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The Brazilian Amazon experienced its smallest amount of yearly deforestation in nearly a decade, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government reported Wednesday, in line with its promise to combat forest loss.Deforestation fell by 30.6 percent in the year-to-year period beginning in August 2023, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).During that time, 6,288 …

Brazil’s Amazon posts lowest deforestation in nine years: govt Read More »

Forget snakes, it’s scorpions Brazilians most need to worry about.The arachnids — feared for the toxic stinger poised atop their tails — are proliferating thanks to urbanization and warming temperatures.The result is that scorpions have become the most lethal poisonous animal in Brazil, posing a growing danger for people across the whole country — and …

Thriving scorpion population is stinging problem for Brazil Read More »

A Hakan Calhanoglu penalty gave Inter Milan a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday, while a 93rd-minute winner ensured Atletico Madrid left Paris with all three points.The Italian champions remain undefeated in the competition this season and sit fifth on 10 points at the midway point of the new league phase …

Inter Milan sink Arsenal in Champions League, Atletico sting PSG late on Read More »

Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has announced her retirement from competition, citing a “really upsetting” backlash following her performance at the Paris Olympics. Raygun, 37, became something of a global laughing stock after her unorthodox routine, including kangaroo hops and imitating a sprinkler, failed to impress the judges at the Games. Her moves were copied on late-night …

Raygun retires from breaking after ‘upsetting’ Olympic backlash Read More »

Germany entered a major political crisis on Wednesday with the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition likely paving the way for early elections next year.The turmoil hits Europe’s biggest economy as it grapples with a sustained downturn and as Berlin worries about the impact Donald Trump’s return to the White House will have on …

Scholz coalition collapses, Germany heads for early elections Read More »

Joe Biden hoped Kamala Harris would salvage his legacy as the man who saved America from Donald Trump. Instead, it lies in tatters.The 81-year-old’s pride made him resist growing concerns about his age, health and mental acuity until it was too late, and a disastrous debate against Trump forced him to drop his bid for …

Biden’s legacy in ruins after Trump triumph Read More »

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday amid a deep coalition crisis that he will seek a vote of confidence in January that would pave the way for early elections by March.He spoke after firing his rebellious Finance Minister Christian Lindner in a dramatic night session of his three-party coalition, declaring there was no longer any …

Germany’s embattled Scholz paves way for early elections Read More »

Donald Trump’s crushing presidential victory heralded a new era of upheaval for the United States and the world Wednesday, as defeated Democrat Kamala Harris gave a defiant concession speech, while promising to help his transition.An emotional vice president Harris told cheering supporters in Washington “do not despair” and she urged them to “keep fighting.”But her …

Harris gives defiant concession speech after stunning Trump win Read More »

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been dubbed the “Scholzomat” for a dry personal style bordering on the robotic, but also hailed as a safe pair of hands leading a country that values stability.But on Wednesday night, as political turmoil ended his fractious three-way coalition, order collapsed and power has started to slip from his grasp …

Olaf Scholz: Germany’s steady hand losing grip on power Read More »

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the “Iranian threat” in a call with US president-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday as the wars in Gaza and Lebanon show no sign of easing.Saudi state media also reported that the Gulf heavyweight’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, spoke to Trump to congratulate him.A trip to …

Israel’s Netanyahu discusses ‘Iranian threat’ with Trump Read More »