It involves the crude mechanics of writing, but in its economy, spontaneity and even vulgarity, texting is actually a new kind of talking, with its own kind of grammar and conventions.

But the international price of crude has fallen remarkably since August, dampened by the worsening debt crisis in Europe and United States and fears of a double-dip recession of the global economy.

Weakness in the biggest oil consuming economy suggests demand for crude won't be as robust as forecast.