
Brazilian states containing the country’s Amazon rainforest said they want to negotiate directly with European nations who fund projects to curb deforestation after changes proposed by the federal government led Norway and Germany to suspend donations.

Norway has suspended funding that was supporting measures to curb deforestation in Brazil after the country blocked the operations of a fund receiving the aid, the Norwegian ministry of climate and environment said on Thursday.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro again criticized a state agency that monitors the Amazon, saying on Sunday that its latest report on increased deforestation damages Brazil’s reputation amid what he says is an “environmental psychosis” overseas about environmental protection in South America’s biggest nation.

Norway has expressed alarm over accelerating the destruction of the Amazon and concern for the future of a Brazilian rainforest protection fund it has given US$ 1.2 billion to in the last decade. Deforestation in Brazil’s portion of the Amazon soared more than 88% in June compared to the same month a year ago, the second consecutive month of rising destruction under new President Jair Bolsonaro.

Venezuela's self-declared interim president Juan Guaido said on Sunday a new dialogue between the opposition and President Nicolas Maduro's government would be held in Barbados. He did not specify a date for resumption of talks at the new venue, in the Caribbean, after earlier discussions stalled in Norway.

The first tourist train traveling through Russia's Arctic region carrying passengers heading for Norway set off from Saint Petersburg station on Wednesday with 91 passengers aboard for the inaugural trial journey.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido said that talks hosted by Norway between his delegation and that of President Nicolas Maduro would continue despite Wednesday's discussions ending “without agreement.”

Talks between Venezuela's government and opposition on ending months of the crisis were underway in Norway, sources said on Tuesday, but Washington insisted that the only item for discussion should be President Nicolas Maduro's removal.
![We want to reiterate our commitment to [...] chasing a solution between both parties in Venezuela, the Norway's Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide said.](/data/cache/noticias/70590/260x165/venezuela-norway.jpg)
Norway's Foreign Ministry Saturday announced both parties in the Venezuelan crisis will return to Oslo's negotiating table next week.

The world's biggest salmon farming company is one of a number of firms under investigation for possible misreporting of chemical use. The BBC can reveal Mowi, formerly known as Marine Harvest, is among those being investigated by Scottish regulators.