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

On Tuesday, August 27, drone footage from Reuters captured smoke and increasing fire strength in Brazil's Amazon, leaving behind it a trail of desolation.

Wildfire rages in Amazon, Earth's ecological shield blunted

Politicking The Global Emergency That Is Amazon Forest Fires.

Gravitas: Amidst Amazon Forest Fires, Bolsonaro mocks France's First Lady

The Amazon is not on fire. There are fires in the Amazon rainforest, as there are every year in July-September, because this is the dry season. There may be more fires than usual this year, and it may even be the fault of Jair Bolsonaro, the Donald Trump mini-me who became the president of Brazil last January, but that is not still clear.

Yet, there is a great outcry, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying that Bolsonaro lied to him about his stance on climate change. Macron is even threatening to withhold French ratification of the recently signed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (of which Brazil is the biggest member).

Meanwhile, British prime minister Boris Johnson declares that it is “an international crisis”, and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the fires “an acute emergency...for the whole world.” The Finnish foreign minister even suggests that the EU should boycott Brazilian beef. Concerted international action at last!

Well, no. They might have done it at the G7 summit of the world’s richest countries in Biarritz, but they all knew it would just prompt another Donald Trump walk-out like last year’s. And some of their advisers may be warning them by now that they are not on very safe grounds when they paint Bolsonaro as the sole culprit of the piece.

Bolsonaro is not a good person. He is an obtuse and obnoxious bully who doesn’t give a fig about the climate and advocates ‘developing’ the Amazon in ways that would ultimately destroy the rainforest.

When environmental activists claimed that farmers encouraged by Bolsonaro’s incendiary rhetoric were setting fires to clear Amazonian land for ranching, he blamed the activists themselves, saying that they were setting the fires to discredit him. He had no evidence, he admitted, but he had a “feeling” about it.

Of course, Brazilian farmers and the agribusiness interests behind them are setting fires to destroy bits of the forest, but this is not new with Bolsonaro. The amount of forest they destroyed annually went into steady decline after the Workers’ Party (PT) took power in 2003, but the damage has been trending back up again since the last PT president, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached by Congress in 2015.

Bolsonaro is definitely the icing on the cake, but it’s questionable how much impact he has had after less than eight months in power. The number of fines handed out for illegal burning has dropped by a third this year, but the great majority of illegal burns always went unpunished anyway.

When Brazil’s National Space Research Institute reported an 88% increase in deforestation in June compared with the same month a year ago, nobody except Bolsonaro questioned the data. But, that was before this year’s burning season (Queimada) began, and presumably referred to losses of forest due to illegal logging and land-clearing for mining operations, not to fires.

When the same Brazilian space institute claimed more recently that satellite data showed an 83% increase this year in forest fires, mainly in the Amazon region, Bolsonaro promptly fired its director, claiming that he was manipulating the data for political reasons.

Bolsonaro’s relationship with the truth is as distant as Trump’s, but it must be pointed out that NASA’s Earth Observatory — also relying on satellite data — reported on 22 August that “total fire activity across the Amazon basin this year has been close to the average in comparison to the past 15 years.”

There is, to be sure, a pall of smoke hanging over São Paulo — Brazil’s biggest city — at the moment. It’s as bad as Singapore six years ago or Vancouver last summer, and there’s no doubt that it comes from forest fires. They are, however, fires in the Bolivian part of the Amazon, not Brazil’s.

What the hell, you may say. Bolsonaro may not be guilty this time, but he’s guilty of lots of other things, so let’s hang him anyway. This is not a wise way of proceeding, even if you are doing it with the best of intentions. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-bolsonaro-may-not-be-the-real-culprit-of-the-amazon-fire-2785439">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Amazon is not on fire. There are fires in the Amazon rainforest, as there are every year in July-September, because this is the dry season. There may be more fires than usual this year, and it may even be the fault of Jair Bolsonaro, the Donald Trump mini-me who became the president of Brazil last January, but that is not still clear.

The Amazon is not on fire. There are fires in the Amazon rainforest, as there are every year in July-September, because this is the dry season. There may be more fires than usual this year, and it may even be the fault of Jair Bolsonaro, the Donald Trump mini-me who became the president of Brazil last January, but that is not still clear. Yet, there is a great outcry, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying that Bolsonaro lied to him about his stance on climate change. Macron is even threatening to withhold French ratification of the recently signed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (of which Brazil is the biggest member). Meanwhile, British prime minister Boris Johnson declares that it is “an international crisis”, and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the fires “an acute emergency...for the whole world.” The Finnish foreign minister even suggests that the EU should boycott Brazilian beef. Concerted international action at last! Well, no. They might have done it at the G7 summit of the world’s richest countries in Biarritz, but they all knew it would just prompt another Donald Trump walk-out like last year’s. And some of their advisers may be warning them by now that they are not on very safe grounds when they paint Bolsonaro as the sole culprit of the piece. Bolsonaro is not a good person. He is an obtuse and obnoxious bully who doesn’t give a fig about the climate and advocates ‘developing’ the Amazon in ways that would ultimately destroy the rainforest. When environmental activists claimed that farmers encouraged by Bolsonaro’s incendiary rhetoric were setting fires to clear Amazonian land for ranching, he blamed the activists themselves, saying that they were setting the fires to discredit him. He had no evidence, he admitted, but he had a “feeling” about it. Of course, Brazilian farmers and the agribusiness interests behind them are setting fires to destroy bits of the forest, but this is not new with Bolsonaro. The amount of forest they destroyed annually went into steady decline after the Workers’ Party (PT) took power in 2003, but the damage has been trending back up again since the last PT president, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached by Congress in 2015. Bolsonaro is definitely the icing on the cake, but it’s questionable how much impact he has had after less than eight months in power. The number of fines handed out for illegal burning has dropped by a third this year, but the great majority of illegal burns always went unpunished anyway. When Brazil’s National Space Research Institute reported an 88% increase in deforestation in June compared with the same month a year ago, nobody except Bolsonaro questioned the data. But, that was before this year’s burning season (Queimada) began, and presumably referred to losses of forest due to illegal logging and land-clearing for mining operations, not to fires. When the same Brazilian space institute claimed more recently that satellite data showed an 83% increase this year in forest fires, mainly in the Amazon region, Bolsonaro promptly fired its director, claiming that he was manipulating the data for political reasons. Bolsonaro’s relationship with the truth is as distant as Trump’s, but it must be pointed out that NASA’s Earth Observatory — also relying on satellite data — reported on 22 August that “total fire activity across the Amazon basin this year has been close to the average in comparison to the past 15 years.” There is, to be sure, a pall of smoke hanging over São Paulo — Brazil’s biggest city — at the moment. It’s as bad as Singapore six years ago or Vancouver last summer, and there’s no doubt that it comes from forest fires. They are, however, fires in the Bolivian part of the Amazon, not Brazil’s. What the hell, you may say. Bolsonaro may not be guilty this time, but he’s guilty of lots of other things, so let’s hang him anyway. This is not a wise way of proceeding, even if you are doing it with the best of intentions. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Jair Bolsonaro may not be the real culprit of the Amazon fires

Hundreds of new fires have flared up in the Amazon in Brazil. Local farm manager Willian Sabara dos Santos said the forest needs to be preserved and that the government must do more to help small farmers. Watch this video to know more.

Flames continue to devour the Amazon

Hundreds of new fires have flared up in the Amazon in Brazil. G7 nations have pledged to help combat the blazes. Watch this video to know more.

Hundreds of new fires flare up in Amazon

Paulo Coelho apologizes on behalf of Bolsonaro to France

Paulo Coelho Apologizes to France

WION Playlist: Watch top stories of the day, 27th August 2019

Watch WION Playlist, 27th August 2019

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-bolsonaro-open-to-g7-aid-if-macron-withdraws-insults-246047">Brazil President Bolsonaro open to G7 aid if Macron 'withdraws insults'</a>

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he was open to discussing&nbsp;G7 aid for fighting fires&nbsp;in the Amazon if his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron "withdraws insults" made against him, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-increases-military-activity-along-loc-deploys-medium-range-artillery-246007">Pakistan increases military activity along LoC; deploys medium range artillery</a>

Days after India removed special status for Jammu and Kashmir(J&amp;K), Pakistan after restoring to diplomatic means which failed, is trying to create tensions at the Line of Control(LoC).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-g7-for-carping-remarks-on-hong-kongs-internal-affairs-246022">China slams G7's 'carping remarks' on Hong Kong's internal affairs</a>

China on Tuesday slammed G7's statement on Hong Kong and said that it's&nbsp;purely internal affairs&nbsp;of China which can well handle it and the members of Group of Seven should not put their nose in with ulterior motives, reported news agency Reuters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-trump-policies-deepen-farmers-pain-democrats-see-an-opening-in-rural-america-246005">As Trump policies deepen farmers' pain, Democrats see an opening in rural America</a>

Seizing on mounting Farm Belt frustration with&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump's economic agenda, Democratic rivals are stepping up their push to take back part of&nbsp;rural&nbsp;America, whose overwhelming support for&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;helped propel his upset 2016 election victory.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-accuses-pakistan-of-military-violations-seeks-action-from-united-nations-246034">Kabul accuses Pakistan of military violations; seeks action from United Nations</a>

Seeking an action from the UN against Pakistan,&nbsp;Kabul said that the violations from Pakistan continued in the form of shelling and airspace despite several appeals.

Brazil President Bolsonaro open to G7 aid if Macron 'withdraws insults' Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he was open to discussing G7 aid for fighting fires in the Amazon if his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron "withdraws insults" made against him, news agency AFP reported.

Brazil President Bolsonaro open to G7 aid if Macron 'withdraws insults' Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he was open to discussing G7 aid for fighting fires in the Amazon if his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron "withdraws insults" made against him, news agency AFP reported. Pakistan increases military activity along LoC; deploys medium range artillery Days after India removed special status for Jammu and Kashmir(J&K), Pakistan after restoring to diplomatic means which failed, is trying to create tensions at the Line of Control(LoC). China slams G7's 'carping remarks' on Hong Kong's internal affairs China on Tuesday slammed G7's statement on Hong Kong and said that it's purely internal affairs of China which can well handle it and the members of Group of Seven should not put their nose in with ulterior motives, reported news agency Reuters. As Trump policies deepen farmers' pain, Democrats see an opening in rural America Seizing on mounting Farm Belt frustration with President Donald Trump's economic agenda, Democratic rivals are stepping up their push to take back part of rural America, whose overwhelming support for Trump helped propel his upset 2016 election victory. Kabul accuses Pakistan of military violations; seeks action from United Nations Seeking an action from the UN against Pakistan, Kabul said that the violations from Pakistan continued in the form of shelling and airspace despite several appeals.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Watch Top news of the day in WION Playlist, 26th August 2019

Watch WION Playlist, 26th August 2019

Row over sexists posts on Brigitte Macron. Macron Hits back at Bolsonaro and said that his actions are extremely rude

Macron Hits back at Bolsonaro

G7 countries agree to immediate aid for Amazon. To know more watch the video

G7 Nations extend help for Amazon

Brazil has seen an 84% increase in fire outbreaks this year compared to the same period last year, the majority of which are in the Amazon.

Protests over Amazon fires break out across the world

Amazon continues to burn; Bolsonaro sends troops to fight fire. Watch video to know more.

Amazon continues to burn; Bolsonaro sends troops to fight fire

Amazon rainforests are burning and there is a lot of politics over it. Watch video to know more.

Amazon rainforests are burning and there is a lot of politics over it

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-calls-for-protection-of-amazon-rainforest-says-cant-afford-more-damage-to-source-of-oxygen-245080"> curb record fires </a>ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement.

"There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments."&nbsp;

Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/amazon-rainforests-are-on-fire-destroying-the-lungs-of-the-earth-244927/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product.

He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs.

Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests.

Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year -- the highest number for any year since 2013.&nbsp;

The majority of the fires were in the Amazon.

Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region.

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018.

Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned".

"Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 per cent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest - the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen - is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ActForTheAmazon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ActForTheAmazon</a> <a href="https://t.co/dogOJj9big">pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big</a>
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1164617008962527232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In Ireland, Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers.

They fear their sector -&nbsp;already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit -&nbsp;will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact. 
&nbsp;

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday. "I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement. "There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments." Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal. Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product. He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs. Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests. Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year -- the highest number for any year since 2013. The majority of the fires were in the Amazon. Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018. Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires. French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned". "Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 per cent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter. Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest - the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen - is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! #ActForTheAmazon pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 22, 2019 × In Ireland, Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers. They fear their sector - already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit - will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Now, Ireland may block EU-Mercosur deal over Amazon fire

Amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-alia-bhatt-and-other-b-town-stars-raise-their-voice-for-amazon-forest-fires-244855">growing international criticism</a> over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday admitted farmers could be illegally <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forest-fires-in-brazil-surge-as-deforestation-accelerates-244571">setting the rainforest ablaze</a> but told foreign powers not to interfere.

French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres both took to Twitter to express concern about the fires that have reached a record number this year, devastating vast swathes of forest considered a vital bulwark against climate change.

Bolsonaro responded angrily to what he regarded as meddling.

"These countries that send money here, they don`t send it out of charity. ... They send it with the aim of interfering with our sovereignty," he said in a Facebook Live broadcast.

But earlier on Thursday, he said that Brazil alone lacked the resources to control the fires.

"The Amazon is bigger than Europe, how will you fight criminal fires in such an area?" he asked reporters as he left the presidential residence. "We do not have the resources for that."

Fires in the Amazon have surged 83 per cent so far this year compared with the same period a year earlier, government figures show.&nbsp;

Although fires are a regular and natural occurrence during the dry season at this time of year, environmentalists blamed the sharp rise on farmers setting the forest alight to clear land for pasture.

Farmers may have had at least tacit encouragement from the firebrand right-wing president, who took power in January. Bolsonaro has repeatedly said he believes Brazil should open the Amazon up to business interests, to allow mining, agricultural and logging companies to exploit its natural resources.

On Wednesday, he blamed non-governmental organizations for setting the fires, without providing evidence. He appeared to row back on Thursday, when he said for the first time that farmers could be behind the fires.

Ad for "Fire day"

Macron took to Twitter to call the Amazon fires an "international crisis" that should be discussed by the G7 summit that will begin on Saturday in Biarritz, France. The Group of Seven rich countries does not include Brazil.

Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" by the fires, adding, "We cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity."&nbsp;

Federal prosecutors in Brazil said they were investigating a spike in deforestation and wildfires raging in the Amazon state of Pará to determine whether there has been reduced monitoring and enforcement of environmental protections.

Prosecutors said they would look into an ad that they said was published in a local newspaper encouraging farmers to participate in a "Fire Day," in which they would burn large areas of forest "to show Bolsonaro their willingness to work."&nbsp;

Colombia, home to part of the northern Amazon, on Thursday offered its support in the fight to protect the forest.

"Colombian authorities are already working to contain the propagation of these fires toward Colombian territory and we are willing to collaborate with our neighbours in this common cause," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Brazil is facing growing international criticism over its handling of the Amazon, 60% of which lies in the country.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, Norway and Germany suspended funding for projects to curb deforestation in Brazil after becoming alarmed by changes to the way projects were selected under Bolsonaro.

At the time, when asked about the loss of German funding, Bolsonaro said, "Brazil does not need that."

Others were less sanguine.

Brazil`s lower house speaker, Rodrigo Maia, said on Twitter he would create "an external committee" to monitor the burning of the rainforest, and he vowed to form a group "to evaluate the situation and propose solutions to the government."&nbsp;

The Bishops Conference for Latin America expressed concern about the "tragedy," and on Thursday called on countries to take immediate action to protect the rainforest and nearby communities.

"We urge the governments of the Amazon countries, especially Brazil and Bolivia, the United Nations and the international community to take serious measures to save the world`s lungs," it said.

Wildfires are also raging in Bolivia, where officials estimate that an area the size of the US state of Delaware has burned in recent days.

Amid growing international criticism over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday admitted farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze but told foreign powers not to interfere.

Amid growing international criticism over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday admitted farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze but told foreign powers not to interfere. French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres both took to Twitter to express concern about the fires that have reached a record number this year, devastating vast swathes of forest considered a vital bulwark against climate change. Bolsonaro responded angrily to what he regarded as meddling. "These countries that send money here, they don`t send it out of charity. ... They send it with the aim of interfering with our sovereignty," he said in a Facebook Live broadcast. But earlier on Thursday, he said that Brazil alone lacked the resources to control the fires. "The Amazon is bigger than Europe, how will you fight criminal fires in such an area?" he asked reporters as he left the presidential residence. "We do not have the resources for that." Fires in the Amazon have surged 83 per cent so far this year compared with the same period a year earlier, government figures show. Although fires are a regular and natural occurrence during the dry season at this time of year, environmentalists blamed the sharp rise on farmers setting the forest alight to clear land for pasture. Farmers may have had at least tacit encouragement from the firebrand right-wing president, who took power in January. Bolsonaro has repeatedly said he believes Brazil should open the Amazon up to business interests, to allow mining, agricultural and logging companies to exploit its natural resources. On Wednesday, he blamed non-governmental organizations for setting the fires, without providing evidence. He appeared to row back on Thursday, when he said for the first time that farmers could be behind the fires. Ad for "Fire day" Macron took to Twitter to call the Amazon fires an "international crisis" that should be discussed by the G7 summit that will begin on Saturday in Biarritz, France. The Group of Seven rich countries does not include Brazil. Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" by the fires, adding, "We cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity." Federal prosecutors in Brazil said they were investigating a spike in deforestation and wildfires raging in the Amazon state of Pará to determine whether there has been reduced monitoring and enforcement of environmental protections. Prosecutors said they would look into an ad that they said was published in a local newspaper encouraging farmers to participate in a "Fire Day," in which they would burn large areas of forest "to show Bolsonaro their willingness to work." Colombia, home to part of the northern Amazon, on Thursday offered its support in the fight to protect the forest. "Colombian authorities are already working to contain the propagation of these fires toward Colombian territory and we are willing to collaborate with our neighbours in this common cause," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Brazil is facing growing international criticism over its handling of the Amazon, 60% of which lies in the country. Earlier this month, Norway and Germany suspended funding for projects to curb deforestation in Brazil after becoming alarmed by changes to the way projects were selected under Bolsonaro. At the time, when asked about the loss of German funding, Bolsonaro said, "Brazil does not need that." Others were less sanguine. Brazil`s lower house speaker, Rodrigo Maia, said on Twitter he would create "an external committee" to monitor the burning of the rainforest, and he vowed to form a group "to evaluate the situation and propose solutions to the government." The Bishops Conference for Latin America expressed concern about the "tragedy," and on Thursday called on countries to take immediate action to protect the rainforest and nearby communities. "We urge the governments of the Amazon countries, especially Brazil and Bolivia, the United Nations and the international community to take serious measures to save the world`s lungs," it said. Wildfires are also raging in Bolivia, where officials estimate that an area the size of the US state of Delaware has burned in recent days.

As Amazon burns, Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro tells rest of world not to interfere

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-calls-for-protection-of-amazon-rainforest-says-cant-afford-more-damage-to-source-of-oxygen-245080"> fires ravaging the Amazon</a>, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday.

"I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement.

"There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments."&nbsp;

Varadkar added Ireland "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-calls-for-free-stable-trade-environment-warns-of-slowing-global-economy-231600">will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions</a>" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal.

Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product.

He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs.

Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests.

Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013.&nbsp;

The majority of the fires were in the Amazon.

Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region.

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018.

Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned".

"Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter.&nbsp;

In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers.

They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may vote to block a trade deal between the EU and South American nations if Brazil fails to curb record fires ravaging the Amazon, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Friday. "I am very concerned that this year has seen record levels of destruction of Amazonian forests by fire," he said in a statement. "There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments." Varadkar added Ireland "will monitor closely Brazil's environmental actions" over the next two years ahead of European Union ratification of the Mercosur deal. Once in force, it will cover markets of 780 million consumers representing a quarter of global gross domestic product. He also criticised the "Orwellian" stance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of laying the blame for the fires on environmental campaign groups and NGOs. Bolsonaro has also claimed activist groups are whipping up an "environmental psychosis" in a bid to harm Brazil's economic interests. Official figures have recorded nearly 73,000 forest fires in Brazil over the first eight months of the year the highest number for any year since 2013. The majority of the fires were in the Amazon. Environmental experts say the fires have accompanied a rapid rate of deforestation in the Amazon region. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the process of deforestation quadrupled this July in comparison to the same month in 2018. Varadkar's warning came as other world leaders voiced concerns over the fires. French President Emmanuel Macron labelled it "an international crisis" and called on the G7 to address the matter at their weekend summit, while UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned". "Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 percent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter. In Ireland Varadkar is already facing pressure over the Mercosur deal from the agriculture industry, particularly beef farmers. They fear their sector already experiencing turbulence due to Brexit will be undercut by opening EU markets to 99,000 tonnes of South American beef imports each year under the terms of the pact.

Ireland may withold EU-Mercosur deal support over Amazon fires: PM

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, August 22nd, 2019

Social media erupts as fire rages in Amazon rainforest

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-vows-to-fight-illegal-deforestation-in-brazil-240639">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro</a> on Monday responded to Norway's decision to halt its forest protection subsidies, taking to Twitter to criticise the Scandinavian country for its whaling practice and post spectacular albeit misleading images.

"Look at the killing of whales sponsored by Norway," Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter.

The post includes a video and photographs of a spectacular whale hunt, where mammals in the shallow waters of a bay are slaughtered by people wading onshore, armed with hooked knives. The whales' blood turns the waters red.

However, the images, reportedly taken on May 29 in Norway, illustrate a "grind", a type of pilot whale hunt practised exclusively in the Faroe Islands a Danish territory in the North Atlantic.

Norway is one of the few countries in the world that authorises commercial whaling, but the whales are hunted individually, at sea from a ship, and with grenade-mounted harpoons.

"We can confirm that the video/the photos are not from Norway," the Norwegian fisheries ministry told AFP in an email.

"Our whale hunt takes place from ships at sea," he said, arguing that the Norwegian practice was "sustainable".&nbsp;

Bolsonaro was ridiculed on social media for the mix-up.

"Haha what a stupid president Brazil has! This is NOT from Norway! We don't kill whales like that. Do your homework to get respected! 'Fake news' as Trump would have said," wrote one Twitter user.

"False information is a crime Mr President," wrote another.

Bolsonaro has been taking digs at Norway since the country announced last week that it, like Germany, was blocking 30 million euros ($33 million) of subsidies to Brazil, accusing it of turning its back on the fight against deforestation.

Norway has been the single largest donor to the Amazon Fund for forest protection, giving almost 830 million euros since its creation 11 years ago.&nbsp;

Oslo said Brazil, under Bolsonaro's leadership, "no longer wishes to stop deforestation" and said it unilaterally "broke the agreement" it had on the Amazon Fund.

Bolsonaro reacted immediately and angrily.

"Norway, isn't that the country that kills whales up there, at the North Pole? And that produces oil too? That is not at all a role model for us. Let them keep their money and let them help Angela Merkel reforest Germany," he said. 
&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday responded to Norway's decision to halt its forest protection subsidies, taking to Twitter to criticise the Scandinavian country for its whaling practice and post spectacular albeit misleading images.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday responded to Norway's decision to halt its forest protection subsidies, taking to Twitter to criticise the Scandinavian country for its whaling practice and post spectacular albeit misleading images. "Look at the killing of whales sponsored by Norway," Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter. The post includes a video and photographs of a spectacular whale hunt, where mammals in the shallow waters of a bay are slaughtered by people wading onshore, armed with hooked knives. The whales' blood turns the waters red. However, the images, reportedly taken on May 29 in Norway, illustrate a "grind", a type of pilot whale hunt practised exclusively in the Faroe Islands a Danish territory in the North Atlantic. Norway is one of the few countries in the world that authorises commercial whaling, but the whales are hunted individually, at sea from a ship, and with grenade-mounted harpoons. "We can confirm that the video/the photos are not from Norway," the Norwegian fisheries ministry told AFP in an email. "Our whale hunt takes place from ships at sea," he said, arguing that the Norwegian practice was "sustainable". Bolsonaro was ridiculed on social media for the mix-up. "Haha what a stupid president Brazil has! This is NOT from Norway! We don't kill whales like that. Do your homework to get respected! 'Fake news' as Trump would have said," wrote one Twitter user. "False information is a crime Mr President," wrote another. Bolsonaro has been taking digs at Norway since the country announced last week that it, like Germany, was blocking 30 million euros ($33 million) of subsidies to Brazil, accusing it of turning its back on the fight against deforestation. Norway has been the single largest donor to the Amazon Fund for forest protection, giving almost 830 million euros since its creation 11 years ago. Oslo said Brazil, under Bolsonaro's leadership, "no longer wishes to stop deforestation" and said it unilaterally "broke the agreement" it had on the Amazon Fund. Bolsonaro reacted immediately and angrily. "Norway, isn't that the country that kills whales up there, at the North Pole? And that produces oil too? That is not at all a role model for us. Let them keep their money and let them help Angela Merkel reforest Germany," he said.

Brazil President Bolsonaro takes on Norway over whaling but bungles it

Thousands of tribal women decorated with feathers and body paint marched on Brazil's capital Tuesday denouncing the "genocidal policies" of President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces growing criticism over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-vows-to-fight-illegal-deforestation-in-brazil-240639">destruction of the Amazon</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poop-less-for-a-cleaner-planet-says-brazils-president-jair-bolsonaro-241912">Far-right Bolsonaro</a> wants to develop the rainforest -- seen as vital to combatting climate change -- by allowing more mining and farming in the region.

The latest official figures show a sharp increase in deforestation in recent months compared with a year earlier. Activists blame the rise on Bolsonaro's anti-environment rhetoric.&nbsp;

But Bolsonaro has dismissed the data as lies and sacked the head of the government agency tasked with tracking tree clearing.&nbsp;

Carrying bows, arrows and spears, the indigenous women advanced on Congress in Brasilia carrying a large banner that said "Resist to exist" as they demanded greater protection of their land.&nbsp;

"Bolsonaro wants to wipe out our lands, our ethnicities," Potira Guajajara, a 22-year-old student from the northeastern state of Maranhao, told AFP.

"There have been many invasions of our lands by hunters and gold miners."&nbsp;

Brazil's government has demarcated hundreds of territories since the 1980s for the exclusive use of its 800,000 indigenous inhabitants. Access by outsiders is strictly regulated.

Bolsonaro opposes demarcating more land, claiming indigenous people already live "like a zoo animal."

Elected last year with support from the powerful agriculture lobby, Bolsonaro has pledged to combat illegal deforestation.&nbsp;

While the government admits clearing has increased, it insists it is not as great as indicated by the National Institute for Space Research. 
&nbsp;

Thousands of tribal women decorated with feathers and body paint marched on Brazil's capital Tuesday denouncing the "genocidal policies" of President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces growing criticism over destruction of the Amazon.

Thousands of tribal women decorated with feathers and body paint marched on Brazil's capital Tuesday denouncing the "genocidal policies" of President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces growing criticism over destruction of the Amazon. Far-right Bolsonaro wants to develop the rainforest -- seen as vital to combatting climate change -- by allowing more mining and farming in the region. The latest official figures show a sharp increase in deforestation in recent months compared with a year earlier. Activists blame the rise on Bolsonaro's anti-environment rhetoric. But Bolsonaro has dismissed the data as lies and sacked the head of the government agency tasked with tracking tree clearing. Carrying bows, arrows and spears, the indigenous women advanced on Congress in Brasilia carrying a large banner that said "Resist to exist" as they demanded greater protection of their land. "Bolsonaro wants to wipe out our lands, our ethnicities," Potira Guajajara, a 22-year-old student from the northeastern state of Maranhao, told AFP. "There have been many invasions of our lands by hunters and gold miners." Brazil's government has demarcated hundreds of territories since the 1980s for the exclusive use of its 800,000 indigenous inhabitants. Access by outsiders is strictly regulated. Bolsonaro opposes demarcating more land, claiming indigenous people already live "like a zoo animal." Elected last year with support from the powerful agriculture lobby, Bolsonaro has pledged to combat illegal deforestation. While the government admits clearing has increased, it insists it is not as great as indicated by the National Institute for Space Research.

Brazil tribal women protest Bolsonaro's 'genocidal policies'

Brazilian President Bolsonaro asks his son Eduardo to become the ambassador to the US. Watch this video to know more of the story.

Brazil President Bolsonaro asks his son Eduardo to be ambassador to the U.S.

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