Vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes for those trying to quit - but it's not necessarily safe itself. Here are ten potential health risks associated with the devices used by 4.5m Britons.

The Reds and Scotland legend Hansen was hospitalised last week, prompting a number of supportive messages from club and country

The roles of the EU institutions in negotiating and concluding international agreements, and the procedural steps, are set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The European Parliament's role corresponds to its law-making competences under the Treaties. If an international agreement falls exclusively within common and foreign security policy (CFSP), Parliament has no active role, but must still be informed at all stages by the Council, the European Commission or the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. If an international agreement does not fall exclusively within the CFSP, Parliament's specific powers depend on whether the agreement's substantive legal basis corresponds to an area of competence covered by the ordinary legislative procedure or special legislative procedure (SLP) with consent; if so, Parliament has the power to give or refuse consent to the conclusion of the agreement. If the agreement falls within the scope of an SLP where Parliament does not need to give consent, its role is limited to giving an opinion. Parliament is also entitled to call on the Court of Justice to verify ex ante whether an envisaged agreement is compatible with the EU Treaties. The 2010 framework agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission was a key step in developing Parliament's role in the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements. The agreement provides for Parliament to be informed from an early stage of negotiations on an international agreement, and for Members of Parliament to participate as observers in negotiations. The Commission undertook to keep Parliament informed on the entire negotiation process, with particular emphasis on agreements that fall within Parliament's power of consent. Parliament's Rules of Procedure lay down detailed procedural arrangements for the exercise of Parliament's competences in concluding international agreements, in particular for verification of the legal basis of an envisaged agreement that impacts Parliament's powers. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

At the constituent plenary sitting of the new parliamentary term (16-19 July 2024), the European Parliament will elect its 32nd President, to hold office for the first half of the 10th parliamentary term, until January 2026. The President has an important and increasingly visible function in the EU institutional and international setting, mirroring Parliament's influential role as shaper of EU policies and as co-legislator. This further updates an 'at a glance' note of January 2022. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says Moscow will at some point demand compensation from the West for sanctions-related damage Read Full Article at RT.com

At least nine people have died following a train crash in India’s West Bengal state on Monday Read Full Article at RT.com

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed Kiev’s claim that Russia will attend the next ‘peace summit’ to sign a truce Read Full Article at RT.com

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s party is predicted to suffer its worst defeat in more than a century Read Full Article at RT.com

An ammo explosion at a military area in the Czech Republic has left one dead and eight injured, army officials say Read Full Article at RT.com

[ISS] With all eyes on pirates and politics in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, who is keeping an eye on Africa's South Atlantic?

Four people travelling on two motorcycles with no registration plates died in a three-vehicle crash in Westmoreland yesterday. Their identities have not yet been ascertained. One hundred and ninety people have died in motor vehicle crashes since...

The Government has exceeded its target for registrants of the Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, which is being held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James. Minister of Foreign and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, has indicated...

“It took courage and unwavering faith in the prospects of the Icelandic nation to fight for the sovereignty and the establishment of a republic.”

La situation que nous décrivons tous depuis quelques jours au sujet de la dette du Gabon et de son impact sur le pays est complexe et mérite une analyse approfondie. En effet, une dette publique élevée peut avoir des conséquences importantes sur l'économie d'un pays, surtout si elle n'est pas gérée de manière adéquate. Il est vrai que le changement de pouvoir au Gabon, avec l'avènement du CTRI, peut avoir un impact sur la gestion de la dette et sur les politiques économiques du pays. (...) - LIBRE PROPOS / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Dans un geste de solidarité exemplaire, l'Association Ossimane a récemment apporté un soutien considérable à l'Association L'Tass lors de leur sortie officielle le week end dernier à Mouila, capitale provinciale de la Ngounié. Cette collaboration entre les deux entités a eu un impact significatif sur la communauté locale, démontrant ainsi la puissance de l'entraide et de la coopération dans le domaine associatif . L'Association Ossimane, reconnue pour son engagement aux cotés des (...) - POLITIQUE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Nombreux sont ceux qui avaient souhaité que le pays soit épargné d'une situation post électorale brutale comme celle de 2016 quand le QG de Jean Ping, alors véritable vainqueur de la présidentielle, avait été pris d'assaut dans la nuit par la Garde Républicaine menée par Ali Bongo, le président déchu. N'en déplaise aux laudateurs invétérés du putsch du 30 août 2023, une grande majorité des Gabonais auraient sans doute oublié le rôle joué par cette Garde Républicaine dans les tueries (...) - LIBRE PROPOS / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

A new year, a new list, and yet Mumbai remains at the top spot as the most expensive city in India for expats. In a recent survey published by consultancy firm Mercer, Mumbai has in fact climbed up 11 spots to be ranked 136th globally. Delhi also featured in the top 200 and climbed up 4 spots from last year to 164th place.

The Congress demands suspension of all clearances for the «Mega Infra Project» in Great Nicobar, citing severe threats to tribal communities and ecological damage. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticizes the project's forest land diversion and its environmental impact, highlighting risks in an earthquake-prone area post-tsunami. Allegations include inadequate consultation with tribal councils and legal bodies, underscoring violations of constitutional and environmental norms, amid global expert warnings.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says work is progressing simultaneously on five issues identified in the city's feeder main last week and residents are being asked for continued patience with water conservation measures.

MINA: Hajj pilgrims began the ritual stoning of the devil, throwing pebbles at the Jamarat, three stone pillars, on the first day of Tashreeq, which also coincides with the second day of Eid Al-Adha. The ritual stoning began with Jamarat Al-Oula (the small pillar), continuing with Jamarat Al-Wusta (the middle pillar) and finally Jamarat Al-Aqaba (the large pillar), following in the Prophet Muhammad’s footsteps, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

MAKKAH: The Saudi Health Ministry reported record high temperatures at holy sites during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. Temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius in the shade at the central area of the Grand Mosque, the ministry said, with Arafat reaching 48 degrees Celsius and Mina and Muzdalifah 46 degrees Celsius. In response to the extreme heat, the ministry urged pilgrims to minimize sun exposure to avoid heat-related illnesses. The ministry recommended staying hydrated and staying in shaded areas whenever possible.

MINA: Saudi authorities are carrying out helicopter surveillance flights around the clock to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during Hajj. Under the Hajj Security Forces, the Security Aviation Command, operating under the Presidency of State Security, in collaboration with the Royal Saudi Air Force, this Hajj season is witnessing the deployment of advanced aircraft to oversee the movements of pilgrims in Makkah and its surrounding holy sites.

RIYADH: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi left Jeddah on Monday after performing Hajj, Saudi Press Agency reported. El-Sisi arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday and prayed in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before performing his Hajj rituals. 

Israeli security forces recently arrested a resident of the country’s north on suspicion of preparing to join ISIS in Somalia, the Israel Police revealed on Monday.

Hundreds gathered at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey on Sunday to mark a solemn anniversary: one year since the temple’s president was killed.

Canada's Transportation Safety Board is investigating after a float plane crash in northwestern Ontario sent five people to hospital.

Marine Le Pen also said the association had turned toxic and pointed to the need to reform the EU to give member states more powers

According to the press service, the talks are expected to focus on developing relations between Moscow and Hanoi

Earlier, the China Coast Guard reported that a Philippine supply vessel had collided with one of its boats in waters near the disputed Ren’ai (Ayungin) reef in the South China Sea

Bilateral exchanges between Russia and North Korea have intensified since the second half of 2023

The Gaza health ministry said earlier that the overall death toll among Palestinians has climbed up to 37,347, with 85,372 more people being wounded