The amazon from reaching a point of no return. The lengthy roadmap outlined in the city of belaine promotes sustainable development, an end to deforestation, and fighting the organised crime that fuels it. Lets take a look at whats at stake the amazon stretches nearly Seven Million Square Kilometres or nearly Three Million square miles. About two thirds of that is in brazil. Another seven countries, and one territory share the remaining third. Under brazils former president , jair bolsonaro, years of deforestation in the amazon worsened. The orange on this map shows the areas of deforestation between 2019 and 2022 in the state of para, where the summit is being held. But new data shows a positive shift. Deforestation in the amazon fell by 66 last month compared to the year before. Its now at its lowest rate in six years. Our correspondent katy watson is at the summit in the amazon and has more. We have had day one of the summit and already the countries participating have issued a Statement Saying they are forming an alliance to Work Together and protect the environmental record and the social record here in the amazon. Certainly this city, belem, is enjoying being in the spotlight, it is a region is often forgotten in brazil. The fact you have delegates there is a bit of a warmup ahead of cop 30 which it will host in two years time. All has made it one of his biggest equipment to improve the record in the amazon committing to deforestation by 2030. Just how viable are those promises . Well, they have been travelling here in the state of para, which has the highest Deforestation Rate in all of brazil. Virgin forest still exists here in the amazon, but every day the illegal loggers get closer. From up high, you can see the damage done, the large patches of land totally cleared. This part of brazil has the highest rate of deforestation in the country. Underjair bolsonaro, Illegal Logging soared. President Lula Da Silva has promised to fix the problem. Translation the challenges of our era and the opportunities that arise demand joint action. We need to reconcile Environmental Protection and social inclusion, encourage science, technology and innovation, encourage the local economy, fight international crime, and value the Indigenous People and traditional communities and their ancestral knowledge. For those living under the rainforest� s canopy, its been a difficult few years. Translation you have no idea how much pressure there was in our community under the bolsonaro government. Landowners, circling planes, soya farmers wanting to buy the land to deforest it. Cockerel crows robson, though, didnt get bought out. Instead, he wants to grow sustainable crops like acai. Hes part of a booming Carbon Credit Industry here. Companies emitting Carbon Dioxide can buy credits from projects like robsons and that should help reduce emissions, but not everyone is convinced. Bianca and herfamily, like many in the region, want Better Services like schools and health centres. But they are suspicious of these new carbon Credit Companies offering to help them. Translation it is not that transparent. We cannot see how it would give us a secure life. We are always on the back foot and fear the consequences. Because of the stories we heard, we decided not to sign a contract. And that is a problem. When People Struggle to get by, and when the state fails to help them, it is easier to accept money from lucrative Illegal Logging. Ensuring the amazons future means improving the lives of nearly 50 Million People who live here. Just to get to this part of the amazon, it took 13 hours overnight on a riverboat, and now this smaller boat, to get to the communities here. But if you look on a map, it all looks so close together, and itjust goes to show how vast the amazon is, but also how difficult it is to navigate, and ultimately, also, how difficult it will be for lula to achieve his zero deforestation by 2030. Which is why he needs the backing of all of the countries who share the amazon. Leaders are expected to offer solutions to Illegal Logging and mining, moving away from big infrastructure projects. But money talks, and without offering a better life for those who live in the forest, any discussion of conservation is pointless. Im on the banks of one of the largest rivers here in the amazon, but why should you care about this . Well, for a start, these rivers, forests here in these rivers, forests here in the amazon, they contain a huge amount of biodiversity. Not only that, we are standing in the Worlds Largest rainforest and that plays a huge part in regional climate as well as Global Climate patterns. So if the rainforest changes so too did the Weather Patterns and ultimately so to do our lives. Climate concerns are also top of mind in portugal, where flames have engulfed thousands of acres of land. These fires come as portugal reaches its hottest day of 2023, with temperatures rising to nearly 115 degrees fahrenheit or 46. 5 degrees celsius. Thousands of firefighters and 16 waterbombers have been deployed to the countrys southern regions to tame the flames. 0ur Correspondentjenny Hill has more from lisbon. Hundreds of firefighters are still trying to bring the flames under control. They have told us they are particularly concerned about the Southern Front of the fire. They say they are keeping a close eye on the wind. They fear its changing direction, they say thats likely to make situation much worse. Moo people have had to flee to safety since this fire broke out at the weekend, with one local mayor describing the situation as difficult and critical and complex. All of this is happening as portugal suffers a third heatwave in recent weeks. Yesterday, the temperature hit 46 celsius in one part of the country. And the Authorities Say that 120 municipalities are now at risk, high risk of wildfire. And, of course, its notjust portugal. This summerfor much of Southern Europe has been really characterised by heat waves and wildfires. Just a couple of weeks ago, i was on the greek island of rhodes, where 20,000 people had to flee their homes and hotels because of wildfires there. It is a huge concern, of course, for so many communities whose livelihoods are completely dependent on tourism. And all of this on the day when european scientists have confirmed Thatjuly 2023 was the hottest on record. Its forcing so many people, notjust here in europe but further afield too, to really look at our Changing Climate and consider the potentially disastrous consequences. Now to the us west coast where canadian rapper, tory lanez, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for shooting and wounding the hip hop star megan thee stallion. During the trial in los angeles, the jury heard that the pair had an argument after leaving a hollywood party. Lawyers for lanez say they will appeal the sentence. Lets go now to our west coast correspondent now, peter bowes. Peter, good to see you. This has been a high profile case. What were the arguments on both sides in this case . Well, tory lanez was found guilty last december on three counts after the shooting of megan thee stallion, this relating to a 2020 party that they were living in the Hollywood Hills at the home of kylie jenner Hollywood Hills at the home of kyliejenner and it Hollywood Hills at the home of kylie jenner and it seems Hollywood Hills at the home of kyliejenner and it seems that megan and tori lay ins got into an argument about his musical abilities, she says he then told her to dance and that is when she was shot in the foot tory lanez. Now, he has maintained his innocence throughout, his lawyer argued there was a botched investigation, the prosecutions as all of the evidence pointed to his guilt. And what we have just had our two long days during the Sentencing Phase of the trial, unusually long days for this phase of a trial, that is because they have been a large number of people who wanted to speak out in his defence. Thejudge received dozens of letters speaking up for tory lanez in terms of character witnesses. For tory lanez in terms of characterwitnesses. He for tory lanez in terms of character witnesses. He spoke to the court and i will quote you a few of the things that he said, he called megan someone is silkairforward said, he called megan someone is silkair forward deeply to this day, regardless of what she may think of him. He said the victim is my friend. We didnt hear directly from megan in the courtroom, she struggled with whether to appear in the courtroom for the sake of her mental well being, but she issued a Statement Saying that she hadnt experienced a single day of peace since the shooting and that he has showed no remorse. Prosecutors have said that megan was subjected to what they have called Repeated And Grotesque Attacks while bringing this case. Tell us more about that . Yes. That was a key element of the case and the prosecution had a lot to say about it after todays hearing, talking about megan saying she faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face and that she was an inspiration to others across los angeles and indeed the nation. It is true, there were a lot of attacks on her during the trial, the rapper 50 cents, for example, eventually apologised for sharing memes suggesting that she had been lying, saying that he changed his mind after hearing the evidence in the case. �. , ~ case. Peter bowes there in la for us. Great case. Peter bowes there in la for us. Great to case. Peter bowes there in la for us. Great to talk case. Peter bowes there in la for us. Great to talk to case. Peter bowes there in la for us. Great to talk to you. I for us. Great to talk to you. Thanks for that. Here in the us, multiple Media Outlets report voters in the state of ohio have decided against raising the vote threshold needed to amend the states constitution. The rare august special election could make it easier for a vote on abortion to pass in november. 0hioans will vote then on a state wide right to abortion untilfetal viability, which is about 2k weeks into a pregnancy. Tuesdays ballot proposal called issuei asked voters if changes to the State Constitution should pass with 60 of the vote, instead of the current 50 Majority Threshold needed. That measure failed. The Ohio Democratic party called it, quote, an important victory for our state, the voters of ohio and majority rule. The win is seen as a victory for supporters of access to abortion, even though it technically wasnt on this ballot measure. In the next hour, well speak with the bureau chief at the Statehouse News Bureau in ohio, karen kasler, about the results. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. The world bank is pausing the distribution of new funds to uganda, saying the countrys anti lgbtq laws contradict its values. The new law makes being homosexual punishable by death and life imprisonment, and was passed back in may. Existing projects funded by the bank will not be affected by this decision. The Us Supreme Court granted the Biden Administrations request to reinstate a federal regulation to curb privately made firearms called ghost guns at least for now. The five to four decision put on Hold A 5july Decision by a districtjudge in texas that blocked the administrations 2022 rule. Under the rule, the government has the power to regulate Ghost Gunsjust as traditional firearms are. Republican president ial hopeful and Florida Governor ron desantis replaced his Campaign Manager on tuesday in what some analysts are calling a continued shakeup to his campaign. The job will be filled by desantis Chief Of Staff for his gubernatorial office. This is the third major reshuffling of desantiss Campaign Operations youre live with bbc news. To niger now, wherejunta leaders have refused to host a visit from the un, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States or ecowas, following their takover last month. They said that the decision was due to security concerns. The ecowas head and president of nigeria, bola tinubu, said that hes not ruling out Military Intervention but believes a diplomatic approach is the best way forward. Coup leaders have denounced what they call a Climate Of Threatened Aggression towards the country. Reports say they have reached out to russian mercenary forces the wagner group for support. Its unconfirmed if the group has arrived in the country. Meanwhile the influence of the group, continues to grow in niger and africas sahel region. Earlier, the bbc spoke exclusively to us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken about this development. Every single place that this group, wagner group, has gone, death, destruction, and Exportation Have followed. Insecurity has gone up, not down. It hasnt been a response to the needs of the countries in question for greater security. Will continue to happen in niger was not instigated by russia or by wagner, but to the extent they try to take advantage of it and we sara peter what has happened in other countries, where they brought nothing but bad things in the way, that would be good. Would not be good. Meanwhile, the wagner, leader yevgeny prigozhin, released an Audio Message where he seemed to offer support to coup leaders in niger. The recording emerged on telegram, though the date and location cannot be independently verified. Translation we always on the side of goodness, translation we always on the side of goodness, justice, translation we always on the side of goodness, justice, and i side of goodness, justice, and on the side of those fight for sovereignty and the rights of their people. Call us anytime. Earlier, my colleague Caitriona Perry spoke to Us Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield about the situation in niger. The Acting Deputy us Secretary Of State Corey Newland visited on monday and described the situation on the ground does not contorting with the constitution, and officially calling it a coup has serious legal implications but not least because most us aid would have to be stopped but the Biden Administration considers action there not to be in line with the constitution and the delegation was physically stopped from seeing the president in person, is that not a coup . It president in person, is that not a amp . President in person, is that not a coup . It is certainly an attem t not a coup . It is certainly an attempt at not a coup . It is certainly an attempt at a not a coup . It is certainly an attempt at a coup. Not a coup . It is certainly an attempt at a coup. But not a coup . It is certainly an attempt at a coup. But we. Not a coup . It is certainly an l attempt at a coup. But we still believe that president bazoum is the recognised elected leader of niger and we will continue to push for his release. We have supported the efforts of ecowas, they have called for his release and called for his release and called for his release and called for the military to stand down stop but if those present there at the moment are not allowing your delegation to visit with the president , they had also refused a visit from a ecowas delegation. That had also refused a visit from a ecowas delegation. Ecowas delegation. That is a very serious ecowas delegation. That is a very serious situation. Ecowas delegation. That is a very serious situation. How i very serious situation. How concerned are you about the safety of president bazoum . It is a serious situation and we are concerned about his safety. We have stayed engaged with him over the course of his detention, spoken with him on the phone several times. I have beenin the phone several times. I have been in touch with him, as has the Secretary Of State and others in the region have reached out to him and we will keep pushing for his release. Ecowas will be having a meeting i think on thursday where they will discuss the situation, more aggressively talk about and they can find the path forward that will get president bazoum released. Bazoum released. Specifically what is the bazoum released. Specifically what is the next bazoum released. Specifically what is the next step bazoum released. Specifically what is the next step the bazoum released. Specifically what is the next step the us i what is the next step the us can take . What is the next step the us can take . Right now what we have decided can take . Right now what we have decided to can take . Right now what we have decided to do can take . Right now what we have decided to do is have decided to do is temporarily hold back on all of our support and aid that goes through the government of niger. We are still providing direct humanitarian assistance to the people but we want to be clear about this current effort is not going to be supported by the us government. We also spoke to ambassador thomas greenfield about the war in ukraine. In the latest violence there, at least seven people were killed after two Russian Missile attacks in the eastern town of pok rovsk. The second missile attack happened as rescuers were searching for victims of the first. Dozens of others were injured, including two children. Heres part two of my colleague Caitriona Perrys inteview with Ambassador Linda Thomas greenfield, in which they discuss the war in ukraine. Weve seen russia striking civilians there while holding up civilians there while holding up a blockade of food exports from the black sea, much needed food relief for countries like afghanistan, yemen and others. In fact the situation the former Us Ambassador to nato called a warzone is relevant to nato as western ukraine. Is there any hope for relief in there any hope for relief in the black sea as you see it to restore the grain deal . I continue to be hopeful. The Secretary General of United Nations and turkiye have been working diligently over the last few weeks to push the russians and urge the russians to get back into the grain deal. It is in the interests of the Global South Community and its in our interest and its in the interests of russia to get back into this deal so we remain hope all but it really is in the hands of the russians to make the right decision to resume allowing for ukrainian grain to flow through the black sea. ~ ,. ,. , grain to flow through the black sea. ~ ,. , ~ grain to flow through the black sea. ~ , ~ , sea. Why do you think it is the un security sea. Why do you think it is the Un Security Council sea. Why do you think it is the Un Security Council has sea. Why do you think it is the Un Security Council has been i Un Security Council has been unable to get a handle on the ongoing russian aggression, in clear breach of ukraines sovereignty. It clear breach of ukraines sovereignty. Clear breach of ukraines sovereignty. It is clearly a breach of sovereignty. It is clearly a breach of ukraines breach of ukraines sovereignty. It undermines the very foundation of the un charter, the foundation of all the values that we believe in. The council has been consistent in condemning russias actions. Their actions have been condemned very strongly in the general assembly. We had more than 140 countries vote to condemn russia, to condemn their actions in ukraine, condemn their annexations and to call for peace. In the Security Council itself, you hear every single country calling on russia to do the right thing. Condemning their actions in ukraine, their attack ukraines sovereignty, so it really is in russias hands to end this war today. They can end the war today and they can return ukrainian territory to ukraine and allow for the free flow of wheat to the rest of the world. But those condemnations, is well meaning and frequent as they are, have not led to any actual action on the part of russia. How significantly do you think their veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council ascended the ability to bring about any permanent plan. Ability to bring about any permanent plan. There veto ower permanent plan. There veto power has permanent plan. There veto power has not permanent plan. There veto power has not protected permanent plan. There veto l power has not protected them from condemnation or protected them from the isolation they are feeling in the Security Council, and we will continue to keep the pressure on russia until they withdraw their troops from ukraine. I know that they are feeling the pressure every single day and we cannot let up until they enter this unprovoked War Of Aggression on the ukrainian people. President biden has said over and over again that we will stand with ukraine as long as ukraine needs us and we will. ~ ,. ,. Long as ukraine needs us and we will. ,. , will. We did see peace talks over the will. We did see peace talks over the weekend will. We did see peace talks over the weekend in will. We did see peace talks| over the weekend in jeddah, although over the weekend injeddah, although there was no significant resolution to come from that. Do you think the un can broker a deal between russia and ukraine . I think that a deal russia and ukraine . I think that a deal can russia and ukraine . I think that a deal can be russia and ukraine . I think| that a deal can be brokered. Russia and ukraine . I think. That a deal can be brokered. It has to have ukraines active participation in that process and it cant give russia what i would like to review refer to their ill gotten wealth, their annexation of ukrainian territory that they took in this unprovoked war so right now, efforts are being made. We support efforts to find the path to peace but russia has to be a willing participant in that and in participating, they have to withdraw their troops from ukraine. Have to withdraw their troops from ukraine. Speaking of the Security Council, from ukraine. Speaking of the Security Council, the from ukraine. Speaking of the Security Council, the us from ukraine. Speaking of the Security Council, the us holdsj Security Council, the us holds the presidency of that for the month of august. 0ne the presidency of that for the month of august. One of your priorities is foods pretty, specifically ending famine forever. What are you asking from other un nations in terms of achieving that goal . Irate from other un nations in terms of achieving that goal . Of achieving that goal . We are askin of achieving that goal . We are asking other of achieving that goal . We are asking other countries of achieving that goal . We are asking other countries to asking other countries to commit, to doing Everything Possible to end famine. There is no reason for 700 Million People to go to bed hungry every single night. There is no need forfamine like every single night. There is no need for famine like conditions in the horn of africa. We have the resources, we have the tools to end this crisis and we have to commit to doing it, and i was very pleased that we had 91 countries this past week sign onto a communique demanding that food not be used as a weapon of war and in the Security Council, condemn russias actions in ukraine. President biden announced a new National Monument on tuesday, as part of his four day tour of western states. The site at the Historic Red Bute Airfield in the state of arizona will include nearly one million acres and thousands of cultural sites. It would also protect the area from potential uranium mining. The event was attended by several local tribal groups. The designation comes despite criticism from republican lawmakers. Biden spoke about what the protection of the lands means for both the state and the nation. It is not hyperbole to suggest there is no National Traveller treasure, none, than is grander than the grand canyon. The grand canyon, one of the earths nine wonders, wonders of the world. Preserving these lands is good not only for arizona but for the planet, its good for the economy, its good for soul of the nation and i believe in my core its the right thing to do but there is more work ahead to combat the existential threat of climate change. Utah senator Mitt Romney Descibed Such Designation as a political football tossed back and forth as president ial administrations change, adding that president biden� s action continues the cycle of Antiquities Act abuse by the executive branch. That act, dating back to 1906, was the first us law to provide Legal Protection to cultural and natural resources. Us Space Agency Nasa says it is on track for its artemis 2 mission in just over a years time. In november 2024, they will send three americans and one canadian to voyage around the moon. The 10 day space flight will test the orion spacecraft� s Life Support Systems and look at what is needed for humans to work and live in deep space. The four person crew got to see their spacecraft for the first time this week. They hope to return astronauts to the moon by 2025 before hopefully undertaking a journey to mars. Thats all for this half hour. Ill be back at the top of the hour with more from washington. Stay with us here on bbc news today looks a lot better across the south of the uk than what we had on tuesday. All that rain and drizzly conditions, it felt quite cool, as well. So today and also thursday look to be drier and warmer certainly warmer on thursday across the board but it will be short lived as low pressure brings a return to cooler, showery conditions friday and the weekend. High pressures building in across the country, as you move through the day today, there will be variable amounts of cloud in places, particularly towards the south and the west. But some good spells of sunshine across northern, central, and eastern areas. A bit of fair weather cloud is bubbling up into the afternoon, so it will be one of patchy cloud and sunny spells. It will be turning warmer, a bit more humid in the south 24 celsius in the south east, a little bit warmer, as well, across some northern areas, but it will stay quite windy for the northern isles. Well start to import some warmer, more humid air from the south, so were into the mid teens, northern ireland, england and wales even much milder across scotland, too. You can see the Orange Colous spreading their way northwards on thursday, as we pick up warm and Humid Airfrom france and spain. So a much warmer day across the board on thursday. Again, variable cloud, some good spells of sunshine, winds coming in from the south, and well see those temperatures reaching 25 celsius or so across the central belt of scotland, widespread mid 20s across england and wales, and we could see highs of around 26 27 celsius. But, like i mentioned, it doesnt last well see this cold front spreading across the country during the course of friday, thatll bring the temperatures down again and introduce showers or longer spells of rain, some of which will be thundery across central and northern areas. But the south east of england, holding on to the Sunnier Skies for longest, so not a bad day here until the band of cloud with some showers starts to push in later on. So again, 24 25 celsius in the south east, but youll notice the temperatures will be coming down further north and west. Low pressure sticks close by, unfortunately, for the weekend, generally to the north northwest of the country so its the northern half of the country will see most of the blustery showers, some of them heavy and thundery. A better chance of staying drier towards the south. But, like i mentioned, some of the showers will be heavy at times and, with the breeze coming in from the south west, itll feel on the cool side for august. But, like i mentioned, some of the showers will be heavy at times and, with the breeze coming in from the south west, itll feel on the cool side for august. Sovereignty and the rights of their people. Call us anytime. Asian markets open lower this morning after wall street closes in the red following a Credit Downgrade on some us banks. Angina is about to release its latest Inflation Data and there are concerns the economy could enter a deflationary cycle. Hi there, welcome to Asia Business report with me, mariko 0i. We start this morning on wall street, where all three main indices have closed In The Red On Tuesday and we are seeing asian markets following their lead as well. The sell off was basically sparked by the downgrading of several american banks by Credit Ratings agency moodys. The move has reignited fears about american banks and the economy. From new york, Michelle Fleury has more. Wall street was being red on tuesday,
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