... prices have gone down over the last ten years or have very slightly gone up, tell me about food riots or inflation in 2002?

More facts here you'll love it!

Wheat annualized return of -3.76% over the last ten years

Corn annualized return of -5.18% over the last ten years

Lean Hogs annualised return of -11,94% .....

Live Cattle annualised return of -0.35%.....

Cocoa annualized return of 13.46%.......

Sugar annualised return of 7.64%......

Enjoy!

So. Are there problems if despite negative annualized returns food prices go up for the end consumer wether it is packaged foods or basics? Yes there are, domestic markets, prisoners of excess of regulations, abandoned as a result to very few oligopoles, wholesale and retail, running prices with an iron fist.... Oligopoles on domestic markets with strange relations with politicians....

Commodities - Lies and truth - Berlin, once more politicians ridiculed themselves and showed more incompetence, arrogance and lack of will to engage

into policies enforcing their domestic markets competition on prices and distribution of packaged foods and basic products? But why?

Here we go folks, May 1st 2004 the DJUBS, a commodity index makes a high at 152.368, on January 1st 2011, the same index makes a high at 163.698, not even reflecting inflation on the same period. Whatever motivated a raise on all food products for the end consumer between then (2004) and now can't be justified with the price of commodities on international markets, speculation or not...

Enjoy!

More on DJUBS

Reading the Global Credit Outlook? Congratulations!

Mainstream medias have shut down on the ground reports of incidents for tonight to help quell the violence and not be accused of inciting for more by showing it on broadcast. Does it really incite?

Tunisian presidential guard swears loyalty to new authority

Tunisia's feared presidential guard, accused of a rampage of looting and abuse after the dramatic ouster of their boss last week, swore their allegiance Monday to the incoming authority.

Feel the bleeding like sharks... too much of a remake greed is good...

You get me.

Lagarde (french minister) comments targeting rating agencies possible move regarding the tunisian debt has less to do with its management confort and consequences for the country finances(Tunisia) than it has to do with its use as collateral. Possible downgrade may result in the ECB not accepting the debt as collateral.... more challenges if you hold tunisian bonds....

If lobbying actions are to take place as long as the small nations are under attack by the paris regime, how to lift the consequences with some syndicate loans for Tunisia while the turmoil goes on?

Tunisia: New Government to quell unrest as Violence Continues (Roundup at 0916pm UK Time) Unknown at the time situation on the ground after curfew

All political prisoners will be freed under the new regime and the information ministry will also be abolished.
Mr Ghannouchi also pledged to allow all political parties and to lift a ban on the country's main human rights group.
In addition, anyone suspected of corruption or of having amassed huge wealth under the previous goverment would be investigated, he said.

Dissident blogger joins Tunisian govt

Tunisia hopes new leaders will bring peace

But, solve a crisis of that scale may take more than just a few days, weeks or even months before things settle down. Shortages may help momentarily the power as many are eager to see the violence come to an end and want their life back but as long as the roots of the crisis remain, with in mind that it was more the ousted president failure to solve an economic situation, unemployment and life standards than his lavish lifestyle or his lady's that caused the uprising, the potential for more unpredictable unrest will be a permanent threat?

A union leader upset at the prospect of a government full of old guard ministers, predicted growing demonstrations to press for an end to power positions for the RCD.
"It (RCD) left by the back door and is coming back through the window," said Habib Jerjir, of the Regional Workers' Union of Tunis. "We can't have militias in the streets and in the government.

Tunisia - Ben has some news of the Swedish hunters, not home yet.

Scorched earth claim in Tunisia chaos

Many Tunisians fear the Libyan leader will intervene to prevent the popular revolt spreading to his neighbouring country.
Mezri Haddad, who resigned last week as Tunisia's ambassador to UNESCO in protest against Mr Ben Ali's rule, said the former president had sought Mr Gaddafi's help for a "scorched earth" policy.
"He gave weapons and lots of money to his close protection teams and his loyalists so that they could provoke civil war on his departure from Tunisia. He gave them the order to launch operations well before he fled," Mr Haddad said.

With several top ministers retaining their posts in the shake-up will it be enough to prevent further clashes, gun battles on a larger scale with the loyalists to the ousted president Ben Ali and or a Libyan intervention of some form?

Tunisia 'agrees new government'

The former defence, foreign, interior and finance ministers are reported to have retained their jobs, with several opposition figures joining the government. May be not good enough.... the urising drawing appetite.

Tunisian Islamists want national unity government

Tunisia's main Islamist party called Monday for a national unity government bringing together all political groups except that of deposed strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's former ruling party.

Tunisian uprising triggers wave of suicides in Egypt, Algeria

The self-immolation by a graduate vegetable seller that triggered the Tunisian uprising and brought down the government of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is leading the desperately poor in neighbouring countries to follow suit.
On Monday, Abdou Abdel Moneim Gaafar, the 49-year-old owner of a restaurant set himself ablaze on the pavement in front of the parliament building in Cairo, the Egyptian daily Al Masri Al Youm reported on its website. Before soaking himself with gasoline and lighting the match, Mr. Gaafar shouted that his country’s establishment had denied him his rights.

Tunisia - Contagion Fear - The Domino Effect - will unrest infect the Arab world?

Food riots in Algeria and protests over economic hardship in Jordan - where the the Muslim Brotherhood warned that price rises could lead to an "unprecedented explosion", along the North African model. Protestors setting themselves on fire in Algeria - apparently in despair over their bleak economic future - four men dying in the last week alone. And in Egypt today, another man set himself ablaze over poor living standards.

Tunisia - Reliable Tunisian economic sources deny the "Gold" hold up

Impossible says a former Tunisian central bank governor. Tunisian gold reserves are kept in NYC.

Tunisia: Will there be a domino effect?

There is speculation about a possible domino effect similar to the collapse of Communist governments around Eastern Europe in 1989.
In several countries of the Middle East and North Africa, youthful and rapidly growing populations face rising food prices, high unemployment and lack of political representation.

Mauritania, Algeria, Egypt... distressed men set themselves yesterday and today on fire to protest their situation, copycats of what seems to be the ignition of the Tunisian crisis when a young man committed suicide following his difficult economic situation.

Tunisia crisis: live updates

Anti government demonstrations have spread to other Tunisian cities, according to Al Jazeera's Dima Khatib who is tweeting in three languages. Demos spread in Tunisian cities, not just capital, against participation of party of ex president in interim government.

Anti-government protests in Tunis

Anti-government protesters have taken to the streets of Tunisia's capital, Tunis, ahead of an announcement of a new national unity government. Police used water canon to disperse several hundred demonstrators calling for the party of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to relinquish power.

Tunisia - Rashid Ghannouchi, president of Tunisia's main Islamic opposition movement sees ongoing disorder and gun battles as an opportunity

Ghannouchi to Al Jazeera: I Will Return to Tunisia and Call for Dissolution of ...
ikhwanWeb.com - ‎22 minutes ago‎
Rashid Ghannouchi, president of Tunisia's main Islamic opposition movement, accused Tunisia's ousted president Zane El Abidine Ben Ali of intimidating the West from the possibility that Islamists come to power. Rashid Ghannouchi, president of Tunisia's ...

Economic recession ignites turmoil in Tunisia

Hamas praises Tunisian uprising

Tunisia - On going violence and thousands are expected to rally in the Tunisian capital Tunis later in support of ousted president Zine al Abidine Ben

The Foreign Office last night advised British nationals "to leave Tunisia unless they have a pressing need to remain".

The FCO says between 1,000 and 1,500 expats, independent travellers and small tour group holidaymakers are still in the country.
It has sent a 'Rapid Deployment Force' of consular staff to search for British nationals.
It is thought there are around 1,000 expats living in Tunisia.

Tim Marshall said: "This is the key day now because if the president's supporters, if they exist, come out on to the streets, it will be very interesting to see what the police, the army and the people do.
"Supporters are claiming 15,000 will be on the streets so it's a critical day if we get those numbers.
"Instinct tells me they won't get those numbers but it's a volatile situation, so let's see."

Tunisia awaits new unity govt, unrest continues

Tunisia's interim leaders say they hope a new government will help stabilize their country, which has been swept up by gunbattles, looting and violent score-settling after the ouster of its ...

Tunisia - Renewed Gun Battle went on all night says french radio France Info

Le point sur la situation ce matin en Tunisie, trois jours après la "révolution" qui a renversé Ben Ali avec les envoyés spéciaux de France Info Grégory Philipps et Claire Lalanne (6'04")

Stunning.

A wildpigs hunting party turns sour for sweddish tourists.... french medias reports. Surprising decision these folks made to go ahead with the party they came to Tunisia for, jumped into a cab with their guns for a hunting party. The trip ended prematurely in a crowd ready to lynch the hunting folks thought to be "foreign terrorists" serving the ousted president. They were hit may be robbed and arrested, yet the story doesn't tell if the sweddish citizens are now safe and on their way home nor why did they think they could go ahead with a hunting party in a foreign country in the midst of civil unrest and fierce gun battles between rivals for power.

Tunisia - Political vacuum filled by chaotic in-fighting

Urgent efforts are under way to form a government in Tunisia as instability and violence continueto rack the country with a steady increase in the number of casualties. Three opposition leaders are tipped to take posts in a cabinet ...

SNAP ANALYSIS-Tunisia battles loyalists of ousted president

Tunisia's military fought a heavy gun battle with members of the ousted president's security force on Sunday, and officials said helicopters were used to shoot gunmen on rooftops near the central bank.

The south border with Libya soon to come under pressure as many are trying to flee Tunisia.

(French Itele in a new report doesn't confirm the death of a doctor following a mistake in the midst of confusion when he thought to be a drive by shooter?) The Army instructions to civilians seem to draw some confusion at improvised checkpoints.

Contagion Fear - Youth suicides in Arab world spark concern

A jobless man who set himself on fire in a northeast Algerian town bordering strife-torn Tunisia to protest the mayor's refusal to meet him over jobs and housing died of his injuries yesterday, his family said. It was the one of four attempted public suicides in Algeria this past week.

Gun Battles in Tunisia: Chaos Threatens the Revolution

Tunisia appeared to tip towards all-out chaos on Sunday evening as fierce gun battles exploded in the heart of the capital, with the military attempting to root out thousands of well-armed militia loyal to the ousted dictator Zine Abidine Ben Ali.

Tunisia - US says citizens should consider leaving Tunisia says the State Department

The State Department issued a new travel warning on Sunday saying it was withdrawing embassy families from Tunisia because of growing unrest and urging all US citizens to consider leaving. The warning came after Tunisia's ousted president ...

Tunisia - Gunbattles, food shortages temper Tunisians' joy

Major gunbattles erupted outside the palace of Tunisia's deposed president, in the center of the capital, in front of the main opposition party headquarters and elsewhere on Sunday as authorities struggled to restore order and the world waited to see ...

Tunisia - Gunfire reported in Tunisia cities

Fresh clashes erupt in Tunis and Carthage while politicians say new government set to be announced on Monday. Tunisian authorities are struggling to restore order and stop surging violence while politicians seek to cobble together a unity government, ...

Tunisia - New Tunisia cabinet soon but will it be able to restore some kind of order

Tunisian authorities on Sunday denounced a plot against the state by backers of ousted strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as talks on national unity got under way while heavy gunfire broke out here.

Tunisian army fight running street battles with gunmen

Tunisia's army used helicopter gunships to battle back attacks by gunmen loyal to the ousted president as divided factions of the regime engaged in fierce clashes on the streets of Tunis.

Troops battle ex-ruler's bodyguards in Tunisia

For a fresh roundup in french at 0800pm paris time www.france2.fr

Gunfight at Tunisia presidential palace-military source

Tunisian military special forces exchanged fire with members of the ousted president's security force on Sunday evening near the presidential palace in a Tunis suburb, a military source told Reuters. ...

Tunisia forces battle with gunmen

Tunisia - The Contagion fear - Anto-government protests in Jordan continue

Jasmine, Twitter and the flame that may burn far beyond Tunisia's borders