11.   Agriculture officials report that rivers in some parched Outback areas could soon stop flowing unless rain comes soon.

12.   Corn futures were pressured by revised weekend forecasts calling for rain in parched South African maize areas.

13.   Even better, the parched area of northern Somalia has relative peace, while the rest of the country is still wracked by clan warfare.

14.   Forecasters predicted clearing skies in the next few days, especially in the north, the most parched area.