The Russian Grain Union on Monday lowered its forecast for the 2010 harvest to between 72 million and 78 million metric tons, helping boost Chicago wheat futures to the highest level in 22 months.

WSJ: Russia Plagued by Forest Fires, Wilting Grain

Hostess Brands today announced it has shut down and will liquidate its assets, after failing to reach an agreement with the striking Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union.

FORBES: Hostess Closing Doesn't Spell End For Bakers Union

Hostess, unlike its chief competitors, is heavily unionized (83 percent of its work force), principally by the Teamsters and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union.

FORBES: The Teamsters Union Is Taking Away Our Twinkies

The labor bosses representing the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM), which began to strike on November 9, refused to make meaningful concessions concerning wages and benefits.

FORBES: More Hostess Liquidation To Come With President Obama's Micro-Unions

There should be a law to withhold unemployment benefits from the members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union who voted themselves and their fellow workers out of work.

FORBES: Fried Apple Pies

Although the Soviet Union has paid back other such grain loans, its fast-deteriorating economy has led many in Congress and outside to see it as a problem credit.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Banks In US Shun A Loan To Moscow

They point to the European Union's decision to impose compulsory testing on all shipments of long grain rice from the US, after commercial supplies were found to be contaminated with GM strains.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | India warned over GM rice crops