Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Wildfires ignite infection risks, by weakening the body’s immune defences and spreading bugs in smoke 
Drug pollution in water is making salmon take more risks – new research 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
As the Black Summer megafires neared, people rallied to save wildlife and domestic animals. But it came at a real cost 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Fungi are among the planet’s most important organisms — yet they continue to be overlooked in conservation strategies 
We combed through old botanical surveys to track how plants on Australia’s islands are changing 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
GesiaPlatform Launches Carbon-Neutral Lifestyle App ‘Net Zero Heroes’ 
The UK is surprisingly short of water – but more reservoirs aren’t the answer 
Japan will oblige businesses to reduce the distribution of 12 disposable plastic items beginning next April to promote recycling and tackle marine pollution.
The country enacted a law in June to reduce plastic waste at restaurants and retail stores.
Targeted plastic items include straws, spoons, forks, knives, combs, toothbrushes, shower caps, and clothes hangers.
Affected businesses also include hotels, laundries, and pizza delivery companies.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Environment Ministry will hear public opinion on the measure as bases for the ordinances they would draft this fall.
Business operators have several options, including charging for the items and switching to recyclable products.
Operators are required to adopt new practices such as introducing reusable products, making it standard practice to ask customers whether they need plastic items, and giving points to customers who decline to take the items.
|The government would ask businesses that fail to meet the new requirement to improve their practices.
