Irish Government Set to Ban Disposable Vapes

 

The Irish government is preparing to implement a ban on disposable vapes, following the cabinet's approval of draft legislation introduced by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. The proposed law would prohibit the sale, production, and import of single-use vapes in Ireland, citing environmental and public health concerns.

In addition to banning disposable vapes, the legislation seeks to restrict the sale of certain flavours, which are believed to appeal to children. There are reportedly as many as 15,000 flavour combinations currently available. The draft law will also limit point-of-sale displays and advertising for vapes, except in specialist stores.

Further measures include restrictions on packaging colours and imagery to discourage marketing aimed at younger people. Ireland already prohibits the sale of nicotine products to individuals under 18, and additional restrictions on advertising, pop-up shops, and sales from vending machines are expected to come into effect next year. The government’s research indicates that single-use vapes are often purchased impulsively, particularly by younger consumers.

 

Over 80 Dead as Vietnam Battles Aftermath of Devastating Typhoon

 

At least 82 people have been confirmed dead in Vietnam following a powerful typhoon that struck the country over the weekend, bringing heavy rainfall, landslides, and widespread flooding. Thousands of residents in northern provinces have been left stranded on rooftops, with many posting pleas for help on social media.

Typhoon Yagi, regarded as one of the most severe storms to hit Vietnam in three decades, has caused extensive damage, leaving 1.5 million people without electricity. Footage from Phu Tho province captured the collapse of Phong Chau bridge on Monday, sending vehicles into the river below.

Though the storm has weakened into a tropical depression, authorities warn that more disruptions are expected. With 64 people still missing and over 700 injured, officials have issued flood and landslide warnings across 18 provinces. The storm has also damaged homes, factories, and critical infrastructure. Before reaching Vietnam, Yagi caused 24 fatalities in China and the Philippines.

 

UK Retailer Harrods Sells Fukushima Peaches for the First Time

 

British luxury retailer Harrods has begun selling peaches from Japan’s Fukushima region, marking a historic first as European stores have not carried produce from the area since the devastating nuclear disaster of 2011. Priced at £80 ($104) for a box containing just three peaches, this move is part of a broader effort to rehabilitate the image of Fukushima’s agricultural sector, which has suffered from lingering fears over radiation contamination for more than a decade.

The 2011 disaster, caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami that led to the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, resulted in widespread radiation leaks. This cast a long shadow over the region, which is Japan’s second-largest producer of peaches. Farms in Fukushima struggled to sell their products both domestically and internationally due to ongoing concerns about safety.

In a bid to restore trust, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), the operator of the damaged nuclear plant, has launched campaigns to reintroduce Fukushima produce to global markets. This includes not only the UK but also countries like the US and Thailand. Harrods’ decision to offer Fukushima peaches follows the UK lifting its remaining import restrictions on food products from the region in 2021, allowing the peaches to undergo trial sales at cultural events before being made available in the iconic London department store.

Harrods is expected to expand its Fukushima offerings in the coming months, with plans to sell Shine Muscat grapes from the region starting in October. To ensure the safety of exported products, all farm and fishery goods from Fukushima undergo rigorous radiation testing before they are shipped abroad. This measure is part of ongoing efforts to guarantee that the produce meets international safety standards.

The initiative has been seen as a symbolic step in rebuilding the region’s reputation and economy, with the sale of Fukushima peaches at such a high-end retailer like Harrods serving as an endorsement of the quality and safety of the produce. Tepco’s campaign is aimed at boosting confidence and encouraging consumers worldwide to once again embrace Fukushima-grown food.

 

Ugandan Athlete’s Ex-Partner Dies from Burns After Fatal Attack

 

The former boyfriend of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who fatally set her on fire, has died from burns he sustained during the attack, a hospital official in Kenya has confirmed.

Dickson Ndiema ambushed Cheptegei as she returned home from church, dousing her with petrol before igniting the fire. The two had reportedly been in a dispute over a small piece of land in north-western Kenya, where Cheptegei both lived and trained.

Ndiema died in the intensive care unit of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he had been treated for burns covering more than 40% of his body. The hospital stated that Ndiema succumbed to respiratory failure and sepsis due to severe burns.

Cheptegei died four days after the attack, suffering from burns that covered over 80% of her body. Neighbours recalled hearing her cries for help as she ran towards them engulfed in flames.

Ndiema, who was initially set to face murder charges, is no longer subject to prosecution following his death. An inquest into the deaths will now be opened.

Cheptegei's death has drawn global attention, marking the third fatal attack on a Kenyan-based female athlete in recent years. In similar incidents, partners or ex-partners have been named as suspects in the deaths of athletes Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua in 2022.

Cheptegei, a 33-year-old marathon runner, competed for Uganda, achieving recognition after struggling to break through in Kenyan athletics. She represented Uganda at the Paris Olympics earlier this year and won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.

Her funeral will be held at her ancestral home in Bukwo, Uganda.

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Humanitarian Zone Kills 13, Targets Hamas Commanders

 

An Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza has killed at least 13 people, according to a local hospital. The strike took place in a designated humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis, where displaced Palestinians had sought refuge. Residents reported that three missiles struck a camp, creating deep craters and causing widespread destruction.

The Israeli military stated that the airstrike targeted senior Hamas members, including Samer Abu Daqqa, head of Hamas's aerial unit, and Osama Tabesh, leader of its observation and targets department. According to Israel, these individuals were operating from a command center embedded within the humanitarian area. The military also accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields by hiding military operations in civilian zones.

Hamas denied the presence of any command center in the area, calling the strike a ‘massacre’ and rejecting Israel’s claims. Rescue operations continued after the strike, with local authorities reporting additional casualties and injuries.

The strike is part of Israel's broader military campaign against Hamas following the group's attack on southern Israel in early October, which led to significant casualties and hostages being taken. Since the conflict began, over 40,980 people have been reported dead in Gaza, and more than 80% of the population has been displaced, many having fled multiple times.

Debate Over Classroom Air Conditioning as China Faces Heatwave

 

A heated debate has emerged on Chinese social media regarding the use of air conditioners in classrooms as the country grapples with an unusual heatwave. With temperatures exceeding 35°C in many cities, parents in some of China’s hottest regions are urging schools to install air conditioning.

The discussion gained traction in Changsha, where the local education department’s decision not to install air conditioners sparked controversy. The department argued that enduring the heat would "cultivate the spirit of hard work and endurance" in students, a comment that drew widespread criticism online.

Many parents and users on platforms like Weibo expressed frustration, questioning the logic of forcing children to study in extreme heat. ‘Can the education bureau work in 40-degree heat before deciding this is the way to cultivate such spirit?’ wrote one user. Others highlighted the growing impact of global warming, urging authorities to prioritize students' health and comfort.

While most classrooms in China are equipped with ceiling fans rather than air conditioners, the rising temperatures have intensified calls for change. However, concerns over costs and potential health risks, such as the increased likelihood of colds in air-conditioned rooms, have complicated the discussion.

In some cities, like Xiangtan, schools have asked parents to contribute to air conditioning costs, but local authorities later ordered the reimbursements. Online opinions remain divided, with many arguing that student comfort should be prioritized amid worsening heatwaves. Some schools are using creative solutions, such as placing ice blocks in classrooms, while others have delayed the start of the school year due to the extreme weather.

The issue of air conditioning in schools remains unresolved as China continues to experience longer, hotter heatwaves, with no easy solution in sight.

Gombe State Government Donates Food to Corps Members

 

On Monday, the Gombe State Government made a significant contribution to the Batch B Stream II corps members currently participating in their three-week orientation course at the Amada camp in Akko Local Government Area. This donation of foodstuffs was announced in a press release by Joshua Danmalam, Information Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State.

Governor Yahaya Inuwa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Adamu Inuwa, emphasized that the donation aimed to support the corps members' meals and alleviate the impact of rising food costs. ‘This gesture is intended to supplement the corps members’ feeding during their time at the camp and help mitigate the challenges posed by increasing food prices,’ the governor stated.

Upon receiving the donation, Chinwe Nwachuku, the State Coordinator for the NYSC in Gombe, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the governor for his generosity. She assured that the Governor's support would be communicated to the Director-General and the top management of the NYSC, highlighting the state's commitment to the corps members.