15 JULY ’20 | PRAY FOR COVID-19 ‘HOTSPOT’ NATIONS
Dear prayer partners, On Sunday 12 July, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a record increase in global coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 230,370 in 24 hours. According to the Johns Hopkins University, more than 12.7 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 globally, of whom, more than 565,000 have died, and over…
BRAZIL, NEW COVID-19 HOTSPOT THREATENING VULNERABLE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Brazil has become the world’s number two hotspot for COVID-19 cases as South America emerges as the new virus epicentre. The latest reports out of São Paulo show Brazil now has over 360,000 confirmed cases. Despite the steady rise in cases, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has decided to reopen parts of the economy, as some…
DEFORESTATION FUELS THE AMAZON FIRES
By Alex Pollock A record number of fires ravaging the Amazon has drawn international outrage because of the rainforest’s importance to the global environment and prompted Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to dispatch the military to assist in firefighting. (Reuters) Overview of the current situation The Amazon – the world’s largest rainforest and river basin –…
MADURO SHUTS VENEZUELA’S BORDER WITH BRAZIL AMID AID STANDOFF
22 FEBRUARY 2019 (SOURCE: ALJAZEERA) – President Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela would shut its border with Brazil on Thursday “until further notice” amid a tense standoff with US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido over allowing in humanitarian aid. Maduro said he was also considering a “total closure of the border with Colombia” where he has already ordered the…
BRAZIL ELECTS FAR-RIGHT LEADER
By Cherolyn Amery Brazil’s far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro set about staffing his new administration on Wednesday [31 October], naming an astronaut as science minister while a top anti-corruption judge mulled a job offer. Mr Bolsonaro won the presidential race on Sunday [28 October], easily overcoming his leftist opponent with a vow to kneecap violent drug…