Brazil's President to be the Guest of Honor on India's 71st Republic Day

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will arrive in India on a four-day visit beginning Friday with an aim to "re-energise" the bilateral strategic partnership by boosting trade and investment, and deepening cooperation in key sectors such as defence and energy.

Bolsonaro, during his first visit to India after assuming power, will be the chief guest at India's 71st Republic Day Parade on January 26, besides holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind.

Asked why a "controversial" figure like Bolsonaro was chosen to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh said he is an elected leader in a democratic country which is an emerging power in the region and one with which India has strong and substantive relations.

"We will be warmly welcoming him as an honoured guest to the Republic Day and it (his coming here) is a sign of his commitment to building the relationship between the two countries," she said at a media briefing.

Brazilian envoy Andre Aranha Correa do Lago to India earlier told PTI over 15 agreements will be signed during the Brazilian president's visit, including one on the investment protection and facilitation treaty.

President Bolsonaro will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind separately on Saturday.

Thakur said there would be discussions on cooperation in key sectors such as defence, energy, trade and agriculture.

"Coming to the energy sector, which is the area in which we have collaboration both oil and gas as well as in the renewable energy side, including in the field of Bio-fuels... We could have an exchange of knowledge as well as technology in this field," Thakur said.

"We have ongoing Defence cooperation as well as space cooperation and we are looking at how to strengthen these. And, also we would be looking at strengthening our cooperation that exists in science and technology, in innovations and start-ups," she said.

Other areas which will be the focus of discussion during the visit will be agriculture, food processing and animal husbandry, Thakur said.

"So, if you look at it, the visit of President Bolsonaro is an extremely important visit. It will be an opportunity to re-energise our strategic partnership and take it forward in a focused manner. And, we have a very positive and forward-looking agenda to building stronger ties with Brazil," she said.

President Bolsonaro will be accompanied by eight ministers, four members of the Brazilian Parliament, senior officials and a large business delegation, she said.

This will be the third time that a Brazilian President will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day.

The last time there was a Brazilian president as chief guest was in 2004.

India-Brazil ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

The volume of bilateral trade was $8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included $3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and $4.4 million as imports by India. Both the governments feel there is huge potential to enhance the bilateral trade further.

Indian investments in Brazil were around $6 billion and Brazilian investments in India are estimated at $1 billion in 2018.

Brazilian investments in India are mainly in the automobile, IT, mining, energy and biofuels sectors. India has invested in Brazil's IT, pharmaceutical, energy, agri-business, mining and engineering sectors.

The two countries signed an agreement in 2003 for defence cooperation. It was ratified by Brazil in 2006. The agreement provides for cooperation in defence-related matters, especially in the field of research and development, acquisition and logistic support.

Both the countries are also strong contenders for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Modi met Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka in June last year during which a raft of issues of bilateral importance were discussed.&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will arrive in India on a four-day visit beginning Friday with an aim to "re-energise" the bilateral strategic partnership by boosting trade and investment, and deepening cooperation in key sectors such as defence and energy.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will arrive in India on a four-day visit beginning Friday with an aim to "re-energise" the bilateral strategic partnership by boosting trade and investment, and deepening cooperation in key sectors such as defence and energy. Bolsonaro, during his first visit to India after assuming power, will be the chief guest at India's 71st Republic Day Parade on January 26, besides holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind. Asked why a "controversial" figure like Bolsonaro was chosen to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh said he is an elected leader in a democratic country which is an emerging power in the region and one with which India has strong and substantive relations. "We will be warmly welcoming him as an honoured guest to the Republic Day and it (his coming here) is a sign of his commitment to building the relationship between the two countries," she said at a media briefing. Brazilian envoy Andre Aranha Correa do Lago to India earlier told PTI over 15 agreements will be signed during the Brazilian president's visit, including one on the investment protection and facilitation treaty. President Bolsonaro will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind separately on Saturday. Thakur said there would be discussions on cooperation in key sectors such as defence, energy, trade and agriculture. "Coming to the energy sector, which is the area in which we have collaboration both oil and gas as well as in the renewable energy side, including in the field of Bio-fuels... We could have an exchange of knowledge as well as technology in this field," Thakur said. "We have ongoing Defence cooperation as well as space cooperation and we are looking at how to strengthen these. And, also we would be looking at strengthening our cooperation that exists in science and technology, in innovations and start-ups," she said. Other areas which will be the focus of discussion during the visit will be agriculture, food processing and animal husbandry, Thakur said. "So, if you look at it, the visit of President Bolsonaro is an extremely important visit. It will be an opportunity to re-energise our strategic partnership and take it forward in a focused manner. And, we have a very positive and forward-looking agenda to building stronger ties with Brazil," she said. President Bolsonaro will be accompanied by eight ministers, four members of the Brazilian Parliament, senior officials and a large business delegation, she said. This will be the third time that a Brazilian President will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day. The last time there was a Brazilian president as chief guest was in 2004. India-Brazil ties have been on an upswing in the last few years. The volume of bilateral trade was $8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included $3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and $4.4 million as imports by India. Both the governments feel there is huge potential to enhance the bilateral trade further. Indian investments in Brazil were around $6 billion and Brazilian investments in India are estimated at $1 billion in 2018. Brazilian investments in India are mainly in the automobile, IT, mining, energy and biofuels sectors. India has invested in Brazil's IT, pharmaceutical, energy, agri-business, mining and engineering sectors. The two countries signed an agreement in 2003 for defence cooperation. It was ratified by Brazil in 2006. The agreement provides for cooperation in defence-related matters, especially in the field of research and development, acquisition and logistic support. Both the countries are also strong contenders for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Prime Minister Modi met Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka in June last year during which a raft of issues of bilateral importance were discussed.

Brazilian President begins 4-day India visit on Friday; trade, defence energy cooperation high on agenda

A famous soap opera actress met Monday with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to talk about becoming culture secretary, replacing a man fired over a speech that appeared to quote Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
"We are engaged," actress Regina Duarte, 72, said after meeting with Bolsonaro, according to a statement issued by his office. 
It said Duarte will travel to the capital Brasilia Wednesday to tour the culture secretariat complex. 
 
"We had an excellent conversation about the future of culture in Brazil. We began a 'commitment' that might bear fruit for the country," Bolsonaro tweeted later. 
 
Local news organizations said Duarte will, in fact, be named culture secretary. 
 
Duarte has starred in many Brazilian soap operas over the course of a TV career spanning five decades. 
 
After the meeting with the president, local media said Duarte had asked for a trial period as secretary of culture. 
 
After taking power a year ago, Bolsonaro downgraded the culture ministry to a secretariat that was part of the Citizenship Ministry and later transferred it to be under the Tourism Ministry. Duarte would be the fourth person under Bolsonaro to hold the job. 
 
It became available Friday after the man who held it, Roberto Alvim, was fired over a speech in which he appeared to quote Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

"Brazil art over the next decade will be heroic and national," said Alvim, sitting behind a desk as he stared intensely at the camera, with a picture of Bolsonaro behind him, a Brazilian flag to one side and two-barred cross to the other. 
 
"It will be endowed with a great capacity for emotional involvement and will also be imperative, because it will be profoundly linked to the urgent aspirations of our people, or it will be nothing," he said, speaking in Portuguese. 
 
The wording was similar to phrases attributed to Goebbels in a biography written by German holocaust expert Peter Longerich and published originally in German in 2010. 
 
"German art over the next decade will be heroic, it will be resolutely romantic, it will be objective and free of sentimentality," Goebbels was quoted in the book as saying in German. 
 
"It will be national with great poignancy and also imperative or it will be nothing."

A famous soap opera actress met Monday with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to talk about becoming culture secretary, replacing a man fired over a speech that appeared to quote Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

A famous soap opera actress met Monday with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to talk about becoming culture secretary, replacing a man fired over a speech that appeared to quote Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. "We are engaged," actress Regina Duarte, 72, said after meeting with Bolsonaro, according to a statement issued by his office. It said Duarte will travel to the capital Brasilia Wednesday to tour the culture secretariat complex. "We had an excellent conversation about the future of culture in Brazil. We began a 'commitment' that might bear fruit for the country," Bolsonaro tweeted later. Local news organizations said Duarte will, in fact, be named culture secretary. Duarte has starred in many Brazilian soap operas over the course of a TV career spanning five decades. After the meeting with the president, local media said Duarte had asked for a trial period as secretary of culture. After taking power a year ago, Bolsonaro downgraded the culture ministry to a secretariat that was part of the Citizenship Ministry and later transferred it to be under the Tourism Ministry. Duarte would be the fourth person under Bolsonaro to hold the job. It became available Friday after the man who held it, Roberto Alvim, was fired over a speech in which he appeared to quote Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. "Brazil art over the next decade will be heroic and national," said Alvim, sitting behind a desk as he stared intensely at the camera, with a picture of Bolsonaro behind him, a Brazilian flag to one side and two-barred cross to the other. "It will be endowed with a great capacity for emotional involvement and will also be imperative, because it will be profoundly linked to the urgent aspirations of our people, or it will be nothing," he said, speaking in Portuguese. The wording was similar to phrases attributed to Goebbels in a biography written by German holocaust expert Peter Longerich and published originally in German in 2010. "German art over the next decade will be heroic, it will be resolutely romantic, it will be objective and free of sentimentality," Goebbels was quoted in the book as saying in German. "It will be national with great poignancy and also imperative or it will be nothing."

Soap opera actress reportedly in line to be Brazil's culture chief

As part of his four-day visit, President Jair Bolsonaro will arrive in India on Friday.

According to reports, besides participating in the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, Bolsonaro's trip will also focus on boosting trade ties with India.

This will be his first visit to India since assuming power in 2018. He will&nbsp;be accompanied by seven ministers, top officials and a large business delegation.

"This visit is expected to further enhance and strengthen the multi-faceted ties between India-Brazil," the External Affairs Ministry said while announcing Bolsonaro's state visit to India.

A former army captain, Bolsonaro won a landslide victory in Brazil's presidential election in October 2018 and took the reins of the country in January last year.

The last presidential visit from Brazil was by President Michel Temer in October 2016 on the sidelines of the eighth BRICS summit in Goa. Modi visited Brazil in November to attend the XI BRICS Summit.

Brazilian presidents have graced the Republic Day Parade in 1996 and 2004.

India-Brazil ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

The volume of bilateral trade was $8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included $3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and $4.4 million as imports by India. Both the governments feel there is huge potential to enhance the bilateral trade further.

Indian investments in Brazil were around $6 billion and Brazilian investments in India are estimated at USD 1 billion in 2018.

Brazilian investments in India are mainly in automobiles, IT, mining, energy and biofuels sectors. India has invested in Brazil's IT, pharmaceutical, energy, agri-business, mining and engineering sectors.

Bilateral ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2006, heralding a new phase in India-Brazil relations.

"The relations are strong not only at the bilateral level, but also at plurilateral fora such as BRICS, IBSA, G-20 and in multilateral bodies particularly the UN," the MEA said.

Both the countries are also strong contenders for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As part of his four-day visit, President Jair Bolsonaro will arrive in India on Friday. According to reports, besides participating in the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, Bolsonaro's trip will also focus on boosting trade ties with India.

As part of his four-day visit, President Jair Bolsonaro will arrive in India on Friday. According to reports, besides participating in the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, Bolsonaro's trip will also focus on boosting trade ties with India. This will be his first visit to India since assuming power in 2018. He will be accompanied by seven ministers, top officials and a large business delegation. "This visit is expected to further enhance and strengthen the multi-faceted ties between India-Brazil," the External Affairs Ministry said while announcing Bolsonaro's state visit to India. A former army captain, Bolsonaro won a landslide victory in Brazil's presidential election in October 2018 and took the reins of the country in January last year. The last presidential visit from Brazil was by President Michel Temer in October 2016 on the sidelines of the eighth BRICS summit in Goa. Modi visited Brazil in November to attend the XI BRICS Summit. Brazilian presidents have graced the Republic Day Parade in 1996 and 2004. India-Brazil ties have been on an upswing in the last few years. The volume of bilateral trade was $8.2 billion in 2018-19. This included $3.8 billion worth of Indian exports to Brazil and $4.4 million as imports by India. Both the governments feel there is huge potential to enhance the bilateral trade further. Indian investments in Brazil were around $6 billion and Brazilian investments in India are estimated at USD 1 billion in 2018. Brazilian investments in India are mainly in automobiles, IT, mining, energy and biofuels sectors. India has invested in Brazil's IT, pharmaceutical, energy, agri-business, mining and engineering sectors. Bilateral ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2006, heralding a new phase in India-Brazil relations. "The relations are strong not only at the bilateral level, but also at plurilateral fora such as BRICS, IBSA, G-20 and in multilateral bodies particularly the UN," the MEA said. Both the countries are also strong contenders for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. (With inputs from agencies)

With focus on trade, Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro to arrive in India on Friday

Brazilian leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wrong-to-say-reporter-had-a-homosexual-face-brazilian-president-bolsonaro-269518">Jair Bolsonaro</a> was hospitalized Monday after suffering a fall at his official residence in Brasilia, the latest health scare for the 64-year-old, his office said.

Local media reported that Bolsonaro hit his head when he slipped in a bathroom at the Alvorada Palace.

He was taken to the Armed Forces Hospital where he underwent a cranial CT scan, "which did not detect any changes," his communications office said in a statement.

The rightwing leader will remain at the hospital for observation for between six and 12 hours, the statement added.

Institutional Security Minister Augusto Heleno arrived at the hospital shortly after the presidential convoy and told Globo television that Bolsonaro is "fine."

Bolsonaro took office as Brazil's president on January 1. He was seriously injured in a knife attack while campaigning for election last year.

His health has been a subject of concern ever since, and he has undergone several surgeries to treat the wounds he suffered in the stabbing, most recently in September.

Earlier this month, Bolsonaro said he had been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-says-he-has-a-possible-skin-cancer-267766">examined for skin cancer</a>.

Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro was hospitalized Monday after suffering a fall at his official residence in Brasilia, the latest health scare for the 64-year-old, his office said.

Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro was hospitalized Monday after suffering a fall at his official residence in Brasilia, the latest health scare for the 64-year-old, his office said. Local media reported that Bolsonaro hit his head when he slipped in a bathroom at the Alvorada Palace. He was taken to the Armed Forces Hospital where he underwent a cranial CT scan, "which did not detect any changes," his communications office said in a statement. The rightwing leader will remain at the hospital for observation for between six and 12 hours, the statement added. Institutional Security Minister Augusto Heleno arrived at the hospital shortly after the presidential convoy and told Globo television that Bolsonaro is "fine." Bolsonaro took office as Brazil's president on January 1. He was seriously injured in a knife attack while campaigning for election last year. His health has been a subject of concern ever since, and he has undergone several surgeries to treat the wounds he suffered in the stabbing, most recently in September. Earlier this month, Bolsonaro said he had been examined for skin cancer.

Brazil's Bolsonaro hospitalised for domestic accident

Jair Bolsonaro on Friday said that he never imagined that he will be the president of Brazil but&nbsp;God gave him the mandate and made him the leader of the country. He also said that he believes "God is Brazilian".

"I never imagined that I'd be president. No one gave us victory, but I think it was God's will. He saved my life first, then he gave me that mandate," Bolsonaro told reporters at his official residence in Brasilia.

"I believe that God is Brazilian," added the right-wing leader, who came to power on January 1.

Bolsonaro, who served in Brazil's legislature for nearly three decades, was stabbed and seriously injured while on the campaign trail in 2018, before being elected thanks in part to massive support from evangelical Christians.

His health has been a concern since the stabbing, and he has undergone several operations to treat the wounds -- most recently in September.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, the 64-year-old announced he had been examined for skin cancer, appearing before reporters with a bandage on his ear.

"I have fair skin, I fish a lot, I do a lot of activities. So the possibility of skin cancer exists," he said.

A presidential spokesman said earlier the tests were routine and that Bolsonaro was in a "good state of health."

This is not the first time Bolsonaro has made a strange statement. Earlier this month, Bolsonaro&nbsp;claimed that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest, without presenting any evidence.

"This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon," Bolsonaro had said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Jair Bolsonaro on Friday said that he never imagined that he will be the president of Brazil but God gave him the mandate and made him the leader of the country.

Jair Bolsonaro on Friday said that he never imagined that he will be the president of Brazil but God gave him the mandate and made him the leader of the country. He also said that he believes "God is Brazilian". "I never imagined that I'd be president. No one gave us victory, but I think it was God's will. He saved my life first, then he gave me that mandate," Bolsonaro told reporters at his official residence in Brasilia. "I believe that God is Brazilian," added the right-wing leader, who came to power on January 1. Bolsonaro, who served in Brazil's legislature for nearly three decades, was stabbed and seriously injured while on the campaign trail in 2018, before being elected thanks in part to massive support from evangelical Christians. His health has been a concern since the stabbing, and he has undergone several operations to treat the wounds -- most recently in September. Earlier this week, the 64-year-old announced he had been examined for skin cancer, appearing before reporters with a bandage on his ear. "I have fair skin, I fish a lot, I do a lot of activities. So the possibility of skin cancer exists," he said. A presidential spokesman said earlier the tests were routine and that Bolsonaro was in a "good state of health." This is not the first time Bolsonaro has made a strange statement. Earlier this month, Bolsonaro claimed that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest, without presenting any evidence. "This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon," Bolsonaro had said. (With inputs from agencies)

I believe 'God is Brazilian', made me president: Jair Bolsonaro

Brazilian leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-president-blames-leonardo-dicaprio-for-financing-amazon-fires-offers-no-evidence-265337">Jair Bolsonaro</a> said Wednesday he had been examined for skin cancer, in the latest health scare for the 64-year-old.

The president was seriously injured in a knife attack while campaigning for election last year.

His health has been a subject of concern ever since and he has undergone several surgeries to treat the wounds he suffered in the stabbing -- most recently in September.&nbsp;

Wearing a bandage over his left ear, Bolsonaro told reporters outside his residence that he had visited a dermatologist at an air force hospital in the capital Brasilia.

"I have fair skin, I fish a lot, I do a lot of activities. So the possibility of skin cancer exists," he said.

"I don't know if they're going to do a biopsy," the president said, according to local media. "They treated me, they poked at me, they gave me anesthesia. I fell asleep. I was so tired I lay down on the couch and fell asleep."

"For now, (Hamilton) Mourao is still the vice president, you can be sure," Bolsonaro joked.&nbsp;

The president had been scheduled to fly to the northeastern state of Bahia late Wednesday to mark the start of an airport renovation, but the visit was cancelled the day before.

A presidential spokesman said earlier that Bolsonaro was undergoing routine exams and was in a "good state of health."

 
&nbsp;

Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro said Wednesday he had been examined for skin cancer, in the latest health scare for the 64-year-old. The president was seriously injured in a knife attack while campaigning for election last year.

Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro said Wednesday he had been examined for skin cancer, in the latest health scare for the 64-year-old. The president was seriously injured in a knife attack while campaigning for election last year. His health has been a subject of concern ever since and he has undergone several surgeries to treat the wounds he suffered in the stabbing -- most recently in September. Wearing a bandage over his left ear, Bolsonaro told reporters outside his residence that he had visited a dermatologist at an air force hospital in the capital Brasilia. "I have fair skin, I fish a lot, I do a lot of activities. So the possibility of skin cancer exists," he said. "I don't know if they're going to do a biopsy," the president said, according to local media. "They treated me, they poked at me, they gave me anesthesia. I fell asleep. I was so tired I lay down on the couch and fell asleep." "For now, (Hamilton) Mourao is still the vice president, you can be sure," Bolsonaro joked. The president had been scheduled to fly to the northeastern state of Bahia late Wednesday to mark the start of an airport renovation, but the visit was cancelled the day before. A presidential spokesman said earlier that Bolsonaro was undergoing routine exams and was in a "good state of health."

Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro examined for skin cancer

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/effective-immediately-us-to-restore-steel-aluminum-tariffs-on-brazil-argentina-trump-265754">Donald Trump </a>struck back Monday at what he called unfair policies by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-president-blames-leonardo-dicaprio-for-financing-amazon-fires-offers-no-evidence-265337">Brazil </a>and Argentina, saying he is reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from those countries.

"Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies," which is hurting American farmers, he said on Twitter.

"Effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel &amp; Aluminum that is shipped into the US from those countries."

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Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies. which is not good for our farmers. Therefore, effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel &amp; Aluminum that is shipped into the U.S. from those countries. The Federal....
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Trump last year announced global tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium but later approved exemptions for some countries, including Argentina and Brazil which agreed to quotas.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who considers himself an ideological ally of Trump, said he would not hesitate to open a direct line to the White House to resolve the issue.

"I am going to talk to (Economy Minister) Paulo Guedes," Bolsonaro told reporters in Brasilia, adding that if needed "I have an open channel with" Trump.

Brazil is the second-largest supplier of steel to US markets behind Mexico.

And Brazil and Argentina have benefitted from the US trade war with China since they have stepped in to replace American exports of soybeans and other agricultural goods.

Bolsonaro earlier this month met with China's President Xi Jinping in Brasilia and said the Asian economic power is "becoming more and more part of Brazil's future."

Economic impact&nbsp;

Jose Urtubey, spokesman for Argentina's powerful UIA industrial lobby, said producers in the country will be harmed immediately by the tariffs.

With Argentina's "lack of competitiveness" as a producer, the fact that the United States had the lowest steel and aluminium tariffs was "beneficial," Urtubey said.

Brazil has teetered on the brink of recession this year and Argentina is again enmeshed in an economic crisis, which has led to the currencies of both countries weakening against the US dollar.

Bolsonaro's ultra-right government has promised to revive the nation's flagging economy with a massive stimulus plan, as well as pension and tax reforms, and the central bank has cut the key interest rate more than a dozen times since late 2016.

Trump views those moves as an effort to gain at the expense of the United States.

In his tweets, Trump also called on the Federal Reserve to "likewise act" so other nations no longer "take advantage of our strong dollar by further devaluing their currencies."&nbsp;

Amid a slowing global economy and the impact of Trump's wide-ranging trade offensive, mostly directed against China, the Fed has cut the benchmark interest rates three times this year.&nbsp;

But it has signalled it will stand back before deciding on any further moves.

Despite widespread complaints about the impact of the &nbsp;tariffs on US businesses and consumers, as well as the hit to farmers who have been the target of retaliation from trading partners, Trump claimed in his tweet on Monday that Washington has taken in "massive amounts of money" from the tariffs.

He also claimed that since imposing tariffs at the start of March 2018, US markets were "up as much as 21%." In fact, the benchmark stock index is up 14 per cent.

American steel has continued to suffer with overall employment edging downward and production halted at blast furnaces last month.

President Donald Trump struck back Monday at what he called unfair policies by Brazil and Argentina, saying he is reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from those countries.

President Donald Trump struck back Monday at what he called unfair policies by Brazil and Argentina, saying he is reinstating tariffs on steel and aluminium from those countries. "Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies," which is hurting American farmers, he said on Twitter. "Effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel & Aluminum that is shipped into the US from those countries." Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies. which is not good for our farmers. Therefore, effective immediately, I will restore the Tariffs on all Steel & Aluminum that is shipped into the U.S. from those countries. The Federal.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2019 × Trump last year announced global tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium but later approved exemptions for some countries, including Argentina and Brazil which agreed to quotas. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who considers himself an ideological ally of Trump, said he would not hesitate to open a direct line to the White House to resolve the issue. "I am going to talk to (Economy Minister) Paulo Guedes," Bolsonaro told reporters in Brasilia, adding that if needed "I have an open channel with" Trump. Brazil is the second-largest supplier of steel to US markets behind Mexico. And Brazil and Argentina have benefitted from the US trade war with China since they have stepped in to replace American exports of soybeans and other agricultural goods. Bolsonaro earlier this month met with China's President Xi Jinping in Brasilia and said the Asian economic power is "becoming more and more part of Brazil's future." Economic impact Jose Urtubey, spokesman for Argentina's powerful UIA industrial lobby, said producers in the country will be harmed immediately by the tariffs. With Argentina's "lack of competitiveness" as a producer, the fact that the United States had the lowest steel and aluminium tariffs was "beneficial," Urtubey said. Brazil has teetered on the brink of recession this year and Argentina is again enmeshed in an economic crisis, which has led to the currencies of both countries weakening against the US dollar. Bolsonaro's ultra-right government has promised to revive the nation's flagging economy with a massive stimulus plan, as well as pension and tax reforms, and the central bank has cut the key interest rate more than a dozen times since late 2016. Trump views those moves as an effort to gain at the expense of the United States. In his tweets, Trump also called on the Federal Reserve to "likewise act" so other nations no longer "take advantage of our strong dollar by further devaluing their currencies." Amid a slowing global economy and the impact of Trump's wide-ranging trade offensive, mostly directed against China, the Fed has cut the benchmark interest rates three times this year. But it has signalled it will stand back before deciding on any further moves. Despite widespread complaints about the impact of the tariffs on US businesses and consumers, as well as the hit to farmers who have been the target of retaliation from trading partners, Trump claimed in his tweet on Monday that Washington has taken in "massive amounts of money" from the tariffs. He also claimed that since imposing tariffs at the start of March 2018, US markets were "up as much as 21%." In fact, the benchmark stock index is up 14 per cent. American steel has continued to suffer with overall employment edging downward and production halted at blast furnaces last month.

US re-imposes steel, aluminium tariffs on Brazil, Argentina

American actor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-president-blames-leonardo-dicaprio-for-financing-amazon-fires-offers-no-evidence-265337">Leonardo DiCaprio </a>on Saturday denied a claim by Brazilian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-amazon-burns-brazils-jair-bolsonaro-tells-rest-of-world-not-to-interfere-244909">Jair Bolsonaro </a>that he had helped fund groups allegedly linked to fires in the Amazon rain forest.

"While worthy of support," the 45-year-old DiCaprio said in a statement on his Instagram account, "we did not fund the organizations targeted."

In his weekly broadcast Thursday, Bolsonaro accused DiCaprio of "collaborating with the fires in the Amazon" by donating $500,000 to a group he said had started fires in the ecologically sensitive forest in order to attract donations. &nbsp;

While citing no evidence, Bolsonaro said that DiCaprio had earmarked a part of the $500,000 "for the people who were setting fires."

The far-right Brazilian president repeated the accusations on Friday.

'The future... is at stake'&nbsp;

DiCaprio, long an environmental activist, said in his denial that "the future of these irreplaceable ecosystems is at stake, and I am proud to stand with the groups protecting them."

He offered praise for those in Brazil who work "to save their natural and cultural heritage."

Since 2018, the Alter do Chao volunteer fire brigade has helped firefighters combat huge blazes in northern Para state, including a recent fire in the Alter do Chao region that destroyed the equivalent of 1,600 soccer fields.&nbsp;

But regional police claim that some members linked to the group have actually started fires in a bid to raise international funding.

Four of the group's members were arrested on Tuesday before being released two days later.

Investigators say the volunteers set several fires in order to sell photos of the blazes to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) for use in a campaign to raise international donations -- including from DiCaprio.

WWF's Brazil subsidiary has denied the allegations, saying it transferred only around 70,000 reals ($16,800) to the local group for firefighting equipment.

Bolsonaro, an advocate of greater commercial exploitation of the Amazon, blamed NGOs for the fires in August that destroyed vast swaths of the rainforest.

Those fires drew widespread international condemnation of Bolsonaro's stewardship of the Amazon.

Officials with the Alter do Chao brigade have called Bolsonaro's allegations unfounded.

Both Amnesty International and Greenpeace have accused the government of loosening environmental enforcement in the Amazon and, through government rhetoric, encouraging illegal deforestation.

American actor Leonardo DiCaprio on Saturday denied a claim by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that he had helped fund groups allegedly linked to fires in the Amazon rain forest.

American actor Leonardo DiCaprio on Saturday denied a claim by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that he had helped fund groups allegedly linked to fires in the Amazon rain forest. "While worthy of support," the 45-year-old DiCaprio said in a statement on his Instagram account, "we did not fund the organizations targeted." In his weekly broadcast Thursday, Bolsonaro accused DiCaprio of "collaborating with the fires in the Amazon" by donating $500,000 to a group he said had started fires in the ecologically sensitive forest in order to attract donations. While citing no evidence, Bolsonaro said that DiCaprio had earmarked a part of the $500,000 "for the people who were setting fires." The far-right Brazilian president repeated the accusations on Friday. 'The future... is at stake' DiCaprio, long an environmental activist, said in his denial that "the future of these irreplaceable ecosystems is at stake, and I am proud to stand with the groups protecting them." He offered praise for those in Brazil who work "to save their natural and cultural heritage." Since 2018, the Alter do Chao volunteer fire brigade has helped firefighters combat huge blazes in northern Para state, including a recent fire in the Alter do Chao region that destroyed the equivalent of 1,600 soccer fields. But regional police claim that some members linked to the group have actually started fires in a bid to raise international funding. Four of the group's members were arrested on Tuesday before being released two days later. Investigators say the volunteers set several fires in order to sell photos of the blazes to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) for use in a campaign to raise international donations -- including from DiCaprio. WWF's Brazil subsidiary has denied the allegations, saying it transferred only around 70,000 reals ($16,800) to the local group for firefighting equipment. Bolsonaro, an advocate of greater commercial exploitation of the Amazon, blamed NGOs for the fires in August that destroyed vast swaths of the rainforest. Those fires drew widespread international condemnation of Bolsonaro's stewardship of the Amazon. Officials with the Alter do Chao brigade have called Bolsonaro's allegations unfounded. Both Amnesty International and Greenpeace have accused the government of loosening environmental enforcement in the Amazon and, through government rhetoric, encouraging illegal deforestation.

Leonardo Dicaprio denies Brazilian President claim of link to Amazon fires

Brazil's president accuses actor DiCaprio of financing Amazon fires, offers no evidence

Brazilian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-amazon-burns-brazils-jair-bolsonaro-tells-rest-of-world-not-to-interfere-244909">Jair Bolsonaro</a> claimed on Friday that Hollywood star <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/leonardo-dicaprio-raises-awareness-on-instagram-about-delhis-air-pollution-263132">Leonardo DiCaprio </a>financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest, without presenting any evidence, the right-wing leader's latest broadside in casting blame over forest fires that have generated international concern.

Bolsonaro appeared to be commenting on social media postings claiming that the environmental organization the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had paid for images taken by volunteer firefighters that it then supposedly used to solicit donations, including a $500,000 contribution from DiCaprio.

The WWF has denied receiving a donation from DiCaprio or obtaining photos from the firefighters.

"This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon," Bolsonaro said on Friday during brief remarks in front of the presidential residence.

DiCaprio denied having donated to the WWF. In a statement, the actor lauded "the people of Brazil working to save their natural and cultural heritage." But, he said, "While worthy of support, we did not fund the organizations targeted."

DiCaprio has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of combating climate change, speaking frequently about environmental issues including the Amazon forest fires. His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which is focused on projects that "protect vulnerable wildlife from extinction," is part of the Earth Alliance.

Four members of the nongovernmental organization Alter do Chão Fire Brigade were arrested on Tuesday with police accusing them of purposefully setting fires in order to document them and drum up more donations. They were released on Thursday on a judge's order.

Politicians and other NGOs fiercely criticized the arrest, saying it was part of a concerted attempt by Bolsonaro's government to harass environmental groups.

Scientists and activists blame land speculators, farmers and ranchers for setting the fires to clear land for agricultural use, saying that deforesters are being emboldened by Bolsonaro's rhetoric of promoting development and farming over preservation.

The Amazon rainforest is considered a bulwark against global climate change.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly lashed out at various factions in casting blame for the forest fires.

In a Facebook live post on Aug. 21, he said, "Everything indicates" that NGOs were going to the Amazon to "set fire" to the forest. When asked then if he had evidence to back up his claims, Bolsonaro said he had "no written plan," adding, "that's not how it's done."

One day later he admitted that farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze, but roughly a month later he attacked the "lying media" for saying that the rainforest was being devastated by the fires.

Bolsonaro talked about DiCaprio on Thursday during a live webcast. The president said the WWF paid the firefighting NGO to take pictures of forest fires in the Amazon.

"So what did the NGO do? What is the easiest thing? Set fire to the forest. Take pictures, make a video," the president said. "(WWF) makes a campaign against Brazil, it contacts Leonardo DiCaprio, he donates $500,000."

"A part of that went to the people that were setting fires. Leonardo DiCaprio, you are contributing to the fire in the Amazon, that won't do," Bolsonaro said.

Brazil's president accuses actor DiCaprio of financing Amazon fires, offers no evidence Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed on Friday that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest, without presenting any evidence, the right-wing leader's latest broadside in casting blame over forest fires that have generated international concern.

Brazil's president accuses actor DiCaprio of financing Amazon fires, offers no evidence Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed on Friday that Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio financed fires being set in the Amazon rainforest, without presenting any evidence, the right-wing leader's latest broadside in casting blame over forest fires that have generated international concern. Bolsonaro appeared to be commenting on social media postings claiming that the environmental organization the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had paid for images taken by volunteer firefighters that it then supposedly used to solicit donations, including a $500,000 contribution from DiCaprio. The WWF has denied receiving a donation from DiCaprio or obtaining photos from the firefighters. "This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool guy, right? Giving money to torch the Amazon," Bolsonaro said on Friday during brief remarks in front of the presidential residence. DiCaprio denied having donated to the WWF. In a statement, the actor lauded "the people of Brazil working to save their natural and cultural heritage." But, he said, "While worthy of support, we did not fund the organizations targeted." DiCaprio has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of combating climate change, speaking frequently about environmental issues including the Amazon forest fires. His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which is focused on projects that "protect vulnerable wildlife from extinction," is part of the Earth Alliance. Four members of the nongovernmental organization Alter do Chão Fire Brigade were arrested on Tuesday with police accusing them of purposefully setting fires in order to document them and drum up more donations. They were released on Thursday on a judge's order. Politicians and other NGOs fiercely criticized the arrest, saying it was part of a concerted attempt by Bolsonaro's government to harass environmental groups. Scientists and activists blame land speculators, farmers and ranchers for setting the fires to clear land for agricultural use, saying that deforesters are being emboldened by Bolsonaro's rhetoric of promoting development and farming over preservation. The Amazon rainforest is considered a bulwark against global climate change. Bolsonaro has repeatedly lashed out at various factions in casting blame for the forest fires. In a Facebook live post on Aug. 21, he said, "Everything indicates" that NGOs were going to the Amazon to "set fire" to the forest. When asked then if he had evidence to back up his claims, Bolsonaro said he had "no written plan," adding, "that's not how it's done." One day later he admitted that farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze, but roughly a month later he attacked the "lying media" for saying that the rainforest was being devastated by the fires. Bolsonaro talked about DiCaprio on Thursday during a live webcast. The president said the WWF paid the firefighting NGO to take pictures of forest fires in the Amazon. "So what did the NGO do? What is the easiest thing? Set fire to the forest. Take pictures, make a video," the president said. "(WWF) makes a campaign against Brazil, it contacts Leonardo DiCaprio, he donates $500,000." "A part of that went to the people that were setting fires. Leonardo DiCaprio, you are contributing to the fire in the Amazon, that won't do," Bolsonaro said.

Brazil's President blames Leonardo DiCaprio for financing Amazon fires, offers no evidence

Brazil President blames American actor Leonardo DiCaprio for Amazon fires. Jair Bolsonaro said that Leonardo funded the fires. Watch this video to know more.

Brazil President blames American actor Leonardo DiCaprio for Amazon fires

Climate&nbsp;summit&nbsp;host&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;criticised some nations' "silent complicity" with the global environmental&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;and said the upcoming UN&nbsp;meeting must not be treated as a "trade fair."

With wildfires from the United States and Australia plus flooding in Europe all being linked to&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change, public pressure is rising on governments to find urgent solutions at the United Nations'&nbsp;summit&nbsp;in Madrid on December&nbsp;2-13.

Spain's acting energy minister told Reuters delegates must combine enthusiasm with credible proposals to implement the Paris pact on curbing emissions enough to limit temperature rises to within 1.5-2 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels.

"This is not a trade fair, a showcase of who is doing more, it is about consolidating what is being done to be able to do more," Teresa Ribera said at her ministry in Madrid.

"Sadly, those making progress get criticised more than the people who stay silent," said the 50 year-old, who headed the France-based Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations think-tank before becoming a minister under Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez.

"The worst thing in a situation like ours is silent complicity. And that is all around us."

To the frustration of environmental activists and many scientists, there is high-level global disagreement over the causes and solutions for environmental warming.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/saudi-arabia-policy-shift-a-rare-donald-trumps-foreign-policy-success-252387">President Donald Trump</a> has begun withdrawing the United States from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-begins-formal-exit-from-paris-climate-pact-259963">Paris Agreement</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/bolsonaro-may-not-be-the-real-culprit-of-the-amazon-fire-246177">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro</a> has taken heat for accelerated rainforest destruction.

"It has not been easy to work with Brazil on this subject in recent years," acknowledged Ribera, warning that losing Amazon forest cover would be a "carbon bomb" for the world.

"But things are changing and there is responsiveness which we must work with."

China, the world's biggest carbon emitter, has made no statements against the Paris Agreement but is bringing back projects related to new coal-fired plants, she said.

"This is worrying. All the effort to close thermoelectric plants in the rest of the world would reach a dead end if China started building new plants again."

A UN-led global trading system for carbon emissions would be excellent, but must not be rushed, Ribera said.

Her country stepped in to&nbsp;host&nbsp;the&nbsp;summit&nbsp;after riots over inequality prompted Chile to withdraw.

That change obliged Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who refuses to fly, to set out on a catamaran across the Atlantic.

Ribera said she expected the 16-year-old to arrive on time.

Climate summit host Spain criticised some nations' "silent complicity" with the global environmental crisis and said the upcoming UN meeting must not be treated as a "trade fair.

Climate summit host Spain criticised some nations' "silent complicity" with the global environmental crisis and said the upcoming UN meeting must not be treated as a "trade fair." With wildfires from the United States and Australia plus flooding in Europe all being linked to climate change, public pressure is rising on governments to find urgent solutions at the United Nations' summit in Madrid on December 2-13. Spain's acting energy minister told Reuters delegates must combine enthusiasm with credible proposals to implement the Paris pact on curbing emissions enough to limit temperature rises to within 1.5-2 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels. "This is not a trade fair, a showcase of who is doing more, it is about consolidating what is being done to be able to do more," Teresa Ribera said at her ministry in Madrid. "Sadly, those making progress get criticised more than the people who stay silent," said the 50 year-old, who headed the France-based Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations think-tank before becoming a minister under Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez. "The worst thing in a situation like ours is silent complicity. And that is all around us." To the frustration of environmental activists and many scientists, there is high-level global disagreement over the causes and solutions for environmental warming. President Donald Trump has begun withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has taken heat for accelerated rainforest destruction. "It has not been easy to work with Brazil on this subject in recent years," acknowledged Ribera, warning that losing Amazon forest cover would be a "carbon bomb" for the world. "But things are changing and there is responsiveness which we must work with." China, the world's biggest carbon emitter, has made no statements against the Paris Agreement but is bringing back projects related to new coal-fired plants, she said. "This is worrying. All the effort to close thermoelectric plants in the rest of the world would reach a dead end if China started building new plants again." A UN-led global trading system for carbon emissions would be excellent, but must not be rushed, Ribera said. Her country stepped in to host the summit after riots over inequality prompted Chile to withdraw. That change obliged Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who refuses to fly, to set out on a catamaran across the Atlantic. Ribera said she expected the 16-year-old to arrive on time.

Summit host Spain chides 'silent complicity' in climate crisis

Deforestation in the Amazon soars to record numbers in 11 years

The BRICS nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, on Thursday, reaffirmed their fundamental commitment to mutual respect and share the goal of building a peaceful, stable and a prosperous world.

The document presents a shared vision of the BRICS nations on such issues as a reform of the system of international relations, strengthening of international financial and economic architecture, future cooperation between the five countries.

"Building on the work of successive summits in the pillars of economy, peace and security and people-to-people exchanges, we will continue to strengthen BRICS cooperation for the benefit and welfare of our peoples and enhance the traditional ties of friendship amongst our countries," the document said.

It also emphasised the need for a constructive dialogue and cooperation on conserving biodiversity, prohibiting the use of chemical weapons, anti-money laundering and terror financing, infrastructure, including the G20 infrastructure agenda, the New Development Bank`s Project Preparation Facility, counter-terrorism, security in the use of ICTs, major international and regional hot spots, peacekeeping and transnational organised crime.

Heads of BRICS member states also stood "unanimous" in resolving the long-standing conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa as well as Israel and Palestine."We are unanimous in our resolve that the conflicts elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa should not be used as a pretext to delay resolution of the long-standing Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the leaders stressed.

"Guided by the international framework in places, such as the relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid principles and the Arab Peace Initiative, we reiterate that the two-state solution will enable Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side, in peace and security," they said in the document. "In this context, we express, furthermore, the need for new and creative diplomatic efforts to achieving a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in order to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East," the leaders noted.

The leaders also expressed serious concern about the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region and reiterated continuous support to the people of Afghanistan in their effort to build a stable, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous country.

"We firmly believe that there is no military solution to the situation in Afghanistan. We reaffirm our support for a process of peace and reconciliation that is Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. We express concern over the persistence of terrorist-related attacks," the document read.

The theme of the BRICS summit this year was `Economic Growth for an Innovative Future` and therefore, keeping in tandem with it, the countries highlighted the importance of science, technology and innovation (STI) as one of the main drivers of economic growth as well as a key element to shape the future of societies.

The member countries also led to the foundation of the BRICS Network of Human Milk Banks and emphasised the importance of our collective action in promoting research and development of medicines and diagnostic tools to end epidemics, to combat communicable diseases and to facilitate access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines, as well as activities to strengthen non-communicable diseases prevention.

Terrorism was another important point of focus at the summit. The leaders once again vowed their commitment to fighting terror and agreed to maintain efforts on anti-corruption law enforcement cooperation and returning of assets, including on civil and administrative proceedings.&nbsp;

The BRICS nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, on Thursday, reaffirmed their fundamental commitment to mutual respect and share the goal of building a peaceful, stable and a prosperous world.

The BRICS nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, on Thursday, reaffirmed their fundamental commitment to mutual respect and share the goal of building a peaceful, stable and a prosperous world. The document presents a shared vision of the BRICS nations on such issues as a reform of the system of international relations, strengthening of international financial and economic architecture, future cooperation between the five countries. "Building on the work of successive summits in the pillars of economy, peace and security and people-to-people exchanges, we will continue to strengthen BRICS cooperation for the benefit and welfare of our peoples and enhance the traditional ties of friendship amongst our countries," the document said. It also emphasised the need for a constructive dialogue and cooperation on conserving biodiversity, prohibiting the use of chemical weapons, anti-money laundering and terror financing, infrastructure, including the G20 infrastructure agenda, the New Development Bank`s Project Preparation Facility, counter-terrorism, security in the use of ICTs, major international and regional hot spots, peacekeeping and transnational organised crime. Heads of BRICS member states also stood "unanimous" in resolving the long-standing conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa as well as Israel and Palestine."We are unanimous in our resolve that the conflicts elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa should not be used as a pretext to delay resolution of the long-standing Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the leaders stressed. "Guided by the international framework in places, such as the relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid principles and the Arab Peace Initiative, we reiterate that the two-state solution will enable Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side, in peace and security," they said in the document. "In this context, we express, furthermore, the need for new and creative diplomatic efforts to achieving a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in order to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East," the leaders noted. The leaders also expressed serious concern about the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region and reiterated continuous support to the people of Afghanistan in their effort to build a stable, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous country. "We firmly believe that there is no military solution to the situation in Afghanistan. We reaffirm our support for a process of peace and reconciliation that is Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. We express concern over the persistence of terrorist-related attacks," the document read. The theme of the BRICS summit this year was `Economic Growth for an Innovative Future` and therefore, keeping in tandem with it, the countries highlighted the importance of science, technology and innovation (STI) as one of the main drivers of economic growth as well as a key element to shape the future of societies. The member countries also led to the foundation of the BRICS Network of Human Milk Banks and emphasised the importance of our collective action in promoting research and development of medicines and diagnostic tools to end epidemics, to combat communicable diseases and to facilitate access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines, as well as activities to strengthen non-communicable diseases prevention. Terrorism was another important point of focus at the summit. The leaders once again vowed their commitment to fighting terror and agreed to maintain efforts on anti-corruption law enforcement cooperation and returning of assets, including on civil and administrative proceedings.

BRICS stands united in resolving Israel-Palestine, Middle East conflict

BRICS leaders vowed to overcome "challenges" facing multilateralism and called for an urgent need to reform multilateral organisations like United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO) in the joint declaration released on Thursday.

The joint statement came on the second day of the 11th BRICS Summit hosted by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. &nbsp;

"Trade tensions and policy uncertainty have taken a toll on confidence, trade, investment and growth," Bolsonaro said as he read out the declaration. "It is critical that all WTO members avoid unilateral and protectionist measures," he said.

He added that the BRICS nations reiterate the fundamental importance of a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open, free and inclusive international trade and reaffirm their commitment to helping overcome the significant challenges currently facing multilateralism.

The joint declaration also called on for an "urgent need" to strengthen and reform the multilateral system that includes organisations such as the UN, WTO,&nbsp;IMF, among others.&nbsp;

The statement also reaffirmed the need for a "comprehensive" reform of the UN, including the Security Council, in order to make it more "representative, effective, and efficient", and to increase the representation of democratic countries so that they can adequately respond to global challenge.

The BRICS leaders also agreed that a military solution to the conflict in Syria is not possible. They also reiterated their commitment to implement Paris climate agreement.&nbsp;

The 20-page document also expressed serious concern over persistent threats to international peace and security and committed to working for achieving lasting peace for everyone.

Earlier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-nations-contribute-to-half-of-global-economic-development-pm-modi-262162">PM Narendra Modi </a>addressed BRICS business forum where he said that BRICS nations contribute to half of the economic development of the world. PM Modi also urged the forum to create a roadmap to achieve the USD 500 billion intra-BRICS trade target.

BRICS is an association of five major economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.&nbsp;

BRICS leaders vowed to overcome "challenges" facing multilateralism and called for an urgent need to reform multilateral organisations like United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO) in the joint declaration released on Thursday.

BRICS leaders vowed to overcome "challenges" facing multilateralism and called for an urgent need to reform multilateral organisations like United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO) in the joint declaration released on Thursday. The joint statement came on the second day of the 11th BRICS Summit hosted by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. "Trade tensions and policy uncertainty have taken a toll on confidence, trade, investment and growth," Bolsonaro said as he read out the declaration. "It is critical that all WTO members avoid unilateral and protectionist measures," he said. He added that the BRICS nations reiterate the fundamental importance of a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open, free and inclusive international trade and reaffirm their commitment to helping overcome the significant challenges currently facing multilateralism. The joint declaration also called on for an "urgent need" to strengthen and reform the multilateral system that includes organisations such as the UN, WTO, IMF, among others. The statement also reaffirmed the need for a "comprehensive" reform of the UN, including the Security Council, in order to make it more "representative, effective, and efficient", and to increase the representation of democratic countries so that they can adequately respond to global challenge. The BRICS leaders also agreed that a military solution to the conflict in Syria is not possible. They also reiterated their commitment to implement Paris climate agreement. The 20-page document also expressed serious concern over persistent threats to international peace and security and committed to working for achieving lasting peace for everyone. Earlier PM Narendra Modi addressed BRICS business forum where he said that BRICS nations contribute to half of the economic development of the world. PM Modi also urged the forum to create a roadmap to achieve the USD 500 billion intra-BRICS trade target. BRICS is an association of five major economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

BRICS leaders call for free trade, United Nations and WTO reforms

On the sidelines of BRICS summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for another visit to China next year.&nbsp;

"2020 will be here soon, and I hope China-India relations will achieve new and greater development in the new year," said Chinese president in a statement, reports Reuters. "I welcome you to come to China for another meeting next year."

This development comes after President Jinping met Modi last month in Chennai in India for the second <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinese-president-xi-jinping-wraps-up-chennai-visit-leaves-for-nepal-255459">informal summit</a>. Both India and China sought to strengthen ties during Jinping's visit, which was a follow-up of Modi's informal visit to Wuhan in China in 2018.

On Wednesday, both Modi and Jinping met in Brasilia in Brazil on the sidelines of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-russian-president-vladimir-putin-hold-talks-on-sidelines-of-brics-summit-261915">BRICS summit</a>. &nbsp;"

"Held talks with President Xi Jinping. Several subjects pertaining to deepening bilateral cooperation were discussed," PM Modi tweeted after the meet. The Indian prime minister added that today's meet with Chinese president will bring "new vigour" to India-China relations. The Indian PM will again meet President Jinping today. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

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Held talks with President Xi Jinping. Several subjects pertaining to deepening bilateral cooperation were discussed. 
 
Today’s discussions will add new vigour to India-China relations. <a href="https://t.co/mvGZoMYuQ6">pic.twitter.com/mvGZoMYuQ6</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1194709717236486144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Both countries should "increase political mutual trust, properly manage differences and expand practical cooperation so as to guide a better and more stable development of bilateral ties," the Chinese president said, as per a statement released by Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
"The leaders had forward—looking discussions on various aspects of the multifaceted India-China relationship," the Indian foreign ministry tweeted after Modi-Jinping meet.

Jinping and Modi are in Brazil for the 11th BRICS summit.

BRICS is an association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which brings together 23 per cent of global GDP and 42 per cent of the world's population.&nbsp;

The theme of this year's summit is 'Economic Growth for an Innovative Future' and will focus on strengthening ties among the member nations in key areas such as digital economy, science, and technology, as well as in building mechanisms for counter-terrorism cooperation.&nbsp;

All the BRICS member nations will again meet on Thursday and will release a joint statement.&nbsp;

The BRICS summit is the first time Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro hosted a major international event after holding office.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

On the sidelines of BRICS summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for another visit to China next year. "2020 will be here soon, and I hope China-India relations will achieve new and greater development in the new year," said Chinese president in a statement, reports Reuters.

On the sidelines of BRICS summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for another visit to China next year. "2020 will be here soon, and I hope China-India relations will achieve new and greater development in the new year," said Chinese president in a statement, reports Reuters. "I welcome you to come to China for another meeting next year." This development comes after President Jinping met Modi last month in Chennai in India for the second informal summit. Both India and China sought to strengthen ties during Jinping's visit, which was a follow-up of Modi's informal visit to Wuhan in China in 2018. On Wednesday, both Modi and Jinping met in Brasilia in Brazil on the sidelines of BRICS summit. " "Held talks with President Xi Jinping. Several subjects pertaining to deepening bilateral cooperation were discussed," PM Modi tweeted after the meet. The Indian prime minister added that today's meet with Chinese president will bring "new vigour" to India-China relations. The Indian PM will again meet President Jinping today. Held talks with President Xi Jinping. Several subjects pertaining to deepening bilateral cooperation were discussed. Today’s discussions will add new vigour to India-China relations. pic.twitter.com/mvGZoMYuQ6 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2019 × Both countries should "increase political mutual trust, properly manage differences and expand practical cooperation so as to guide a better and more stable development of bilateral ties," the Chinese president said, as per a statement released by Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday. "The leaders had forward—looking discussions on various aspects of the multifaceted India-China relationship," the Indian foreign ministry tweeted after Modi-Jinping meet. Jinping and Modi are in Brazil for the 11th BRICS summit. BRICS is an association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which brings together 23 per cent of global GDP and 42 per cent of the world's population. The theme of this year's summit is 'Economic Growth for an Innovative Future' and will focus on strengthening ties among the member nations in key areas such as digital economy, science, and technology, as well as in building mechanisms for counter-terrorism cooperation. All the BRICS member nations will again meet on Thursday and will release a joint statement. The BRICS summit is the first time Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro hosted a major international event after holding office.

XI Jinping invites PM Narendra Modi for another visit to China

Backers of Venezuela's opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-has-abandoned-the-negotiation-talks-venezuelas-juan-guaido-250055">Juan Guaido</a> left the country's embassy in Brasilia on Wednesday, after a tense 11-hour standoff that created a diplomatic embarrassment for Brazil's right-wing government.

Brazil's foreign ministry said a diplomat it sent to mediate a peaceful end to the dispute managed to convince the group of 10 people to leave the mission.

Representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro later regained access to the building, creating a tricky situation for Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, who has recognised Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela.

The incident caused scuffles outside the embassy in an embarrassment for Brazil's government as it hosts the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brics-summit-2019-pm-modi-meets-russian-president-putin-261934">BRICS summit</a> of major emerging economies in the capital on Wednesday and Thursday. Leaders Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, who support Maduro, attended the event.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Twitter the "violent" occupation had ended peacefully, thanks to the intervention of the Brazilian authorities.

Members of the Guaido group said embassy staff had allowed them to enter the embassy in the morning and that they did so peacefully.

Guaido's envoy in Brazil, Maria Teresa Belandria, has not been able to access the embassy since she arrived 10 months ago and has been living and working out of a Brasilia hotel.

Crowds of Brazilians who gathered outside the embassy to support the rival claims of Maduro and Guaido traded insults and some came to blows before police could separate them.

"The Brazilian government ordered us to leave our country's embassy and we were escorted out by the back door like delinquents," Venezuelan Army Mayor Jose Gregorio, who deserted to Brazil this year, said by telephone after leaving the embassy.

Venezuelan embassies around the world have become flash points for the competing claims of Guaido, the head of country's National Assembly, and Maduro, a socialist who took over from late President Hugo Chavez in 2013.

Earlier this year, Guaido invoked constitutional provisions to assume an interim presidency, arguing that Maduro's re-election last year was fraudulent. He has since been recognised by most Western nations as the rightful leader of Venezuela.

An occupation by protesters at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington in May resulted in arrests before the building was returned to Guaido's representatives, who are recognised by the United States.

Backers of Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido left the country's embassy in Brasilia on Wednesday, after a tense 11-hour standoff that created a diplomatic embarrassment for Brazil's right-wing government.

Backers of Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido left the country's embassy in Brasilia on Wednesday, after a tense 11-hour standoff that created a diplomatic embarrassment for Brazil's right-wing government. Brazil's foreign ministry said a diplomat it sent to mediate a peaceful end to the dispute managed to convince the group of 10 people to leave the mission. Representatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro later regained access to the building, creating a tricky situation for Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, who has recognised Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The incident caused scuffles outside the embassy in an embarrassment for Brazil's government as it hosts the BRICS summit of major emerging economies in the capital on Wednesday and Thursday. Leaders Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, who support Maduro, attended the event. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Twitter the "violent" occupation had ended peacefully, thanks to the intervention of the Brazilian authorities. Members of the Guaido group said embassy staff had allowed them to enter the embassy in the morning and that they did so peacefully. Guaido's envoy in Brazil, Maria Teresa Belandria, has not been able to access the embassy since she arrived 10 months ago and has been living and working out of a Brasilia hotel. Crowds of Brazilians who gathered outside the embassy to support the rival claims of Maduro and Guaido traded insults and some came to blows before police could separate them. "The Brazilian government ordered us to leave our country's embassy and we were escorted out by the back door like delinquents," Venezuelan Army Mayor Jose Gregorio, who deserted to Brazil this year, said by telephone after leaving the embassy. Venezuelan embassies around the world have become flash points for the competing claims of Guaido, the head of country's National Assembly, and Maduro, a socialist who took over from late President Hugo Chavez in 2013. Earlier this year, Guaido invoked constitutional provisions to assume an interim presidency, arguing that Maduro's re-election last year was fraudulent. He has since been recognised by most Western nations as the rightful leader of Venezuela. An occupation by protesters at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington in May resulted in arrests before the building was returned to Guaido's representatives, who are recognised by the United States.

Venezuelan opposition group ends occupation of embassy in Brazil

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will quit his fractious right-wing Social Liberal Party (PSL) and start a new one by March 2020, PSL lawmakers Daniel Silveira and Bia Kicis said on Tuesday after meeting with the president.

The PSL, which Bolsonaro joined as a vehicle to win the elections in October, is split down the middle over control of the party, though it is not clear how many of its 53 representatives and three senators will follow the president.

A meeting will be held on November&nbsp;21 to begin setting up the new party, which will be called Movimento pelo Brasil, or Movement for Brazil, Kicis told Reuters by telephone.

The split came to a head last month with an exchange of insults between the president and PSL founder Luciano Bivar, who has not wanted to hand over the reins to Bolsonaro and his sons.

At stake is 390 million reais ($94 million) in public campaign funds for municipal elections, an unprecedented war chest for the PSL, which rode Bolsonaro’s coattails to grow from a single lawmaker in Congress to the second-largest bench.

While senators, governors and mayors can freely switch parties, lower house lawmakers are subject to rules that bar them from continued access to the campaign funding if they swap parties.

"Several representatives plan to follow the president. We are prepared to lose the campaign funds because we want to found a new party to follow him," Kicis said.

Bolsonaro needs to gather 500,000 signatures to start a new party, and his supporters are confident he can achieve that through social media, a tool that greatly aided his successful run for president last year.

One of the PSL's three senators, Senator Soraya Thronicke from the farm-state of Mato Grosso, told Reuters she has not made up her mind yet.

If she stayed in the PSL, only one senator would follow Bolsonaro, his son Flavio Bolsonaro.

The breakup of the PSL is not expected to affect Brazil's economic reform agenda, which has ample backing in Congress.

But starting a new party could politically weaken Bolsonaro, who switched allegiances among eight parties during his 28 years in Congress before joining the PSL last year.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will quit his fractious right-wing Social Liberal Party (PSL) and start a new one by March 2020, PSL lawmakers Daniel Silveira and Bia Kicis said on Tuesday after meeting with the president.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will quit his fractious right-wing Social Liberal Party (PSL) and start a new one by March 2020, PSL lawmakers Daniel Silveira and Bia Kicis said on Tuesday after meeting with the president. The PSL, which Bolsonaro joined as a vehicle to win the elections in October, is split down the middle over control of the party, though it is not clear how many of its 53 representatives and three senators will follow the president. A meeting will be held on November 21 to begin setting up the new party, which will be called Movimento pelo Brasil, or Movement for Brazil, Kicis told Reuters by telephone. The split came to a head last month with an exchange of insults between the president and PSL founder Luciano Bivar, who has not wanted to hand over the reins to Bolsonaro and his sons. At stake is 390 million reais ($94 million) in public campaign funds for municipal elections, an unprecedented war chest for the PSL, which rode Bolsonaro’s coattails to grow from a single lawmaker in Congress to the second-largest bench. While senators, governors and mayors can freely switch parties, lower house lawmakers are subject to rules that bar them from continued access to the campaign funding if they swap parties. "Several representatives plan to follow the president. We are prepared to lose the campaign funds because we want to found a new party to follow him," Kicis said. Bolsonaro needs to gather 500,000 signatures to start a new party, and his supporters are confident he can achieve that through social media, a tool that greatly aided his successful run for president last year. One of the PSL's three senators, Senator Soraya Thronicke from the farm-state of Mato Grosso, told Reuters she has not made up her mind yet. If she stayed in the PSL, only one senator would follow Bolsonaro, his son Flavio Bolsonaro. The breakup of the PSL is not expected to affect Brazil's economic reform agenda, which has ample backing in Congress. But starting a new party could politically weaken Bolsonaro, who switched allegiances among eight parties during his 28 years in Congress before joining the PSL last year.

Brazil's Bolsonaro to quit divided PSL party, found new one

On the sidelines of the 11th BRICS summit, PM Modi will also meet Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to discuss ways to enhance the bilateral strategic partnership.

PM Modi In Brazil For BRICS Summit

Brazil's former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday attacked right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro for impoverishing working Brazilians and vowed to unite the left to win the 2022 elections in a speech one day after being freed from jail.

Brazil's former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday attacked right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro for impoverishing working Brazilians and vowed to unite the left to win the 2022 elections in a speech one day after being freed from jail. Lula's wide-ranging, 45-minute speech to cheering supporters focused broadly on defeating Bolsonaro and improving the economic conditions of the working class, although he diverged frequently to talk about everything from his fiancé to solidarity with leftist governments in Bolivia and Venezuela. Lula, who was president from 2003 to 2010, also took aim at a long list of political enemies, including Bolsonaro, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes and Justice Minister Sergio Moro, a former judge who initially ruled to convict Lula. "I want to tell them, I'm back," the 74-year-old told hundreds of supporters dressed in red, the colour of his Workers Party, outside of the metalworkers union where he got his political start. He said Guedes seeks to remake Brazil economically in the image of Chile, long seen as a model of financially conservative governance, but that those policies are the reason for the widespread street protests paralysing its Latin American neighbour. A judge ordered that Lula be freed on Friday, a day after Brazil's Supreme Court issued a broader ruling ending the mandatory imprisonment of convicted criminals after they lose their first appeal. Lula had been imprisoned on a corruption conviction carrying a nearly nine-year sentence. Bolsonaro told reporters in Brasilia, "Let's not give space to compromise with a convict." Earlier on Twitter, the president called for supporters to rally around his government's agenda, which has included a severe tightening of public spending, saying that they must not allow Brazil's next phase of recovery to be derailed. "Do not give ammunition to the scoundrel, who is momentarily free but full of guilt," Bolsonaro said. While Bolsonaro did not mention Lula by name, his left-wing rival took direct aim at the president. "If we work hard, in 2022 the so-called left that Bolsonaro is so afraid of will defeat the ultra-right," he said. Lula, who left the presidency with sky-high approval ratings, is ineligible to stand for office until 2025 under Brazil's "Clean Record" law because of a conviction for taking bribes. But his release is expected to energize the left ahead of next year's municipal elections. He was imprisoned in 2018 after being found guilty of receiving bribes from construction companies in return for public contracts. Lula has maintained his innocence. On Saturday he repeated that Justice Minister Moro, prosecutors and police were lying about his guilt for political reasons. "(I'm) not responding to criminals, jailed or freed. Some people deserve to be ignored," Moro responded on Twitter.

In Brazil, newly freed Lula sets up clash with Bolsonaro's right-wing

Brazil’s Bolsonaro says ‘worst is yet to come’ on oil spill. Watch video to know more.

Brazil’s Bolsonaro says ‘worst is yet to come’ on oil spill

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Sunday that "the worst is yet to come" with an oil spill that has affected more than 200 beaches on the country's coast.

"What came so far and what was collected is a small amount of what was spilled," Bolsonaro said in an interview with Record television.

He said he did not know if additional oil would impact his country's coastline, but that "everything indicates that the currents went to the coast of Brazil."

Oil slicks have been appearing for three months off the coast of northeast Brazil and fouling beaches along a 2,000 kilometer (1,250 mile) area of Brazil's most celebrated shoreline.

Crews and volunteers have cleaned up tons of oil on the beaches.

Officials say it not yet possible to quantify the environmental and economic damage from the oil slicks.

The government on Friday named a Greek-flagged tanker as the prime suspect behind the oil slicks.

The ship Bouboulina took on oil in Venezuela and was headed for Singapore, it said.

The space agency Inpe said Friday there might still be oil at sea being pushed by currents and it could reach the states of Espiritu Santo and Rio de Janeiro in southeast Brazil.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Sunday that "the worst is yet to come" with an oil spill that has affected more than 200 beaches on the country's coast. "What came so far and what was collected is a small amount of what was spilled," Bolsonaro said in an interview with Record television.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Sunday that "the worst is yet to come" with an oil spill that has affected more than 200 beaches on the country's coast. "What came so far and what was collected is a small amount of what was spilled," Bolsonaro said in an interview with Record television. He said he did not know if additional oil would impact his country's coastline, but that "everything indicates that the currents went to the coast of Brazil." Oil slicks have been appearing for three months off the coast of northeast Brazil and fouling beaches along a 2,000 kilometer (1,250 mile) area of Brazil's most celebrated shoreline. Crews and volunteers have cleaned up tons of oil on the beaches. Officials say it not yet possible to quantify the environmental and economic damage from the oil slicks. The government on Friday named a Greek-flagged tanker as the prime suspect behind the oil slicks. The ship Bouboulina took on oil in Venezuela and was headed for Singapore, it said. The space agency Inpe said Friday there might still be oil at sea being pushed by currents and it could reach the states of Espiritu Santo and Rio de Janeiro in southeast Brazil.

Brazil's Bolsonaro says 'worst is yet to come' on oil spill

Illegal loggers in the Amazon ambushed an indigenous group that was formed to protect the forest and shot dead a young warrior and wounded another, leaders of the Guajajara tribe in northern Brazil said on Saturday.

Paulo Paulino Guajajara, or Lobo (which means 'wolf' in Portuguese), was hunting on Friday inside the Arariboia reservation in Maranhao state when he was attacked and shot in the head. Another Guajajara, Laercio, was wounded but escaped, they said.

The clash comes amid an increase in invasions of reservations by illegal loggers and miners since right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro took office this year and vowed to open up protected indigenous lands to economic development.

"The Bolsonaro government has indigenous blood on its hands," Brazil's pan-indigenous organization APIB, which represents many of the country's 900,000 native people, said in a statement on Saturday.

"The increase in violence in indigenous territories is a direct result of his hateful speeches and steps taken against our people," APIB said.

APIB leader Sonia Guajajara said the government was dismantling environmental and indigenous agencies, and leaving tribes to defend themselves from invasion of their lands.

"It's time to say enough of this institutionalized genocide," she said in a post on Twitter.

Brazil's federal police said they had sent a team to investigate the circumstances of Paulino Guajajara's death. APIB said his body was still lying in the forest where he was killed.

The Guajajaras, one of Brazil's largest indigenous groups with some 20,000 people, set up the Guardians of the Forest https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-environment-forest-guardians-w/fighting-fire-with-fire-amazon-forest-guardians-stalk-illegal-loggers-idUSKBN1W51CR in 2012 to patrol a vast reservation. The area is so large that a small and endangered tribe, the Awá Guajá, lives deep in the forest without any contact with the outside world.

Paulino Guajajara, who was in his twenties and leaves behind one son, told Reuters in an interview http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-environment-forest-guardians-w/fighting-fire-with-fire-amazon-forest-guardians-stalk-illegal-loggers-idUSKBN1W51CR on the reservation in September that protecting the forest from intruders had become a dangerous task, but his people could not give in to fear.

"I'm scared at times, but we have to lift up our heads and act. We are here fighting," he said, as he and other warriors prepared to move through the forest towards a logging camp.

"We are protecting our land and the life on it, the animals, the birds, even the Awá who are here too," Paulino Guajajara said at the time. "There is so much destruction of Nature happening, good trees with wood as hard as steel being cut down and taken away."

"We have to preserve this life for our children's future," he said.

Illegal loggers in the Amazon ambushed an indigenous group that was formed to protect the forest and shot dead a young warrior and wounded another, leaders of the Guajajara tribe in northern Brazil said on Saturday.

Illegal loggers in the Amazon ambushed an indigenous group that was formed to protect the forest and shot dead a young warrior and wounded another, leaders of the Guajajara tribe in northern Brazil said on Saturday. Paulo Paulino Guajajara, or Lobo (which means 'wolf' in Portuguese), was hunting on Friday inside the Arariboia reservation in Maranhao state when he was attacked and shot in the head. Another Guajajara, Laercio, was wounded but escaped, they said. The clash comes amid an increase in invasions of reservations by illegal loggers and miners since right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro took office this year and vowed to open up protected indigenous lands to economic development. "The Bolsonaro government has indigenous blood on its hands," Brazil's pan-indigenous organization APIB, which represents many of the country's 900,000 native people, said in a statement on Saturday. "The increase in violence in indigenous territories is a direct result of his hateful speeches and steps taken against our people," APIB said. APIB leader Sonia Guajajara said the government was dismantling environmental and indigenous agencies, and leaving tribes to defend themselves from invasion of their lands. "It's time to say enough of this institutionalized genocide," she said in a post on Twitter. Brazil's federal police said they had sent a team to investigate the circumstances of Paulino Guajajara's death. APIB said his body was still lying in the forest where he was killed. The Guajajaras, one of Brazil's largest indigenous groups with some 20,000 people, set up the Guardians of the Forest https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-environment-forest-guardians-w/fighting-fire-with-fire-amazon-forest-guardians-stalk-illegal-loggers-idUSKBN1W51CR in 2012 to patrol a vast reservation. The area is so large that a small and endangered tribe, the Awá Guajá, lives deep in the forest without any contact with the outside world. Paulino Guajajara, who was in his twenties and leaves behind one son, told Reuters in an interview http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-environment-forest-guardians-w/fighting-fire-with-fire-amazon-forest-guardians-stalk-illegal-loggers-idUSKBN1W51CR on the reservation in September that protecting the forest from intruders had become a dangerous task, but his people could not give in to fear. "I'm scared at times, but we have to lift up our heads and act. We are here fighting," he said, as he and other warriors prepared to move through the forest towards a logging camp. "We are protecting our land and the life on it, the animals, the birds, even the Awá who are here too," Paulino Guajajara said at the time. "There is so much destruction of Nature happening, good trees with wood as hard as steel being cut down and taken away." "We have to preserve this life for our children's future," he said.

Amazon: Illegal loggers kill Amazon land defender in ambush, wound another

After announcing his intention to leave the Paris climate accord back in 2017, Donald Trump is expected on Monday to send a letter that will trigger a yearlong countdown before the US can formally exit.

But although his administration has largely ignored the landmark agreement since taking power, American officials will continue to play a role in negotiating technical details -- just in case they ever want to come back.

"Because of the historical role the US has played, especially on issues like transparency, other governments will continue to hear them out and allow them to play something of a role," David Waskow, an expert on climate negotiations at the World Resources Institute in Washington, told AFP.

Though the landmark accord went into effect for nearly 200 nations in 2016, various technical aspects over its implementation remain to be ironed out including matters of accounting for emissions and how much data countries will be required to publish.

The State Department told AFP it will send a delegation to the next major UN climate summit, the COP25, in Madrid -- just like it has for every previous such summit since Trump took power.

Article 28 of the 2015 agreement says signatories can only formally ask to leave three years after it takes force, meaning November 4, 2019.&nbsp;

That would mean that the US will remain a signatory until November 4, 2020 -- the day after the next presidential election.

The official letter has long been expected and won't mean anything in concrete terms, but will send a strong signal to the Republican president's base on the campaign trail.

"It wouldn't be surprising to see him try to use this politically," said Waskow.

Beyond Trump

Trump's initial announcement that he was pulling the world's number two polluter out of the accord triggered uncertainty over its future -- but so far no other country has followed the United States's lead.

Brazil remains in, despite the election of climate skeptic Jair Bolsonaro, and other big emitters like China, India and South Africa also remain engaged in the process, even if their targets are for the time being deemed insufficient.

Even Russia, which has long given short shrift to climate policy, finalized its participation in September.

Trump's climate nihilism has also had an unintended effect: the emergence of non-federal actors setting their own targets.

"Here at home, states, cities and businesses representing more than half of the US GDP and population have committed to take action to meet the Paris Agreement's goals," said Alden Meyer, another climate negotiations expert, from the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington.

Depending on how you look at it, such efforts represent a half-full or half-empty glass.

The combined reduction targets of California, New York state, multi-billion dollar corporations and more aren't negligible, but they don't compensate for inaction at the federal level.

For example, Obama had set ambitious auto emissions reduction targets, since rolled back by Trump.

Obama's overall greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030 was a relatively modest 26 per cent drop compared to 2005 levels, but even that is projected to be missed by about a third, according to an estimate published by the organization America's Pledge, and which will next be updated in December.

The Paris Accord's biggest test will come at COP26, held in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2020.

All of the countries have been asked to increase their targets by then, as part of the overarching goal of cutting emissions to net-zero by 2050, the only way scientists believe humanity can limit long term warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.

The US election falls just before COP26, and its result will determine whether other countries were correct in continuing to engage with their American counterparts.&nbsp;

All of Trump's Democratic opponents have vowed to re-enter into the agreement if elected.

After announcing his intention to leave the Paris climate accord back in 2017, Donald Trump is expected on Monday to send a letter that will trigger a yearlong countdown before the US can formally exit.

After announcing his intention to leave the Paris climate accord back in 2017, Donald Trump is expected on Monday to send a letter that will trigger a yearlong countdown before the US can formally exit. But although his administration has largely ignored the landmark agreement since taking power, American officials will continue to play a role in negotiating technical details -- just in case they ever want to come back. "Because of the historical role the US has played, especially on issues like transparency, other governments will continue to hear them out and allow them to play something of a role," David Waskow, an expert on climate negotiations at the World Resources Institute in Washington, told AFP. Though the landmark accord went into effect for nearly 200 nations in 2016, various technical aspects over its implementation remain to be ironed out including matters of accounting for emissions and how much data countries will be required to publish. The State Department told AFP it will send a delegation to the next major UN climate summit, the COP25, in Madrid -- just like it has for every previous such summit since Trump took power. Article 28 of the 2015 agreement says signatories can only formally ask to leave three years after it takes force, meaning November 4, 2019. That would mean that the US will remain a signatory until November 4, 2020 -- the day after the next presidential election. The official letter has long been expected and won't mean anything in concrete terms, but will send a strong signal to the Republican president's base on the campaign trail. "It wouldn't be surprising to see him try to use this politically," said Waskow. Beyond Trump Trump's initial announcement that he was pulling the world's number two polluter out of the accord triggered uncertainty over its future -- but so far no other country has followed the United States's lead. Brazil remains in, despite the election of climate skeptic Jair Bolsonaro, and other big emitters like China, India and South Africa also remain engaged in the process, even if their targets are for the time being deemed insufficient. Even Russia, which has long given short shrift to climate policy, finalized its participation in September. Trump's climate nihilism has also had an unintended effect: the emergence of non-federal actors setting their own targets. "Here at home, states, cities and businesses representing more than half of the US GDP and population have committed to take action to meet the Paris Agreement's goals," said Alden Meyer, another climate negotiations expert, from the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington. Depending on how you look at it, such efforts represent a half-full or half-empty glass. The combined reduction targets of California, New York state, multi-billion dollar corporations and more aren't negligible, but they don't compensate for inaction at the federal level. For example, Obama had set ambitious auto emissions reduction targets, since rolled back by Trump. Obama's overall greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030 was a relatively modest 26 per cent drop compared to 2005 levels, but even that is projected to be missed by about a third, according to an estimate published by the organization America's Pledge, and which will next be updated in December. The Paris Accord's biggest test will come at COP26, held in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2020. All of the countries have been asked to increase their targets by then, as part of the overarching goal of cutting emissions to net-zero by 2050, the only way scientists believe humanity can limit long term warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. The US election falls just before COP26, and its result will determine whether other countries were correct in continuing to engage with their American counterparts. All of Trump's Democratic opponents have vowed to re-enter into the agreement if elected.

US remains in the Paris accord, for now

The son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday that he had dropped hopes of becoming the country's ambassador to the United States.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, 35, told fellow lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies that he had made the decision partly due to lack of support, adding that his father had not influenced his choice.

"It was a decision I had been thinking about for a long time," he told local media in Brasilia.

"You listen to the advice of many people. There is also the issue of my electorate. I confess that the majority was not supportive."

The president this week said Eduardo, his third son, could help "pacify" his Social Liberal Party (PSL) that is split by bitter divisions.

Bolsonaro, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, first said in July that his son was on track to becoming the ambassador in Washington.

The son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday that he had dropped hopes of becoming the country's ambassador to the United States. Eduardo Bolsonaro, 35, told fellow lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies that he had made the decision partly due to lack of support, adding that his father had not influenced his choice.

The son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday that he had dropped hopes of becoming the country's ambassador to the United States. Eduardo Bolsonaro, 35, told fellow lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies that he had made the decision partly due to lack of support, adding that his father had not influenced his choice. "It was a decision I had been thinking about for a long time," he told local media in Brasilia. "You listen to the advice of many people. There is also the issue of my electorate. I confess that the majority was not supportive." The president this week said Eduardo, his third son, could help "pacify" his Social Liberal Party (PSL) that is split by bitter divisions. Bolsonaro, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, first said in July that his son was on track to becoming the ambassador in Washington.

Bolsonaro's son ditches plan to be US ambassador

Pope Francis will gather Catholic bishops at the Vatican Sunday to champion the isolated and poverty-struck indigenous communities of the Amazon, whose way of life is under threat.

The global spotlight has recently been on the world's largest rainforest, which is vital for the planet but is suffering from its worst outbreak of fires in years, due in part to an acceleration in deforestation.

The working document for the "synod", which mainly brings together bishops from nine Pan-Amazonian countries, denounces in scathing terms social injustices and crimes, including murders, as well as suggesting a Church action plan.

"Listen to the cry of 'Mother Earth', assaulted and seriously wounded by the economic model of predatory and ecocidal development... which kills and plunders, destroys and devastates, expels and discards," the 80-page document says.

The run-up to the three-week synod, or assembly, saw some 260 events held in the Amazon region involving 80,000 people, in a bid to give the local populations a voice in the document.

Among those attending the synod as an observer is Sister Laura Vincuna, a missionary trying to protect the territories of the Caripuna indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon.

"Help us defend our motherland, we have no other home!" she said on Saturday.

"Earth, water, forest: without these three elements nobody can do anything," she said on the eve of the synod.

Controversial ideas

Sunday's gathering comes as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate-change sceptic, told the United Nations that the world's media were lying about the Amazon, and attacked indigenous leaders as tools of foreign governments.

In his 2015 encyclical on ecology and climate change "Laudato Si", Francis denounced the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest in the name of "enormous international economic interests".

Last year the world's first Latin American pope visited Puerto Maldonado, a village in southeastern Peru surrounded by the Amazon jungle, to meet thousands of indigenous Peruvians, Brazilians and Bolivians.

That trip was the first step towards this synod, which opens Sunday with a mass in St. Peter's Square.

Francis' hopes of bringing the Catholic faith to far-flung populations will also see the bishops gathered in Rome debate a highly controversial proposal -- allowing married men to become priests.

The issue deeply upsets some traditionalists, who argue that making an exception for the Amazon would open the door to the end of celibacy for priests, which is not a Church law and only dates back to the 11th century.

The German Catholic Church in particular, which has an influential progressive wing, has been hotly debating the subject.

The synod, which runs until October 27, will also reflect on making official roles for women, who already play a central part in the Amazonian Church.

Of the 184 prelates at the synod, 113 hail from the Amazonian region, including 57 from Brazil.

Others taking part include 17 representatives of Amazonian indigenous peoples and ethnic groups, and 35 women -- who will not have the right to vote on the final document.

Pope Francis will gather Catholic bishops at the Vatican Sunday to champion the isolated and poverty-struck indigenous communities of the Amazon, whose way of life is under threat.

Pope Francis will gather Catholic bishops at the Vatican Sunday to champion the isolated and poverty-struck indigenous communities of the Amazon, whose way of life is under threat. The global spotlight has recently been on the world's largest rainforest, which is vital for the planet but is suffering from its worst outbreak of fires in years, due in part to an acceleration in deforestation. The working document for the "synod", which mainly brings together bishops from nine Pan-Amazonian countries, denounces in scathing terms social injustices and crimes, including murders, as well as suggesting a Church action plan. "Listen to the cry of 'Mother Earth', assaulted and seriously wounded by the economic model of predatory and ecocidal development... which kills and plunders, destroys and devastates, expels and discards," the 80-page document says. The run-up to the three-week synod, or assembly, saw some 260 events held in the Amazon region involving 80,000 people, in a bid to give the local populations a voice in the document. Among those attending the synod as an observer is Sister Laura Vincuna, a missionary trying to protect the territories of the Caripuna indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon. "Help us defend our motherland, we have no other home!" she said on Saturday. "Earth, water, forest: without these three elements nobody can do anything," she said on the eve of the synod. Controversial ideas Sunday's gathering comes as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate-change sceptic, told the United Nations that the world's media were lying about the Amazon, and attacked indigenous leaders as tools of foreign governments. In his 2015 encyclical on ecology and climate change "Laudato Si", Francis denounced the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest in the name of "enormous international economic interests". Last year the world's first Latin American pope visited Puerto Maldonado, a village in southeastern Peru surrounded by the Amazon jungle, to meet thousands of indigenous Peruvians, Brazilians and Bolivians. That trip was the first step towards this synod, which opens Sunday with a mass in St. Peter's Square. Francis' hopes of bringing the Catholic faith to far-flung populations will also see the bishops gathered in Rome debate a highly controversial proposal -- allowing married men to become priests. The issue deeply upsets some traditionalists, who argue that making an exception for the Amazon would open the door to the end of celibacy for priests, which is not a Church law and only dates back to the 11th century. The German Catholic Church in particular, which has an influential progressive wing, has been hotly debating the subject. The synod, which runs until October 27, will also reflect on making official roles for women, who already play a central part in the Amazonian Church. Of the 184 prelates at the synod, 113 hail from the Amazonian region, including 57 from Brazil. Others taking part include 17 representatives of Amazonian indigenous peoples and ethnic groups, and 35 women -- who will not have the right to vote on the final document.

Vatican to shine light on Amazon's indigenous communities

74th UNGA: High-profile leaders go missing. Watch video to know more.

74th UNGA: High-profile leaders go missing

The fires that burned through the Amazon rainforest last month sparked international outcry and offers of help, but as world leaders meet in New York, the planet's largest rainforest remains engulfed in flames.

The latest satellite data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) shows 131,600 fires burning since January within the country, where 60 per cent of the Amazon lies.

The fires, which are mostly caused by humans with the goal of clearing land for farming and cattle ranching, are having a grievous effect on the forest: the rate of deforestation in the Amazon has nearly doubled since far-right President Jair Bolsonaro came to power on January 1, with the equivalent of 110 football fields of land being cleared every hour.

"It's sad to see Brazilians attacking me for fires in the Amazon as if they hadn't always existed," Bolsonaro wrote on Facebook Thursday.

We "remain below the average of the last 15 years. But I'm accused of being a Nero, who sets fires everywhere."

Yet fires are at a seven-year high, according to INPE data, and despite a slight drop at the start of the month, the number of active fires recorded in Brazil from the start of the year to September 19 was up 56 per cent over the same period in 2018. Nearly half of the blazes are in the Amazon.

Bolsonaro is a climate change sceptic, but last month he sent soldiers to help put out fires in the Amazon region after Brazil came under criticism at the G7 summit, with the host French President Emmanuel Macron among the most outspoken detractors.

Under that deployment, which was renewed Friday for another month, nearly 7,000 soldiers and 16 aircraft are fighting both the flames and "deforestation and illegal mining," Brazil's defence ministry said.

'I'm going to get hit'

Marcio Astrini, a Greenpeace official in Brazil, said the deployment is making little difference.

"We did a lot of fly-overs. We did not see anything happening on the ground, apart from the deforestation that is progressing. It's tragic," he told AFP.

Experts sent by the United States, logistical equipment from Japan, and four aircraft from Chile are all fighting the blazes, while firefighters sent from Israel have departed, the defence ministry said.

Bolsonaro, however, has blanched at other international offers to help put out the fires, rejecting $20 million from the G7 and accusing members France and Germany of "buying" Brazil's sovereignty.

On Monday, Macron will launch a "call for mobilization" on the Amazon together with his counterparts Sebastian Pinera of Chile and Ivan Duque of Colombia during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Brazil won't attend the meeting, but Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, also a climate change sceptic, will appear at the UN's climate summit on Monday, before travelling to Europe.

On Tuesday, Bolsonaro will make the opening speech at the UN General Assembly, in which he is expected to focus on the Amazon.

"I am preparing a rather objective speech, unlike my predecessor," he wrote on Facebook, adding, "I'm going to get hit, you can be sure. The media always finds something to complain about."

No end in sight

Environmental groups have little faith that Bolsonaro will change tack.

The government "wants to show that it is doing the best for the forest. In fact, it is doing its utmost for deforestation," said Greenpeace's Astrini.

"Brazil is running a campaign to show that it is taking care of the Amazon. It's a lie," he said.

And there's little to suggest that the fires are abating.

Between September 18 and 19, the number of forest fires in Rondonia state jumped to 242 from 12 just the day before, an increase of 1,915 per cent, according to the INPE.

Fears are also rising over the number of blazes in the Cerrado savanna, which account for a third of all the fires in Brazil.

And on Friday the World Wide Fund for Nature warned of an "emergency situation in the biome" of the Pantanal wetland.

Fires have risen 351 per cent since January in the Pantanal region, some 90 per cent of which were set illegally.

The fires that burned through the Amazon rainforest last month sparked international outcry and offers of help, but as world leaders meet in New York, the planet's largest rainforest remains engulfed in flames.

The fires that burned through the Amazon rainforest last month sparked international outcry and offers of help, but as world leaders meet in New York, the planet's largest rainforest remains engulfed in flames. The latest satellite data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) shows 131,600 fires burning since January within the country, where 60 per cent of the Amazon lies. The fires, which are mostly caused by humans with the goal of clearing land for farming and cattle ranching, are having a grievous effect on the forest: the rate of deforestation in the Amazon has nearly doubled since far-right President Jair Bolsonaro came to power on January 1, with the equivalent of 110 football fields of land being cleared every hour. "It's sad to see Brazilians attacking me for fires in the Amazon as if they hadn't always existed," Bolsonaro wrote on Facebook Thursday. We "remain below the average of the last 15 years. But I'm accused of being a Nero, who sets fires everywhere." Yet fires are at a seven-year high, according to INPE data, and despite a slight drop at the start of the month, the number of active fires recorded in Brazil from the start of the year to September 19 was up 56 per cent over the same period in 2018. Nearly half of the blazes are in the Amazon. Bolsonaro is a climate change sceptic, but last month he sent soldiers to help put out fires in the Amazon region after Brazil came under criticism at the G7 summit, with the host French President Emmanuel Macron among the most outspoken detractors. Under that deployment, which was renewed Friday for another month, nearly 7,000 soldiers and 16 aircraft are fighting both the flames and "deforestation and illegal mining," Brazil's defence ministry said. 'I'm going to get hit' Marcio Astrini, a Greenpeace official in Brazil, said the deployment is making little difference. "We did a lot of fly-overs. We did not see anything happening on the ground, apart from the deforestation that is progressing. It's tragic," he told AFP. Experts sent by the United States, logistical equipment from Japan, and four aircraft from Chile are all fighting the blazes, while firefighters sent from Israel have departed, the defence ministry said. Bolsonaro, however, has blanched at other international offers to help put out the fires, rejecting $20 million from the G7 and accusing members France and Germany of "buying" Brazil's sovereignty. On Monday, Macron will launch a "call for mobilization" on the Amazon together with his counterparts Sebastian Pinera of Chile and Ivan Duque of Colombia during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Brazil won't attend the meeting, but Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, also a climate change sceptic, will appear at the UN's climate summit on Monday, before travelling to Europe. On Tuesday, Bolsonaro will make the opening speech at the UN General Assembly, in which he is expected to focus on the Amazon. "I am preparing a rather objective speech, unlike my predecessor," he wrote on Facebook, adding, "I'm going to get hit, you can be sure. The media always finds something to complain about." No end in sight Environmental groups have little faith that Bolsonaro will change tack. The government "wants to show that it is doing the best for the forest. In fact, it is doing its utmost for deforestation," said Greenpeace's Astrini. "Brazil is running a campaign to show that it is taking care of the Amazon. It's a lie," he said. And there's little to suggest that the fires are abating. Between September 18 and 19, the number of forest fires in Rondonia state jumped to 242 from 12 just the day before, an increase of 1,915 per cent, according to the INPE. Fears are also rising over the number of blazes in the Cerrado savanna, which account for a third of all the fires in Brazil. And on Friday the World Wide Fund for Nature warned of an "emergency situation in the biome" of the Pantanal wetland. Fires have risen 351 per cent since January in the Pantanal region, some 90 per cent of which were set illegally.

As global leaders meet, the Amazon rainforest burns

A Human Rights Watch report on Tuesday (September 17) found that more than 300 people have been killed over the past decade in conflicts over the use of land and resources in the Amazon, many by organised criminal networks profiting from illegal deforestation.

Hundreds killed in Brazil's Amazon over land, resources in past decade -report

Members of an indigenous tribe in the<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions/in-brazils-rainforests-the-worst-fires-are-likely-still-to-come-248685"> Amazon</a> in northern Brazil on Friday called for wildcat miners to be allowed to prospect for gold on their land, saying it was a source of income.

Hundreds of miners and members of the Munduruku tribe in Para state blocked the BR-163 highway at Moraes Almeida town for five days, paralyzing the key transport route and halting hundreds of trucks loaded with soy, corn, and gasoline.

The roadblock was lifted Friday afternoon after President Jair Bolsonaro's government agreed to meet with representatives of the protesters on Monday in the capital, Brasilia.

The demonstrators are demanding wildcat miners be allowed to mine on indigenous territory.

They also insist on the government's environmental protection agency Ibama stop burning mining equipment and vehicles during raids on illegal operations.

"Wildcat miners are the ones who destroy (the environment) the least," Gilson Speare, a gold prospector for the past 12 years, told AFP at the roadblock.

"We just want (the government) to legalize wildcat mining, that's all we want."

Indigenous tribes that permit wildcat mining receive a 10 percent cut of the gold found on their land, mining and indigenous protesters told AFP.

The demonstrators vow to block the highway again if their demands are not met.

Bolsonaro, who came to power in January on a promise to open up the Amazon rainforest to more development, has called for the legalization of wildcat mining, including on indigenous land.

"Wildcat miners are the only ones helping people without jobs," Carlos Augusto Cabace, a Munduruku leader at the protest, told AFP.

"When they take out 20 grams (of gold), 30 grams, that brings in a lot of money."

But many indigenous people, including members of the Munduruku tribe, are opposed to mining.

They complain that illegal prospectors invade their land, threaten them with violence, pollute rivers and destroy the forest where they mine.

"These Munduruku are sick," Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a tribal leader based in Santarem, told AFP in a WhatsApp message.

"They are being commanded by the wildcat miners who are wiping out Munduruku land."

'We pay the price'

The protest comes as thousands of fires rage in the Amazon rain forest, which has ignited a global outcry and diplomatic spat between Bolsonaro and European leaders critical of his handling of the crisis.

Para has been one of the worst affected states in the Amazon. This week several blazes could be seen near the roadblock and smoke mixed with dust hung in the air.

Thousands of trucks usually ply the BR-163 every day, transporting grain from Sinop in the central west state of Mato Grosso to ports in Miritituba or Santarem in Para.

Many drivers spent several days in the queue that snaked for kilometers along the asphalt highway.

"We have nothing to do with their problems," Miguel Arcanjo, 58, complained to AFP after spending more than two days stuck in Moraes Almeida with his load of corn.

"When you stop the highway, we pay the price," said Charles Leandro de Carvalho, 36.

"If you stop the trucks, you stop Brazil."

Members of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon in northern Brazil on Friday called for wildcat miners to be allowed to prospect for gold on their land, saying it was a source of income.

Members of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon in northern Brazil on Friday called for wildcat miners to be allowed to prospect for gold on their land, saying it was a source of income. Hundreds of miners and members of the Munduruku tribe in Para state blocked the BR-163 highway at Moraes Almeida town for five days, paralyzing the key transport route and halting hundreds of trucks loaded with soy, corn, and gasoline. The roadblock was lifted Friday afternoon after President Jair Bolsonaro's government agreed to meet with representatives of the protesters on Monday in the capital, Brasilia. The demonstrators are demanding wildcat miners be allowed to mine on indigenous territory. They also insist on the government's environmental protection agency Ibama stop burning mining equipment and vehicles during raids on illegal operations. "Wildcat miners are the ones who destroy (the environment) the least," Gilson Speare, a gold prospector for the past 12 years, told AFP at the roadblock. "We just want (the government) to legalize wildcat mining, that's all we want." Indigenous tribes that permit wildcat mining receive a 10 percent cut of the gold found on their land, mining and indigenous protesters told AFP. The demonstrators vow to block the highway again if their demands are not met. Bolsonaro, who came to power in January on a promise to open up the Amazon rainforest to more development, has called for the legalization of wildcat mining, including on indigenous land. "Wildcat miners are the only ones helping people without jobs," Carlos Augusto Cabace, a Munduruku leader at the protest, told AFP. "When they take out 20 grams (of gold), 30 grams, that brings in a lot of money." But many indigenous people, including members of the Munduruku tribe, are opposed to mining. They complain that illegal prospectors invade their land, threaten them with violence, pollute rivers and destroy the forest where they mine. "These Munduruku are sick," Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a tribal leader based in Santarem, told AFP in a WhatsApp message. "They are being commanded by the wildcat miners who are wiping out Munduruku land." 'We pay the price' The protest comes as thousands of fires rage in the Amazon rain forest, which has ignited a global outcry and diplomatic spat between Bolsonaro and European leaders critical of his handling of the crisis. Para has been one of the worst affected states in the Amazon. This week several blazes could be seen near the roadblock and smoke mixed with dust hung in the air. Thousands of trucks usually ply the BR-163 every day, transporting grain from Sinop in the central west state of Mato Grosso to ports in Miritituba or Santarem in Para. Many drivers spent several days in the queue that snaked for kilometers along the asphalt highway. "We have nothing to do with their problems," Miguel Arcanjo, 58, complained to AFP after spending more than two days stuck in Moraes Almeida with his load of corn. "When you stop the highway, we pay the price," said Charles Leandro de Carvalho, 36. "If you stop the trucks, you stop Brazil."

Tribal leaders in Brazil call for legalization of wildcat mining

Presidents and ministers from seven Amazon countries met in Colombia on Friday to agree on measures to protect the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-bolsonaro-to-skip-amazon-summit-on-doctors-orders-247289">world's biggest rainforest</a>, under threat from wildfires and rampant deforestation.

The summit took place in the wake of an international outcry over months of raging fires that have devastated swaths of the Amazon in Brazil and Bolivia.

The gathering aimed "to foster a space for regional dialogue to advance the protection and sustainable use of this region, which is essential for the survival of the planet," Colombia's President Ivan Duque said.

Duque inaugurated the meeting in a "maloka" -- an indigenous hut -- surrounded by members of the Tikuna tribe with headdresses of coloured feathers in southern Colombia's Amazon city of Leticia.

Brazil's President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hm-suspends-brazil-leather-purchases-over-amazon-fires-247906"> Jair Bolsonaro</a>, widely criticized over policies that favour deforestation and a delayed reaction to the wildfires, did not travel to Leticia, citing doctors' orders.

However, speaking by videoconference, he urged other leaders to resist calls, spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron, to internationalize protection of the Amazon.

"We must take a strong position of defence of sovereignty so that each country can develop the best policy for the Amazon region, and not leave it in the hands of other countries," said Bolsonaro, who is due to undergo surgery Sunday.

Protection pact&nbsp;

Seated at a long wooden table in the shade of tall trees, the representatives of the seven nations signed the "Leticia Pact for the Amazon" that Duque said would provide greater protection for the rainforest, as existing treaties had "fallen short."&nbsp;

The pact establishes a roadmap for safeguarding the rainforest "not only for the Amazon countries but also the nations of the region and the international community," he said.

Colombia's Environment Minister Ricardo Lozano said the new measures include the establishment of an "Amazonian cooperation network" to share information on deforestation, including weather data to mitigate the effects of climate change, and threats from illegal mining and logging.

"We needed to increase and strengthen the cooperation between us, precisely to meet the great challenges of the Amazon, which are becoming more extreme and more intense every day," he told reporters in Leticia.

Aside from the host Duque, other presidents attending were Peru's Martin Vizcarra, Ecuador's Lenin Moreno and Evo Morales of Bolivia. Suriname's vice-president Michael Adhin and Guyana's natural resources minister Raphael Trotman also attended.

Brazil was represented by Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo.

"We have to give concrete answers," Vizcarra told the conference. "The dimension of the problem forces us to make drastic decisions."

New instruments

In a message to the summit, UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay called on leaders to "reinforce existing instruments" designed to protect the Amazon.

"These instruments should be strengthened, more states encouraged to ratify them, increase protected areas, strengthen surveillance and action capabilities."

Brazil contains 60 per cent of the rainforest within its borders, with the rest spread over areas of Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela as well as the French overseas department of French Guyana.

Venezuela, despite having a large swath of the Amazon, was not invited, as host Colombia does not recognize the presidency of Nicolas Maduro.

Presidents and ministers from seven Amazon countries met in Colombia on Friday to agree on measures to protect the world's biggest rainforest, under threat from wildfires and rampant deforestation.

Presidents and ministers from seven Amazon countries met in Colombia on Friday to agree on measures to protect the world's biggest rainforest, under threat from wildfires and rampant deforestation. The summit took place in the wake of an international outcry over months of raging fires that have devastated swaths of the Amazon in Brazil and Bolivia. The gathering aimed "to foster a space for regional dialogue to advance the protection and sustainable use of this region, which is essential for the survival of the planet," Colombia's President Ivan Duque said. Duque inaugurated the meeting in a "maloka" -- an indigenous hut -- surrounded by members of the Tikuna tribe with headdresses of coloured feathers in southern Colombia's Amazon city of Leticia. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, widely criticized over policies that favour deforestation and a delayed reaction to the wildfires, did not travel to Leticia, citing doctors' orders. However, speaking by videoconference, he urged other leaders to resist calls, spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron, to internationalize protection of the Amazon. "We must take a strong position of defence of sovereignty so that each country can develop the best policy for the Amazon region, and not leave it in the hands of other countries," said Bolsonaro, who is due to undergo surgery Sunday. Protection pact Seated at a long wooden table in the shade of tall trees, the representatives of the seven nations signed the "Leticia Pact for the Amazon" that Duque said would provide greater protection for the rainforest, as existing treaties had "fallen short." The pact establishes a roadmap for safeguarding the rainforest "not only for the Amazon countries but also the nations of the region and the international community," he said. Colombia's Environment Minister Ricardo Lozano said the new measures include the establishment of an "Amazonian cooperation network" to share information on deforestation, including weather data to mitigate the effects of climate change, and threats from illegal mining and logging. "We needed to increase and strengthen the cooperation between us, precisely to meet the great challenges of the Amazon, which are becoming more extreme and more intense every day," he told reporters in Leticia. Aside from the host Duque, other presidents attending were Peru's Martin Vizcarra, Ecuador's Lenin Moreno and Evo Morales of Bolivia. Suriname's vice-president Michael Adhin and Guyana's natural resources minister Raphael Trotman also attended. Brazil was represented by Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo. "We have to give concrete answers," Vizcarra told the conference. "The dimension of the problem forces us to make drastic decisions." New instruments In a message to the summit, UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay called on leaders to "reinforce existing instruments" designed to protect the Amazon. "These instruments should be strengthened, more states encouraged to ratify them, increase protected areas, strengthen surveillance and action capabilities." Brazil contains 60 per cent of the rainforest within its borders, with the rest spread over areas of Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela as well as the French overseas department of French Guyana. Venezuela, despite having a large swath of the Amazon, was not invited, as host Colombia does not recognize the presidency of Nicolas Maduro.

Aimed at greater protection, seven Amazon countries sign Leticia Pact at Colombia summit

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