Fuel shortages

That has meant a growing gap between the soaring global price of crude oil and domestic fuel prices.

Consequently, Chinese oil companies are losing money and are reluctant to increase production, knowing that would lead to even higher losses.

Some petrol stations have already had to close

The result is fuel shortages across the country.

Large lines are a common sight outside many filling stations. Some have already shut down and tempers are rising.

State media reported that one man was killed in a fight after he tried to jump the queue at a petrol station in central China.

The government is hoping that higher prices will encourage oil refiners to boost output and reduce the fuel crisis.

But many companies may feel that the price hike is still not enough, especially if global oil prices continue to rise.

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Russian TV showed pictures of other boats damaged in the storm Leaking tanker

Up to 2,000 metric tons of fuel oil have leaked near the Black Sea after a Russian oil tanker split in half.

It came apart after it was smashed by 108km/h (67 mph) winds and 5m (16ft) waves in the Kerch Strait between the Azov and Black Seas.

Four other ships sank in the storm, some of them carrying dangerous cargos, and several more were in trouble.

The tanker's 13 crew were rescued after several hours, but more than 20 were reported missing from the other ships.

Dozens of vessels have reportedly been evacuated from the busy Russian commercial port of Kavkaz because of the storm.

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China is desperate for fuel. Russia lost its tons of fuel oil in an accident. (: environmentally speaking, the fuel oil is sinking down to the seabed. HMM, poor sea animals i must say. ):

on the other hand, economically speaking, oh well, fuel oil prices in Singapore increased too i think. ben spent like 60 over bucks on petrol on saturday. or is it normal uh? i admitted i'm a noob in this issue, so its just my deduction that oil prices in Singapore rises. (: i so much wanted to get a car after i try to attempt my driving maybe in a year's time, but after seeing how much i need to spend and maintain on a vehicle, i changed my mind. (: being a passenger is still the best uh.

i understand that i need to study, especially when exams is just err, 12 days time and i have no class today. HMM, the weather is simply too great to just rest and not do anything. 2ndly, i failed to resist the temptation of my dear vaio and the net connection. ):

okays, time to try to focus on my dear cognitive neuroscience text.