October 26, 2008 (LPAC)--Nouvelle Solidarité-- PARIS--The 90% plunge since May in the Baltic Dry Index--an index which indirectly reflects the global supply and demand for shipping bulk "dry goods" such as coal, iron ore and grain, shows a dramatic collapse in world physical-economic activity. Various press reports give a glimpse of reality, though they fail to draw the proper conclusions:
* Citing the