Tourists arriving in Vietnam with vapes now face painful fines following new rules that came into force at the start of the year banning the possession, sale and use of vapes and liquids. Australia, Turkey, Singapore , Mexico, India, Brazil, the Maldives and Thailand are among other countries that do not allow travellers to bring vapes with them, largely due to health concerns over irreversible lung damage. Hong Kong has banned them too. Anyone using e-cigarettes in Vietnam faces fines of up to 2 million dong (US$78.50), while those caught importing, trading, transporting and producing vapes and materials for cigarette alternatives face fines of up 3 billion dong or up to 15 years in prison, depending on the quantity. People who vape are generally advised to double check whether they
Category Archives: HEALTH-STYLE
Dec
Namibia has recorded 2 210 malaria cases nationally as of 15 December, including nine deaths as a result of the rainy season. The Ministry of Health and Social Services warned of an increase in the number of cases until April when the rainy season ends. The ministry last week announced that the majority of the cases were recorded in the northern parts of the country. “The majority of the cases were reported from the Eenhana district (with 661 cases), accounting for 30%, followed by Okongo (with 336 cases), accounting for 15% of the total cases,” ministry of health executive director Ben Nangombe says in a statement. The affected districts include Eenhana, Okongo, Outapi, Engela, Nkurenkuru,Oshikuku, Omuthiya, Oshakati, Onandjokwe, Tsumeb, Rundu, Okahao, Tsandi, Ncamagoro, Nyangana andAndara. “At least 16 malaria-endemic districts
Spokesperson for the national Department of Health, Foster Mohale said these counterfeit condoms do not have verified efficacy. “As the department we are concerned about these reports of fake condoms because they not certified by the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) through quality control tests to provide the required protection against sexually transmitted infections including the HIV and unplanned pregnancies,” Mohale said on Saturday. Condoms are one of the most viable and safe methods of contraception, which carry the promise of safe sex. “Counterfeit condoms pose severe public health risks, including the failure to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, thus putting the lives of innocent consumers and users at risk,” said Mohale. “As the department, we will work closely with the private sector that sells condoms to
Dec
Minogue pays tribute as Ball hosts final breakfast show Zoe Ball: “It’s time to step away from the early alarm call” Zoe Ball has described presenting Radio 2’s breakfast show as “an absolute privilege”, as she signed off from her final programme. The 54-year-old announced her departure in November, saying that after “six incredible years” it was “time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family”. Kylie Minogue and David Tennant are among the stars who paid tribute to Ball on the show. In a pre-recorded message, singer Minogue said: “Thank you for an incredible six years. The nation loves you and I love you, and every time I’ve been in to see you, it’s been so much fun. “We’ve danced around the studio
Namibia recently transformed a remote village in the Omaheke region into sacred ground, as the nation gathered to commemorate the life and legacy of a man who dared to dream of a free Namibia. The inauguration of the Hosea Kutako Memorial Museum and Homestead Shrine, held at Toasis in the Aminus constituency last Tuesday, marked a significant moment, honouring a leader who ignited the flame of Namibian independence. The event commenced with a traditional ceremony at the holy fire, symbolising the spiritual and cultural grounding of the proceedings. This sacred ritual, deeply rooted in Namibian heritage, along with traditional Otjiherero chants, cultural performances and powerful poetry, further immersing attendees in the country’s cultural heritage. HERITAGE … President Nangolo Mbumba cuts the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Hosea Kutako Memorial
Dec
Police destroy 100 dogs a month after XL bully ban Alamy Police have seized and destroyed hundreds of dogs since the ban on XL bullies came into force Police have destroyed more than 100 dangerous dogs a month on average since XL bullies were banned nearly a year ago, the BBC has learned. Forces in England and Wales say the costs of kennelling thousands of seized dogs, often for months at a time, have risen sixfold to £25m a year and many facilities were at capacity. But in many areas dog attacks show no sign of falling. Of the 25 police forces that responded to BBC Freedom of Information Act requests, 22 said they were on course to see more reported incidents this year. Lisa Willis, who was mauled by
Maria David A GROWING number of couples are choosing to get married in December, with many tying the knot each week. Among the notable couples are Herman Nekomba and Idda, who wed in Omuthiya, and Lazarus “Shali” Haukongo and Tresia Longengi Shindongo, who celebrated their union at Okaku in the Oshiuugu area, drawing people from near and far under one roof. If you’re in the North and there hasn’t been a wedding feast in your village this month, there’s likely one happening in a neighbouring village. As in previous years, and contrary to the widely discussed economic crisis, December has once again been characterized by hundreds—if not thousands—of extravagant wedding feasts across the four northern regions of Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana, and Omusati. One of the most significant advantages of a
Dec
Global tourism has staged a dramatic comeback from the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 1.1 billion international tourists recorded in the first nine months of 2024 – tantalisingly close to pre-pandemic levels. Asia, in particular, has witnessed a remarkable recovery with countries like Japan surpassing their 2019 tourism numbers. But Hong Kong ’s rebound has been noticeably slower. This year’s tourist arrivals are projected to fall short of the Tourism Board’s modest target of 46 million – well below the 55.9 million visitors recorded in 2019. A closer look reveals a heavy dependence on tourists from mainland China, which accounted for a staggering 76 per cent of Hong Kong’s visitors before the pandemic. This reliance persists: of the 36.7 million tourist arrivals in the first 10 months of this
Dec
As the country gears towards the commemoration of the International Day of Minority next week, the Yiaku community in Laikipia County have been assured of allocation of government opportunities through affirmative action. Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, speaking at Kurikuri, Laikipia North sub county said that Yiaku people would get equal share of employment in the public service just like any other communities in the country. “Despite that the economy has been developing in a slow pace, we have to do affirmative action. When an opportunity arises, people who have been sidelined like Yiaku need to be supported; when we plan for others, we plan for Yiaku too,” said Koskei. Yiaku, a Cushitic community in Mukogodo Forest, is among the few tribes in the country yet to get recognition as
Dec
One of the men worked for Combs and alleged he was assaulted at a hotel. December 12, 2024, 1:21 PM Sean “Diddy” Combs is accused of sexually assaulting three men, including one of his former employees, who he allegedly plied with spiked alcoholic drinks, according to new civil lawsuits filed Thursday in New York. One of the men worked for the rap mogul and alleged his former boss raped him at a hotel. The lawsuits, filed by anonymous accusers, alleged a similar pattern of conduct by Combs. “It was a usual thing. Come for a meeting, have a drink, you get woozy, you wake up to Sean Combs raping you, you get ushered out the door. I was struck by the similarity,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Thomas Giuffra. “I was contacted
Brazilian president is doing well and should be discharged early next week, his medical team says. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has undergone a second surgical procedure after seeking treatment this week for an intracranial haemorrhage, his medical team said. Lula’s personal doctor, Roberto Kalil, said during a news conference on Thursday that the follow-up procedure to block blood flow to the affected area was a “success”. “The president is awake and speaking,” Kalil told reporters at the Hospital Sirio-Libanes in Sao Paulo where Lula, 79, is being treated. The president was transported to the hospital from the capital Brasilia earlier this week after he experienced headaches that his doctors linked to a recent fall. Lula, who was sworn in as president in early 2023, had curtailed travel
Dec
The Federal Government has acquired and deployed no fewer than 333 Truenat diagnostic machines, a cutting-edge molecular testing technology designed to enhance tuberculosis detection and treatment, as part of scaling up efforts in its fight against tuberculosis (TB). The deployment of the World Health Organisation (WHO)-endorsed device is expected to be a monumental transformative leap considering the remarkable results of the deployment of 39 devices in 2021. The initiative, funded by the Global Fund and implemented through the National TB Program (NTP), aims to expand access to care, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas. Within just nine months of introducing the initial 39 machines, the TB case detection rate surged significantly, with TB-positive cases rising from 1,633 (8% of 20,424 tested) to 3,338 (9% of 37,087 tested), an additional 1,704
Nov
It’s widely acknowledged that South Africa’s public healthcare system has too few healthcare workers, especially medical doctors, certain specialists, and theatre nurses. Less recognised, however, is the shortage of public sector pharmacists. Spotlight lifts the lid on this until now largely hidden problem – and its impact. There are too few public sector pharmacy posts across South Africa to deliver a comprehensive service, with no clear staffing norms, and an uneven distribution of pharmacists, especially in rural districts. This contributes in part to medicine stockouts and the emergence of deadly hospital-acquired drug-resistant infections. This is according to Dr Andy Gray, a senior lecturer in the Division of Pharmacology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Health Sciences and co-head of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and
Nov
Japanese porn stars are among more than 30 people arrested by Hong Kong and Singaporean police in a crackdown on an international prostitution ring that charged as much as HK$150,000 (US$19,270) for sex. Hong Kong police began investigating a locally controlled syndicate that ran social media platforms promoting Japanese sex workers, using adult film actresses as a selling point and arranging stays in city hotels, according to Chief Inspector Tang Hoi-tung from the organised crime and triad bureau. The syndicate ran provocative photos and covers of adult films to market their services, charging anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars, she said. Some of the actresses showed up at gatherings with local fans and charged up to HK$150,000 for sex, according to the force. After clients