Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
US Judge Rejects $2.36B Penalty Bid Against Google in Privacy Data Case 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Swimming in the sweet spot: how marine animals save energy on long journeys 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
LA fires: Fast wildfires are more destructive and harder to contain 
As the Black Summer megafires neared, people rallied to save wildlife and domestic animals. But it came at a real cost 
Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide 
Trump Lawsuit Against JPMorgan Signals Rising Tensions Between Wall Street and the White House 
Burkina Faso and Mali’s fabulous flora: new plant life record released 
Drug pollution in water is making salmon take more risks – new research 
Panama Supreme Court Voids Hong Kong Firm’s Panama Canal Port Contracts Over Constitutional Violations 
We combed through old botanical surveys to track how plants on Australia’s islands are changing 
Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
Supreme Court Tests Federal Reserve Independence Amid Trump’s Bid to Fire Lisa Cook 
California has two new laws that restrict claims of recyclability in food packaging.
Under a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 5, a state agency must conduct a study by Jan. 1, 2024, to determine what can be called “recyclable” in California.
Another law prohibits claims of being “compostable” if the packaging has chemicals that would contaminate the compost.
The laws address the biggest complaints of recyclers about consumer goods companies putting the recyclable logo or chasing-arrows logo on containers that could not or hardly be recyclable, such as polymer-based packages.
However, there is a concern that the standard will exclude too many forms of packaging.
Another bill signed into law by Newsom that has profound effects on food packaging is banning the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) because of their resistance to breakdown.
The chemicals, sometimes used as coatings for paper and paperboard packaging due to their resistance to moisture and grease, have been linked by studies to cancer and other maladies.
The chemicals have also been used in non-stick pans and children’s toys and furniture.
