International
The risky business of Amazonian tree climbers
AFP
A botanist looks up at a man dangling 20 meters (yards) above ground in a tree that belongs to an endangered species in Brazil’s Amazon.
“Cut another branch, Zelao,” she cries out.
Brandishing telescopic pruning clippers, 42-year-old Jose Raimundo Ferreira, known as Zelao, expertly manipulates the tool and a branch of the itauba, whose wood is prized for use in making boats, falls at the scientist’s feet.
Zelao is one of the few people able to climb these Amazonian trees in a matter of seconds.
Botanist Marta Pereira, who is delighted to have secured his services, says there are only about 20 people who can do what he does.
“For us, they’re vital… without them we wouldn’t have any samples,” said Pereira, a researcher at the Amazon state university.
These tree climbers are even more important in an area where scientists believe they know only about 30 percent of the biodiversity.
Dressed in just a T-shirt and Bermuda shorts, Zelao climbs five or six times a day up trees that can reach 50 meters (some 164 feet) in height.
He collects fruit, leaves or cuts branches.
He also installs cameras on tree tops to film birds and monkeys.
For security he has a harness, a rope and thick rubber-soled boots. Sometimes he clambers from one tree to another.
“It is very risky and requires a lot of technique, a lot of physical preparation,” said Zelao, adding that he has already undergone surgery four times on damaged ligaments.
Even so, he has no intention of slowing down.
“It’s very difficult to find a climber. My schedule is booked until December 20,” he said.
Even though his profession is highly sought after, these tree climbers have no job security.
They are paid by the day, with no contracts and no social security.
“Their work should be regularized as field technicians and they should get training,” said Pereira.
Despite the risks, Zelao intends on passing on the baton to his 19- and 21-year-old sons once his body says stop.
International
Joe Biden finishes prostate cancer radiotherapy at Penn Medicine
Former U.S. President Joe Biden completed his prostate cancer radiotherapy on Monday, a condition he has been managing since 2023.
The 82-year-old touched a ceremonial bell at Penn Medicine in Pennsylvania after his final session, according to a video posted on Instagram by his daughter, Ashley Biden. She expressed gratitude to the doctors and nurses for the care her father received during his treatment.
A spokesperson for Biden told ABC News that it is currently unclear whether the former president will need to continue radiotherapy.
Biden’s prostate cancer was detected during a routine check-up. According to his medical team, it was a localized, slow-growing tumor. At the time of diagnosis, doctors indicated a positive prognosis with no signs of metastasis.
Central America
White House targets Nicaragua over human rights and labor violations
The White House is considering imposing new tariffs of up to 100% on Nicaragua or removing the country from the benefits of the CAFTA-DR free trade agreement, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) reported Monday.
The USTR determined that Nicaragua’s policies under the Ortega-Murillo regime regarding violations of labor and human rights, as well as the dismantling of the rule of law, are “unreasonable” and constitute a burden on commerce.
The resolution follows an investigation that began on December 10, 2024, when the USTR, based on recommendations from the Section 301 Committee and other advisory bodies, started reviewing the practices of Nicaragua’s government. The process included a public hearing and more than 160 comments and testimonies, including evidence of severe human rights abuses that have been forwarded to the U.S. State Department for evaluation and follow-up.
The report published Monday extensively documents how Nicaragua’s authoritarian practices — including the repression of fundamental freedoms — create a high-risk environment for U.S. businesses and investments.
International
Zelenskyy: Meeting with Trump “Positive” Despite Rejected Missile Request
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his reportedly tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week as “positive,” despite failing to secure Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine. He emphasized what he said was the continued U.S. interest in economic cooperation with Kyiv.
Zelenskyy said Trump backed away from the possibility of sending long-range missiles to Ukraine after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held just hours before the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders met on Friday.
“In my view, he doesn’t want an escalation with the Russians until he meets with them,” Zelenskyy told reporters Sunday. His remarks were embargoed until Monday morning.
Ukraine is seeking to purchase 25 Patriot air defense systems from U.S. manufacturers using frozen Russian assets and assistance from partners. However, Zelenskyy noted that acquiring all of them will take time due to long production lines. He said he discussed with Trump potential support to accelerate procurement, possibly through European partners.
According to Zelenskyy, Trump stated during their meeting that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sweeping demands — that Ukraine cede the entire eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk — remain unchanged.
Zelenskyy was diplomatic when describing his encounter with Trump, though reports suggest he faced pressure to accept Putin’s terms — a strategy Trump has reportedly maintained since the tense Oval Office confrontation on February 28, when the Ukrainian leader was publicly scolded for not being “grateful enough” for U.S. aid.
Still, Zelenskyy said that since Trump ultimately supported maintaining the current front line, the overall message was “positive” for Ukraine.
Joe Biden finishes prostate cancer radiotherapy at Penn Medicine
White House targets Nicaragua over human rights and labor violations
Zelenskyy: Meeting with Trump “Positive” Despite Rejected Missile Request
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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