Microplastics & Health: A study presented at the European Respiratory Society found microplastics in 66% of lung cancer patients’ lung fluid samples vs 46% in non-cancer patients, with higher particle loads in cancer cases—though researchers say it’s still unclear whether plastics cause cancer or diseased lungs retain more. Waste & Community Pressure: Environmental Justice Evanston residents are challenging Evanston’s solid waste transfer station over noise, early-morning truck idling, smells, and neighborhood impacts. Ukraine-Russia Fuel Crunch: Trump urged Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure, arguing the campaign is worsening fuel shortages; meanwhile drones hit Russian refineries and petrochemical areas, including reports around Nizhnekamsk and Slavyansk-on-Kuban. Petrochem Emissions Focus: New global mapping of 37,000 petrochemical facilities shows emissions are highly concentrated: 10% of sites account for 53% of the sector’s total. Plastic-to-Fuel Research: Oak Ridge researchers report converting polyethylene waste into gasoline- and diesel-like fuels using heated salts at under 200°C, without precious-metal catalysts. PFAS Accountability: North Carolina announced a historic nearly $600M PFAS settlement involving DuPont and Chemours, adding to ongoing cleanup and litigation. Industrial Deals: Da Nang and a Japanese partner signed an MoU to boost materials development and recycling research, including sustainable building materials. Corporate Orders: Patels Airtemp won a $23.66M order for air-cooled heat exchangers from Dangote Refinery in Nigeria. Regulatory/Market Moves: Taiwan’s CPC raised domestic gasoline and diesel prices after crude topped $100/bbl. Safety & Compliance: Dutchess County signed a law restricting synthetic 7-OH kratom products, citing opioid-like risks and unclear labeling.