Australia Bans Iconic Fish-Shaped Soy Sauce Packs to Tackle Plastic Pollution

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In a world-first environmental move, South Australia has enacted a ban on the beloved fish-shaped soy sauce dispensers—known as “shoyu-tai”—effective 1 September 2025. The state government, led by Environment Minister and Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close, cited the absurdity of a single-use item so small yet so damaging, used for mere seconds but lingering in […]

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You Won’t Believe Which Country Is Fueling Shark Product Trade in the Pacific

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The shark products, often carried in personal luggage or by post, were likely intended for personal consumption, resale, or as trophies. While most fin products seized in Australia originated from Asia, preserved shark specimens were more commonly linked to the United States. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, however, Australia was the most common source of both passenger and mail seizures — an unexpected finding given that seizures in Australia had declined over time, while New Zealand’s numbers rose.

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First Practical Sun-Powered Car Stella Wins World Solar Challenge 2013

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Stella, a solar-powered family car designed by students from the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in has won the World Solar Challenge 2013, ushering in a new era of efficient, practical cruisers that get all of their juice from the sun. It should inspire sun-lovers in the Middle East. Solar Team Eindhoven from the Netherlands spent over a […]

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Anti-Tobacco Images Fail to Sway Jordanian Smokers

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If new anti-smoking images slapped on Jordan’s smokes don’t help puffers kick the habit, maybe Jordan should look Down Under for greater motivation: Beginning this year, as part of Jordan’s obligations to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Ministry of Health asked cigarette companies to feature graphic anti-smoking images on cigarette […]

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Australia Kills Nearly 400 Camels From the Sky

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Camels are a nomad’s best friend but a serious nuisance in Australia, where the environmental ministry recently culled nearly 400 of them en masse. Despite efforts from locals to raise awareness of the numerous benefits of camels, the government has long waged a campaign against feral camels that roam the country’s desert region. The South […]

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