Exploring deforestation in the Amazon, the potential deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland, and the ban on beards in the British Army.
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President Lula seeks international support and funding to halt deforestation in the Amazon and preserve its ecological services.
The deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland has sparked anger in Somalia, jeopardizing peace talks and raising concerns about regional stability.
Deep dives
Deforestation in the Amazon: A Dire Situation
The Brazilian Amazon is experiencing rampant deforestation, despite existing rules to protect the region. President Jair Bolsonaro's lenient policies allowed loggers, miners, and ranchers to exploit the rainforest, causing irreversible damage. President Lula is taking steps to crack down on illegal activities, such as mining and logging, by strengthening law enforcement and imposing stricter regulations. However, the challenge of enforcing these rules remains significant. The Amazon's crucial role in biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and rainwater production makes it a global concern. Lula seeks international support and funding to halt deforestation and preserve the rainforest's ecological services.
Ethiopia and Somaliland: The Unsettling Deal
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the leader of Somaliland have struck a deal that would grant Ethiopia access to a Somaliland port, addressing Ethiopia's desire for a direct sea route. However, the deal has sparked anger in Somalia, as Somaliland is a breakaway region that has not gained international recognition as a separate country. While Somaliland stands to gain diplomatic recognition and economic benefits, the rest of Somalia sees the deal as a betrayal by Ethiopia, jeopardizing prospects for peace talks and raising concerns about regional stability.
The British Army's Beards Dilemma
The British Army has maintained a ban on beards for over a century, with only rare exceptions for religious or historical reasons. However, there is now debate within the army about ending the ban and allowing soldiers to have beards. The traditional arguments against beards in the army center around perceptions of professionalism and concerns about gas mask effectiveness. Yet, the army's potential reconsideration of the ban reflects the need for modernization and recruiting new soldiers. Granting permission for beards could be a significant change for the army's long-standing grooming policy.
Our correspondents travel through the rainforest, seeing the pollution and clear-cutting firsthand. Establishing the rule of law first requires a decent property register. We examine why a proposed deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland has unsettled the whole of the Horn of Africa (11:17). And Britain’s army mulls permitting its servicemen to grow beards (18:07).
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