Spat between users of e-cigarette and public health officials
London: The spat between the users of e-cigarette and its opponents have turned ugly recently. Public health chiefs have accused e-cigarette users of a campaign of online abuse, saying that junior scientists are being scared away from research by explicit attacks from “vapers” on Twitter. Professor John Ashton, president of the Faculty of Public Health, is facing an official complaint after he retaliated, calling them names. Vapers, as enthusiasts for e-cigarettes are known, insist that occasional abuse from among their number is merely frustration with a “patronising” public health elite. The spat illustrates how high passions run over e-cigarettes, both among users and public health experts, who are starkly divided on the issue. More than a million Britons use e-cigarettes, and many say that these have helped to end long smoking habits. Last week a group of experts said that e-cigarettes had the potential to save tens of thousands of lives if all British smokers switched to them.Yet some public health experts, including the World Health Organisation, say that e-cigarettes must be restricted because the long-term effects of nicotine are unclear.
China snubs Dalai Lama, says it can appoint his successor
Beijing: Rejecting the Dalai Lama's views on ending the system of reincarnated Tibetan spiritual head, the Chinese government said it would preserve the centuries old tradition among Tibetan Buddhists, saying it has the powers to appoint the next Dalai Lama. “The title of the Dalai Lama is conferred by the Chinese government,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. China had a “set religious procedure and historic custom,” she said. “The 14th Dalai Lama has ulterior motives and is seeking to distort and negate history, which is damaging the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism,” Hua said. The Dalai Lama, 79, told a German paper that the tradition of the spiritual head of the Tibetans could end with him. He said Tibetan Buddhism wasn't dependent on a single person.
Qatar releases Brit-Nepalese researchers
Dubai: Two British-Nepalese human rights researchers, who were apprehended by Qatari authorities for investigating the working conditions of Nepalese labourers in Qatar have been released. Krishna Upadhyaya along with colleague Ghimire Gundev, 36, were detained by Qatari authorities in Doha on August 27, while filming a documentary on the treatment and working conditions of Nepalese labourers at World Cup construction sites in Qatar. Upadhyaya's wife, Sarita Poudyal, said that the duo were released, adding that she had received a call from her husband who told her that he had been freed and then updated his Facebook to inform his friends. The Norway-based Global Network for Rights and Development's researcher Krishna Upadhyaya and photographer Ghimire Gundev had gone missing on August 31st as they were preparing to leave the country.
Radha Krishna temple opens in Germany
Bielefeld (Germany): Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple has opened in Bielefeld in Germany after Kumbabishekam ceremonies. The construction of the temple began in January 2013. Now daily poojas are being conducted here. Besides sanctuary, it also plans to construct a cultural centre to host discourses and music and dance events. Thiyagaraja Sarma Parameswaran Iyer is the priest. Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), congratulated the management for the construction of this beautiful temple. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple would help in this direction. Zed said that instead of running after materialism we should focus on inner search and realization of self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
