Brazil military begins operations to fight Amazon rainforest fires

Monday, 26 August 2019 10:36

Brazilian warplanes have started to dump water on the burning forest in the Amazon state of Rondonia.

The response comes as leaders of countries in the Group of Seven (G7) nations are nearing an agreement to help fight the Amazon rainforest fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said the G7 was nearing a deal to provide "technical and financial help" to countries affected by the Amazon fires.

President Jair Bolsonaro had authorised military operations in seven states to combat raging fires in the Amazon, after facing severe criticism that his government was not doing enough to fight the fires.

Nearly 80,000 fires have been registered across Brazil through August 24, the highest since at least 2013.

More from International News

Israel says it is poised to move on Rafah

Israel's military is poised to evacuate Palestinian civilians from Rafah and assault Hamas hold-outs in the southern Gaza Strip city, a senior Israeli defence official said, despite international warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe.
More than 100 pilot whales stranded in Western Australia, experts say

Marine wildlife experts were frantically trying to rescue some 140 pilot whales stranded on Thursday in the shallow waters of an estuary in the southwest of the state of Western Australia.
Grand jury indicts 18 in Arizona fake elector scheme

A grand jury has charged 18 people with allegedly participating in an Arizona fake elector scheme to re-elect then-US President Donald Trump in 2020, the state's attorney general said on Wednesday.
India inspects spice makers over alleged contamination

India is inspecting facilities of spice makers MDH and Everest for compliance with quality standards after sales of some of their products were halted in Hong Kong and Singapore for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.
Israeli media predict offensive in Gaza's Rafah soon

Israel is poised to send troops into Rafah, the Gazan city it sees as the last bastion of Hamas, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, saying preparations were under way to evacuate war-displaced Palestinian civilians who have been sheltering there.

On Virgin Radio today

Ride Home With Brent Black
2:00pm - 6:00pm

Brent Black has the biggest stories of the day and the stuff you might have missed.
The Kris Fade Show's Hour of Power
6:00pm - 7:00pm

An extra hour of the UAE's biggest radio show for your drive home.

Trending on Virgin Radio

BRED Abu Dhabi
BRED Abu Dhabi, Presented by Hypebeast, is back April 24-28 in Yas Bay. The line up is next level and locked in.
The Kris Fade Show Podcast
Not in the car so much while Kris, Priti and Rossi are on air? Check out the daily podcast here...
Regional Artist Spotlight Podcast
Hear Maz & James chatting to the featured artists every month with Flash Entertainment.
Untold Dubai
It arrived: The UAE's First Mega Music Festival at Expo City Dubai!