Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's son and hopeful ambassador to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-ready-to-fight-amazon-fires-only-in-cooperation-with-brazil-246347">United States </a>is set to travel to Washington Friday to thank Donald Trump for his support during the crisis surrounding the fires in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-burning-ban-takes-effect-as-amazon-fires-rage-246490">Amazon rainforest</a>.

"Our minister Ernesto Araujo and Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro will be received this Friday by President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington," the Brazilian leader tweeted late Thursday.&nbsp;

"Brazil and the United States have never been so aligned," he added. "Coordination with the US president was essential for defending Brazil's sovereignty during the G7 summit."

At the end of a recent meeting between the leaders of the world's seven most powerful economies, French President Emmanuel Macron floated the possibility of sending aid to help control the proliferation of fires burning in the Amazon.&nbsp;

The rainforest, which is the world's largest and crucial to a stable global climate, is mostly located in Brazil.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro and Macron have locked horns several times over the issue, while Trump tweeted his "full and complete support" for the Brazilian president.

Eduardo Bolsonaro confirmed Thursday that he would be accompanying Foreign Minister Araujo to give his "thanks" to Trump.

"The influence of the US within the G7 is essential," Eduardo, who currently heads the foreign affairs committee in the Chamber of Deputies, said according to the newspaper O Globo.&nbsp;

Jair Bolsonaro has said he is considering appointing his son to be Brazil's ambassador to the US and that Washington has already endorsed the idea, but he would still need to be officially nominated and then approved by the Senate.

Trump -- who counts his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner among his most senior advisors -- effusively praised the idea last month, saying he thought it would be "a great appointment," and that: "I don't think it's nepotism."

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's son and hopeful ambassador to the United States is set to travel to Washington Friday to thank Donald Trump for his support during the crisis surrounding the fires in the Amazon rainforest.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's son and hopeful ambassador to the United States is set to travel to Washington Friday to thank Donald Trump for his support during the crisis surrounding the fires in the Amazon rainforest. "Our minister Ernesto Araujo and Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro will be received this Friday by President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington," the Brazilian leader tweeted late Thursday. "Brazil and the United States have never been so aligned," he added. "Coordination with the US president was essential for defending Brazil's sovereignty during the G7 summit." At the end of a recent meeting between the leaders of the world's seven most powerful economies, French President Emmanuel Macron floated the possibility of sending aid to help control the proliferation of fires burning in the Amazon. The rainforest, which is the world's largest and crucial to a stable global climate, is mostly located in Brazil. Bolsonaro and Macron have locked horns several times over the issue, while Trump tweeted his "full and complete support" for the Brazilian president. Eduardo Bolsonaro confirmed Thursday that he would be accompanying Foreign Minister Araujo to give his "thanks" to Trump. "The influence of the US within the G7 is essential," Eduardo, who currently heads the foreign affairs committee in the Chamber of Deputies, said according to the newspaper O Globo. Jair Bolsonaro has said he is considering appointing his son to be Brazil's ambassador to the US and that Washington has already endorsed the idea, but he would still need to be officially nominated and then approved by the Senate. Trump -- who counts his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner among his most senior advisors -- effusively praised the idea last month, saying he thought it would be "a great appointment," and that: "I don't think it's nepotism."

Bolsonaro's son heads to Washington to thank Trump for Amazon support

The World Bank said Thursday it is again reviewing a loan to China to provide vocational education to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-watch-report-on-uighurs-full-of-prejudice-says-china-164872">Muslim Uighur minority</a>, but has "no indication" the funds were used for anything other than schooling.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ambassadors-of-50-countries-write-to-un-rights-council-backing-chinas-actions-on-uighurs-in-xinjiang-238932">China's treatment of the Uighurs</a> -- a mostly Muslim, Turkic-speaking minority concentrated in the country's tightly-controlled northwestern Xinjiang region -- has come under growing scrutiny.

Foreign Policy magazine reported Wednesday that a school that benefited from a tranche of the $50 million World Bank loan to China bought "barbed wire, gas launchers, and body armor."&nbsp;

The magazine added however that it was not clear if the $30,000 bill for the items and other security equipment came from the loan or some other source.

But the bank said its previous twice-yearly reviews have not shown any evidence of that.

"There is no indication from these missions that World Bank resources made available to the schools were used for any other purposes than those agreed to under the project," the bank said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Nevertheless, based on recent claims, we are conducting an additional review led by a diverse team of experts... If action is warranted, we will take it."

Earlier this month the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a letter to World Bank President David Malpass expressing concern and raising questions about how the funds were used.

"A growing body of convincing and credible evidence indicates mass internment camps are centers for social control and political indoctrination," said the letter signed by US Representative James McGovern of Massachusetts and Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

"In these camps, Chinese authorities mistreat and torture detainees while requiring them to engage in forced labor, and to renounce their religion and culture," adding that the actions "may constitute crimes against humanity."

The loan was approved in 2015 for vocational schools to help improve the lives of ethnic minorities. The congressional letter said the funding was approved "before the advent of widespread mass internment camps."

Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been interned in re-education camps in Xinjiang.

China initially denied the existence of the camps before admitting to running what it called "vocational education centers," which it presented as necessary to combat religious extremism and boost employment.&nbsp;

Last month, Beijing said "most" of those being held had now returned home, without providing details.

The World Bank said Thursday it is again reviewing a loan to China to provide vocational education to the Muslim Uighur minority, but has "no indication" the funds were used for anything other than schooling.

The World Bank said Thursday it is again reviewing a loan to China to provide vocational education to the Muslim Uighur minority, but has "no indication" the funds were used for anything other than schooling. China's treatment of the Uighurs -- a mostly Muslim, Turkic-speaking minority concentrated in the country's tightly-controlled northwestern Xinjiang region -- has come under growing scrutiny. Foreign Policy magazine reported Wednesday that a school that benefited from a tranche of the $50 million World Bank loan to China bought "barbed wire, gas launchers, and body armor." The magazine added however that it was not clear if the $30,000 bill for the items and other security equipment came from the loan or some other source. But the bank said its previous twice-yearly reviews have not shown any evidence of that. "There is no indication from these missions that World Bank resources made available to the schools were used for any other purposes than those agreed to under the project," the bank said in a statement. "Nevertheless, based on recent claims, we are conducting an additional review led by a diverse team of experts... If action is warranted, we will take it." Earlier this month the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a letter to World Bank President David Malpass expressing concern and raising questions about how the funds were used. "A growing body of convincing and credible evidence indicates mass internment camps are centers for social control and political indoctrination," said the letter signed by US Representative James McGovern of Massachusetts and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. "In these camps, Chinese authorities mistreat and torture detainees while requiring them to engage in forced labor, and to renounce their religion and culture," adding that the actions "may constitute crimes against humanity." The loan was approved in 2015 for vocational schools to help improve the lives of ethnic minorities. The congressional letter said the funding was approved "before the advent of widespread mass internment camps." Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been interned in re-education camps in Xinjiang. China initially denied the existence of the camps before admitting to running what it called "vocational education centers," which it presented as necessary to combat religious extremism and boost employment. Last month, Beijing said "most" of those being held had now returned home, without providing details.

World Bank says 'no indication' China misused loan for Uighur schools

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-developing-warheads-to-penetrate-missile-defences-japan-245932">North Korea</a>`s parliament has approved changes to the country`s constitution to solidify leader Kim Jong Un`s role as head of state, official state media said on Thursday.

The move comes after Kim was formally named head of state and commander-in-chief of the military in a new constitution in July that analysts said was possibly aimed at preparing for a peace treaty with the United States.

North Korea has long called for a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-ready-for-dialogue-or-confrontation-with-us-244911"> peace deal with the United States</a> to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War, which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.&nbsp;

Kim`s legal status as "representing our state has been further consolidated to firmly ensure the monolithic guidance of the Supreme Leader over all state affairs", state news agency KCNA quoted Choe Ryong Hae, president of the presidium of the supreme people`s assembly, as saying.&nbsp;

The presidium president had historically been the nominal head of state.

But the new constitution said Kim, as chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), a top governing body created in 2016, was the supreme representative of all the Korean people, as well as "commander-in-chief".

A previous constitution simply called Kim the "supreme leader" who commanded the country`s "overall military force".

Thursday`s constitutional amendments appear to confirm that North Korea`s legal system will now recognise Kim as head of state.

The new constitution authorises Kim to promulgate legislative ordinances and major decrees and decisions and appoint or recall diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, KCNA said.

"With the amendment, Kim Jong Un is reviving his grandfather’s head of state system," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute. "He has become a de facto head of state."

In reality Kim, a third-generation hereditary leader, rules North Korea with an iron fist and the title change will mean little to the way he wields power.

The back-to-back constitutional revision is unprecedented and Kim is emerging as perhaps the most powerful leader since his grandfather Kim Il Sung, who founded North Korea, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst with NK News, a website that tracks North Korea.

"By further bolstering the SAC chairman`s authority, Kim Jong Un is now on par with Kim Il Sung," she said.

Other analysts noted that the moves simply codified the power Kim Jong Un already wields as supreme leader.

"This is more a matter of shuffling the card deck and clarifying a few lines of authority," said Michael Madden, an expert on North Korean leadership and a fellow at the US-based Stimson Center.

"There is no question that Kim Jong Un is the regime`s key and - on strategic policy - sole decider," he said.

There has been scant progress in the US&nbsp;aim of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme despite three meetings between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

Trump has said he and Kim agreed at their last meeting to resume working-level talks, although these have yet to happen. North Korea has since conducted multiple missile tests, while accusing Washington of breaking a pledge to stop joint military exercises with South Korea.

North Korea`s parliament has approved changes to the country`s constitution to solidify leader Kim Jong Un`s role as head of state, official state media said on Thursday.

North Korea`s parliament has approved changes to the country`s constitution to solidify leader Kim Jong Un`s role as head of state, official state media said on Thursday. The move comes after Kim was formally named head of state and commander-in-chief of the military in a new constitution in July that analysts said was possibly aimed at preparing for a peace treaty with the United States. North Korea has long called for a peace deal with the United States to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War, which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Kim`s legal status as "representing our state has been further consolidated to firmly ensure the monolithic guidance of the Supreme Leader over all state affairs", state news agency KCNA quoted Choe Ryong Hae, president of the presidium of the supreme people`s assembly, as saying. The presidium president had historically been the nominal head of state. But the new constitution said Kim, as chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), a top governing body created in 2016, was the supreme representative of all the Korean people, as well as "commander-in-chief". A previous constitution simply called Kim the "supreme leader" who commanded the country`s "overall military force". Thursday`s constitutional amendments appear to confirm that North Korea`s legal system will now recognise Kim as head of state. The new constitution authorises Kim to promulgate legislative ordinances and major decrees and decisions and appoint or recall diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, KCNA said. "With the amendment, Kim Jong Un is reviving his grandfather’s head of state system," said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute. "He has become a de facto head of state." In reality Kim, a third-generation hereditary leader, rules North Korea with an iron fist and the title change will mean little to the way he wields power. The back-to-back constitutional revision is unprecedented and Kim is emerging as perhaps the most powerful leader since his grandfather Kim Il Sung, who founded North Korea, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst with NK News, a website that tracks North Korea. "By further bolstering the SAC chairman`s authority, Kim Jong Un is now on par with Kim Il Sung," she said. Other analysts noted that the moves simply codified the power Kim Jong Un already wields as supreme leader. "This is more a matter of shuffling the card deck and clarifying a few lines of authority," said Michael Madden, an expert on North Korean leadership and a fellow at the US-based Stimson Center. "There is no question that Kim Jong Un is the regime`s key and - on strategic policy - sole decider," he said. There has been scant progress in the US aim of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme despite three meetings between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Trump has said he and Kim agreed at their last meeting to resume working-level talks, although these have yet to happen. North Korea has since conducted multiple missile tests, while accusing Washington of breaking a pledge to stop joint military exercises with South Korea.

North Korea changes constitution to solidify Kim Jong Un’s rule

A UN committee has ordered Nepal to compensate a man blocked from seeking justice after suffering years of forced labour, as well as alleged torture in custody as a child.

In a decision published Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Committee also called on Nepal to remove all existing obstacles hindering victims of forced labour and torture from filing complaints.

The ruling came in response to an individual case brought by a Nepali man, using the pseudonym Bholi Pharaka, who from the age of nine had worked as a domestic worker in Kathmandu to help provide for his impoverished, indigenous family.

When he was around 12, he moved to a new family, headed by an officer in the Nepali army, where he says he was forced to work from 4:00 am until 10:00 pm each day.

He maintains he was subjected to physical and psychological abuse and never received compensation for his labour.

After two years, he escaped back to his home village in 2012, but was soon arrested, after his employer filed a police complaint accusing him of theft.&nbsp;

While in custody, Pharaka, who was 14 at the time, says he suffered beatings and other torture to force him to confess.

With his family unable to pay bail or legal fees, he was held in a severely overcrowded adult jail for months, where he says the torture continued, before being transferred to a juvenile facility.

The UN committee faulted Nepal's judiciary for failing to investigate the boy's claims in court that he had been tortured, and for failing to protect him as a minor and a member of a recognised vulnerable minority.

It also decried that authorities had ignored multiple complaints filed by the boy's family regarding his treatment in custody and the forced labour he was subjected to.

The committee called on Nepal to provide Pharaka with an "effective remedy", including "adequate compensation, proportional to the violations suffered."

It also urged the country to remove "legal, practical and administrative obstacles" blocking victims of torture and child and forced labour from accessing justice.

"It is our hope that Nepal will take all necessary measures to protect and help victims of such acts regain their lives," committee member Helene Trigroudja said in a statement.&nbsp;

The committee has given Nepal six months to report back on measures it is taking to rectify the situation.

The team of 18 independent experts monitors whether countries adhere to their human rights commitments, but does not have enforcement powers.

A UN committee has ordered Nepal to compensate a man blocked from seeking justice after suffering years of forced labour, as well as alleged torture in custody as a child.

A UN committee has ordered Nepal to compensate a man blocked from seeking justice after suffering years of forced labour, as well as alleged torture in custody as a child. In a decision published Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Committee also called on Nepal to remove all existing obstacles hindering victims of forced labour and torture from filing complaints. The ruling came in response to an individual case brought by a Nepali man, using the pseudonym Bholi Pharaka, who from the age of nine had worked as a domestic worker in Kathmandu to help provide for his impoverished, indigenous family. When he was around 12, he moved to a new family, headed by an officer in the Nepali army, where he says he was forced to work from 4:00 am until 10:00 pm each day. He maintains he was subjected to physical and psychological abuse and never received compensation for his labour. After two years, he escaped back to his home village in 2012, but was soon arrested, after his employer filed a police complaint accusing him of theft. While in custody, Pharaka, who was 14 at the time, says he suffered beatings and other torture to force him to confess. With his family unable to pay bail or legal fees, he was held in a severely overcrowded adult jail for months, where he says the torture continued, before being transferred to a juvenile facility. The UN committee faulted Nepal's judiciary for failing to investigate the boy's claims in court that he had been tortured, and for failing to protect him as a minor and a member of a recognised vulnerable minority. It also decried that authorities had ignored multiple complaints filed by the boy's family regarding his treatment in custody and the forced labour he was subjected to. The committee called on Nepal to provide Pharaka with an "effective remedy", including "adequate compensation, proportional to the violations suffered." It also urged the country to remove "legal, practical and administrative obstacles" blocking victims of torture and child and forced labour from accessing justice. "It is our hope that Nepal will take all necessary measures to protect and help victims of such acts regain their lives," committee member Helene Trigroudja said in a statement. The committee has given Nepal six months to report back on measures it is taking to rectify the situation. The team of 18 independent experts monitors whether countries adhere to their human rights commitments, but does not have enforcement powers.

UN committee faults Nepal in child labour, abuse case

The United States intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 to rid Al-Qaeda of its sanctuaries following the 9/11 terror attacks.

After Washington announced on Thursday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-troops-would-remain-in-afghanistan-says-donald-trump-246505">US troop levels in Afghanistan</a> will drop to 8,600 from 13,000 if a deal is reached with the Taliban, here is a timeline of developments.

'War on terror'

On October 7, 2001 -- less than a month after the September 11 attacks that killed around 3,000 people in New York and Washington -- President George W. Bush launches operation "Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan.

The country's fundamentalist Taliban regime had been sheltering Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda movement, accused of the attacks.

The operation opens a military front in the US "war on terrorism".

Within weeks US-led forces overthrow the Taliban, in power since 1996.

Besides carrying out air strikes, Washington also lends support to the Afghan Northern Alliance fighting the Taliban, contributing paramilitary teams from the CIA and special forces.

About 1,000 American soldiers are on the ground by November 2001, rising to 10,000 the next year.

Forgotten war

US attention is diverted from Afghanistan when US forces invade Iraq in 2003 to oust dictator Saddam Hussein, accused of harboring weapons of mass destruction.

The Taliban and other Islamist outfits regroup in their strongholds in southern and eastern Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel between their bases in Pakistan's tribal zones, and launch an insurgency.

In 2008 the US command in Afghanistan calls for more manpower. Bush sends additional soldiers and about 48,500 US troops are deployed.

Peak of 100,000 troops

In 2009 Barack Obama -- elected president on campaign promises to end the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- boosts the US deployment to around 68,000. In December he sends another 30,000.&nbsp;

The objective is to put brakes on the growing Taliban insurgency and to strengthen Afghan institutions.

By 2012 more than 150,000 foreign soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan, of which 100,000 are American.

Bin Laden killed

Bin Laden is killed on May 2, 2011 in a US special forces operation in Pakistan.

Combat operations end

On December 31, 2014 the NATO alliance ends its combat mission in Afghanistan. But, under agreements reached a few months earlier, 12,500 foreign soldiers -- of which 9,800 are American -- remain to train Afghan troops and conduct anti-terrorist operations.

Security in Afghanistan degenerates as the Taliban's insurgency spreads, with the Islamic State (IS) group also becoming active in early 2015.

In July 2016, Obama slows the planned pace of withdrawal of US troops, saying 8,400 will remain into 2017.

MSF clinic bombed

&nbsp;In October 2015, during intense fighting for the northeastern provincial capital Kunduz, a US airstrike hits a Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) hospital, killing 42 people, including 24 patients.

Mega bomb against IS

In April 2017, the US military drops the largest non-nuclear bomb it has ever used in combat on an Islamic State network of tunnels and caves in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan officials say it killed 96 jihadists.

US reinforcements

In August 2017, the new US President Donald Trump scraps any timetables for a US pullout and re-commits thousands more soldiers.

In mid-November, some 3,000 soldiers arrive to reinforce the 11,000 troops already deployed.

However, deadly attacks multiply, especially against Afghan forces. The US steps up airstrikes dramatically.

Talks

In mid-2018, Washington and Taliban representatives discreetly open talks in Doha focused on slashing the US military footprint in Afghanistan.

In return, the US demands that the Taliban prevent the country from being used as a safe haven for jihadist groups including Al-Qaeda. Talks are also focusing on a ceasefire and the opening of talks with the Kabul government. 
&nbsp;

The United States intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 to rid Al-Qaeda of its sanctuaries following the 9/11 terror attacks. After Washington announced on Thursday that US troop levels in Afghanistan will drop to 8,600 from 13,000 if a deal is reached with the Taliban, here is a timeline of developments.

The United States intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 to rid Al-Qaeda of its sanctuaries following the 9/11 terror attacks. After Washington announced on Thursday that US troop levels in Afghanistan will drop to 8,600 from 13,000 if a deal is reached with the Taliban, here is a timeline of developments. 'War on terror' On October 7, 2001 -- less than a month after the September 11 attacks that killed around 3,000 people in New York and Washington -- President George W. Bush launches operation "Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan. The country's fundamentalist Taliban regime had been sheltering Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda movement, accused of the attacks. The operation opens a military front in the US "war on terrorism". Within weeks US-led forces overthrow the Taliban, in power since 1996. Besides carrying out air strikes, Washington also lends support to the Afghan Northern Alliance fighting the Taliban, contributing paramilitary teams from the CIA and special forces. About 1,000 American soldiers are on the ground by November 2001, rising to 10,000 the next year. Forgotten war US attention is diverted from Afghanistan when US forces invade Iraq in 2003 to oust dictator Saddam Hussein, accused of harboring weapons of mass destruction. The Taliban and other Islamist outfits regroup in their strongholds in southern and eastern Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel between their bases in Pakistan's tribal zones, and launch an insurgency. In 2008 the US command in Afghanistan calls for more manpower. Bush sends additional soldiers and about 48,500 US troops are deployed. Peak of 100,000 troops In 2009 Barack Obama -- elected president on campaign promises to end the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- boosts the US deployment to around 68,000. In December he sends another 30,000. The objective is to put brakes on the growing Taliban insurgency and to strengthen Afghan institutions. By 2012 more than 150,000 foreign soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan, of which 100,000 are American. Bin Laden killed Bin Laden is killed on May 2, 2011 in a US special forces operation in Pakistan. Combat operations end On December 31, 2014 the NATO alliance ends its combat mission in Afghanistan. But, under agreements reached a few months earlier, 12,500 foreign soldiers -- of which 9,800 are American -- remain to train Afghan troops and conduct anti-terrorist operations. Security in Afghanistan degenerates as the Taliban's insurgency spreads, with the Islamic State (IS) group also becoming active in early 2015. In July 2016, Obama slows the planned pace of withdrawal of US troops, saying 8,400 will remain into 2017. MSF clinic bombed In October 2015, during intense fighting for the northeastern provincial capital Kunduz, a US airstrike hits a Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) hospital, killing 42 people, including 24 patients. Mega bomb against IS In April 2017, the US military drops the largest non-nuclear bomb it has ever used in combat on an Islamic State network of tunnels and caves in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan officials say it killed 96 jihadists. US reinforcements In August 2017, the new US President Donald Trump scraps any timetables for a US pullout and re-commits thousands more soldiers. In mid-November, some 3,000 soldiers arrive to reinforce the 11,000 troops already deployed. However, deadly attacks multiply, especially against Afghan forces. The US steps up airstrikes dramatically. Talks In mid-2018, Washington and Taliban representatives discreetly open talks in Doha focused on slashing the US military footprint in Afghanistan. In return, the US demands that the Taliban prevent the country from being used as a safe haven for jihadist groups including Al-Qaeda. Talks are also focusing on a ceasefire and the opening of talks with the Kabul government.

Timeline of two decades of US intervention in Afghanistan 

Protesters in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-pledges-40-billion-to-modernise-jakarta-ahead-of-new-capital-246355">Indonesia</a>'s easternmost region of Papua set buildings ablaze on Thursday, forcing the state power firm to cut off electricity in parts of the provincial capital of Jayapura, state media and an executive of the utility said.

For almost two weeks, the region has been racked by civil unrest over perceived racial and ethnic discrimination. Some protesters are also demanding an independence vote.

Indonesia's security chief said a referendum was out of the question, media reported.

Protesters torched a building housing the offices of state-controlled telecoms firm Telekomunikasi Indonesia. However, in a statement on Thursday, the company said it could not identify the damage yet.

The PLN utility has turned off power in areas around the torched building, Ahmad Rofik, its regional director for Maluku and Papua, told Reuters.

Police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who set fire to cars and threw stones at shops and offices, state news agency Antara said, adding that protesters also set on fire a local parliament office.

"Several public facilities and properties were damaged by rioters," said national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo.

State energy firm Pertamina shut several petrol stations in Jayapura because of the protest, its spokesman, Fajriyah Usman, said.

National military spokesman Major General Sisriadi said more than 1,000 people had taken part in the protest.

"The condition is gradually recovering," Prasetyo told broadcaster Kompas TV. News website Kompas.com said demonstrators had begun to disperse.

Shooting broke out a day earlier between protesters and police in the town of Deiyai, about 500 km (311 miles) from Jayapura.

Police said one soldier and two civilians were killed in the incident, while a separatist group said six had been shot dead. The military dismissed that as a hoax.

Police have deployed 300 mobile brigade personnel to the towns of Deiyai, Paniai and Jayapura after Wednesday's incident, media quoted police chief Tito Karnavian as saying.

A separatist movement has simmered for decades in Papua, while there have also been frequent complaints of rights abuses by Indonesian security forces.

The spark for the latest unrest was a racist slur against Papuan students, who were hit by tear gas in their dormitory and detained in the city of Surabaya on the main island of Java on Aug. 17, Indonesia's Independence Day, for allegedly desecrating a national flag.

Papua and West Papua provinces, the resource-rich western part of the island of New Guinea, were a Dutch colony that was incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised U.N.-backed referendum in 1969.

On Thursday, chief security minister Wiranto said the government would not entertain any demand for an independence vote, according to Kompas.com.

"Demands for a referendum, I think, is out of place. Demands for referendum I think must not be mentioned. Why? Because the unity of the Republic of Indonesia is final," Wiranto said as cited by the news website.

The government has cut internet access in the region since last week to stop people sharing "provocative" messages that could trigger more violence, a step criticised by rights group and journalists, who said it had made reporting difficult.

Protesters in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua set buildings ablaze on Thursday, forcing the state power firm to cut off electricity in parts of the provincial capital of Jayapura, state media and an executive of the utility said.

Protesters in Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua set buildings ablaze on Thursday, forcing the state power firm to cut off electricity in parts of the provincial capital of Jayapura, state media and an executive of the utility said. For almost two weeks, the region has been racked by civil unrest over perceived racial and ethnic discrimination. Some protesters are also demanding an independence vote. Indonesia's security chief said a referendum was out of the question, media reported. Protesters torched a building housing the offices of state-controlled telecoms firm Telekomunikasi Indonesia. However, in a statement on Thursday, the company said it could not identify the damage yet. The PLN utility has turned off power in areas around the torched building, Ahmad Rofik, its regional director for Maluku and Papua, told Reuters. Police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who set fire to cars and threw stones at shops and offices, state news agency Antara said, adding that protesters also set on fire a local parliament office. "Several public facilities and properties were damaged by rioters," said national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo. State energy firm Pertamina shut several petrol stations in Jayapura because of the protest, its spokesman, Fajriyah Usman, said. National military spokesman Major General Sisriadi said more than 1,000 people had taken part in the protest. "The condition is gradually recovering," Prasetyo told broadcaster Kompas TV. News website Kompas.com said demonstrators had begun to disperse. Shooting broke out a day earlier between protesters and police in the town of Deiyai, about 500 km (311 miles) from Jayapura. Police said one soldier and two civilians were killed in the incident, while a separatist group said six had been shot dead. The military dismissed that as a hoax. Police have deployed 300 mobile brigade personnel to the towns of Deiyai, Paniai and Jayapura after Wednesday's incident, media quoted police chief Tito Karnavian as saying. A separatist movement has simmered for decades in Papua, while there have also been frequent complaints of rights abuses by Indonesian security forces. The spark for the latest unrest was a racist slur against Papuan students, who were hit by tear gas in their dormitory and detained in the city of Surabaya on the main island of Java on Aug. 17, Indonesia's Independence Day, for allegedly desecrating a national flag. Papua and West Papua provinces, the resource-rich western part of the island of New Guinea, were a Dutch colony that was incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised U.N.-backed referendum in 1969. On Thursday, chief security minister Wiranto said the government would not entertain any demand for an independence vote, according to Kompas.com. "Demands for a referendum, I think, is out of place. Demands for referendum I think must not be mentioned. Why? Because the unity of the Republic of Indonesia is final," Wiranto said as cited by the news website. The government has cut internet access in the region since last week to stop people sharing "provocative" messages that could trigger more violence, a step criticised by rights group and journalists, who said it had made reporting difficult.

Violent protest erupts in capital of Indonesia's Papua

At least seven people were killed in flash floods in Morocco on Wednesday, following torrential rains in mountains in the south of the country near Taroudant, 600 kilometres (373 miles) south of Rabat, local authorities said.

Video footage from Wednesday, shot in the Moroccan town of Irherm, shows a barrage of floodwater surging down a road and submerging vehicles.

Most of the victims of the floods in the Taroudant province were swept away while watching a football game on a pitch built next to a dry river near the village of Tizrt.

Search operations are ongoing to find survivors, authorities said in a statement

The southern Moroccan mountains, known as the Anti-Atlas, are arid and rarely receive rain in the summer.

At least seven people were killed in flash floods in Morocco on Wednesday, following torrential rains in mountains in the south of the country near Taroudant, 600 kilometres (373 miles) south of Rabat, local authorities said.

At least seven people were killed in flash floods in Morocco on Wednesday, following torrential rains in mountains in the south of the country near Taroudant, 600 kilometres (373 miles) south of Rabat, local authorities said. Video footage from Wednesday, shot in the Moroccan town of Irherm, shows a barrage of floodwater surging down a road and submerging vehicles. Most of the victims of the floods in the Taroudant province were swept away while watching a football game on a pitch built next to a dry river near the village of Tizrt. Search operations are ongoing to find survivors, authorities said in a statement The southern Moroccan mountains, known as the Anti-Atlas, are arid and rarely receive rain in the summer.

At least seven people die in flash floods in southern Morocco

Hurricane Dorian is expected to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm on Friday with winds of at least 111 mph (178 km/h) as it heads towards Florida's Atlantic coast.

Dorian is forecast to swell later into a powerful Category 4 storm with violent winds topping 130 mph (210 km/h) before it makes landfall on Labor Day.

The entire state of Florida is under a declaration of emergency and Governor Ron DeSantis activated 2,500 National Guard troops with another 1,500 on standby.

No evacuations were ordered as of early Friday, but many are expected as the storm's path become clearer before it makes landfall on Monday.

Dorian was a Category 2 storm early on Friday with winds of 105 mph and its 12 mph (9 kph) trajectory could slow down allowing it to crawl across the warm coastal waters, a recipe for storm fuel.

It is expected to become a Category 4 by Monday on the 5-step Saffir-Simpson scale for measuring hurricane intensity.

Recent weather models from the National Hurricane Center show it smacking into the center of the state.

And then it is expected roll inland to Orlando on Tuesday, as it weakens into a Category 1 storm with maximum winds of 95 mph (177 km/h).

Other NHC weather models show the storm tracking south toward Miami in south Florida before it hits the peninsula, or heading north to the Georgia coast.

With the dangerous winds, the storm is expected to drop 5-to-10 inches of rain on the state with some areas getting as much as 15 inches.

"This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods," forecasters said.

US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip to Poland, sending Vice President Mike Pence in his place, so he can make sure federal resources are properly directed for the storm.

"Now it's looking like it could be an absolute monster," Trump said in a video posted on Twitter, adding that food and water was being shipped to Florida.

DeSantis said that Floridians need to take the storm seriously.

"Hurricane #Dorian is moving slowly &amp; gaining strength," DeSantis wrote on Twitter. "Now is the time to get prepared &amp; have a plan."

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in 12 counties to assist with storm readiness, response and recovery.

It was unclear if Florida's famed theme parks including Disney World would close, as they have done during previous hurricanes, such as Irma in 2017.

But Harris Rosen, owner of the Central Florida hotel chain Rosen Hotels and Resorts, is offering discount rates at 8 hotels for people and their pets who flee the coast to Orlando, the company announced on its website.

'Not looking good'

Angela Johnson, a 39-year-old bar manager in South Florida, said: "We're worried. This is not looking good for us."

"We woke up a lot more scared than we went to bed last night, and the news is not getting any better," said Johnson, who manages Coconuts On The Beach, a bar and restaurant on the surfing beach in the town of Cocoa Beach.

Officials were making piles of sand available for Cocoa Beach residents to fill sandbags starting on Friday.

Dorian could churn across dozens of launchpads owned by NASA, the US&nbsp;Air Force and companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

The Miami-based NHC said hurricane watches could be issued for portions of the Bahamas on Friday and the risk of "devastating hurricane-force winds along the Florida east coast late this weekend and early next week continues to increase."

Tropical storm-force winds could be felt in parts of the state as early as Saturday evening.

Hurricane Dorian is expected to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm on Friday with winds of at least 111 mph (178 km/h) as it heads towards Florida's Atlantic coast.

Hurricane Dorian is expected to strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 storm on Friday with winds of at least 111 mph (178 km/h) as it heads towards Florida's Atlantic coast. Dorian is forecast to swell later into a powerful Category 4 storm with violent winds topping 130 mph (210 km/h) before it makes landfall on Labor Day. The entire state of Florida is under a declaration of emergency and Governor Ron DeSantis activated 2,500 National Guard troops with another 1,500 on standby. No evacuations were ordered as of early Friday, but many are expected as the storm's path become clearer before it makes landfall on Monday. Dorian was a Category 2 storm early on Friday with winds of 105 mph and its 12 mph (9 kph) trajectory could slow down allowing it to crawl across the warm coastal waters, a recipe for storm fuel. It is expected to become a Category 4 by Monday on the 5-step Saffir-Simpson scale for measuring hurricane intensity. Recent weather models from the National Hurricane Center show it smacking into the center of the state. And then it is expected roll inland to Orlando on Tuesday, as it weakens into a Category 1 storm with maximum winds of 95 mph (177 km/h). Other NHC weather models show the storm tracking south toward Miami in south Florida before it hits the peninsula, or heading north to the Georgia coast. With the dangerous winds, the storm is expected to drop 5-to-10 inches of rain on the state with some areas getting as much as 15 inches. "This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods," forecasters said. US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip to Poland, sending Vice President Mike Pence in his place, so he can make sure federal resources are properly directed for the storm. "Now it's looking like it could be an absolute monster," Trump said in a video posted on Twitter, adding that food and water was being shipped to Florida. DeSantis said that Floridians need to take the storm seriously. "Hurricane #Dorian is moving slowly & gaining strength," DeSantis wrote on Twitter. "Now is the time to get prepared & have a plan." Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in 12 counties to assist with storm readiness, response and recovery. It was unclear if Florida's famed theme parks including Disney World would close, as they have done during previous hurricanes, such as Irma in 2017. But Harris Rosen, owner of the Central Florida hotel chain Rosen Hotels and Resorts, is offering discount rates at 8 hotels for people and their pets who flee the coast to Orlando, the company announced on its website. 'Not looking good' Angela Johnson, a 39-year-old bar manager in South Florida, said: "We're worried. This is not looking good for us." "We woke up a lot more scared than we went to bed last night, and the news is not getting any better," said Johnson, who manages Coconuts On The Beach, a bar and restaurant on the surfing beach in the town of Cocoa Beach. Officials were making piles of sand available for Cocoa Beach residents to fill sandbags starting on Friday. Dorian could churn across dozens of launchpads owned by NASA, the US Air Force and companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. The Miami-based NHC said hurricane watches could be issued for portions of the Bahamas on Friday and the risk of "devastating hurricane-force winds along the Florida east coast late this weekend and early next week continues to increase." Tropical storm-force winds could be felt in parts of the state as early as Saturday evening.

Hurricane Dorian gains strength as Florida braces for direct hit

The death toll from Democratic Republic of Congo`s year-long <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-how-a-congo-ebola-outbreak-became-a-global-concern-236967&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJi_iRkarkAhXLs48KHeXtDooQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2fdZ9bF7hRfbw8-SoX869o">Ebola outbreak</a> has climbed above 2,000, government data showed on Friday, as responders battle to overcome community mistrust and widespread security problems.

The government team overseeing the response said the number of confirmed and probable cases had also hit a milestone of more than 3,000 in what has become the second-worst epidemic of the virus on record.

Despite the development of an effective vaccine and treatments, health workers have struggled to control the spread of the disease in remote and conflict-hit areas of eastern Congo, where many locals are wary of the response effort.

"For the treatments to work, people need to trust them and the medical staff who administer them. This will take time, resources and a lot of hard work," the International Federation of the Red Cross said in a statement.

This is Congo`s 10th Ebola outbreak, but it is the first in the densely forested hillside provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, where militia-led violence and ethnic killing have undermined security in certain areas for decades.

The government data showed Ebola deaths reaching 2,006 and cases at 3,004.

Earlier in August, the authorities came up against new fronts in their fight to contain the epidemic, fanning fears that the spread of the disease could accelerate.

Health workers confirmed the first cases in South Kivu province on August&nbsp;16. Soon after, a woman contracted the virus in a remote, militia-controlled territory in North Kivu, hundreds of kilometres away from other known cases.

"We are fighting literally (along) with all partners on the ground to reach people, to reach contacts, to identify cases as early as possible," World Health Organization spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday.

Last week the WHO voiced concern about the widening geographic reach of the disease but confirmed the virus had not gained a foothold in the major city of Goma, even after four cases were recorded there in July and early August.

"Two thousand deaths means that there is a problem," said Timothée Buliga, a Goma resident. "We need to reach the point where we reject Ebola, say no and eradicate it definitively."

Neighbouring Uganda said on Friday that a young girl who tested positive for Ebola after crossing the border, the fourth case imported from Congo since June, would be sent back to Congo for treatment.

Only the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been deadlier than the current outbreak. More than 11,300 people died then out of 28,000 who were infected. 
&nbsp;

The death toll from Democratic Republic of Congo`s year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,000, government data showed on Friday, as responders battle to overcome community mistrust and widespread security problems.

The death toll from Democratic Republic of Congo`s year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,000, government data showed on Friday, as responders battle to overcome community mistrust and widespread security problems. The government team overseeing the response said the number of confirmed and probable cases had also hit a milestone of more than 3,000 in what has become the second-worst epidemic of the virus on record. Despite the development of an effective vaccine and treatments, health workers have struggled to control the spread of the disease in remote and conflict-hit areas of eastern Congo, where many locals are wary of the response effort. "For the treatments to work, people need to trust them and the medical staff who administer them. This will take time, resources and a lot of hard work," the International Federation of the Red Cross said in a statement. This is Congo`s 10th Ebola outbreak, but it is the first in the densely forested hillside provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, where militia-led violence and ethnic killing have undermined security in certain areas for decades. The government data showed Ebola deaths reaching 2,006 and cases at 3,004. Earlier in August, the authorities came up against new fronts in their fight to contain the epidemic, fanning fears that the spread of the disease could accelerate. Health workers confirmed the first cases in South Kivu province on August 16. Soon after, a woman contracted the virus in a remote, militia-controlled territory in North Kivu, hundreds of kilometres away from other known cases. "We are fighting literally (along) with all partners on the ground to reach people, to reach contacts, to identify cases as early as possible," World Health Organization spokesman Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday. Last week the WHO voiced concern about the widening geographic reach of the disease but confirmed the virus had not gained a foothold in the major city of Goma, even after four cases were recorded there in July and early August. "Two thousand deaths means that there is a problem," said Timothée Buliga, a Goma resident. "We need to reach the point where we reject Ebola, say no and eradicate it definitively." Neighbouring Uganda said on Friday that a young girl who tested positive for Ebola after crossing the border, the fourth case imported from Congo since June, would be sent back to Congo for treatment. Only the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been deadlier than the current outbreak. More than 11,300 people died then out of 28,000 who were infected.

Ebola death toll in east Congo outbreak climbs above 2,000

Google security experts uncovered an "indiscriminate" hacking operation that targeted iPhones over a period of at least two years and used websites to implant malicious software to access photos, user locations and other data.

In a post on Thursday on the blog of Google's Project Zero security taskforce, cyber experts did not name the hacked websites hosting the attacks, but estimated they received thousands of visitors a week. &nbsp;

"Simply visiting the hacked site was enough for the exploit server to attack your device, and if it was successful, install a monitoring implant," said Project Zero's Ian Beer.

Once installed, the malicious software "primarily focused on stealing files and uploading live location data," Beer said, adding it had been able to access encrypted messenger apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and iMessage.

Google hangouts and Gmail had also been affected, he added in the post, which provided a detailed breakdown of how the malicious software targeted and exploited iPhone vulnerabilities.

Most of the vulnerabilities targeted were found in the iPhone's default Safari web browser, Beer said, adding that the Project Zero team had discovered them in almost every operating system from iOS 10 through to the current iOS 12 version.

Once embedded in a user's iPhone, the malicious software sent back stolen data, including live user location data back to a "command and control server" every 60 seconds.

Beer said Google had informed Apple of the attacks in February, and Apple subsequently released a security patch for the iOS 12.1.

Long the driver of Apple's money-making machine, iPhone revenue overall was down 12 percent from last year to $26 billion.

The tech giant sent out invitations on Thursday to a September event at its Silicon Valley campus where it is expected to unveil a new-generation iPhone.

Google security experts uncovered an "indiscriminate" hacking operation that targeted iPhones over a period of at least two years and used websites to implant malicious software to access photos, user locations and other data.

Google security experts uncovered an "indiscriminate" hacking operation that targeted iPhones over a period of at least two years and used websites to implant malicious software to access photos, user locations and other data. In a post on Thursday on the blog of Google's Project Zero security taskforce, cyber experts did not name the hacked websites hosting the attacks, but estimated they received thousands of visitors a week. "Simply visiting the hacked site was enough for the exploit server to attack your device, and if it was successful, install a monitoring implant," said Project Zero's Ian Beer. Once installed, the malicious software "primarily focused on stealing files and uploading live location data," Beer said, adding it had been able to access encrypted messenger apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and iMessage. Google hangouts and Gmail had also been affected, he added in the post, which provided a detailed breakdown of how the malicious software targeted and exploited iPhone vulnerabilities. Most of the vulnerabilities targeted were found in the iPhone's default Safari web browser, Beer said, adding that the Project Zero team had discovered them in almost every operating system from iOS 10 through to the current iOS 12 version. Once embedded in a user's iPhone, the malicious software sent back stolen data, including live user location data back to a "command and control server" every 60 seconds. Beer said Google had informed Apple of the attacks in February, and Apple subsequently released a security patch for the iOS 12.1. Long the driver of Apple's money-making machine, iPhone revenue overall was down 12 percent from last year to $26 billion. The tech giant sent out invitations on Thursday to a September event at its Silicon Valley campus where it is expected to unveil a new-generation iPhone.

Google reveals years-long 'indiscriminate' iPhone hack

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-rejects-g7-aid-of-20-million-euros-to-fight-amazon-fires-245885">Amazon rainforest</a>, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention. Environmental activists have been staging protests at Brazilian embassies worldwide and&nbsp;accusing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/bolsonaro-may-not-be-the-real-culprit-of-the-amazon-fire-246177">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro</a> of supporting&nbsp;farmers who are burning the rainforest to expand farming land.

WION spoke to experts on Amazon wildfires. Here is an excerpt from the exclusive interview.

Speaking to WION, Adriane Esquivel Muelbert, Research fellow at the University of Birmingham studying impacts of climate change on forests / Brazilian ecologist called for the entire global community to come forward and help in preserving the forest.

Calling the ongoing burning of Amazon fires as a red alert, the Brazilian ecologist said the whole world was dealing with a global issue and added that everyone needs to put in some efforts to preserve the forests.

She said no kind of intervention could be done, however, added that putting pressure on Brazil and other countries was&nbsp;required to better regulate environmental loss.&nbsp;

She also added, "Brazil has been doing very well for the past few years, and added that it would be amazing if the country continues with the policy that was done before.

She also called the whole world has to make a big effort to keep a check on CO2 in the atmosphere.

Answering a question on Bolsonaro's political posturing, she said, " the world had no time to waste as we were dealing with a an emergency situation.

She said, "This is no time for political gains...this is time for taking action and solving this problem. Everday the forest is burning, we are losing our chances to fight climate change more and more. The more we take time to take action, the more..the biggest of problems become more."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OEp7fPggKfo" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Carlos Nobre, University of Sao Paulo climate scientist said the immediate effect of the forest fire will be in South America. He said the Organic material which is burning will eventually end up in smoke and travel upto 3000 kms in the south creating polluted atmosphere for several months.

He added that the forest fire will attack the health of over 20 million people.&nbsp;

Nobre highlighted on the long term impact of the forest fire when a tipping point will be exceeded and 50-60 per cent of the Amazon will become a degraded dry Savanna.

Answering about Bolsonaro's political posturing he said, "Its a waste of time and diplomacy. This has become a personal issue."

He said, "The last statement by Brazil government officials is that they will overcome this personal war and they will accept international aids from G7 and also coming from anywhere is a good move."

He encouraged the acceptance of any aid coming to get rid of the fire.

He also emphasised on the need for law enforcement to prevent illegal activities claiming that most of those fires come from chopped down trees and not from standing trees. He said, "Trees were chopped down two three months ago, they were left drying out. Now people are setting fire on them."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ng2Z4Xk4Z7Q?controls=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
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&nbsp;

The Amazon rainforest, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention.

The Amazon rainforest, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention. Environmental activists have been staging protests at Brazilian embassies worldwide and accusing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of supporting farmers who are burning the rainforest to expand farming land. WION spoke to experts on Amazon wildfires. Here is an excerpt from the exclusive interview. Speaking to WION, Adriane Esquivel Muelbert, Research fellow at the University of Birmingham studying impacts of climate change on forests / Brazilian ecologist called for the entire global community to come forward and help in preserving the forest. Calling the ongoing burning of Amazon fires as a red alert, the Brazilian ecologist said the whole world was dealing with a global issue and added that everyone needs to put in some efforts to preserve the forests. She said no kind of intervention could be done, however, added that putting pressure on Brazil and other countries was required to better regulate environmental loss. She also added, "Brazil has been doing very well for the past few years, and added that it would be amazing if the country continues with the policy that was done before. She also called the whole world has to make a big effort to keep a check on CO2 in the atmosphere. Answering a question on Bolsonaro's political posturing, she said, " the world had no time to waste as we were dealing with a an emergency situation. She said, "This is no time for political gains...this is time for taking action and solving this problem. Everday the forest is burning, we are losing our chances to fight climate change more and more. The more we take time to take action, the more..the biggest of problems become more." × Carlos Nobre, University of Sao Paulo climate scientist said the immediate effect of the forest fire will be in South America. He said the Organic material which is burning will eventually end up in smoke and travel upto 3000 kms in the south creating polluted atmosphere for several months. He added that the forest fire will attack the health of over 20 million people. Nobre highlighted on the long term impact of the forest fire when a tipping point will be exceeded and 50-60 per cent of the Amazon will become a degraded dry Savanna. Answering about Bolsonaro's political posturing he said, "Its a waste of time and diplomacy. This has become a personal issue." He said, "The last statement by Brazil government officials is that they will overcome this personal war and they will accept international aids from G7 and also coming from anywhere is a good move." He encouraged the acceptance of any aid coming to get rid of the fire. He also emphasised on the need for law enforcement to prevent illegal activities claiming that most of those fires come from chopped down trees and not from standing trees. He said, "Trees were chopped down two three months ago, they were left drying out. Now people are setting fire on them." ×

Amazon fires is a red alert, world needs to put in efforts to preserve forests: Brazilian ecologist to WION

In a major boost for India`s aerial firepower, the Indian Air Force is set to receive the `building blaster` version of the Balakot air strike-fame Spice-2000 bombs by mid-September.

Top IAF sources told ANI that the Spice-2000 bombs are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Israel around mid-September along with the Mark 84 warhead and bombs which can destroy buildings completely.

The supply of these weapons from Israel will happen around the time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to visit India for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indian Air Force had signed a contract with Israel in June this year for acquiring more than 100 Spice 2000 bombs under the emergency procurement powers of the services given by the Narendra Modi government.

The contract was signed as the Air Force wanted to acquire the bombs after their successful usage in the Balakot airstrikes against a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp in Pakistan.

During the Balakot strikes, the Air Force had dropped Spice-2000 bombs from Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft after a pack of 12 of these fighters crossed the Line of Control to strike the Jaish facility in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

However, the Spice-2000 bombs used in the Balakot strikes were the penetrator version which made holes using their weight in the concrete rooftops of the buildings in the Jaish camp which don`t destroy buildings but explode inside killing people with the mix of 70-80 kg explosives with shrapnel.

Under the emergency powers, the three services could buy any equipment of their choice worth up to Rs 300 crore to prepare for any hostilities.

The Spice-2000 bombs have been acquired from Israel which is one of the main weapon and ammunition supplier of the Air Force.

The Balakot airstrikes were conducted by the Air Force in response to the Pulwama terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in which 40 personnel lost their lives.&nbsp;

In a major boost for India`s aerial firepower, the Indian Air Force is set to receive the `building blaster` version of the Balakot air strike-fame Spice-2000 bombs by mid-September.

In a major boost for India`s aerial firepower, the Indian Air Force is set to receive the `building blaster` version of the Balakot air strike-fame Spice-2000 bombs by mid-September. Top IAF sources told ANI that the Spice-2000 bombs are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Israel around mid-September along with the Mark 84 warhead and bombs which can destroy buildings completely. The supply of these weapons from Israel will happen around the time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to visit India for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian Air Force had signed a contract with Israel in June this year for acquiring more than 100 Spice 2000 bombs under the emergency procurement powers of the services given by the Narendra Modi government. The contract was signed as the Air Force wanted to acquire the bombs after their successful usage in the Balakot airstrikes against a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp in Pakistan. During the Balakot strikes, the Air Force had dropped Spice-2000 bombs from Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft after a pack of 12 of these fighters crossed the Line of Control to strike the Jaish facility in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. However, the Spice-2000 bombs used in the Balakot strikes were the penetrator version which made holes using their weight in the concrete rooftops of the buildings in the Jaish camp which don`t destroy buildings but explode inside killing people with the mix of 70-80 kg explosives with shrapnel. Under the emergency powers, the three services could buy any equipment of their choice worth up to Rs 300 crore to prepare for any hostilities. The Spice-2000 bombs have been acquired from Israel which is one of the main weapon and ammunition supplier of the Air Force. The Balakot airstrikes were conducted by the Air Force in response to the Pulwama terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in which 40 personnel lost their lives.

IAF to get 'building blaster' Spice-2000 bombs by mid-September

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