Never has there been a time where the stock market has influenced the commodities markets so much.

Last time I checked, the price of soybeans, cocoa or orange juice had absolutely no relationship to whether Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), Disney (NYSE: DIS), or Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) declined in price.

But these days, we’ve got a serious blurring of the lines between global marketplaces. In addition, the prevalence and ease of electronic trading, coupled with well-capitalized hedge funds, means we’re seeing all kinds of different markets having an affect on one another.

Not so long ago, it used to be that money typically flowed from one asset class to another - for example, from stocks to commodities. But that isn’t happening now as most players have either bailed…

Gas prices have soared in the aftermath of hurricane Ike due to damage inflicted on major Gulf Coast refineries. Unleaded regular has risen 17 cents since the storm hit to reach $3.842 a gallon. Money Morning’s William Patalon III says gas shortages from a tough hurricane season are likely to affect much of the Southern US.

Tuesday morning I received an email from one of financial publishing’s legends. It said, “Market crashing! Last chance for today’s flash alert!” The email came at 10:00 AM, and I didn’t open it until 10:20, minutes before I go into lock down… my four-hour communications blackout during which I write – nothing else. Of course, “Market Crashing!” is an inflammatory subject line.

News Corp. (NWS), the media giant owned by Rupert Murdoch, will strengthen its presence in India with the creation of six regional television channels.Murdoch has in the past warned that an advertising slowdown in the newspaper and television industries would have a decidedly negative impact on U.S. media businesses. At the same time, however, India’s entertainment market is just beginning to realize its potential.

About 17 million viewers joined India’s burgeoning television market in the first half of 2008. Television advertising responded to the broader audience, growing 26% in the first six months of the year.

The media and entertainment market in India is expected to grow by 18.5% by 2012, according to consultancy firm PwC. That’s the fastest among the BRIC countries…

If you want to invest like Warren Buffett, you have to think very small says Jim Nelson in Penny Sleuth.

Buffett’s investment vehicle, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BKR.A), made its best gains in the ’70s and ’80s, when its tight budget meant it could only investment in small-caps. It is much easier to make huge gains when starting from a low base.

Berkshire now deals with the world’s largest organizations. The next Buffett will be investing in today’s penny stocks. More from Jim…

Congress Considers Steel Pennies and Nickels; Slovakia to Adopt the Euro; U.S. Home Sales Hit New Low in March; “Grand Theft Auto” Nets $500 million in One Week; Vallejo, Calif. Officials Vote for Bankruptcy; Disney Shares Gain on Happy Earnings; Cisco Stock Slumps; SEC Wants to Avoid Another BSC.

With earnings season starting to wind down, investors are not anticipating many new surprises.