[January] California could be next oil boom state

Steve Hargreaves. California could be next oil boom state. CNN , 14 January 2013 . Web. 14 January 2013.
http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/14/news/economy/california-oil-boom/


I think God must have blessed Amrica. Now they have North Dakota's Bakken, Texas's Eagle Frod, and California's Monterey Shale! According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Monterey is thought to hold over 400 billion barrels of oil. Some parts are allowed to get the gas or oil, but the way to take the oil from the shale rock is still problem. Plus, there's air pollution, road congestion and other issues that go along with an oil boom. I don't think California regulators and people who live in Cali would not let that happen. I can't believe they have plenty of oil in ther own land. I often reminisce about driving my car in the states. The oil price too expensive in Korea, so I can think of getting a fast fancy sports car. I hope Korea could find oil in the east sea are in the future!

[January] China's one-child policy impact analysed

Rebecca Morelle. China's one-child policy impact analysed . BBC , 10 January 2013 . Web. 13 January 2013.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20976432



An Interesting research has been done by an Australian team that they compared people who were born just before the one-child policy to those who were born after. They found that people who were born after the one-child policy were significantly less trusting and  less likely to take risks and less competitive than those who were born before the policy. Other Experts from Oxford said it might not be solely down to the policy. I also do not totally agree with that. I think it is not because of the policy, but it's the environment. Single child in any country can be selfish and less risk taking and so on. Also This study has been conducted for 421 adults and there could be a lot of other people who are not like the researchers said. Though the conclusion is not trustworthy enough, it would be good data when China change their policy on one-child birth.

[January] What's up with the $1 trillion coin?

Leigh Ann Caldwell. What's up with the $1 trillion coin?. CBSnews , 11 January 2013 . Web. 13 January 2013.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57563428/whats-up-with-the-$1-trillion-coin/

 

When I first saw this article, I thought it very curious, and it was not about economical issues. This $1 trillion coin idea is from  a Georgia lawyer called Beowulf in the comments section of an economics blog, and the economists said it is possible but stupid. The proposal is to evade the default, by minting coin from the Treasury Department, and declare it worth $1 trillion, deposit it in the Federal Reserve and then use the money to pay its bills when it hits the debt ceiling. It was hard for me to understand the whole article, but I do get the idea of $1 trillion coin, and it is not going to happen. I wish I had that coin or half-worth coin though.

[January] Japan Approves $116 Billion for Urgent Economic Stimulus

HIROKO TABUCHI.  Japan Approves $116 Billion for Urgent Economic Stimulus. The New York Times , 11 January 2013 . Web. 13 January 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/12/business/global/japan-approves-116-billion-for-urgent-economic-stimulus.html?_r=0
 


Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan approved spending ¥10.3 trillion to stimulate Japan's economy. The Japanese government will spend $116 billion on public works and disaster mitigation projects, subsidies for companies that invest in new technology and financial aid to small businesses. It is one of the largest spending plans in Japanese history, and he hope it would stop deflation. I'm surprised that Japan's economy is having a hard time, and they had to do this extreme decision. I don't know the deep knowledges, but I can see that Japan needs to deal with asset bubble, number of jobs, and consumptions. I do not hate Japan when they do not say some things about Dok-do. They are great country and still they are strong. I hope they figure out the problem and get back to there phase. Yen should be lower though!

[January] Six suspects arrested in rape of another bus passenger in India

ASHOK SHARMA ,Six suspects arrested in rape of another bus passenger in India, The globe and mail, 13 January 2013, Web, 13 January 2013
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/six-arrested-in-rape-of-another-bus-passenger-in-india/article7294221/



Another gang rape of a bus passenger happened in India, four weeks after a brutal attack on a student on a moving bus. 29-year-old woman was raped by six guys in a desolate location, and shocking thing is that bus driver took her to the place. One of suspects is even 17 years old. How this could happen after the big protest of angry citizens. People in India claims for more serious actions to the government. I heard that rapes are not dealt as a serious problem and police also didn't care severely. It has been a big problem in Korea these days, and strong actions need to be taken for the sexual offenders. It is unacceptable in this planet !!

[Prediction for 2013] ‘Laws of the Jungle 3′ beats out ‘KBS Music Festival’ and ‘Birth of a Great Star’ in viewer ratings by a large margin

3.  Entertainment : Kim Byung-man will win the 'Grand prize' in SBS entertainments award.

 

It is time for Byung-man Kim to get the 'Grand prize' in entertainments award. He has been nominated for the grand prize in KBS by performing "Expert" in Gag Concert untill 2009. He moved to SBS starting new show named "Laws of the Jungle", and it is totally different in format and in stories than other shows and it is hot. It is already season 3 now, and people are super excited about it. Among the show, especailly for the reality show, friday is like a hell to get high rate of views. However, Laws of the Jungle beats out other TV programs and they are the first place in rate of view. He did a great job in Gag Concert, but it seemed hard to win the grand prize as a comedian which it was won by MCs. Nevertheless, he did not give up and started a new show not as a comedian but as a MC. I'm a big fan of the show that he is performing, and it seems a right time to give him the prize regards on his effort and challenge. I'm sure he is going to win the grand prize in SBS entertainment award this year.

A writer of AllKop news,  ‘Laws of the Jungle 3′ beats out ‘KBS Music Festival’ and ‘Birth of a Great Star’ in viewer ratings by a large margin. AllKpop, 29 December 2012 . Web. 12 January 2013.
http://www.allkpop.com/2012/12/laws-of-the-jungle-3-beats-out-kbs-music-festival-and-birth-of-a-great-star-in-viewer-ratings-by-a-large-margin

[Prediction for 2013] Seoul toughens smoking ban in restaurants

2.  Public : Banning smoking in public would create smoking room !

There are more and more smoke-free zones expanding even at the bars and coffee shops in Seoul. Also, Indoor as well as outdoor areas of public buildings will also be designated as smoke-free zones. Smoking  will be prohibited in the PC room from this June. Nowadays, many people do not want to be exposured to second smoke, and the government also wants to protect the non-smoker and execute the law right away which they wanted. I totally agree with it, but I think the government needs to see the smokers side too. There are still a lot smokers out there, and the smokers still smoke the cigarette inside and outside the bar. Police officers cannot catch them or bar manager all the time. There will be more conficts of Smokers versus police. However Law is allowing outside smoking section 10meters away, so I'm guessing that cigarette company and government will make the smoking room with perfect air exhauster in the future. I used to smoke a lot, and I know it is sometimes necessary to smoke, so there has got to be a smoking room. It is better to create this type of room than just keep conflicting with smokers.


Cho, Chung-un.  Seoul toughens smoking ban in restaurants. The Korea Herald , 4 December 2012 . Web. 12 January 2013.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20121204000768