SPICES AND THEIR MEDICINAL VALUE

SPICES AND THEIR MEDICINAL VALUE

COLDS  Mix a gram of cinnamon powder with a teaspoon of honey to cure cold. Prepare a cup of tea to which you should add ginger, clove, bay leaf and black pepper. This should be consumed twice a day. Reduce the intake as the cold disappears. GINGER FOR COLDS.  Ginger tea is very good to cure cold. Preparation of tea: cut ginger into small pieces and boil it with water, boil it a few times and then add sugar to sweeten and milk to taste, and drink it hot. DRY COUGHS. Add a gram of turmeric powder to a teaspoon of honey for curing dry cough. Also chew a cardamom for a long time. BLOCKED NOSE. For blocked nose or to relieve congestion, take a table spoon of crushed carom seeds and tie it in a cloth and inhale it. SORE THROAT.  Add a tea spoon of cumin seeds and a few small pieces of dry ginger to a glass of boiling water. Simmer it for a few minutes, and then let it cool. Drink it twice daily. This will cure cold as well as sore throat. AJWAIN/AJMO FOR ASTHMA.  Boil ajwain in water and inhale the steam. CURE FOR BACKACHE.. Rub ginger paste on the backache to get relief. GARLIC FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. Have 1-2 pod garlic first thing in the morning with water HONEY AND GINGER FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.  Mix 1 table spoon and 1 table spoon ginger (adrak) juice, 1 table spoon of crushed cumin seeds and have it twice daily. MIGRAINE. .  For the cure of migraine or acute cold in the head; boil a tablespoon of pepper powder, and a pinch of turmeric in a cup of milk, and have it daily for a few couple of days. BITTER GOURD IS GOOD.. A tablespoon of amla juice mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice and taken daily for 2 months reduces blood sugar. TURMERIC CURE FOR INJURIES For any cut or wound, apply turmeric powder to the injured portion to stop the bleeding. It also works as an antiseptic. You can tie a bandage after applying haldi/turmeric. CRAMPS You must do a self-massage using mustard oil every morning. Just take a little oil between your palms and rub it all over your body. Then take a shower. This is especially beneficial during winter. You could also mix a little mustard powder with water to make a paste and apply this on your palms and soles of your feet. HEADACHES. If you have a regular migraine problem, include five almonds along with hot milk in your daily diet. You could also have a gram of black pepper along with honey or milk, twice or thrice a day. Make an almond paste by rubbing wet almonds against a stone. This can be applied to forehead. Eat an apple with a little salt on an empty stomach everyday and see its wonderful effects. OR When headache is caused by cold winds, cinnamon works best in curing headache. Make a paste of cinnamon by mixing in water and apply it all over your forehead FOR ARTHRITIS. Turmeric can be used in treating arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory property. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action. GOOD FOR THE HEART  Turmeric lower cholesterol and by preventing the formation of the internal blood clots improves circulation and prevents heart disease and stroke. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action. GOOD FOR INDIGESTION  Turmeric can be used to relieve digestive problems like ulcers, dysentery. Turmeric can be taken as a drink other than adding to dishes to help prevent all problems. Use one teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk every day. It is also used as a paste for local action. HONEY IS A GOOD CURE FOR ALL DISEASES Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder and have at night. HICCUPS Take a warm slice of lemon and sprinkle salt, sugar and black pepper on it.. The lemon should be eaten until the hiccups stop. HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL In 1 glass of water, add 2 tbsps of coriander/dhania seeds and bring to a boil. Let the decoction cool for some time and then strain. Drink this mixture two times in a day. OR Sunflower seeds are extremely beneficial, as they contain linoleic acid that helps in reducing the cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries. PILES  Radish juice should be taken twice a day, once in the morning and then later in the night. Initially drink about ? cup of radish juice and then gradually increase it to ? cup. OR Soak 3-4 figs in a glass of water Keep it overnight. Consume the figs on an empty stomach, the next day in the morning VOMITING Take 2 cardamoms/elachi and roast them on a dry pan (tava). Powder the cardamoms and thereafter add a tsp of honey in it. Consume it frequently. It serves as a fabulous home remedy for vomiting. OR In the mixture of 1 tsp of mint juice and 1 tsp limejuice, add ? tsp of ginger juice and 1 tsp honey. Drink this mixture to prevent vomiting. OR Limejuice is an effective remedy for vomiting. Take a glass of chilled limejuice and sip slowly. To prevent vomiting, drink ginger tea. OR In 1 glass water, add some honey and drink sip by sip. WARTS Apply castor oil daily over the problematic area. Continue for several months. OR Apply milky juice of fresh and barely-ripe figs a number of times a day. Continue for two weeks. OR Rub cut raw potatoes on the affected area several times daily. Continue for at least two weeks. OR Rub cut onions on the warts to stimulate the circulation of blood.. OR Apply milk from the cut end of dandelion over the warts 2-3 times a day. OR Apply oil extracted from the shell of the cashew nut over the warts. OR Apply Papaya juice OR Apply Pineapple juice. URINARY TRACT INFECTION  In 8 oz of water, put ? tsp of baking soda and drink it. OR Drink plenty of water, as it aids in flushing out the waste products from the body. OR Drink Cranberry juice. You can also add some apple juice for taste. SINUSITIS Mango serves as an effective home remedy for preventing the frequent attacks of sinus, as it is packed with loads of vitamin A. OR Another beneficial remedy consists of consuming pungent foods like onion and garlic, as a part of your daily meals. OR Fenugreek/methi leaves are considered valuable

Let's Send an Appeal Letter on bahlf of Rizana Nafeek

Assalmmualikum,

Dear Friends pray and act. Do whatever you can do to save a life. You could post or fax the following letter to saudi Ambassador in Sri Lanka.

___________________________________________________________

The Honourable Ambassador
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
39, Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 07
Tele: +94 11 2682087 (011 2682087)
Fax: +94 11 2682088 (011 2682088)

Your Excellency,

Young Sri Lankan girl named Rizana Nafeek under death sentence

I am certain that this name is not unfamiliar to you by now. She is awaiting death penalty in Saudi Arabia at the moment.

She left Sri Lanka many years ago to work in Saudi Arabia even before she turned 18. The death of the infant under her care occurred within a month of her starting work at the particular household. And now, even after an appeal, she has been sentenced to death by the High Court in Dawi Dami. She has been in the prison for more than three years now.

Considering all these facts, her being a child at the time of the incident above all, I would like to plead for clemency for the life of Rizana Nafeek. I am told that the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia may pardon her. Hence I am desperately appealing you to pass on this message to His Majesty, the King.

I am certain that you would do your best to facilitate pardoning this girl.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

......................................... 

_____________________________________________________

Special Prayer for Rizana Nafeek

Muslims in Sri Lanka have been asked to conduct special prayers in mosques seeking Allah’s mercy to rescue Rizana Nafeek, who has been sentenced to death, from the hands of the executioner. We have requested the 1.5 million Muslims spread throughout the country to conduct special prayers to save Nafeek from the gallows,” Alavi Moulana, governor of the island’s western province, told Arab News from Colombo Saturday. “The only thing common among the Muslims all over the world is prayer and submission to the will of Allah the Almighty,” the governor said.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made an appeal to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for clemency to Nafeek. Moulana said he met with the president on Friday evening before the president’s departure to China and Rajapaksa had told him that the appeal had reached the Saudi Royal Court, according to information he received from the Sri Lankan mission in Riyadh.

 “Our president was courteous enough to appeal for clemency to the young Nafeek who was arrested on May 25, 2005 and since then has been languishing in jail,” Moulana said. Moulana, who will lead this year’s Haj delegation, said the 5,500 pilgrims from Colombo would make a special offering at the Mount Arafat during the performance of Haj rituals for the sake of this maid. He also said that the government of Sri Lanka respects the laws and regulations of the Saudi government.

“We know well the country’s judicial verdicts should be respected by all those who are governed by them,” he said, requesting the parents of the deceased infant should show mercy on this young girl who had come here to improve her family’s condition back home.

The governor also said there are over 500,000 Sri Lankan workers in the Kingdom, which has the largest concentration of its workers in the Middle East. “We have no serious labor problems among them,” he said. “Most of them are resolved following negotiations and those unsuccessful deals end up in repatriating the worker at the expense of the government.”

Basil Fernando, director of the Hong-Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission, which funded Nafeek’s appeal, said his organization is seriously concerned about the sentence. He urged the Sri Lankan mission in Riyadh to explore avenues that can reach the affected family to solicit a pardon from the father of the deceased infant.

He appreciated the mission’s efforts to hand the appeal letter from the Sri Lankan president to the Foreign Ministry in Riyadh without loss of time and for other diplomatic moves made toward this direction. However, he added that any move to hold direct talks with the victim’s father would be highly appreciable.

Courtesy Daily Mirror.lk/ Arab News

Young Sri Lankan woman wins prestigious entrepreneur competition in Mexico City

Fathuma Nisreen, owner of a bag and garment making business in Sri Lanka, has been named the winner of an international competition for young entrepreneurs, organised by Youth Business International (YBI).
The Sri Lanka business woman was announced as the YBI Entrepreneur of the Year last night at a prestigious awards ceremony in Mexico City, after being interviewed by a judging panel of experts on business and entrepreneurship.

The award reflects the challenges that Fathuma has overcome as well as the huge potential that she has to act as a role model for other Muslims in her community and inspire other women around the world.
In a joint statement, the panel said:
"We chose Fathuma because the award will have the biggest impact on her, her family, her community and send a strong message to the world that women are able to start a business while remaining true to their family values. We thought it was remarkable that she was able to start up her business without having to give up her religious and cultural identity.

Overall, we found in Fathuma the courage to overcome tough times, the intelligence to maintain the family as her main motivator, the vision to grow and most of all, the happiness of building a successful business."

The YBI Entrepreneur of the Year competition celebrates the achievement of young entrepreneurs around the world in building a better world for themselves and others. The competition is supported by Barclays Capital and is now in its fourth year.

Fathuma Nisreen has become a role model in her community for her successes in overcoming the restrictions facing Muslim women entering into business, by setting up a design and manufacturing enterprise specialising in traditional outfits and bags. She was able to start up her business with the support of Youth Business Sri Lanka, an accredited member of the YBI network.

Fathuma was competing against three other young entrepreneurs in the competition:

1. Colin Davison from Canada: Stealth Acoustical Control & Emission Inc
Colin's business enables industrial businesses to reduce noise pollution and employs around 60 other people.

2.Alex Tam and Felix Chung from Hong Kong: Ecosage Ltd
Alex and Felix are helping to tackle the waste crisis in Hong Kong with their recycling business, as well as creating employment for many of the city's ragpickers.

3. Shriram Kaluke from India: Shri Ganesh Enterprises
Overcoming a difficult background, Shriram has grown a business providing cleaning services for water tanks, employing 14 people and servicing 1500 clients.

The judging panel comprised of:
Guillermo Baeza, co-founder of Mexican food company Grupo Bafar
Pedro Tejero, Managing Director of Barclays Capital Mexico
Stuart Macdonald, founder of Seric Systems in Scotland and ambassador for YBI
Laura Suarez, Editorial Director of Entrepreneur magazine in Mexico.

Fathuma will receive prize money of US$5,000 from Youth Business International, as well as an invitation to travel to London for a dinner at St James's Palace, which last year was hosted by The Prince of Wales.

Urgent - Blood Needed for 7 months Baby

Facts about blood donation

* Person above 18 years of age and over 50 Kgs. in weight can donate blood once in three months.
 
* A normal adult has five to six liters of blood in his/her body of which only 300 ml is used during blood donation.

* This blood is replaced by your body within 24 to 48 hours!
  
* No special diet, rest or medicine is required after blood donation.
 
* The donor should not have taken any medicine in the last 48 hours.
  
* The donor should not have contacted jaundice in the previous three years.
  
* Every donor is given a medical checkup prior to donation to see if he/she is medically fit and doesn't suffer from anemia, high blood pressure etc.,
  
* The donor cannot contract AIDS or any other disease by donating blood.

A Complete Health Guide

EXERCISE AND FITNESS STAMINA EXERCISES

Walking: Excellent cardiovascular benefits for the advanced age groups.. Should be done briskly with swinging of the arms. Comfortable shoes must be worn. May be done morning or evening for 30-60 minutes. Jogging: Suitable for younger age group below 50 years. 30 minutes is all that is required and may be done continuously, or jog and walk in between when fatigued. The pace of jogging is equal to that of a brisk walkrun on soft or grassy surface. Wear comfortable clothes and breathe freely. Swimming: For those who know how to swim, 20 minutes of continuous swimming is sufficient. Alternately swim the length of a pool 10-20 metres, rest at the end for 30 seconds, swim back. 10 such lengths is good. Use any stroke you know. They are all of almost equal cardiovascular and muscular benefit. Cycling: For any age group. Minimum time 45-60 minutes of continuous controlled fast cycling. Cycling up slopes gives added benefit. Ordinary cycles are good enough and indoor stationary exercycles may also be used at low resistance for 45 minutes. Games: For the fitter younger age group. Get fit first before playing games such as squash, badminton, tennis, handball, basketball, football etc.. Warm up before the games. 30-45 minutes of the game is sufficient. Weekend or once a week games must be avoided unless other fitness programmes are done on other days. Play within your capacity. Strength Exercises: Improve muscular strength with 10-20 repetitions of each of these movements.  STRENGTH EXERCISES MOBILITY EXERCISES BACK EXERCISES   YOGA a) Yoga should preferably be done under expert supervision 2-3 times per week. b) In case you know Yoga, we suggest that the following 'asanas' be included in your programme. c) Each Yogasana is repeated 2-3 times except serial Nos. 1, 14 & 15. d) Persons with back problems should avoid serial Nos. 2, 4, 10 & 12. e) Persons with Cardiac problems, HBP, etc. should avoid serial 4 and 5. f) This programme will not only keep you fit, but is also beneficial for those persons who have high B.P., respiratory problem, mental strain, head - aches, digestive ailments, back problems, joint problems, etc.   STANDARD YOGASANAS 1 . Stand warm up for Pawan Muktasana series. 2. Suryanamaskar (Sun Salutation) Effect - on full body including heart and circulation. 3. Ardh-halasana (30, 60, 90 degrees, double leg raises) Effect - on abdomen, legs, back reproductive organs. 4. Sarbangasana (Shoulder stand) Effect - on brain, nervous system, thyroid, circulation. 5. Halasana (Plough pose) Effect - on spine, nervous system, back, lungs. 6. Matsyasana (Fish pose) Effect - on chest, neck, thyroid, lungs. 7. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) Effect - on lower back, reproductive organs, lungs, spine, chest, abdominal organs. 8. Salabhasana, (Locust pose) Effect - an buttocks, legs, hips, constipation, gas, digestion, etc. 9. Dhanurasana (Bow pose) Effect - on abdomen, digestion, legs, back. 10. Naukasana (Boat pose) (V sit-ups) Effect - on spine, abdomen, chest, etc. 11. Bakrasana (Half spinal twist) Effect - on spine, fat on waist, gas, digestive organs. 12. Paschmottasana (Sitting toe touch) or Padahasatasana (Standing toe touch) Effect - on digestion, spine, legs. 13. Trikonasana (Triangle) Effect - on spinal nerves, waist, digestion. 14. Pranayama (Deep breathing) 10 rounds each. a) Anulome / Vilome - alternate nostril breathing, and b) Kapalbhatti. . - belly breathing Effect - on lungs and respiratory system. 15. Shavasana (Corpse pose) - as often as required. Effect - on physical / mental relaxation. YOGASANAS GYM EXERCISES / WEIGHT TRAINING Weight training is basically for strengthening and building up the muscles. An all-round programme must have some stretching and cardio-vascular exercises as well. In addition, weight training loads the bones thereby strengthening and protecting against osteoporosis. The points to keep in mind in weight training are as follows: 1 The ideal weight training schedule is on alternate days i.e. 3 days a week with a complete rest on weekends. 2 The systems of training different muscle groups on different days, may be good for competitive sportsmen. The best system for non-competitive sportsmen is to exercise the entire body in each session. The major muscle groups are: Upper body - Shoulders, Arms, Chest and Lower body - Back, Abdomen, Legs. 3 Suppleness and stamina can also be built up through weight training by following a body builder-type schedule. Weights are also used to stretch muscles, build muscular endurance and cardiovascular stamina by repeating each exercise by using lighter weights with more repetitions. 4 If repetition are too easy, the weight used is too little. And in case it is not possible to complete the repetitions, it means the weight carried is too heavy. 5 A repetition is one complete exercise movement from the starting point to finish and then back again to the starting point. A set is a group of repetitions of the same exercise. Therefore, for the upper body 8 repetitions is one set. For the lower body, 15 repetitions forms one set. 6 We prescribe three sets of exercises for each muscle group. However, several systems of weight training prescribe different repetitions as well as different sets. Nutrition and Calorie Management: Generally speaking, our daily food intake must comprise a balanced diet of 1500-2000k calories with fibre (above 75 gm) and low fat (below 30 gm). Consult your nutritionist for specific advice. Micro - Nutrients: The guide to healthy eating pyramid provides you a balanced diet, with ample vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. The therapeutic benefit of these micro-nutrients are explained below.. STRESS MANAGEMENT Stress has existed from the time of Early Man but has now become an omnipresent phenomenon in the life of 'Modern Man'. It has pervaded all layers of life. Stress is the bio-psycho-social response of the body to a demand, mental or physical. Stress is an arousal response the body makes, when a situation is perceived as being stressful. The impact of this arousal affects emotional as well as cognitive thinking. The impact is seen in behavioral and physiological change.. When stress is long term and chronic it leads to chronic psychosomatic ailments. While there is an undeniable link between stress and illness, optimal stress is a prerequisite for success in every task. Stress is the wind beneath your wings pushing you towards achievement. If stress can trigger off psychosomatic ailments in those living in the fast track, it can be a trigger even to those who suffer from monotony, boredom or frustration. It is therefore very essential to bring a balance between too much and too little stress. The first step in managing stress is to develop a stress-free personality. A high self-esteem, assertive behavior and a positive attitude help in building a stress-free perception. It also helps to focus on areas where control and change are possible. Locate the source of stress and use a problem solving approach to deal with it step by step. All stress you can understand. Some you can change. Some you may have little control over. You may then need to change your attitude and response towards these stressors. Thereby reducing stress. Any exercise programme done regularly utilizes the body's stress hormones. Exercise not only makes the body fit, but also acclimatizes the heart and lungs to increased activity, as in stressful situations. Relaxation and meditation techniques result in calming brain waves, and reducing the effects of stress. This is especially effective with stressrelated ailments such as Hypertension, Headaches, Digestive ailments, Cardiac ailments, Sleep problems to name just a few. Stress may be an irritant in your life or it may be a factor of passive existence. Change of perspective will help change this stress to an active, rewarding life. One of the best gifts of nature is sleep. Daily sleep of 6 - 8 hours helps in relaxation and repair of the body and mind. It provides sufficient time for deep - NREM and dream REM sleep restoring physical and mental health. Stress may be an irritant in your life or it may be a factor of passive existence. Change of perspective will help change this stress to an active, rewarding life. One of the best gifts of nature is sleep. Daily sleep of 6 to 8 hours helps in relaxation and repair of the body and mind. It provides sufficient time for deep - NREM and dream REM sleep restoring physical and mental health. Use some of these stress defense mechanisms & optimize your stress.   Quality time for family will ensure that you have a retreat called home. Plan your career well, it will give you challenge, satisfaction & security. An assertive personality is responsible to self & others. Learn this skill. Communication is the key to relationship building. Listen better and your conflicts will slowly dissolve. Develop a sense of humor. Learn to laugh at life, its paradoxes and at yourself. Plan a little idleness & quietness each day. You will be able to recharge. Exercise is arousal and relaxation is the opposite. Yet both are necessary on a daily basis. Practice both. Sleep well and you will have renewed energy to face the next day's Stresses. Plan your time well. You only have 24 /hours a day and many important areas to fit in. A simple formula for time & stress management. You could personalize it to suit your needs. Remember you can't delete any activity or reduce time for health factors.   Hours Activity 6-8 Sleep 8-10 Work, Occupation, Study 1 Exercise 1 3 big and 2 small meals Quality family time 6 Relaxation, personal hygiene, social time, quiet personal time, others 24 Total time in a day EAR, NOSE, THROAT, TEETH, EYE CARE I. Ears Have periodic examination of your ears, especially if you notice your hearing decreasing. Do not put drops, oil, etc. in your ears without doctor's advise. Do not clean the ears with pins, keys, pens, etc. Do not remove foreign objects from the ear without a doctor's assistance. Do not unnecessarily- clean ears after bath with ear buds, etc. Loud noises are harmful for the ears. Do not slap children / others on the ears. Do not allow dirty water to enter into the ears. In all cases of ear ache, ringing in the ears, discharge from the ears, giddiness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting etc.- immediately consult your doctor. II. Nose Do not squeeze a boil or pimple around the area of the nose. Do not try and remove a foreign object from the nasal passage without a doctor's assistance. Do not unnecessarily pick the nose or blow the nose vigorously. Avoid unnecessary misuse of nasal drops inhalers, etc. without a doctor's approval. Consult your doctor immediately in case of injury and breathing difficulty. III. Throat Avoid the.use of irritants to the throat such as smoking, chewing tobacco / paan, etc. Avoid putting coins, marbles, pins, etc. in the mouth. Do not shout, scream etc. this causes hoarseness. In cases of hoarseness - rest the throat without misuse till hoarseness passes. If hoarseness persists for more than 7 days, consult your doctor. Avoid eating excessively cold/hot spicy foods. Avoid talking when food/water is in the mouth. Eat food calmly- avoid hurry. In case of glandular swelling in the neck, consult your doctor. IV. Teeth  Brush your teeth once / twice a day prior to sleeping using a medium tooth brush.  Massage your gums once a day with your finger for one minute.  Avoid using abrasive tooth powders, salt, tobacco, etc. for cleaning the teeth.  Avoid use of any other person's tooth brush.  Change your tooth brush atleast once every 90 days.  Use dental floss for removing food particles, avoid the use of pins, etc.  Do not smoke, use tobacco, chew gum, eat chocolate, candy etc.  Eat plenty of crunchy fresh vegetables and fruit.  In case of irregular, sharp, broken teeth, contact your dentist.  Do not apply medicine without consulting your doctor.  In case of tooth ache, gum bleeding, ulcers of the gum and cheek, white patches, etc., consult your dentist.  Dental check every six months; especially for growing children is essential.

Earthquake in Chile( a devastating magnitude 8.8-one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded)

At 3:34 am local time, February 27th, a devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. According to Chilean authorities, over 400 people are now known to have been killed. The earthquake also triggered a Tsunami which is right now propagating across the Pacific Ocean, due to arrive in Hawaii in hours (around 11:00 am local time). The severity of the Tsunami is still not known, but alerts are being issued across the Pacific.

1.Cars lie overturned after the highway they were travelling on was destroyed in an earthquake in Santiago February 27, 2010

2.A resident of Talca, Chile, walks amid debris of a destroyed house after a powerful earthquake struck the country early Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

3.Residents look at the body of a dead man lying in a street of Talca, some 275 kilometers south of Santiago, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, after an 8.8-magnitude struck central Chile. The quake hit 200 miles (325 kilometers) southwest of the capital and the epicenter was just 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city.

4.The walls and aisles of a pharmacy in Vina del Mar are seen destroyed after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early on February 27, 2010. The massive quake plunged much of the Chilean capital, Santiago, into darkness as it snapped power lines and severed communications, and AFP journalists spoke of walls and masonry collapsing. People in pajamas fled onto the streets.

5.People walk along a highway with a collapsed bridge in the background in the outskirts of Santiago after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early on February 27, 2010.

6.A police officer controls the traffic aside of an elevated highway that collapsed in Santiago following a powerful earthquake in central Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

7.Smoke from a burning building fills the sky in the outskirts of Santiago after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile on February 27, 2010.

8.A resident takes photos of a building damaged in Talca, Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

9.With a computer graphic showing the possible path of tsunami waves from an earthquake in Chile, Dr. Charles McCreery speaks on the phone at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The State of Hawaii is under a tsunami warning after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Chile today.

10.A police officer and residents carry a body from a destroyed house in Talca, Chile, some 275 kilometers south of Santiago, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 after an 8.8-magnitude struck central Chile.

11.The walls of a hotel in Vina del Mar are seen destroyed after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile on February 27, 2010.

12.A woman sits in front a quake-damaged house in Talca, Chile, after a 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country early Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

13.Rescue workers search for victims and survivors after an apartment complex collapsed during an earthquake in Concepcion some 100 km (62 miles) south of the epicenter, February 27, 2010.

14.A survivor is lowered by a cable as rescue workers search for victims after an apartment complex collapsed during an earthquake in Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010.

15.A man moves his belongings inside his home destroyed in an earthquake in Valparaiso February 27, 2010.

16.A man walks past a wrecked church in Santiago, Chile on February 27, 2010.

17.People observe a highway and cars destroyed by an earthquake in Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010.

18.Cyclists observe a bridge that collapsed in an earthquake in Concepcion, Chileon February 27, 2010.

1st Update, 1:35 pm Eastern Time

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19.Photograph taken this morning of Concepcion, Chile by astronaut Soichi Noguchi, aboard the International Space Station: "Concepcion, Chile. Mega earthquake (M8.3) hit this city this morning. Photo taken a few hours ago. We pray for you." On TwitPic

20.Vehicles sit on a destroyed motorway in Santiago following a powerful earthquake in southern Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

21.An overturned vehicle sits amidst rubble of a collapsed elevated highway in Santiago, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. A powerful earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday.

22.Residents look at a collapsed building in Concepcion, Chile, Saturday Feb. 27, 2010 after an 8.8-magnitude struck central Chile. The epicenter was 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city.

23.A man carries a child next to a damaged building in Concepcion, Chile, Saturday Feb. 27, 2010 after an 8.8-magnitude struck central Chile.

24.A resident walks along a damaged street in Talca, Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, after a powerful earthquake struck central Chile.

2nd Update, 4:30 pm Eastern Time

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25.An apartment block leans over after an earthquake in Santiago February 27, 2010.

26.An immigrant from Peru steps over debris after a major earthquake destroyed homes along Santo Domingo Street in Santiago February 27, 2010.

27.A man looks at the damage to the Accademy of Fine Arts building in Santiago after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early morning killing at least 147 people, on February 27, 2010.

28.A man rides his bicycle past a destroyed building in Concepcion, Chile, Saturday Feb. 27, 2010 after an 8.8-magnitude struck central Chile. The epicenter was 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city.

29.A man looks at rubble in Valparaiso, Chile, after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the country early morning killing at least 147 people, on February 27, 2010.

3rd Update, 6:15 pm Eastern Time

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30.A destroyed bridge is seen next to Talca some 300 km (186 miles) south of Santiago February 27, 2010.

31.A man carries a religious icon after an earthquake in Santiago February 27, 2010.

32.Women cry next to a destroyed building in Talca, Chile on February 27, 2010.

33.Fishing boats washed up by a wave generated by an earthquake are seen in Talcahuano Port, a city just outside Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010.

34.Children walk past shipping containers washed up by a wave caused by an earthquake in Talcahuano Port, a city just outside Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010.

35.A policeman looks at cars washed against an apartment building by a wave generated by an earthquake in Talcahuano Port, near Concepcion, Chile on February 27, 2010.

4th (and final) Update, 12:15 pm Eastern Time, 2/28

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36.Chile's President Michelle Bachelet looks at collapsed houses after an earthquake in Concepcion, Chile, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

37.A house lies destroyed by a major earthquake in Pelluhue February 27, 2010.

38.Residents sleep in their cars, some because their homes are damaged and others for fear of aftershocks, after an earthquake in Concepcion February 28, 2010.

39.A car is seen submerged in a flooded area due to a tsunami in Talcahuano the day after a huge 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early morning killing at least 300 people, on February 28, 2010. The South American nation has been hit by numerous aftershocks, some reaching over 6 points on the Richter scale, as well as heavy damages in coastal towns resulting from subsequent tsunamis.

40.A flooded area is seen after an earthquake in Pelluhue, some 322 kms, about 200 miles, southwest of Santiago, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010.

41.People walk along the shore after an earthquake in Pelluhue, some 322 kms, about 200 miles, southwest of Santiago, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010.

42.Residents try to force their way into a supermarket to buy food and essentials as police try to keep order after an earthquake in Concepcion February 28, 2010.

43.Residents loot a supermarket after an earthquake in Concepcion February 28, 2010. Chilean rescuers used shovels and sledgehammers on Sunday to find survivors of a huge earthquake in Chile that unleashed a Pacific tsunami and triggered looting by desperate and hungry residents.

44.A man holds up a Chilean flag in a flooded area after an earthquake in Pelluhue, some 322 kms, about 200 miles, southwest of Santiago, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010.

45.Relatives of victims of an earthquake cry outside a destroyed building in Concepcion, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010.