Economics and Investing:

Hyperinflation Hits Iran Like Weapon Of Mass Destruction. The article begins: “‘Better buy now,’ advised the rice merchant in Tehran. The retired factory guard took him up on the advice, buying 900 pounds of the stuff to feed his extended family for the next 12 months.”

G.G., SurvivalBlog’s Poet Laureate, flagged this: Global Food Prices Set To Soar–Again. [JWR’s Comment: We can expect to see more instability in Third World countries, just like the last time there was a big price shock in agricultural commodities.]

Also from G.G.: Big Bank Derivative Bets Nearly Double In Six Years

European Economic Depression Is Rapidly: It Is Just A Matter Of Time Before Things In Italy And France Get As Bad As They Already Are In Greece And Spain

Items from The Economatrix:

Europe Stocks Down As Global Growth Woes Intensify

Do Western Central Banks Have Any Gold Left?

Portugal Announces Sweeping Tax Hikes

Cantor Cut to Junk By Moody’s on Capital Markets Pressure

Consumer Confidence in US Climbs for a Sixth Week

1.3% GDP Means Retailers are Going to Have a Poor Christmas