1.   Analysts said rain Tuesday in the most parched areas of the Midwest doused some drought fears.

2.   Farmers in parched areas who rely on irrigation have been hit doubly hard, by the drought and the rising cost of the oil to drive the irrigation systems.

3.   Predicted rains failed to materialize over the weekend in parched areas of central Illinois, where farmers were hoping for as much as two inches.

4.   SOYBEAN PRICES AWAIT WEATHER Grain and soybean futures prices were mostly higher amid conflicting weekend rain forecasts for parched growing areas in the Midwest.

5.   Teamed with U.S. Filter, they are spearheading an effort to sell water now set aside for farming to the parched San Diego area.

6.   Thus, the weekend rain burst will do little to help this parched area.

7.   Wheat prices dropped after rains fell in parched areas of the Plains, easing concern that drought damage there would be worse than earlier reported.

8.   Wheat prices tumbled after rain fell in parched areas of Kansas, easing concern that drought damage there would be worse than earlier reported.

9.   A parched area of northern Somalia has relative peace while the rest of the country is still wracked by clan warfare.

10.   A parched area of northern Somalia has relative peace.