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Amazon deforestation at six-year-low in Brazil after plunging 66% in July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

(CNN) — Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 66% last month compared to July 2022 and is now at its lowest rate in six years, according to preliminary data released by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) on Thursday.Nearly 500 square kilometers (193 square miles) of rainforest were cleared in July, a significant fall from the 1,487 square kilometers (574 square miles) cleared last July.There has been a sharp decline in deforestation since Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was inaugurated as president in January. Lula has pledged to end deforestation, which had increased rapidly under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, said government policies, including increasing surveillance and fining perpetrators, has played a big role in bringing rates of deforestation down.“It is the end of the expectation of impunity,” Silva told journalists at a news conference announcing the results. “When you see the increase in op...

Be a part of the overtourism solution. Here are some ways

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

Scott Hartbeck | TravelPulse (TNS)Seemingly not a day goes by without a story about overtourism showing up in the news.Just last week, the Acropolis in Athens became the latest place to wave the white flag of surrender.To prevent the global treasure from being overrun beyond recognition, the Greek government has announced that they will now institute a range of new actions aimed at curbing the crowds.These measures include the rolling out of new e-tickets, entry time slots, special entrance zones aimed at reducing bottlenecks and new access lanes intended to accelerate the movement of tour groups.The Acropolis joins Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Venice, Hawai’i and scores more places that have been pushed to the brink of being “loved to death” by (mostly) well-meaning travelers.So what should we do?Well, we aren’t going to stop traveling any time soon, right? I know I’m not and I’ve got a feeling if you are reading this, you aren’t going ...

Patriots coaches respond to Jack Jones leaving Thursday practice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

Patriots cornerback Jack Jones abruptly left practice Thursday without receiving medical attention, a walk usually taken by players who have been kicked out of practice.But 20 minutes after he left, Jones returned. He took a knee on the sideline and watched his teammates finish the day around conversations with director of player personnel Matt Groh and veteran safety Jalen Mills.So, what happened?Patriots assistants were reticent about the matter Friday during video conferences with reporters.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots’ Mac Jones, Bill O’Brien enjoying strong QB-coach relationship New England Patriots | Patriots extra points: Undrafted rookie learning second new position New England Patriots | Patriots open second roster spot by waiving injured linebacker New England Patriots | Patriots training camp Day 9: Jack Jones stops practicing, Mac Jones keeps rolling, Kendrick Bourne catches on ...

Hours-long SWAT standoff ends in Carlsbad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- An hours-long SWAT standoff that caused Friday morning road closures in Carlsbad has ended.A man with armed with a hand gun was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis inside his vehicle on the 2700 block of Loker Avenue West, near Palomar Airport Road, the Carlsbad Police Department confirmed. Tijuana man accused in drug trafficking case extradited to San Diego The situation initially started around 7:15 p.m. Thursday following reports of an individual in distress in an office building parking lot on Loker Avenue West, according to police.Authorities say the man activated the vehicle's emergency communication system -- similar to  OnStar -- Thursday evening.Carlsbad police told FOX 5 it was challenging to communicate with the man through the third-party OnStar system due to a language barrier. Police temporarily closed Loker Avenue West from Palomar Airport Road to El Fuerte Street while officers responded to the situation. Crisis negotiators were al...

US and UN should impose more sanctions on Sudanese leaders for alleged atrocities, rights group says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — A leading human rights group called Friday on the United States and the United Nations to impose further sanctions on those in Sudan “responsible for the atrocities” in the troubled Darfur region, where evidence of scorched-earth attacks is mounting. The northeast African country plunged into chaos in April when monthslong tensions between the military, led by Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, exploded into open fighting in the capital of Khartoum, and elsewhere. In Darfur, the scene of genocidal war in the early 2000s, the conflict has morphed into ethnic violence, with the RSF and allied Arab militias targeting African communities in the western region, U.N. officials say. In a press release, Human Rights Watch said Washington should impose targeted sanctions to “ensure that the U.N. Security Council finally acts to protect civilians and to hold those responsible for the atrocities to...

West Africa defense chiefs finalize Niger intervention plan as junta negotiations deadlock

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Defense chiefs from West African nations finalized an intervention plan Friday and urged militaries to ready resources after negotiations deadlocked with Niger’s military junta, which says it is severing military agreements with France, its former colonial ruler.With two days remaining before a deadline set by the regional bloc to release and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or face possible force, the junta announced that it was firing some of the previous government’s key ambassadors and warning citizens of the West African nation to watch for foreign armies and spies. In a plea published in a Washington Post opinion piece, Bazoum said, “I write this as a hostage” and urged the U.S. and partners to help.The junta’s announcement late Thursday deepens the post-coup isolation for what had been the United States’ and allies’ last major security partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert that Islamic extremist groups have turned ...

Telus announces 6,000 job cuts, reports 61% drop in Q2 net income

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

Telus Corp. announced Friday it is cutting 6,000 jobs as it seeks to adapt to a “rapidly transforming industry,” saying issues such as regulation and competition have prompted the need to reduce its payroll.The Vancouver-based telecommunications company said the reduction includes 4,000 workers at its main Telus business, half of which are being laid off. The other portion is made up of those who would be offered early retirement and voluntary departure packages, along with vacancies that will not be refilled.The remaining 2,000 cuts are at Telus International, which provides IT services and customer service to global clients.“It was a very difficult decision,” said Telus chief financial officer Doug French in an interview.“The industry keeps changing and from a competitive perspective, we always want to prepare ourselves for the future. We see more digitization, we see prices are coming down in our industry, which customers are looking for. And so prep...

‘Cuddling’: Just what the doctor ordered for rescued walrus calf in Alaska

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A walrus calf is being nursed back to health after being found on its own miles inland by oil field workers in Alaska.The male Pacific walrus was found Monday and flown a day later from the North Slope to Seward, where the Alaska SeaLife Center is based — a journey of at least 700 miles (1,126 kilometers). Staff with the nonprofit research facility and public aquarium are caring for the roughly 200-pound (90 kilogram) animal, which was found to be dehydrated and possibly fighting an infection. ConocoPhillips Alaska, a major oil producer in the state operating on the North Slope, offered the use of a company plane to fly the calf to Seward. The calf, estimated to be about one month old, was found about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) inland from the Beaufort Sea, the center said. A “walrus trail,” or tracks, was seen on the tundra near a road where the walrus was found. But it’s unclear how, exactly, the calf got there, the center said.The range of the Pacific wa...

2 Palestinians killed in separate episodes in latest West Bank violence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli security forces killed an 18-year-old Palestinian during a military raid into the northern West Bank on Friday, Palestinian health officials said, while another Palestinian was killed when Israeli settlers stormed a village and sparked fighting with residents.The deaths marked the latest bloodshed in a monthslong surge of violence that has gripped the occupied West Bank.The Palestinian Health Ministry said that Mahmoud Abu Saan, 18, was shot in the head by Israeli forces in the city of Tulkarem. The raid drew protests from residents, the local branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group reported, with Israeli forces shooting tear gas, stun grenades and live fire and Palestinians hurling stones and explosives at the soldiers. The Israeli army said it shot at those who attacked them. It said it arrested five Palestinians in other West Bank villages, confiscating explosives and also dispersing protests.Later Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said t...

Saints’ Kamara suspended for 3 games, apologizes for role in 2022 fight, thanks Goodell for meeting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:25 GMT

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Saints star running back Alvin Kamara and Colts defensive back Chris Lammons each have been suspended for three regular-season games by the NFL because of their involvement in a February 2022 fight in Las Vegas.The NFL released its decision on Friday, two days after Kamara was excused from training camp to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell.Kamara and Lammons pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges last month in a deal with prosecutors in Las Vegas that avoided trial and potential jail time.Kamara has been one of New Orleans’ most productive players as a rusher and receiver since being named offensive rookie of the year for the 2017 season.Speaking after practice Friday, but before the suspension had been announced, Kamara was contrite and expressed a desire to make wiser decisions going forward.“I never want to be involved in something where someone gets hurt or severely injured or anything. Poor judgment on my end, definitely a bad decision,” Kamara ...