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Tropical forest loss eased in 2023 but threats remain, analysis shows

JUSTIN CLARK-UNSPLASH

SAO PAULO – Tropical forest loss declined last year, but other indicators show that the world’s woodlands remain under tremendous pressure, according to an analysis released on Thursday by the Global Forest Watch monitoring project.

Destruction of forests helps drive global climate change. Because trees absorb climate-warming carbon dioxide and store it as carbon in their wood, that greenhouse gas is released when the wood rots or burns. This destruction also imperils biodiversity because of how many plant and animal species call forests home.

Here are key takeaways from Global Forest Watch’s annual forest loss data.

 

TROPICAL FORESTS FARED BETTER

The loss of primary forests – those untouched by people and sometimes known as old-growth forests – in the tropics declined 9% last year compared to 2022.

But Global Forest Watch researchers said the destruction remains stubbornly high. The world last year lost about 37,000 square kilometers (14,000 square miles) of tropical primary forest, an area nearly as big as Switzerland and larger than the US state of Maryland.

Global Forest Watch is a project of the Washington-based nonprofit research organization World Resources Institute, using satellite imagery. Most of the data is compiled by University of Maryland researchers.

Declining forest loss in Brazil and Colombia was largely offset by greater losses elsewhere, Global Forest Watch director Mikaela Weisse told a press briefing.

“The world took two steps forward, two steps back,” Ms. Weisse said.

Scientists consider tropical primary forests to be among the most precious as their lush vegetation is the most densely packed with carbon. These forests also are treasure troves of biodiversity. The Amazon rainforest, for instance, is home to at least 10% of Earth’s known species.

Last year’s tropical primary forest loss caused greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to half of US emissions caused by the burning fossil of fuels annually, Ms. Weisse said.

Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bolivia topped the ranking of tropical countries with the most primary forest loss. That is in spite of destruction in Brazil falling 36%, as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pursued aggressive conservation policies, particularly regarding the Amazon, Ms. Weisse said.

Neighboring Colombia experienced a 49% drop in forest loss. President Gustavo Petro made environmental preservation a key part of the peace process with armed groups that dominate jungle areas, Ms. Weisse noted.

Forest destruction in the Democratic Republic of Congo remained relatively stable but high at around 5,000 square km (1,930 square miles).

In third place, Bolivia experienced record-high primary forest loss for the third year in a row, with destruction surging 27%. Agricultural production and fires drove most of the loss.

 

DEFORESTATION INCREASED

Deforestation globally rose 3.2% in 2023, according to the report.

Forest loss includes natural destruction such as wildfires, pests and windstorms of woodlands that may grow back. Deforestation refers to people permanently converting woodlands to other uses such as agriculture and is harder to measure.

More than 140 countries in 2021 committed to end deforestation by the end of the decade, a goal that requires huge declines in destruction each year, World Resources Institute forests director Rod Taylor said.

“We are far off track and trending in the wrong direction when it comes to reducing global deforestation,” Mr. Taylor said.

Brazil, Indonesia and Bolivia led in deforestation, followed closely by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

CANADA WILDFIRES OFF THE CHARTS

Tree cover loss increased 24% in all forests globally in 2022, mostly because of enormous wildfires in Canada.

Canada’s forest loss of more than 80,000 square km (30,900 square miles) was three times higher than any year on record, offsetting a decline in forest loss in the rest of the world.

“That is one of the biggest anomalies on record,” University of Maryland researcher Matt Hansen said.

While deforestation in the tropics is a human-caused driver of climate change, the fires in Canada are more of a symptom of global warming, which leads to the hotter, drier conditions that fuel bigger blazes.

“It’s a big deal, and it’s a cautionary tale for climate impacts to fire,” Mr. Hansen said. – Reuters

Study finds mercury contamination in Brazil’s Yanomami people

STOCK PHOTO | Image by LhcCoutinho from Pixabay

RIO DE JANEIRO – Indigenous people from nine villages in Brazil’s Yanomami territory were found to be contaminated by mercury, with those living closer to illegal gold mining sites presenting higher levels of contamination, a study released on Thursday found.

The study by Brazil’s state-run Fiocruz institute collected hair samples from about 287 Indigenous people in October 2022. They all tested positive for contamination by mercury, with around 11% of the samples presenting high levels of the heavy metal, which is used by wildcat miners in Brazil to separate gold from ore and earth.

The Yanomami, estimated to number about 28,000, live in Brazil’s largest Indigenous reservation, in the northern states of Roraima and Amazonas. They face a humanitarian crisis due to the invasion of their lands by illegal miners that has caused malnutrition and deaths.

“This scenario of vulnerability exponentially increases the risk of illness in children living in the region,” specially in those under five years-old, Paulo Basta, who coordinated the study, said in a statement.

Indigenous people with higher levels of mercury presented cognitive deficits and more often presented nerve damage on their bodies’ extremities, according to the study.

Over 80% of those who participated in the study told researchers they had had malaria at some point.

Over 25% of children under 11 in the study were anemic, and almost half had acute malnutrition. Around 80% were shorter than expected for their age, suggesting chronic malnutrition as well, the study found.

All of the 47 samples of fish collected by Fiocruz researchers also tested positive for mercury contamination.

“Our children are being born sick. Women are sick, our old people are sick! Our people are dying because of mining,” Dario Kopenawa, head of the Yanomami’s Hutukara Association said in a press statement that accompanied the study. – Reuters

‘Staunch’ friend of Taiwan’s to become top US diplomat in Taipei, sources say

WINSTON CHEN-UNSPLASH

TAIPEI – A staunch friend of Taiwan’s will this summer take over as the top US diplomat in Taipei, three sources briefed on the matter said, roughly coinciding with the island’s new president taking office at a time of rising tensions with China.

Like most nations, the United States has no formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but is its most important international backer and arms supplier, to Beijing’s anger. China has ramped up political and military pressure against Taiwan.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media, told Reuters that Raymond Greene, currently deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Tokyo, will replace Sandra Oudkirk as director of the American Institute in Taiwan, or AIT.

AIT handles relations between the United States and Taiwan in the absence of official relations. Career diplomat Greene, who was deputy head of AIT before going to Japan, will be the de facto U.S. ambassador in Taipei.

AIT referred questions to the US State Department, which did not respond to a request for comment.

“Greene is viewed here as a staunch friend of Taiwan’s and knows Taiwan well,” one of the sources said.

A second source said Greene, who speaks both Japanese and Mandarin, would also be able to serve as a useful conduit between Taiwan and Japan, given Tokyo’s concerns about possible Chinese military action against the island.

Greene will be assuming his new role as Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, takes charge. Lai, who won election in January but is not inaugurated until May 20, is detested by China which views him as a dangerous separatist and has rebuffed his offers of talks.

Lai says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future, and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

It was not clear exactly when Greene would take up his role, but the sources said it would be this summer when Oudkirk’s term is up. She took the role in July 2021.

Greene was previously the U.S. consul general in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu and Japan’s Okinawa, home to a US military base that lies not far from Taiwan.

In 2021, shortly before moving from Taipei to Tokyo, Greene said in a speech that when he first worked in Taiwan two decades ago, everything AIT did related back to cross-Taiwan Strait issues and how Taiwan fit into the US-China relationship.

But over the preceding three years, efforts had been overwhelmingly focused on deepening ties and working together to help other countries develop their economies and democratic institutions, he said.

“The United States no longer sees Taiwan as a ‘problem’ in our relations with China, we see it as an opportunity to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and also as a beacon to peoples around the world who aspire for a more just, safe, prosperous, and democratic world,” added Greene.

China considers Taiwan the most sensitive and important topic in its relations with the United States.

The United States holds its presidential election in November, in what could be another uncertain factor for US-Taiwan relations, though Taiwan’s foreign ministry said last week it believed US support would remain unchanged no matter who won. – Reuters

 

Apple services restored after brief outages globally

UNSPLASH

Issues with Apple services including its App Store, video and music streaming platforms Apple TV+ and Apple Music, were resolved after outages that affected users across multiple regions, the company’s website showed.

Issues were also reported on Apple’s fitness service Apple Fitness+, as well as Arcade, Audiobooks, Books and Podcasts, according to Apple’s system status pages for several countries reviewed by Reuters.

Apple services were down for users in countries including the United States, Britain, India, China and Australia. The outage began at about 2213 GMT on Wednesday and lasted for more than an hour, the status pages showed.

More than 6,400 users flagged issues they faced while using the App Store, and both Apple TV+ and Apple Music had over 1,000 reports at the peak of the outage in the United States, according to Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from several sources, including users.

Apple did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the cause of the outages. – Reuters

Meta’s WhatsApp back up after global outage

UNSPLASH

Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp was back up on Wednesday after an hours-long outage at the smartphone messaging app disrupted services for thousands of people globally.

WhatsApp said in a post on the social media platform X that the issues had been resolved.

At its peak, the outage impacted more than 24,000 WhatsApp users in the United States, while Instagram users also reported over 5,000 outages, Downdetector data showed.

Around 1,000 people were still facing issues with Instagram in the United States, per Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources including user-submitted errors on its platform.

The WhatsApp outage had impacted thousands of users in India, the United Kingdom and Brazil, per Downdetector data.

Meta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Last month, hundreds of thousands of users of the social media company’s Facebook and Instagram were impacted globally for more than two hours following an outage that was caused by a technical issue.

Meta has about 3.19 billion daily active users across its family of apps, which also includes Threads. – Reuters

Sanofi to settle 4,000 Zantac cancer lawsuits in US state courts

NEW YORK – Sanofi has reached an agreement in principle to settle 4,000 US lawsuits linking the discontinued heartburn drug Zantac to cancer, the company said on Wednesday.

Sanofi did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. The agreement, which still needs to be finalized, will resolve most of the lawsuits against the French pharmaceutical company in US state courts, with the exception of Delaware where the majority of the cases are pending.

Sanofi did not admit any liability in the settlement, and said it is settling to avoid the expense and ongoing distraction of the litigation.

“Sanofi has vigorously defended the Zantac litigation since the outset and will continue to do so,” the company said in a statement.

Sanofi still faces about 20,000 lawsuits over Zantac in Delaware state court. A judge in Delaware Superior Court in Wilmington is weighing the fate of about 70,000 cases filed against Sanofi and other defendants, including GSK, Pfizer, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Plaintiffs and defendants are awaiting a ruling from the judge on whether there is sufficient scientific evidence to support plaintiffs’ claims that Zantac causes cancer.

The drugmakers notched a significant win in 2022, when another judge dismissed about 50,000 lawsuits making similar claims that had been consolidated in federal court in Florida.

That judge concluded that the opinions of the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses that Zantac can cause cancer were not supported by sound science. Plaintiffs are appealing that ruling.

The drugmakers have maintained that there is no evidence Zantac exposed users to harmful levels of the carcinogenic chemical NDMA.

Jennifer Moore and Brent Wisner, who are the lead plaintiffs’ attorneys in the Delaware and California litigation, said on Wednesday that they were pleased that Sanofi had reached a settlement while litigation continues against other defendants.

“We are pushing forward aggressively against GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim and are preparing for multiple trials in California state court this year,” Ms. Moore said.

First approved in 1983, Zantac became the world’s best- selling medicine in 1988 and one of the first-ever drugs to top $1 billion in annual sales. Originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK, it was later sold successively to Pfizer, Boehringer and finally to Sanofi.

In 2019, some manufacturers and pharmacies halted Zantac sales after NDMA was detected in some pills. Some tests showed that Zantac’s active ingredient, ranitidine, could degrade into NDMA over time or when exposed to heat.

Lawsuits began piling up from people who said they developed cancer after taking Zantac. Plaintiffs said the companies knew, or should have known, that ranitidine posed a cancer risk and that they failed to warn consumers.

The US Food and Drug Administration asked manufacturers to pull the drug off the market in 2020.

Sanofi now sells Zantac360, a reformulated heartburn medicine whose active ingredient is famotidine. – Reuters

Google plans to charge for AI-powered search engine, FT reports

REUTERS

Alphabet’s Google is considering charging for premium features on its generative AI–powered search engine, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the plan.

The tech giant is looking at a variety of options, including incorporating AI-powered search features to its premium subscription services, which already provide access to its new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs, the report said.

Alphabet’s shares dipped about 1% in extended trade.

The move would mark Google’s first time in putting any of its core products behind a paywall, as it seeks to gain ground in the fast-moving AI space. Its traditional search engine would remain free of charge and ads would continue to appear alongside search results even for subscribers, the report added.

“We’re not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we’ve done many times before, we’ll continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google,” the company told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Google, which invented the foundational technology for today’s AI boom, is also locked in battle with two industry players that have captured the business world’s attention – ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI and its backer Microsoft. – Reuters

Singlife Philippines secures P600-million funding to fuel innovation and growth

Singlife Philippines, a leading digital insurer, is pleased to announce that it has secured P600 million in funding from its parent and majority shareholder, Singapore Life Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Singlife or the Group). The capital injection is set to further support the company’s growth and innovation, particularly in the digital technology sphere.

Singlife Group recently became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company (Sumitomo Life). The Group is key to Sumitomo Life’s regional plans and has set its sights to become an integrated omnichannel financial services firm in the region with a focus on customer centricity.

“This funding underscores the strong confidence Singlife and other shareholders have in the vast potential of the Philippines market as well as Singlife Philippines’ focus on technological innovation, to disrupt how insurance is experienced and delivered,” Richard Vargo, chairman of Singlife Philippines, said.

He added, “This is in line with our larger group’s mission in pushing boundaries in the digital insurtech space.”

“This milestone propels and expands our capacity to introduce more cutting-edge digital insurance solutions, such as embedded and bundled insurance and enhancing our platform with AI capabilities. It’s a launchpad for aggressive market expansion and forging new strategic partnerships,” Sherie Ng, executive director of Singlife Philippines, said.

She added, “We are one step closer to our mission to democratise financial protection. With this support, we’re geared to continue our transformative journey, enriching customer value and driving sector-wide innovation and growth.”

The P600-million capital injection will fuel investments in:

  • Digital Platform: Leveraging AI to enhance our acclaimed platform, elevating efficiency and user personalization.
  • Product Innovation: Pioneering the market with disruptive offerings, adding on embedded and bundled programs.
  • Partnership Growth: Broadening our reach through innovative partnerships and collaborations. 

With nearly 1 million policies incepted, consistently high customer reviews and trust scores, Singlife Philippines is poised to amplify its impact in the market, offering pivotal insurance solutions that resonate with modern consumer needs — from income loss protection and medical coverage to investment solutions for critical life events. Its approach ensures affordability and accessibility, redefining how insurance supports everyday lives.

 

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Philippines lowers growth target for 2024, raises deficit ceilings

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

MANILA – The Philippines has lowered its target growth range for this year and also turned slightly less optimistic about next year’s outlook due to high inflation and an anticipated slowdown in the global economy, its economic planning minister said on Thursday.

The Philippines now expects the economy to grow between 6.0% and 7.0% in 2024, from a 6.5%-7.5% projection last December, with the target range for next year narrowed to 6.5%-7.5% from 6.5%-8%, Arsenio Balisacan told a media briefing.

The 6.5%-8.0% growth projections for 2026 to 2028 were kept unchanged.

The government also raised its budget deficit ceilings for 2024 to 2028 to allow for greater flexibility so it could fund its infrastructure programme.

Foreign exchange assumptions this year were narrowed to P55 to P57 against the dollar, but were kept at P55 to P58 against the greenback from 2025 to 2028.

Inflation targets were kept at 2% to 4% until 2028.

Next year, the government plans to propose to Congress a 7.5% increase in the national budget to P6.2 trillion ($109.91 billion) from this year’s P5.77 trillion. — Reuters

LT Group, Inc. to conduct 2024 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on May 3 via remote communication

 

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The new Changan CS15: Unveiling the ultimate subcompact SUV experience at an unbeatable price point

Changan Auto Philippines is thrilled to introduce the latest addition to its esteemed SUV lineup: the Changan CS15. Designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s car buyers, the CS15 combines practicality, versatility, and style, all at a remarkably competitive price point of only PHP799,000.

The CS15 emerges as the smartest choice in its segment, addressing the demands of modern Filipino drivers who seek both excitement and practicality in their daily commute. With its compact size ideal for urban driving and boasting class-leading features, the CS15 promises a driving experience that is both thrilling and dependable.

Changan has meticulously crafted the CS15 to cater to the varied preferences of car buyers. From the desire for an exhilarating driving experience to the need for connectivity and safety, the CS15 ticks all the boxes. With its advanced features and well-engineered design, Changan remains true to its commitment to “lasting safety,” providing drivers with not only a secure ride, but also peace of mind on the road.

Under the hood, the CS15 packs a punch with its 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed dual clutch transmission, delivering 105 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Whether cruising through city streets or embarking on out-of-town adventures, the CS15 offers a blend of efficiency and performance that exceeds expectations.

Inside the cabin, drivers are treated to a range of thoughtful features that prioritize comfort and convenience, including keyless entry, standard leather seats, and an infotainment system compatible with iOS and Android devices. Multi-function steering remote controls and automatic headlights with a follow-me-home function and height adjustment further enhance the driving experience, ensuring that every journey is as effortless as it is enjoyable.

Style takes center stage with the CS15, boasting eye-catching design elements that are sure to turn heads wherever it goes. Striking LED daytime running lights, a sleek sunroof, and stylish blacked-out taillamps contribute to the CS15’s distinctive look. The vehicle’s muscular haunches house large two-tone 17-inch wheels, while satin silver roof rails and a sleek shark fin antenna add a touch of sophistication to its profile.

For those with an adventurous spirit, the CS15 offers unmatched versatility and practicality. With ample headroom and legroom, along with a rear seat featuring 60/40 split folding capability, the CS15 easily accommodates large or bulky cargo. Standard roof rails make the CS15 car-camping ready, capable of accommodating an awning or roof rack for outdoor adventures. With a generous ground clearance of 190 mm, a tire pressure monitoring system, and rugged design elements, including large wheels and rocker panels, the CS15 is ready to tackle light floods or venture off the beaten path with ease.

When it comes to safety, the CS15 leaves no room for compromise. Equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, dual front and side air bags, child safety locks, and a suite of driver assistance features such as Hill-Hold Control (HHC) and tire pressure monitoring system, the CS15 ensures a secure and protected journey for all passengers. 

For a subcompact SUV packed with impressive features found in premium vehicles, the CS15 is difficult to resist at its price. It is undoubtedly the perfect choice for discerning car buyers seeking unparalleled value for money. Backed by Changan’s 5-year (or 150,000-km) warranty and a complimentary checkup within the first 5,000 km, the CS15 offers both peace of mind and exceptional ownership experience.

The CS15 will be available in the Philippines beginning April 2024 in an array of captivating colors including Flame Red, Aurora Blue, Blizzard White, Cosmic Silver, and Galaxy Black. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the future of driving with the Changan CS15. Visit the Changan booth at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) from April 4 to 7, 2023, where the CS15 is available for test drives. Irresistible special offers are up for grabs exclusively for MIAS visitors. Those who will reserve the CS15 at the Auto Show will receive a PHP50,000 cash discount and a FREE 2-year Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS). In partnership with BPI, driving home a CS15 is made even easier with flexible payment terms, low down payment and low monthly payment options.

Visit www.changan.ph and follow Changan Auto Philippines on Facebook (@ChangaAutoPH) for more details. For media inquiries and more information, please contact Grace E. Roces, PR Director of Imagi Manila, at +63 917-848-9884 or via email grace.roces@imagimanila.com.

 

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NG debt hits record P15.18 trillion

A Philippines peso note is seen in this picture illustration on June 2, 2017. — REUTERS

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Reporter

THE National Government’s (NG) outstanding debt hit a fresh high of P15.18 trillion as of end-February, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported.

Data from the BTr on Wednesday showed that the NG’s debt portfolio rose by 2.63% from the P14.79 trillion recorded as of end-January.

“The NG’s debt stock increased by P388.51 billion or 2.63% month over month which was primarily attributed to domestic debt issuances, though partially tempered by the effect of the stronger peso on foreign debt valuation,” the BTr said in a statement.

National Government outstanding debtYear on year, outstanding debt increased by 10.37% from P13.75 trillion in February 2023.

More than two-thirds or 69.68% of the NG’s debt came from domestic sources.

As of end-February, domestic debt went up by 4.08% to P10.58 trillion from P10.16 trillion in the previous month due to the net issuance of government securities.

It also jumped by 12.02% from P9.44 trillion in the same period a year ago.

“Meanwhile, peso appreciation trimmed P0.66 billion from domestic debt through downward revaluation of foreign currency denominated domestic debt,” the Treasury said.

Data from the BTr showed the peso finished at P56.174 versus the greenback at end-February, stronger than its P56.403 close at end-January.

Government securities made up almost the entire domestic debt in the first two months of 2024.

On the other hand, external debt dipped by 0.56% to P4.6 trillion from P4.63 trillion as of end-January.

“The decrease was attributed to favorable foreign exchange movements by both local and third currencies against the US dollar amounting to P18.79 billion and P9.96 billion, respectively. These more than offset the P2.75-billion net availment of foreign loans,” it said.

Year on year, foreign debt climbed by 6.76% from P4.31 trillion in the same two-month period in 2023.

Broken down, external debt was composed of P2.18 trillion in loans and P2.42 trillion in global bonds.

The NG’s guaranteed obligations edged lower by 1.07% to P344.93 billion as of end-February from P348.66 billion in the previous month.

Year on year, guaranteed obligations declined by 10.91% from P387.19 billion.

“The lower level of NG guarantees was due to the net repayment of external guarantees amounting to P3.23 billion as well as favorable foreign exchange movements by both local currencies and third currencies against the US dollar amounting to P0.69 billion and P1.1 billion, respectively,” the BTr said.

“Moreover, the net adjustment in domestic guarantees further offset P1.29 billion from the outstanding balance as of end-February 2024,” it added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said that the rise in outstanding debt was expected given the retail Treasury bond (RTB) issuance in February.

The Philippine government raised a record P584.86 billion from its offering of five-year RTBs in February, surpassing the P400-billion target set by the Treasury.

“The large maturities of government securities in March 2024, especially the P700-billion maturing RTBs, could potentially lead to some decrease in the outstanding NG debt by March,” Mr. Ricafort said.

“However, new global bond issuance for the coming weeks or as early as the second quarter of 2024 could add to the foreign debts and overall NG debt stock by then,” he added.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has said that the BTr is finalizing its first global bond issuance of the year but has yet to announce specific details of the offering.

The government’s borrowing program for this year is set at P2.46 trillion, with P1.85 trillion to be raised from the domestic market and P606.85 billion from foreign sources.

Latest data from the Budget department showed that the NG’s outstanding debt is projected to reach P15.84 trillion as of end-2024.

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