Death highlights power shortage

The apparent suicide of an education bureau director who had been struggling to find heating fuel has highlighted the shortage of coal at schools in Yuxian county, Hebei province.

Ge Xiang, 40, is understood to have slashed his wrist at his home on Wednesday afternoon after an attempt to buy coal at a nearby coalmine failed, the Hebei Youth Daily reported on Friday.

A teacher surnamed Lian at Xiheying Middle School said the mine has not provided schools with reduced-price coal.