AnewZ Morning Brief - 24 February, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
The UK has officially banned the sale of disposable vapes as of Sunday, aiming to curb youth usage, reduce environmental waste, and stop the spread of harmful chemicals.
A nationwide ban on disposable vapes came into force across the United Kingdom on Sunday, marking a significant step in the government’s effort to address rising youth vaping, environmental concerns, and chemical pollution.
Under the new law, retailers - both online and physical stores - are now prohibited from selling disposable vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. However, reusable vape devices remain legal and available for purchase.
The ban follows growing concerns about the popularity of disposable vapes among school-aged children and the environmental toll of improper disposal. Authorities estimate that up to 5 million disposable vapes are discarded in the UK every week, most ending up in landfills or as street litter rather than being recycled.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the move was essential to stop the “alarming rise” in youth vaping and to tackle the growing issue of e-waste. “This ban will put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation’s streets,” the department stated.
The UK joins a growing number of countries tightening regulations on vaping. Australia implemented some of the world’s toughest vaping restrictions last year, and Belgium became the first European nation to ban disposable vapes entirely in early 2025. In the U.S., California continues to lead with strict vaping laws.
Italy said a fond farewell to the Winter Olympics on Sunday with an open-air ceremony in the ancient Verona Arena that celebrated art and sporting achievement at a Games lauded as a model for how to stage such events.
The United States and Iran will hold a new round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva on Thursday as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to reach a potential agreement, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced on Sunday.
Further Iran-U.S. nuclear talks are scheduled in Geneva on Thursday (26 February) as diplomacy resumes over Tehran’s nuclear programme following earlier mediation efforts. But will the talks move Iran-U.S. negotiations closer to a deal, and what should be expected from the meeting?
Mexican authorities said on Sunday that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho and head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco.
The European Parliament’s trade chief has urged a temporary suspension of the EU–U.S. trade agreement approval, citing “tariff chaos” following President Donald Trump’s new 15% tariffs and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating his previous global tariff programme.
Measles cases across Europe and Central Asia fell sharply in 2025 compared to the previous year but health officials have warned that the risk of fresh outbreaks remains unless vaccination gaps are urgently addressed.
A Florida university has become a new hotspot in a widening U.S. measles outbreak, with health officials confirming multiple infections and hospitalisations.
The World Health Organization has added the Nipah virus to its list of the world’s top 10 priority diseases, alongside COVID-19 and the Zika virus, warning that its epidemic potential highlights the global risk posed by fast-spreading outbreaks.
Belgian authorities are examining suspected cases of infants falling ill after consuming recalled Nestle baby formula, amid warnings that confirmed infections may be underestimated due to limited testing requirements.
Two Nipah infections involving health workers in India have triggered heightened screening across Southeast Asia as authorities move to prevent the high fatality virus from spreading beyond the country.
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