Chile: The Largest Earthquake in the World

The largest earthquake with magnitude of 9.5 was occurred on May 22, 1960 in the 20th century in the coast of South Central Chile. It generated one of the big tsunamis in the Pacific. Both the earthquake and the tsunami were extremely destructive, especially in the coastal area. The largest tsunami damage occurred at Isla Chiloe, the coastal area closest to the epicenter. The waves measuring as high as 25 meters arrived within 10 to 15 minutes after the earthquake, killing at least two hundred people, and sinking all the boats. There were about 130,000 houses destroyed and approximately 2,000,000 people were left homeless. The losses include agriculture, industry, and over a half billion dollars (1960 dollars). It took Chili a few decades to build the new city. On February 27, 2010 the earthquake with magnitude of 8.5 occurred again near Concepcion, Chil. Even though, the magnitude was less than the one in 1960 but it created a lot of damage.

In my opinion, no matter how big and where earthquake is but all of the people should help the country that facing the incident. We have never know that when it will occurs in our country.

Change of the classic tastes of Thai cuisine.

The modern nature of business and competition has changed the classic tastes of Thai cuisine. The dishes served now are quite different from what they used to be in the past. There are many reasons why they have changed. First there is the emphasis that we put on speed these days, the desire to get things done in a hurry. Then there is the fact the fresh ingredients like pork, beef and chicken, or seafood like shrimp, fish and shellfish often no longer come from natural sources but from farms. Dry ingredients and seasonings are produced using industrial processes. Therefore, most of the Thai food is now available in many convenience stores and the packages are almost the same as the western one. All of them are ready to eat. Hence, the taste will never be the same anymore.

In my opinion, even though the new Thai cuisine is more convenience to cook but the taste is not as good as in the past. The way of cooking is something that can tell about people’s culture.

Internet is the third-most popular news platform in US

There was a survey in US during December 2009 – January 2010 about how popular the internet news is. It was found that the internet has become the third most popular news platform for American adults. News from local and national television stations are the first and the second popular news. The survey was done on 2,000 persons. 78% said they get news from local TV stations. 73% said they get news from national TV network like CBS, CNN or FOX. 61% said they get news online. 54% said they get news from radios.

I like this news because I also read news from internet. In my opinion, internet news is still not popular in Thailand because we do not have access to internet like in US.

Drinking soft drink frequently can cause cancer of the pancreas

Cancer Researcher in USA have studied that drinking the sweet soft drink can cause the cancer in the pancreas which can lead to death. Report said that if a person drinks soft drink two times a week it will cause a disease twice more time. The report also said that the increase of sugar in blood may increase the level of Insurin. Hence the pancreas work harder than it use to be. In addition, the chance of getting cancer is about 87% for those who drink the same amount. However, fruit juice has no harm at all.

In my opinion, drinking fruit juice is much more better than soft drink because in Thailand it not only cheap but also we can find fruit for every reason.

Violence mars King's Trophy match

On February 20, there was a violence on King's Trophy matches between Thai Premier League champions Muang Thong United and FA cup winners Thai port at Supachalasai Stadium. The football fans fight each others and a lot of them were injured. After Muang Thong United win a second goal, Thai port fans did not accepted the result so they started to fight. The play then stop before the time ended. The match was played in front of the King's representative. Several people were hospitalised.

In my opinion, it is not a good thing to do because the sport has win and lose. We have to accept the result. If the result is not fair, we can complain to the committee instead of fighting. The main objective of sport is to make friend and a good health.

Rabies vaccines are available for Bangkok pets

On Feb 14 at Chatuchak market the owner of the Take Care Pet Shop in the market had died from rabies after bitten by one of her dogs. 400,000 doeses of the rabies vaccine for dogs and cats had been preparing for the hot season. So far this year six people have died from rabies, compared with 24 last year and nine in 2008, according to the Public Health Ministry.

In my opinion, I think it would be good to have many vaccine for dogs because I have dogs too.

Just one cup of espresso can cause harmful damage

Academic journal of Europe show that Espresso coffee unwholesome to heart. Drinking one cup of Espresso can damage the heart. Academic reported the study that the divine power of one cup of Espresso which contain strong caffeine can make the blood that run through heart decrease lowly to 20% after drinking from one hour. The scientist said from the study that the high caffeine concentration of this one cup can make the heart unwholesome.

In my opinion, I don't drink coffee and I agree with it. When I drink coffee my heart is shaking.

World record by holding a breath near 20 minute

Foreign news agencies reported on 20 February that Mr. Peter Columbia who was the Swizerland diver who breaking the recorded by holding a breath for the longest time in the world with 19 minutes and 21 seconds. The last recorded was David Blaine who can holding a breath for 17 minutes 4 seconds. At that time in Oprah Whimpy in 2008 Peter's can only do it for 16 minutes 32 seconds. Until this year Peter come back to achieve the same prosition.

In my opinion, I think he is very brilliant because I can only do it for 3 seconds.

Obama to announce loan guarantee for first nuclear power plant in US in nearly 3 decades

Barack Obama plant to build the first nuclear power plant in the United States to lessen dependence on foreign oil and to reduce the use of fossil fuels blamed for global warming. A nuclear plant is called by President Barack Obama as “a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants" in his Jan. 27 State of the Union speech. He is then proposing to triple loan guarantees for new nuclear plants.

In my opinion, I agree with President Barack Obama because it will protect our world from Global Warming.

Junk food TV ads linked to child obesity

Experts say that take out junk food commercial on TV at least during prime time will help to reduce obesity in kids. The present research in the American Journal of Public Health show that the link between advertisements and childhood obesity. Many doctors in India say that the study is highly relevant in the Indian society even though the junk food concept is tremendously different in the country.

In my opinion, I agree with the research because if there are a lot of commercial advertisements during prime time, it will make the children believe on it. Therefore, government should regulate the advertisement.

Sweet news for chocolate lovers: Study shows that eating chocolate every week lowers stroke risk

The present research shows that chocolate has effect to a stroke i.e. a person who ate a chocolate at least one per week is likely to suffer a stroke than a person who did not eat chocolate at all by 22% less. In the previous research, it is shown that dark chocolate has positive effects on various stroke risk factors. In addition, there is a link between consumption and reduced stroke risk. However, further study is required to confirm the results.

In my opinion, even though eating chocolate every week can lower stroke risk but there a few study only. Therefore, I would not recommend everyone to eat too much chocolate at this time until the further study is 100% confirmed.

Thai market crazy for BlackBerry

Reference - Bangkok Post 10/02/2010

BlackBerry Bold 9700 smart phone had entered the market for Thai users that want to follow the celebrities. The 9700 is a 3G device with a slim design with an optical track pad. 36 million users across 170 countries now enjoy the BlackBerry services and the company shipped its 75 millionth BlackBerry in Quarter 3. Last year BlackBerry gain 4.4 million dollars. BlackBerry is more than a mobile phone, but a platform with a keen focus on application development in Southeast Asia through a rich developer program that dates back to 2001. There are three reasons why BlackBerry is so popular in Thailand. The first reason is that it is a social media. The second reason is that it is localized to Thai users. And the third reason is that it is used by celebrity. Thai people love to use the latest technology. They want to adopt the latest and greatest design. BlackBerry Bold 9700 will be available in time to be the perfect Valentine’s Day at a price of 23,000 baht. 9700 have unlimited chat, email and internet package for just 300 Baht a month.

In my opinion, I love BlackBerry a lot. I just bought BlackBerry 8520 last month. It is really a social media as I have many more friends through BlackBerry. But for this new model I think it is still expensive for me. I would wait for a year if I have to change to a new mobile phone and that will be BlackBerry Bold 9700.

Serena insists she's not one of the greats

Reference: Online news – Sports, 31/01/2010

Serena William had victory over over Justine Henin of Belgium in their women's final match on day 13 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Serena beat Justine 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. This is her fifth Australian Open title. She is now six titles behind Americans Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova and seven behind Helen Wills Moody in the all-time Grand Slam stakes. Serena is now 28 years old. She did not think she is the best. She thinks she is normal. So far, she got 12 grand slams, 5 Australian titles, 1 French Open, 3 Wimbledons and 3 US Opens. She won both the singles and doubles titles with sister Venus in Melbourne. She said she does not want to slow down because she wants more successes. As long as she is happy she will do it. Sometimes she thinks the slam is too much for her. Her best time to win was last year. Her plan is to get ready for playing at Paris. She said she would be happy just to be the leading of the Grand Slam winners. She wants to be with Roger Federer because Roger is amazing. She wanted to be involved in charity and starting her own charity. In March she is going to open a second school in Kenya which she excited about it. She thinks if you are given a talent you should give back. That is why she gives back to children in Kenya.

Beyonce heads to Grammy with 10 nominations

Reference: Online news – World 29/01/2010

Beyonce will compete with Taylor Swift at the 52nd Grammy Awards on Sunday 31st January 2010. Beyonce has 10 nominations while Swift has 8. Beyonce has nominations for record of the year from “Halo” and album of the year from “I Am … Sasha Fierce”. She faces strong competition with Swift, Lady Gaga and Black Eyes Peas. Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell, Kanye West, each has six nominations. Swift, 20, had big success last year at the American Music Awards and Country Music Awards. She was the top-selling digital artist in music history with over 24.3 digital tracks to date. She was highlight as a "phenomenon in entertainment." Her music is so honest. This Grammy Awards on Sunday will feature an extended tribute to the late "King of Pop, Michael Jackson." The tribute will show a 3-D film clip made before his death and performances from famous singers. Jackson will also be honored with a lifetime achievement award during the show. There was a report that Michael Jackson's children would also perform on Sunday at the same venue of Grammy but Grammy show producer did not know about it.

For the record of the year, the nominees are Beyonce's "Halo", Black Eyed Peas's pop track "I Gotta Feeling", the Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and Swift's "You Belong with Me." For the song of the year, the nominees are Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," Maxwell's "Pretty Wings," Beyonce's No.1 single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" and Swift's "You Belong with Me. The best rock album nominees are AC/DC's "Black Ice," "Live From Madison Square Garden" by Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, "21st Century Breakdown" by Green Day, "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King" by the Dave Matthews Band and "No Line on the Horizon" by U2. The best new artist nominees are Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings.

Apple doesn't worry about "iPad" name.

Reference: Online news - World 30/01/2010

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, said iPad is a "revolutionary" device. What is inside the iPad is a speedy new chip. Its first models will begin shipping globally. But there was a problem about its name. Critics said the word “iPad” is the kinds of words that are used for an object for women menstruation. There was a problem also that the name “iPad” was used first by Fujitsu. However, Fujitsu's trademark use for the "iPad" name with the US Patent and Trademark Office is still pending. Apple also had a problem on its “iPhone” name with Cisco Systems. The name “iPhone” had been used by Cisco Systems before. But the problem was solved as the two companies agreed to share the name. However, a brand expert said people will accept the name “iPad” as they did for “key pads” in the past. Because Apple gets so much rank in the world, people try to find a mistake on it.

The brand expert said there is no other name that best fit this Apple product as “iPad”. The “i” is so connected with Apple that it is a trademark in itself. “Pad” is a single easy word that is easy for people to remember and make them think about the successful product of Apple called “iPod”. The point is not the name but what it can do. Apple does not comment on iPad criticism of an old Mad TV television comedy about Apple iPad tampon. An analyst of Endpoint Technologies Associates said good things about iPad that it Apple's first microprocessor, an impressive chip that promises to spread to the cores of all of the firm's mobile devices. The analyst said he love what Mad TV make fun of iPad but the focus is more on the chip.

The chip at the heart of the iPad delivers graphics and processing capabilities that typically require multiple microprocessors, meaning less power and space are used for similar performance. This shocked you as Apple can put a lot of functionality into one chip but Intel and AMD are still working on that. This is because Apple bought a small microprocessor design firm named P.A. Semi in 2008. The firm innovated the chip. Another expert who got 20 minutes using iPad said that the device is “fast”. The analyst of Endpoint Technologies Associates expected that the chip will be used in all of Apple devices. The analyst also said that Apple will win Intel because of this chip.