Waste & Fire Risk: UK waste firms warn that improperly tossed disposable vapes—often packed with lithium-ion batteries—are linked to hundreds of fires in garbage trucks and processing sites, pushing calls for a simple deposit-and-return system. Coastal Pollution: Mumbai’s Juhu Beach was hit again by plastic and sewage after a high tide, underscoring how weak waste management is turning into a recurring marine threat. Water Security & Sanitation: Malaysia’s IWK is partnering with hotels in Langkawi to improve fats, oils and grease handling and sewage management, after compliance with septic tank emptying sits below 15%. Renewables on the Ground: In Rochester, Massachusetts, officials approved a large High Street Solar project with work near wetland buffers, while a separate “solar panels for campers” library program shows how communities are normalizing clean power. Climate, Health & Risk: A report on carbon storage in Indiana highlights growing local backlash over “carbon burial” projects, as residents fear impacts on their communities. Ocean Conservation: South Africa’s Ballito Pro launches “Stop the Strangle” to tackle ghost gear and protect marine life.