Grain price rise may fuel Mideast, Europe unrest

alertnet.org

LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Rising grain prices from Russia's drought and fires will pressure populations already hit by the financial crisis and could stoke unrest -- particularly in the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Europe.
Wheat prices have risen by nearly 70 percent since June after Russia suffered its worst drought in 130 years and are at their highest since 2008, when the last major food price rally sparked protests and riots in a string of emerging nations. Analysts warn that if prices stay high then the threat of street violence will increase -- at least up to a point. "We could see some street riots but I wouldn't expect any governments to fall," said Jonathan Wood, global issues analyst for consultancy Control Risks.
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When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart^[a] of wheat for a day's wages,^[b] and three quarts of barley for a day's wages,^[c] and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
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Looking back, it was right there in the headlines but so many other thing were too, it was easy to overlook.
We were distracted by politics, sports, celebrities -  things that just don't matter any more.