International

Deforestation decreases in Brazilian Amazon by November 2023

Photo: @hilenpineiro_

December 10 |

Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) reported on Friday that the deforestation process in the Amazon ceded 68 percent in November 2023, compared to the same date last year, which is its best record since 2015.

According to the scientific body, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon decreased by more than half between January and November, going from 10,048.5 square kilometers in 2022 to 4,976.7 in 2023, this is also the lowest record in the last five years, after the 2018 period, whose indicator was lower, with 4,884.2 square kilometers deforested.

Despite the positive data in the Amazon, the study of the agency linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation alerts that deforestation in the Ecoregion of “The Cerrado”, Brazil’s important tropical savannah, increased by 238 percent this 2023.

“This is the best monthly result in the historical series started in 2015. However, in November the worst historical monthly result was recorded for the Cerrado, the second largest biome in the country characterized by savannas, forests and seasonal grasslands,” the report specified.

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INPE detected alarms in an area of 571.6 square kilometers, highlighting an increase of 238 percent compared to the same month in 2022. Between January and September of this year, the area destroyed reached 4,302 square kilometers, a little more than half of the 8,590 square kilometers registered in the same period of the previous year.

It is well known that the region is currently undergoing an extreme drought, which has been aggravated by the El Niño phenomenon, which has lowered river levels and is keeping the authorities on alert.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.