Yes, more fires are burning in sub-Saharan Africa than in Brazil. But context is important - CNN

If you look at the data from NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management Map (FIRMS), which show a large swatch of fire across Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The alarming area of these fires has left some people wondering why so much attention is being paid to the Amazon, while on the surface it appears Africa is alight with even more blazes. Even French President Emmanuel Macron, who has led the charge for international relief and solutions for the Amazon wildfire and has pledged aid from France, said on Twitter that he would consider starting a similar initiative for sub-Saharan Africa.

However, there are several things to consider when comparing the two situations.

More fires don't mean more dire

Chiefly, the idea of "more" fires doesn't necessarily translate into a more dire situation.

Satellite data like that from FIRMS doesn't give the cause or type of fire, which means things like controlled burns or brush fires appear the same to the eye as forest fires. Correspondents at CNN's bureau in Lagos, Nigeria, have been told many of the fires in central Africa around Angola and the Congo are the result of controlled fires by farmers, and preliminary data shows the number or acreage of the fires may actually be a bit below normal levels.

Many of them are controlled fires

An image NASA released of the agricultural fires in Angola and West Africa in 2015 seemed, at first glance, alarming: Thousands of red dots were spread across the continent, a situation that looked like an emergency. However, NASA concluded "the location, widespread nature, and number of fires suggest that these fires were deliberately set to manage land."

Fires like this can actually help the immediate areas around them, as they increase soil quality and clear out areas for new crops to grow. However, NASA points out, they aren't without their risks.

"While fire helps enhance crops and grasses for pasture, the fires also produce smoke that degrades air quality," the report says.

The situation in the Amazon is different

The fires there are resulting in deforestation, a completely different kind of destruction. Plus, while fires that endanger lives or the environment are always something to be concerned about, there's a reason fires in the Amazon are of particular concern: The Amazon is home to 10% of the world's plants and animals, and estimates show that nearly 20% of the oxygen produced by the Earth's land comes from the region's rain forests. That's why you've often heard the Amazon referred to as the "world's lungs." If the rainforest is severely damaged, scientists worry that it could hasten the effects of climate change.

CNN's Bethlehem Feleke contributed to this report.

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2019-08-27 18:26:00Z
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Amazon fires: Brazil to reject G7 aid after Bolsonaro rages at ‘colonialist’ leaders - The Independent

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1. Amazon fires: Brazil to reject G7 aid after Bolsonaro rages at ‘colonialist’ leaders  The Independent
2. Flying above the Amazon fires: 'All you can see is death'  CNN
3. Why Everything They Say About The Amazon, Including That It's The 'Lungs Of The World,' Is Wrong  Forbes
4. The Amazon Is Still Burning. Here’s How You Can Save It.  The New York Times
5. The Amazon is on fire — indigenous rights can help put it out  The Boston Globe
6. View full coverage on Google News

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/brazil-amazon-fires-g7-aid-offer-bolsonaro-macron-summit-a9079831.html

2019-08-27 07:16:00Z
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Trump willing to work with Iran on nuclear deal: 'I have very good feelings about it' - Fox News

President Trump on Monday addressed tensions over Iran's nuclear program as he expressed optimism about the potential to reach a new deal with the Islamic nation while insisting he does not want to go to war.

IRAN SAYS OIL ABOARD TANKER PURSUED BY US SOLD TO MYSTERY BUYER

"I have very good feelings about it," Trump said in France during a joint press conference with French President Emanuel Macron.

Trump pulled the United States out of an international nuclear deal, the JCPOA, saying it did not do enough to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

"I have to say that the JCPOA was a bad deal, should not have been entered into," Trump said, citing what he believes to be insufficient inspection capabilities and the deal's lack of coverage of ballistic missiles.

Since exiting the JCPOA, Trump has imposed sanctions that have severely damaged the Iranian economy - something the president has argued will ultimately lead to a better agreement.

“Iran is a country that is not the same country it was,” Trump said, pointing to the economic effects of U.S. sanctions.

In recent months, Iran has responded to the sanctions with aggression, including shooting down an American drone and attacking oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Iran also claimed that they were enriching uranium at levels that exceeded caps set by the JCPOA.

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Macron announced Monday that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Trump are both willing to have a meeting, and that “France will play a role.”

Trump said talks could begin within weeks.

“I think Iran wants to have this situation straightened out,” Trump said. He said that if Iran needs economic incentives, the U.S. and other countries could extend a letter of credit to be secured by oil, but he would not give them money.

Trump said that Iran's current economic woes lead him to believe that Iran is ready to make a deal, which would have to cover ballistic missiles and make sure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.

The president also reiterated his claim that he does not want to go to war with Iran, and that he plans on working with their current leadership despite recent acts of aggression.

"I think that Iran is a country of tremendous potential," Trump said. "We’re not looking for leadership change … that doesn’t work."

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2019-08-26 16:33:05Z
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Pressure, prayers and protests: Amazon fires push Brazil to the forefront of international conversations - USA TODAY

Jorge L. Ortiz USA TODAY

Published 7:22 PM EDT Aug 25, 2019

Amid an international outcry and protests at home over the proliferation of fires in the Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian government has sent 44,000 troops to combat the environmentally damaging blazes.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose pro-development policies have been blamed for the increased illegal clearing and burning of the forest, authorized the troop deployment as global anxiety escalated.

Pope Francis expressed his concern Sunday while addressing the crowd at St. Peter’s Square, warning that the green “lung of forest is vital for our planet’’ and adding, “let us pray so that, with the efforts of all, (the fires) are controlled as quickly as possible.’’

At the meeting of the Group of Seven leaders in Biarritz, France, French President Emmanuel Macron said they are closing in on an agreement to help Brazil put out the fires and repair the damage. Earlier in the summit, he had declared the widespread blazes a global emergency and threatened punitive measures.

The Amazon stretches for more than 2 million square miles – about 2/3 the area of the continental U.S. – across several South American countries, with about 60% of it located in Brazil. The vast rainforest is believed to produce 20% of the world’s oxygen and represents a major factor in the fight against climate change.

#prayforamazonia: Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, more stars send prayers, call for action in Amazon fires

But deforestation has long been an issue, with farmers and ranchers clearing trees to use the land for cattle pasture or agriculture, especially growing soybeans. Brazil’s National Institute of Space Research, known as INPE, reported that last year’s rate of deforestation was the highest in a decade.

Setting fires is a quick and commonly used way to clear the trees, even though it’s illegal. According to INPE’s figures, there have been more than 74,000 fires in Brazil this year, an increase of 85% compared to the same period in 2018, and around 40,000 of them have taken place in the Amazon. August alone accounts for 25,000.

Critics like Nigel Sizer, chief program officer of Rainforest Alliance, have pointed the finger directly at Bolsonaro, saying the government not only fails to enforce the law but encourages the burns.

The far-right president responded by suggesting, without evidence, that nongovernmental organizations were responsible for the blazes, supposedly igniting them to embarrass his government.

He also said in a news conference the fires were merely part of the farmers’ traditional habit of clearing brush at this time of year, a practice known as queimada.

“I used to be called Captain Chainsaw,’’ said Bolsonaro, who took office in January with a mandate to boost the economy as Brazil teetered on the brink of a recession. “Now I am Nero, setting the Amazon aflame. But it is the season of the queimada.’’

Explanation: Why is the Amazon rainforest on fire?

Unconvinced, thousands of Brazilians have taken to the streets in protests throughout the country, demanding an end to the environmental disaster.

Brazil’s federal police agency announced Sunday it would investigate reports that farmers in the state of Para, one of those most affected by the blazes, had called for “a day of fire” on Aug. 10. Local news media said the group organized to show support for Bolsonaro’s efforts to loosen environmental regulations.

Justice Minister Sergio Moro, who oversees the police, said on Twitter that Bolsonaro “asked for a rigorous investigation” and said, “the criminal fires will be severely punished.”

Contributing: The Associated Press

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2019-08-25 23:22:00Z
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Live ammunition, petrol bombs and water cannons mark violent escalation in Hong Kong protests - CNN

Four police officers were filmed drawing their guns after demonstrators were seen chasing them with metal pipes, according to CNN affiliate iCable.

The iCable footage shows the policemen drawing their guns and pointing them towards people ahead. It is unclear whether the targeted people were protesters or members of the press.

The violence escalated late on Sunday evening, when a smaller group of protesters broke away from the day's main march and proceeded onto an extended march that had not been approved. They used traffic cones and street railings to build makeshift barricades in the street, and threw bricks and petrol bombs into police ranks.

Police deployed tear gas into the group but failed to disperse them, and later used a water cannon against a makeshift barricade. This is the first time water cannons have been used in a protest in the past three months, a Hong Kong police spokesperson told CNN.

Earlier on Sunday, the pro-democracy protests had been largely peaceful, with thousands of protesters marching from Kwai Chung to Tseun Wan district, in the city's New Territories. They showed up despite an ongoing thunderstorm, dressed in plastic ponchos and rain coats, huddled under a sea of umbrellas. According to organizers on the messaging platform Telegram, the march was intended to reiterate protesters' core demands, as well as express opposition to alleged police brutality.

Violence had previously broken out Saturday, after thousands in the city's east Kwun Tong district marched for the movement's five demands, and against the government's installation of "smart" environmental monitoring lampposts, which have sparked privacy concerns.

This 12th weekend of consecutive protests marked the end to a brief calm that had settled over the city. After tear gas was fired nearly every weekend in July, last weekend saw a peaceful march -- the first time in weeks with no tear gas. The calm continued through the week, with protesters peacefully creating a human chain across the city on Friday -- the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way human chain.

Saturday was the first time in 10 days that tear gas had been fired.

However, senior police officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said this week that officers had been targeted and exposed online even while there was temporary peace on the streets. The police said officers' personal data, contact information, home addresses, and more had been shared online, and accused protesters of threatening officers' families.

They called the doxxing tactic "a kind of psychological war," and said they had arrested 16 people on suspicion of disclosing personal data without consent and causing harm, and unauthorized access to a computer.

Many in the city are sympathetic to the Hong Kong police and government, and some police supporters held their own rally on Sunday, calling for a communication platform between the police and the public "to mend the broken relationship," and asking the police to act "with malice or ill-will toward none," according to a Facebook post by organizers.

This escalating violence had peaked in July, with numerous face-offs between protesters and police, and scores of injuries. The nonstop protests have taken a toll on everyone involved -- on Saturday, Lam had posted a lengthy statement on Facebook appealing for peace and dialogue.

"After more than two months, everyone is tired. Can we sit down and talk about it?" she said, acknowledging that there were deeper societal problems beyond the immediate violence that needed to be addressed.

Hong Kong has been protesting now for almost three months. It all began in June, sparked by a controversial bill that would have allowed extradition to mainland China. Although the bill has since been suspended, protesters' demands have evolved and expanded. Their demands include Lam's resignation, the full withdrawal of the bill, and universal suffrage.

Lam has condemned violence and pledged greater communication with the public, but many feel that's not enough, and several protesters tell CNN they will continue demonstrating until Lam responds to their demands.

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2019-08-25 14:56:00Z
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White House: Trump's 'second thoughts' on China trade war 'greatly misinterpreted' - Fox News

President Trump told reporters Sunday that he has had “second thoughts” about his escalating trade war with China, but the White House insists that this should not be viewed as misgivings over imposing tariffs.

During a working breakfast with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Trump was asked if he had any regrets about recent developments.

TRUMP MEETS WITH BRITAIN'S BORIS JOHNSON, PROMISES 'VERY BIG TRADE DEAL' BETWEEN US, UK AFTER BREXIT

“Yeah, sure, why not,” Trump admitted, but quickly added that he has “second thoughts about everything.” He also noted that “we’re getting along well right now with China.”

These statements come days after the U.S. and China hit each other with tariffs and Trump threatened to declare a national emergency that would result in American businesses freezing their relationships with China. Sunday morning, Trump said he has “no plans right now” to go through with this, but noted that a trade deficit with China and Chinese theft of American intellectual property were enough to justify an emergency.

White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham insisted that Trump's "second thoughts" should not be read as regret for his tough stance -- she, in fact, claimed it was the opposite.

"His answer as been greatly misinterpreted. President Trump responded in the affirmative -- because he regrets not raising the tariffs higher," she said in a statement.

Johnson, meanwhile, expressed his opposition to Trump’s recent tactics.

“Just to register a faint sheep-like note of our view on the trade war,” he told Trump, “We’re in favor of trade peace.”

The two leaders are in France for the Group of Seven summit, during which the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan were set to discuss foreign policy and security during their first meeting.

According to the White House, Trump added economic matters to the agenda as well, which could include talks of the tensions that arose Saturday when Trump threatened tariffs on French wine imports, and the European Union threatened action in response. Trump is also scheduled to lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron, where the two leaders are likely to discuss the matter.

TRUMP TALKS UP ‘SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP’ WITH MACRON, HOURS AFTER THREAT TO SLAP TARIFFS ON FRENCH WINE

Prior to Sunday morning’s breakfast, Trump denied reports that he faced tensions with the other G-7 nations, and blamed the media for wanting to cause a recession to hurt his chances at reelection.

“Before I arrived in France, the Fake and Disgusting News was saying that relations with the 6 other countries in the G-7 are very tense, and that the two days of meetings will be a disaster,” Trump tweeted. “Just like they are trying to force a Recession, they are trying to ‘will’ America into bad Economic time, the worse the better, anything to make my Election more difficult to win.”

Trump added that “we are having very good meetings, the Leaders are getting along very well and our Country, economically, is doing great --  the talk of the world!”

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To that end, Trump announced Sunday that the U.S. and Britain will work out a “very big trade deal” once the U.K. has left the European Union.

Trump also praised Johnson, who recently took office as prime minister, on Brexit, calling him "the right man for the job."

The president appeared to slight former Prime Minister Theresa May – who he had frequently criticized – by adding that Johnson is “a new person.”

Sunday's meeting was their first since Johnson succeeded May as prime minister in July.

Fox News' Brie Stimson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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2019-08-25 12:11:06Z
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Brazil dispatches troops, military aircraft to battle Amazon forest fires - Fox News

The Brazilian military is deploying troops to the Amazon to fight the massive wildfires that have swept the region and sparked an international outcry.

Brazil's defense minister has said that some 44,000 troops will be available for "unprecedented" operations to put out the fires, and forces are heading to six Brazilian states that asked for federal help. The states are Roraima, Rondonia, Tocantins, Para, Acre and Mato Grosso.

"The protection of the forest is our duty," Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro said in a televised address Friday. "We are aware of that and will act to combat deforestation and criminal activities that put people at risk in the Amazon. We are a government of zero tolerance for crime, and in the environmental field it will not be different."

Fire consumes an area near Jaci Parana, state of Rondonia, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Brazil says military aircraft and 44,000 troops will be available to fight fires sweeping through parts of the Amazon region. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

The military's first mission will be carried out by 700 troops around Porto Velho, capital of Rondonia, Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo said. The military will use two C-130 Hercules aircraft capable of dumping up to 12,000 liters (3,170 gallons) of water on fires, he said.

TRUMP SAYS US 'READY TO ASSIST' AS BRAZIL BATTLES SWEEPING AMAZON FIRES

“It shows the concern of Bolsonaro’s government about this issue,” Azevedo said. “It was a very fast response.”

An Associated Press journalist flying over the Porto Velho region Saturday morning reported hazy conditions and low visibility. On Friday, the reporter saw many already deforested areas that were burned, apparently by people clearing farmland, as well as a large column of smoke billowing from one fire.

This satellite image provided by NASA shows the fires in Brazil on Aug. 20, 2019. As fires raged in the Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian government on Thursday denounced international critics who say President Jair Bolsonaro is not doing. (NASA via AP)

The municipality of Nova Santa Helena in Brazil's Mato Grosso state was also hard-hit. Trucks were seen driving along a highway Friday as fires blazed and embers smoldered in adjacent fields.

Azevedo noted a tweet from President Trump in which the American leader where he offered to help Brazil fight the fires but added that Brazilia and Washington had no further communication on the subject.

AMAZON WILDFIRE FIGHT GETS HELP FROM US PLANE

Even so, the U.S. has already started to help fight the massive wildfires. A Boeing 747-400 Global SuperTanker firefighting plane carrying nearly 20,000 of retardant, a substance used to stop fires, arrived at the Bolivia-Brazil border from California Friday.

Bolsonaro has previously described rainforest protections as an obstacle to Brazil’s economic development, sparring with critics who say the Amazon absorbs vast amounts of greenhouse gasses and is crucial for efforts to contain climate change.

AMAZON FIRES TURN POLITICAL AS BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT CALLS OUT FRANCE'S MACRON

The Amazon fires have become a global issue, escalating tensions between Brazil and European countries who believe Bolsonaro has neglected commitments to protect biodiversity. Protesters gathered outside Brazilian diplomatic missions in European and Latin American cities Friday, and demonstrators also marched in Brazil.

Charcoal-making furnaces and wooden planks are seen from the air, in the city of Jaci Parana, Rondonia state on Saturday. The defense and environment ministers have outlined plans to battle the blazes that have prompted an international outcry as well as demonstrations in Brazil against President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the environmental crisis. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

The dispute spilled into the economic arena when French President Emmanuel Macron threatened to block a European Union trade deal with Brazil and several other South American countries. He wants Group of Seven leaders meeting at a summit in France this weekend to discuss the Amazon crisis.

“First we need to help Brazil and other countries put out these fires,” Macron said Saturday.

FRANCE THREATENS BRAZIL ON TRADE DEAL, ESCALATING TENSIONS OVER AMAZON FIRES

The goal is to “preserve this forest that we all need because it is a treasure of our biodiversity and our climate thanks to the oxygen that it emits and thanks to the carbon it absorbs,” he said.

A fire burns a field on a farm in the Nova Santa Helena municipality, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil on Friday. Under increasing international pressure to contain fires sweeping parts of the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday authorized use of the military to battle the massive blazes. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Bolivia has also struggled to contain fires that swept through woods and fields. The government of Bolivian President Evo Morales has backed the increased cultivation of crops for biofuel production, raising questions about whether the policy opened the way to increased burning. The Bolivian government says 3,680 square miles have been burned this year.

On Saturday, several helicopters along with police, military troops, firefighters and volunteers on the ground worked to extinguish fires in Bolivia's Chiquitanía region, where the woods are dry at this time of year.

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Similarly, Bolsonaro had said he wants to convert land for cattle pastures and soybean farms. Brazilian prosecutors are investigating whether lax enforcement of environmental regulations may have contributed to the surge in the number of fires.

Fires are common in Brazil in the annual dry season, but they are much more widespread this year. Brazilian state experts reported nearly 77,000 wildfires across the country so far this year, up 85% over the same period in 2018. More than half of those fires occurred in the Amazon region.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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2019-08-24 22:15:34Z
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