U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Iran Reviews U.S. Ceasefire Proposal 
Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide 
How America courted increasingly destructive wildfires − and what that means for protecting homes today 
How to create a thriving forest, not box-checking ‘tree cover’ 
Booked to travel through the Middle East? Here’s why you shouldn’t cancel your flight 
SpaceX IPO Filing Expected This Week as Valuation Could Surpass $75 Billion 
ECB Eyes Rate Hike Amid Iran Conflict-Driven Energy Price Surge 
Time to buy local: war fuel price shocks reveal the folly of a long food supply chain 
Golden Dome Missile Defense: Anduril and Palantir Join Forces on Trump's $185B Space Shield 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Dollar Stays Firm Amid Middle East Uncertainty 
How the war in Iran is already affecting UK farmers and food production 
Burkina Faso and Mali’s fabulous flora: new plant life record released 
Columbia Student Mahmoud Khalil Fights Arrest as Deportation Case Moves to New Jersey 
Bank of Japan Faces Rate Uncertainty Amid Middle East Oil Shock 
6 simple questions to tell if a ‘finfluencer’ is more flash than cash 
McDonald's has launched a nationwide initiative to use paper straws and wooden spoons, forks, knives, and muddlers at its branches in Japan.
The move is part of McDonald's global commitment to change all customer packaging to renewable, recycled, or certified materials by the end of 2025.
McDonald's Japan has been working on plastic-free straws and other products while also taking a taste, security, and usability into account.
Before their widespread adoption, paper straws and wooden spoons, forks, knives, and muddlers manufactured from FSC®-certified paper and wood and that are environmentally friendly have already been made available in all stores in the prefectures of Kanagawa and Kyoto.
The firm predicts that by moving to paper straws and wooden spoons, forks, knives, and muddlers at about 2,900 locations countrywide, it will reduce the usage of plastic by 900 tons annually.
As it works to promote a sustainable society and pursues its aim to give "great meals and smiles to everyone in the community," McDonald's Japan intends to keep listening to customer feedback and actively developing environmentally friendly utensils and packaging.
Some items will still be in plastic, including straws for kids, straws for McShake, spoons for specific products, and straws attached to milk cartons.
