5. World oil prices surge and plunge

Special Report: Chinese Oil Prices

    On July 14, world oil prices hit a record 78.4 dollars amid concerns over the situation in the Middle East. In the following weeks, as market worries over oil supplies eased and global crude oil reserves increased, oil prices dropped sharply to below 60 dollars per barrel.

    In October, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided to boost prices by cutting crude oil production by one million barrels per day. Currently oil prices fluctuate around60 dollars per barrel.     

    6. Pluto no longer seen as a planet in the solar system

    The controversial Pluto was kicked out of the solar system's planet group by the International Astronomical Union when it met in Prague on August 24. Pluto was redefined a "dwarf planet".

    The decision cut the number of classical planets in the solar system from nine to eight. They are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.  

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