International

• Wednesday, August 28th 2019 - 09:34 UTC

  Bolivian president Morales welcomes the G7 tiny contribution to preserve the Amazon rainforest

  

  Bolivia's president Evo Morales gave a half-hearted welcome on Tuesday to a G7 pledge of US$20 million to fight the Amazon wildfires, describing it as “tiny.” An underwhelmed Morales said the aid from the most industrialized countries was part of the world's “obligation” to preserve the Amazon rainforest.

• Wednesday, August 28th 2019 - 09:08 UTC

  First ordained bishop in China following on Beijing and Vatican deal

  

  China has ordained its first bishop since reaching an agreement with the Catholic Church intended to encourage a rapprochement between Beijing and the Holy See. China's roughly 12 million Catholics have for decades been split between a government-run association, whose clergy were chosen by the atheist Communist Party, and an unofficial underground church loyal to the Vatican.

• Wednesday, August 28th 2019 - 08:09 UTC

  Bolsonaro will consider G7 aid for the Amazon if Macron retracts from “insults”

  

  Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday he wants French President Emmanuel Macron to retract “insults” against him before he considers accepting aid from the Group of Seven nations who offered US$20 million to help fight forest fires in the Amazon.

• Tuesday, August 27th 2019 - 11:47 UTC

  Argentina and Brazil replacing US as main soybean suppliers of China

  

  Amid trade tensions with the US, China's July soybean imports from Argentina increased 328% month on month and 269% year on year to 1.07 million metric tons, according to customs data.

• Tuesday, August 27th 2019 - 09:57 UTC

  Brazil rejects G7 aid, and tells Macron to reforest Europe and to look after world heritage sites

  

  Brazil rejected aid from G7 countries to fight wildfires in the Amazon, with a top official telling French President Emmanuel Macron to take care of “his home and his colonies.”

• Tuesday, August 27th 2019 - 09:44 UTC

  G7 summit pledges US$ 20 million for firefighting planes to tackle Amazon blazes

  

  The G7 will give US$20 million (€18 million) to send firefighting planes to tackle the blazes engulfing parts of the Amazon, the presidents of France and Chile said on Monday.

• Tuesday, August 27th 2019 - 09:40 UTC

  Brazilian women ashamed of their president, Macron replies to Bolsonaro's mock of French First Lady

  

  Brazilian women are probably ashamed of President Jair Bolsonaro, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, hitting back after the Brazilian leader mocked Macron’s wife on Facebook.

• Tuesday, August 27th 2019 - 09:40 UTC

  France and US reach a deal on taxing big internet companies

  

  France and the United States have reached a deal to end a standoff over a French tax on big internet companies, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to hit back with tariff action after France passed a law earlier this year that would impose a 3% tax on revenues earned on digital services in France.

• Tuesday, August 27th 2019 - 08:18 UTC

  Questioned at G7, Trump defends his negotiating style with China: “Sorry it's the way I do it”

  

  Crushing off concerns about global economic instability, US President Donald Trump on Monday defended the way he is trying to squeeze a trade deal out of China, saying it's what worked for him in business.

• Tuesday, August 27th 2019 - 07:50 UTC

  Leonarod Di Caprio's Earth Alliance donates US$ 5 million to help Amazon indigenous communities

  

  Leonardo Di Caprio's environmental organization is putting US$5m towards helping the Amazon rainforest after the recent surge in fires there. Earth Alliance will give the money to local groups and indigenous communities as they work to protect the Amazon.