81.   A higher demand for medium quality teas pushed prices on the London auction market this week.

82.   A bomb blast at the Khobar military base in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday ignited the oil market this week.

83.   A wave of depression swept across the gold market this week, pushing the price down by over five dollars.

84.   After fears of a poor maize harvest increased grain prices last week, the threat of infected cereals sent cold shivers through the market this week.

85.   Biting cold which has consumed Europe ignited the crude oil market this week, as consumers scrambled to buy up heating oil to keep the Arctic freeze at bay.

86.   Continued dollar strength and a rise in US share prices discouraged investors from taking positions on the precious metals market this week.

87.   Elsewhere on the commodities markets this week, gains were limited apart from a rebound in rubber after Thailand announced that its output would be lower than expected.

88.   Fears that Colombian producers would not be able to export their coffee consignments heated up the coffee market this week.

89.   Weak demand and hefty stocks of rubber held by producers hit the rubber market this week, one dealer said.

90.   Rumours that the Bank of England is about to raise British interest rates depressed the London share market this week.