Mexico City bans disposable plastics

Mexico City's legislature voted Thursday (May 9) to ban businesses from buying, selling or giving their customers disposable plastics, a major shift for a sprawling capital that is awash in them.

May 10, 2019 | 14:52

Plastic straws. (Photo: AFP)

The ban, set to come into force in December 2020 or January 2021, includes such articles as non-biodegradable plastic bags, straws, cutlery, cups and coffee capsules, the legislature said in a statement, calling them a "serious environmental problem".

It puts the city of nine million people at the forefront of global efforts to protect the environment and curb the amount of plastic that ends up in the Earth's oceans - eight million tonnes a year.

Legislators said they would now open debate on a spending package to help companies shift their production and use of plastics toward biodegradable materials.

VNF/AFP

On March 30, US President Donald Trump announced that the reciprocal tariffs expected to be unveiled this week would apply to all countries, not just a small group of 10 to 15 nations with the largest trade deficits with the US. This statement marks a shift in his approach to import tariffs, as just a few days earlier, he had left open the possibility of narrowing the plan's scope.

April 01, 2025 | 13:54

World

Negotiation Over Confrontation: Countries Taking Cautious Approach to US Tariffs

While the EU and Canada have responded strongly to the US tariff measures, some countries like the UK, Mexico, Australia, and others have opted for a more cautious path: negotiation instead of confrontation. This strategy helps them avoid escalating trade tensions but also entails risks when dealing with a US administration ready to use tariffs as a negotiation tool.

March 31, 2025 | 07:26

World

International Community Extends Support to Myanmar and Thailand Over Earthquake

Following the severe earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, numerous countries have extended condolences and expressed their willingness to assist in recovery efforts.

March 30, 2025 | 10:06