*By Justin Chermol*
Starbucks announced plans on Monday to elimate the use of plastic straws by 2020, making it the largest company yet to undertake the green initiative.
The coffee chain will transition to new lids which feature a raised lip to drink from, a design already being used for some of the company’s cold brew drinks. The new lids will begin rolling out this fall in Canada as well as in Starbucks’ home city of Seattle. For those customers who insist on straws, the company will offer eco-friendly versions made of paper or compostable plastic.
Starbucks stated this policy will cut the number of plastic straws used by one billion per year -- the proliferation of them has contributed to devastating ocean pollution and threatens marine life.
Local governments across the United States initially spearheaded the plastic-strawless movement. Just last week Seattle banned both plastic straws and utensils. Some of America’s largest cities like New York and San Francisco have proposed plans to remove plastic straws as well.
Depositors withdrew savings, and investors broadly sold off bank shares as the federal government raced to reassure Americans that the banking system is secure following two bank failures.
Pfizer has entered a $43 billion merger agreement with biotechnology firm Seagen in a deal designed to bolster the pharmaceutical giant's efforts to fight cancer
The second-largest stablecoin — a cryptocurrency that is pegged to a fiat currency — USCD depegged from the dollar, hitting an all-time low of around 88 cents over the weekend.
The Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said all depositors at the failed Silicon Valley Bank could access all their money quickly, even as another major bank was shut down.
The Treasury Secretary, who emphasized that the situation was much different from the financial crisis almost 15 years ago, said the government would help depositors who are concerned about their money.
