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Hong Kong has passed new legislation to restrict smoking and vaping, including bans on flavoured cigarettes and public use of alternative products. The measures aim to reduce youth smoking rates while balancing adult cessation needs. Enforcement begins early next year, with phased restrictions on menthol and other flavoured products.
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Russia's Sport Ministry has awarded a contract to develop an app that assesses students' adherence to traditional values, including patriotism and ethics. The initiative aligns with Kremlin efforts to promote 'traditional values' and raises concerns about ideological monitoring in education.
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Recent studies reveal a rogue planet, Cha 1107-7626, accreting gas and dust at an unprecedented rate, blurring lines between stars and planets. Meanwhile, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, larger than previously thought, passed near Mars and is being closely observed. Finnish scientists also captured the first image of two black holes orbiting each other, confirming their binary nature.
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Multiple lawsuits and investigations target Drax power station over health concerns linked to biomass fuel, with workers and communities alleging inadequate safety protections and regulatory enforcement. The story highlights ongoing debates over biomass safety, environmental impact, and government oversight, amid rising legal and public scrutiny.
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Recent reports highlight that global climate efforts are falling behind, with adaptation funding slowing and overshoot becoming inevitable. Experts warn of catastrophic impacts if emissions are not drastically reduced, emphasizing the urgency of immediate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
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On December 11, 2025, scientists warn that a fault line beneath the Sea of Marmara is moving eastward, increasing the risk of a major earthquake near Istanbul. Meanwhile, a false 5.9-magnitude quake alert was mistakenly issued in Nevada on December 4, causing widespread confusion but no shaking. Recent quakes also shook northwest England and Alaska without major damage.