Quick Overview

• The US added just 18,000 jobs in June -- unemployment rose to 9.2%

• House passed $649 billion defense bill, boosts Pentagon spending by $17 billion.

• Canada’s jobless rate held steady at 7.4%.

• (FT) Central banks have pulled 635 tonnes of gold from the Bank for International Settlements in the past year, the largest withdrawal in more than a decade.

• Global Rubber consumption (Includes both natural and synthetic rubber) is likely to hit 25.7 million tons this year, according to International Rubber Study Group (IRSG).
• In its World Rubber Industry Outlook, ISRG said natural rubber consumption alone will hit 11.2 million tons in 2011, tracking last year’s rapid recovery and growth.

• Parts of the Midwest appear to be getting a bit too hot and dry for  corn pollination.