Belgium and Vietnam sign green hydrogen cooperation deal
Belgium and Vietnam have signed agreements to collaborate on green hydrogen production during King Philippe’s historic visit to Hanoi.
Belgium will become the first European Union country to ban sales of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 because of concerns about use among children and the environmental damage they can cause.
It is illegal in Belgium to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18, but government data shows most young smokers start the habit with electronic cigarettes (vapes), rather than regular tobacco cigarettes.
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said that inexpensive vapes had turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine.
“E-cigarettes often contain nicotine. Nicotine makes you addicted to nicotine. Nicotine is bad for your health. These are fact,” Vandenbroucke added.
Because they are disposable, the plastic, battery and circuits are a burden on the environment. On top of that, “they create hazardous waste chemicals still present in what people throw away,” Vandenbroucke said.
The health minister said he also targeted the disposable e-cigarettes because reusable ones could be a tool to help people quit smoking if they cannot find another way.
"We are the first country in Europe to do so," Vandenbroucke said.
He wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc.
"We are really calling on the European Commission to come forward now with new initiatives to update, to modernize, the tobacco legislation," he said.
WHO urges governments to take measures
Early this year World Health Organization (WHO) issued a call to action urging governments to take immediate measures to control e-cigarettes, protect young people and non-smockers.
E-cigarettes are allowed on the open market and aggressively marketed to young people, WHO stated. Thirty-four countries ban the sale of e-cigarettes, 88 countries have no minimum age at which e-cigarettes can be bought and 74 countries have no regulations in place for these harmful products.
“E-cigarettes target children through social media and influencers, with at least 16 000 flavours. Some of these products use cartoon characters and have sleek designs, which appeal to the younger generation. There is an alarming increase in the use of e-cigarettes among children and young people with rates exceeding adult use in many countries,” Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO Director for Health Promotion.
Children 13–15-years old are using e-cigarettes at rates higher than adults in all WHO regions. In Canada, the rates of e-cigarette use among 16–19-year-olds has doubled between 2017–2022, and in England (the United Kingdom) the number of young users has tripled in the past three years.
Studies consistently show that young people that use e-cigarettes are almost three times more likely to use cigarettes later in life.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
On April 2, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, accompanied by his wife Elke Büdenbender, visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku to honor the Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and territorial integrity.
A recent report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has highlighted the critical role of irrigation in water management across Central Asia, where 79% of the region's water is allocated to agricultural use.
The Pentagon has ordered the deployment of more military assets to the Middle East, responding to escalating tensions with Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Tuesday that the move aims to bolster regional stability and enhance defense capabilities.
An official welcome ceremony was held in Azerbaijan on April 2 for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, where he was greeted with a guard of honor and national anthems as part of his diplomatic visit.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the deployment of additional warplanes to reinforce American naval assets in the Middle East, the Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday. The move follows a renewed bombing campaign in Yemen and rising friction with Iran.
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