India on Wednesday banned sale, production, import and distribution of electronic cigarettes.
Making the announcement on Wednesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted how e-cigarettes are being used as a "style statement".
The ban was necessary to ensure e-cigarettes don't become an "epidemic" among children and young adults, she added.
Health officials have proposed jail terms of up to three years, with a penalty of up to ₹5 lakh (around AED 25,700), for repeat offenders.
Kuwait oil facility damaged in Iranian attacks, state media says
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said one of its oil facilities was hit on Saturday by "repeated Iranian attacks", resulting in significant material damage and some injuries, according to Kuwait’s state news agency.
India's Skyroot launches Vikram-1 in first private orbital rocket mission
Indian space startup Skyroot Aerospace on Saturday launched the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, a key test of national efforts to compete for a bigger share of the global commercial launch market.
US and Iran target infrastructure as strait shipping comes under further attack
Gulf states came under fresh attacks from Iran on Saturday after a seventh straight night of US strikes targeting Iranian military sites including logistics facilities, escalating the war one week after a ceasefire fell apart.
Strong quake hits Mexican coast near Guatemala, triggers tsunami threat
A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the coast of Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning and shaking buildings in neighboring Guatemala and El Salvador.
Flash flood kills 4, leaves 4 others missing in Vietnam
At least four people were killed and four others were missing after a flash flood swept through a mountainous village in Vietnam’s northern province of Lai Chau, state media reported on Saturday.
