Word: droughts
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Defense suppliers, hurt by budget cuts and scandal, face hard times. -- Washington vows drought relief. -- Immigrant loan clubs...
...throughout the U.S. Farmbelt last week. While a few fortunate areas were blessed with rain and even an occasional thunderstorm, most of the nation found little relief from the drought that began in the spring. Just how much damage the prolonged dry spell has already caused was the subject of a preliminary crop forecast issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA estimated that U.S. grain production in 1988 may be only 212 million metric tons, down 24% from 1987. The corn crop is particularly hard hit -- 26% smaller than last year. The USDA pegged soybean production...
...drought-inflated crop prices are a godsend for any farmers in areas of normal rainfall or for those who have silos full of stockpiled grain from previous years. In addition, higher crop prices could help reduce the federal budget deficit, since the Government will be liable for fewer farm-support payments (last year's total subsidies: $23 billion). Some of the savings, though, will be given as aid to drought-stricken farmers...
...drought drags on, it could start to harm the economy. Although food costs account for just 17% of the Consumer Price Index, double-digit increases in that component could push the overall inflation measure upwards by a percentage point or two. Some economists, like David Jones of the investment firm Aubrey Lanston, believe the food-price run-up will combine with rising wages and other commodity shortages to set off a genuine inflationary spiral. (The price of aluminum, for example, has risen more than 75% during the past year, while copper is up more than...
...dramatic crash at a French air show raises questions about the design of the Airbus A320 jet. -- The dollar stages a strong comeback -- perhaps too strong for some central banks. -- The effects of the drought hit supermarket aisles...