Trying to quit? Have an e-cigarette

WASHINGTON: The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is trying to fight the spread of the world’s first electronic cigarette across the United States.

The e-cig, touted as the world’s first healthy cigarette, runs on batteries and contains pure liquid nicotine. Its distributor, Smoking Everywhere, says it is similar to the nicotine patch but allows reformers the oral fixation smoking provides.

The FDA views e-cigs as an unapproved new drug due to the lack of scientific research on its safety or effectiveness. It is trying to stop their import into the U.S., but isn’t seizing the products already sold online and in 100 kiosks across the country.

According to CNN, e-cigs are already gaining popularity in Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil and the UK.

Shanty shops destroyed for Pope

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon: In an attempt to clean up the city for Pope Benedict’s arrival this past week, Yaounde security forces tore down street stalls and chased away hawkers in the capital’s markets.

One woman arrived at her shop one morning last week to find it torn down, a pile of corrugated tin and wood planks, reported Reuters. Witnesses also alleged gendarmes chased and beat up youth and stallholders across the markets.

Thousands of people make a living selling wares and services through informal street stalls and boutiques in Yaoundé.

Mar. 16 was Pope Benedict’s first visit to Africa since becoming pontiff.

After Cameroon, he will travel to Angola to celebrate 500 years of Christian evangelism in that country.

In tough economic times, drug lords make Forbes’ billionaires list

MEXICO CITY: The fame of Sinaloa drug leader Joaquin Guzman Loera will spread beyond Mexican and American police forces after Forbes magazine included him in their ranking of “self-made” billionaires this year.

Ranked among the likes of software mogul Bill Gates and investor Warren Buffet, Loera came out 701st on the list for his approximated $1 billion fortune.

Loera heads the Sinaloa Mexican drug cartel and his career has spanned North, South and Central America; he is the main source for cocaine in the United States, reported CNN.

Mexican authorities are unhappy about Loera’s unexpected recognition, stating criminals should not be ranked with the likes of accomplished and moral entrepreneurs like Gates and Buffet.

450-year old painting stolen and recovered in van

OSLO, Norway: A Renaissance painting stolen from a church in Larvik was recovered last week, with a 50-year old suspect apprehended for its theft.

The painting, Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me, by artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, dates back to 1540 and has hung in the church since 1677.

CBC News reported the painting was located in a van a few days after it went missing on Sunday, Mar. 8.

Forensic experts are currently inspecting the painting for damage and authenticity.

Published in Volume 63, Number 24 of The Uniter (March 19, 2009)