The China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) announced the fourth group of members on Monday. Including the 13 new members, the total number of CFFEX member brokers is now 52, accounting for about one third of all of China's futures brokers.

As of yesterday, of the total 52 CFFEX members, seven are full clearing brokers, 27 are trading and clearing brokers, and 18 are trading members.

Obama and Progressive Change

And I already hear it coming so I will be clear, I DO NOT BELIEVE OBAMA IS PROGRESSIVE. I do not believe that he will create change. What I believe is that he can be an agent of change by bringing in political idealists, and then they will almost inevidably become disillusioned by the 2 corporate parties and either demand real change through the current system or join me and others in the Green Party.

FRIDAY MORNING SOYBEAN UPDATE

Soybeans continued their gains on Thursday closing 18 ? cents higher in the January contract. In spite of a breakdown in wheat soybeans are up 11 ? cents for the week while wheat has lost 53 ? cents. The rally occurred in spite of disappointing weekly export sales and a slightly negative monthly Census crush traders say. Also bearish was an improvement in planting conditions in Brazil and improved harvest conditions in the US Midwest. Volume was heavy especially in Soybeans. CBOT reports 152,079 Soybeans, 36,819 Soybean oil and 45,822 Soybean Meal traded Thursday. Funds were active buying an estimated 7,000 Soybeans, 4,000 Meal and 4,000 Oil.

Today?s early opening calls are higher based upon surging crude oil, gold and further declines in the US dollar. Overnight markets in the bean complex are all higher beans up 7 ?, oil up .52 and meal up .10.

Stocks End Higher On Fed Minutes - U.S. Commentary

The markets shrugged off inflation fears, taking comfort from the minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest meeting.

Stocks saw early weakness after the Labor Department released its report on consumer price inflation for the month of January, which is one of the best indicators of inflation within the U.S.

The Labor Department's consumer price index rose 0.4 percent in January, matching the increase seen in the previous month. Economists had been expecting a slightly more modest increase of about 0.3 percent. The core consumer price index, which excludes food and energy prices, increased by 0.3 percent, exceeding economist estimates of a 0.2 percent increase.

Later in the day, the major averages moved into positive territory, as the Federal Open Market Committee released the minutes from its last meeting in January.

Fed slashes US rates in emergency action

The DOW gapped down sharply this morning, recovered, and is again falling; because the fundamentals continue to get worse, like SP4's native intellect. The discussion has moved from 'recession' to 'bear market', since there's now a complete lack of confidence in the paper that banks and other institutions hold, and banks do not even lend to each other. The Northern Rock deal in Britain is a saver for them, but the problems are far from over, with many foreclosures due for 2008, and buying power sapped by lower home values and upcoming mortgage rate increases. SP4, just shut up. You're tolerable as the daily jackass in normal times, but now you're just a leaky faucet - drip, drip, drip.

Thais hold key to rice shortages

If there is such a thing as the world's rice-bowl, it lies in the steamy, flat land surrounding the lower reaches of the mighty Chao Phraya river, which ends its journey to the sea in Thailand's capital, Bangkok.

About 150km (93 miles) north of Bangkok is the province of Suphan Buri, home to Thailand's most productive rice paddies. And Thailand has for many years been the world's largest exporter of rice.

Enriched by the alluvial soil washed down by the river, this land can produce up to four harvests a year.

In one sweeping vista you can watch barefoot farmers scattering seeds into the grey-brown mud, see fields of vibrant-green young shoots, and watch other farmers harvesting the mellow gold rice that has already ripened.

It is backbreaking work, and an unpredictable living.

LME seeks profitable billet with steel contracts

When the London Metal Exchange launched its aluminium contract in 1978, it faced bitter opposition from producers who considered it an unwelcome financial innovation.

Nizhny Novgorod Region

Steppe areas, bogs, and lakes with rare and relict plant species, forest tracts with valuable tree species and rare species of underbrush and grasses, arboretums, old parks and laneways, and unique trees were all declared protected.

The region is taking a series of measures to protect the habitats of animals and birds such as the muskrat, marten, beaver, otter, black stork, golden eagle, and various owls. Bears, moose, wild boars, wolves, lynx, wolverines, foxes, badgers, and grouse are some of the other inhabitants of the forests of Nizhny Novgorod Region.

There are more than 9000 rivers and streams in the region with a total length of 33 000 km. The Volga flows for 260 km through the region, and the Oka for 268 km. Other large rivers include the Sura, Vetluga, Pyana, Kerzhenets, and Pizhma.

Stranger Than Fiction

The following is an excerpt from commentary that originally appeared at Treasure Chests for the benefit of subscribers on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007.

A week ago if you would have told me past a muted quarter end window dressing related 'jam job' the funds were going to push prices to either new or recovery highs in a multitude of markets I would have said 'not likely', but that's exactly what happened. But then that's what happens in a surreal world where reality has become stranger than fiction. Moreover, that's what happens when our social elite condones the systematic destruction of our financial system in hyperinflation. That's the fact Jack. And anyone who thinks different should provide a better answer for why gold is going parabolic than the clever buffoons on CNBC last Friday rejoicing the phony inflation numbers that justify another rate cut for complicit fraudsters.