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

At least 15 dead in Guatemala bus accident

At least 15 people were killed and 19 injured after a passenger bus plunged into a ravine on the Inter-American Highway in western Guatemala, authorities said on Saturday.
Pakistan's former central bank head Shamshad Akhtar dies at 71

Shamshad Akhtar, the first and only woman to lead Pakistan's central bank and a two-time caretaker finance minister, died at 71, the finance ministry said on Saturday.
Thailand and Cambodia sign truce to halt fierce border conflict

Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Saturday to halt weeks of fierce border clashes, the worst fighting in years between the Southeast Asian countries that has included fighter jets sorties, exchange of rocket fire and artillery barrages.
Winter storm bears down on US Northeast, disrupting airline travel

A winter storm packing a frosty mix of snow and ice bore down on the US Northeast early on Saturday, disrupting post-holiday weekend airline traffic and prompting officials in New York and New Jersey to issue weather emergency declarations.
Russian drones, missiles pound Ukraine ahead of Zelenskyy-Trump meeting

Russia attacked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday, ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said would be a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump to work out a deal to end nearly four years of war.

On Virgin Radio today

Non Stop Hits
1:00am - 7:00pm

The UAE's #1 Hit Music Station with no interruptions
American Top 40
7:00pm - 10:00pm

The biggest hits of the week direct from the USA

Trending on Virgin Radio

Talent Takeover
For one morning only, you could host the UAE’s biggest radio show, The Kris Fade Show - live across the nation.
ARN News Centre
Get the latest UAE and world news from our award winning team of journalists. The ARN News Centre is the country's most trusted source of information.
Middle East Hot 30
Every weekend Kris Fade plays the biggest tracks in the Middle East. Check out this weeks chart...
Will Smith & Martin Lawrence: Bad Boys: Ride or Die
From taking us down memory lane to a possible BAD BOYS 5 in Dubai?