Brazilian prosecutors charge man accused of ordering high-profile killing in Amazon region
Ruben Dario Villar, a Colombian fish trader, was formally accused by Brazilian police last November of being the person who planned the slaying.
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Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Powerful interview reveals overlooked impact of global energy transition: 'Every electric vehicle carries Indigenous blood in their batteries'
Powerful interview reveals overlooked impact of global energy transition: 'Every electric vehicle carries Indigenous blood in their batteries' Intense global demand for "energy transition minerals" is impacting Indigenous communities. According to Inside Climate News, Indigenous leaders are speaking out about the industrial mining threatening to devastate their ancestral lands if mining companies proceed unabated. Activist Edson Krenak spoke with ICN about the industry's presence. He said it brings "contamination, forced removals, displacement, violence and modern-day slavery." Krenak grew up witnessing mining in his Brazilian homeland. Rivers once central to his people's culture are now "dead" after massive waste spills. "Communities like mine were torn apart," he said. "The Krenak people were among the most criminalized for defending their territories. We faced brutal repression." Research from the University of Queensland has revealed the ubiquity of mining. It found that over 54% of all global mining projects are on or near Indigenous territories. This amounts to over 2,700 mining projects worldwide. These lands hold vital minerals, including copper, lithium, and nickel. Indigenous stewardship has protected them and their biodiversity for decades. The pursuit for cleaner energy is critical, but as the interview conducted by Inside Climate News shows, it must not be at the expense of human rights or the environment. Mining expansion into Indigenous areas without consent or oversight leads to ecological damage — deforestation, water pollution, and habitat destruction to name a few. It also threatens Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditional livelihoods. The industry-Indigenous conflict challenges the shift to a sustainable economy. "Now, the lithium companies have received permits from the state government," Krenak said, "They've set their sights on this reserve and are pressuring local authorities to pass laws that would reduce the size of the protected area to just one-third of its original size. We've been working for two years to protect this area. We're exhausted." Krenak argued that extracted minerals from Indigenous lands are a catch-22. Minerals power faraway "sustainable cities" and offer an opportunity to get off the never-ending wheel of oil and gas pollution, but they also create new "sacrifice zones" in order to obtain what's needed. The same can be argued for obtaining more and more fossil fuels, but it does not change the effects on communities targeted for battery materials. Materials for batteries, unlike the drilling for oil and gas and coal, do at least allow for continued use for years upon years, and even when expended, around 95% of those materials are at least recyclable — whereas for fossil fuels, 535 times more tons of materials are extracted per year, all of which are just burned into the air and must be harvested again and again. That is the endless cycle that must be broken. So a shift to batteries that can be powered by the sun and wind and beyond is an improvement, and it's why the transition to electrification and renewable power is worthwhile. It also allows for the operations of virtually all devices being used to read this article right now. But it must be done responsibly, and advancing science leading to batteries requiring less difficult materials to obtain is incredibly important. So too is continued investment in battery recycling technology and associated facilities, such as Redwood Materials, founded by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel. Do you think fracking should be illegal in America? Yes — everywhere Yes — in most areas In some areas No Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Indigenous communities are advocating for their rights and a fair energy transition. They demand that principles like Free, Prior, and Informed Consent are upheld. FPIC is the right to approve or reject projects on their lands. Activists continue to raise global awareness with international forums and power centers. Growing recognition of these issues is prompting stricter regulations and transparent supply chains. Policies would also call for greater accountability from mining companies, governments, and consumers. Supporting organizations that champion Indigenous rights and ethical sourcing practices is crucial, Krenak argued. It follows that it's important to know the origins of materials in our clean energy transition; solutions for our planet cannot inadvertently create new injustices or environmental harms elsewhere. As Krenak told ICN, "Every electric vehicle carries Indigenous blood in their batteries. This is not a clean energy transition." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
Buzz Feed
2 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Fix Your Home's Neglected Problems With These 33 Items
A stick of Erase-A-Hole putty that'll make your walls look brand new. It'll make those dents, nail holes, and toddler-related "oopsies" disappear faster than you can say "security deposit." Plus, it's under $15, doesn't need tools, and might trick people into thinking you hired a professional. A pack of transparent window fly traps because the flies are not paying rent, and it's time to evict them. These ultra-sticky, non-toxic decals blend right into your windows while luring in everything from house flies to gnats. Peel, stick, and enjoy your bug-free home without a single zap or swat. Some folks have found that these leave a sticky residue on the glass once removed. If that happens to you, use Goo Gone to remove it. Promising review: "This is disgusting and so stinking satisfying. I'm renting a house that does not have a screen door, and I have two young children who run in and out. They bring a lot of flies with them. I've tried several different things... But what's amazing about this is that you stick it on the window, you walk away, and you let the tape do all the work for you. Disgusting and fascinating to my toddlers? Yes and yes. Is that 18 fewer flies I'm chasing around the kitchen with the swatter? Oh yes." —Meaghan Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in multiple pack sizes). Some velvet slipcovers if you have a sofa that has seen better days but is still really comfortable. Instead of splurging on a new piece of furniture, give it a facelift that will have it looking like it's brand new. A pack of five refillable multi-surface touch-up paint pens to effortlessly fix scratches and nicks on walls, doors, and cabinetry in your home. Just fill up a pen with paint of your choice and fill in the problem area. Slobproof is a small business that makes paint touch-up review: "I keep these in my kitchen drawer and it's SO convenient for my painted cabinets! I moved into a house with older wood cabinets, and because it's such a small kitchen, I knew that painting the cabinets white (actually went with cream!) would make it feel so much larger! I LOVE the way they look, but inevitably (even though I sanded and prepped), I'll get little chips in the paint. These touch-up pens stay in my junk drawer full of paint at all times. The cap makes it so it never dries out and stays super clean. But I'm able to grab them any time and just touch things up so my cabinets ALWAYS look fresh." —Claire FloresGet it from Slobproof on Amazon for $12.99+ (available in a pack of two or five). Some ceiling fan carbon filters that'll quietly trap dust and odors while you go about your life. These just stick to the top of each blade (where no one ever thinks to clean) and then they do their thing, no work from you needed. A pack of six furniture markers for covering up small nicks and cuts in your wood furniture and floors. Each kit comes with the most common wood colors (cherry, mahogany, walnut, black, maple, and oak) and matching crayons for easy filling when the damaged area is a little deep. Promising review: "I am thoroughly impressed! We have a 115-plus-year-old house, and we only have hardwood in our downstairs hall and den. We didn't want to spend tons of money because we are probably going to be replacing the flooring in a few years. I'm actually still working on this as I'm writing this, but I am so impressed that I just had to write a review right away. The only 'negative' I have is that the colors are darker than the caps show, but it's not a big deal. For the money, you can't go wrong." —BorgGet them from Amazon for $9.49. A roll of window film that'll let light in *and* keep prying eyes out. It'll give your glass doors and windows a frosted look that'll add privacy without blocking the sun, so you can go about your day without feeling like you're on display. Peel, stick, and enjoy the magic of being visible only when you want to be. Promising review: "It's been keeping us from staring at the siding of our neighbor's house while still letting in the light into our dining room for more than a year and still going strong! Bonus is that it keeps the dog from barking because the neighbor kids no longer put their faces to the window and taunt the dog. Easy to put up, stayed in place. Would buy again!" —Pet Lover 0306Get it from Amazon for $6.29+ (available in five styles and 15 sizes). A tub of The Pink Stuff, aka an all-purpose paste you can use to scrub any hard surface in your home, from ovens and appliances to tubs and tiles. With very minimal effort (aka scrubbing) on your part, this pink goo goes the distance, so you don't have to. A pack of 30-pack of picture hooks to easily get your art up on the walls. Just push, twist, and insert into drywall or plaster, no tools required. These hooks saved the day (and my walls) after I failed miserably with nails, screws, and adhesive strips while trying to put together a gallery wall in my dining room. Instead of fumbling to find a study to drill into (what am I, a magician?) or risking smashed fingers with another ill-fitting nail, I used these to hang my art quickly and safely. You just push them into the wall and twist until only the hook portion is visible. No stud-finding, no pre-drilling, no anchors — just push, twist, and hang. I honestly don't understand why these aren't in every household. They're that good. Get it from The Home Depot for $14.98. A can of eco-friendly chalk-like paint that dries within 30 minutes to transform an old piece of furniture or cabinetry into something dazzling. It doesn't need a primer or a top coat, so you can get the job done quickly and easily. This paint contains no harsh chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, or solvents. Promising review: "First time painting anything in my life, and it was great. No sanding or priming is needed. Beautiful colors; description and pictures are so accurate. Easy to paint and quick to dry. Time-saving! I will always be using this paint." —Samah SafiGet a 4-ounce jar from Amazon for $15.95 (available in four sizes and over 50 colors). A dryer lint brush because you'd be shocked at how much lint is residing in your dryer gap and exhaust port. Using this will speed up clothing drying time and help prevent lint buildup. Despite removing a sheet of lint from the trapper after every use, my dryer slowly started to dry clothes less and less efficiently. I figured there were probably a couple of clusters of lint stuck in the vent, and boy howdy was I right. This brush immediately pulled out a copious amount of lint — I was shocked. And it kept coming! The first couple of tries yielded so much lint, and then I went to work fitting it into the nooks and crannies of the vent. And it just kept coming. SO MUCH LINT. By the time I was done, I had a huge pile at my feet, and I could already tell my clothes were going to dry so much faster. And guess what? They did! Now I use this every six months or so for maintenance, and it's honestly impressive how much buildup it pulls out, and easily! Other perk: it's incredibly satisfying to use. Promising review: "Works perfectly for scrubbing the stuck lint out of the insides of your dryer. Everyone who owns a dryer should have these, they're basic safety equipment. Clean that lint, and reduce fire hazard, and make the machine more efficient. They're long enough, strong enough, and just flexible enough without being too flexible." —Winged WolfGet a two-pack from Amazon for $6.99. An outlet light if you need a little light here and there around the house. Perfect for those of us who take nightly bathroom breaks or want to safely get to the kitchen for a midnight snack without turning on all the overhead lights. A Bissell multipurpose portable cleaner that'll help you finally tackle that weird mystery stain on the couch. It'll suck up years of "I'll get to it later" from carpets, upholstery, car seats, and more. It's compact, easy to lug around, and weirdly satisfying to use. Perfecto! Some velvet curtains if you need to filter light but don't want to sacrifice style. These are very good at providing privacy and darkening the space. A microfiber blinds duster with spaced-out fingers to tackle several blinds in one swipe. Never again will you need to clear your schedule when you just want to clean your window treatments. Promising review: "I love this product!! It works fantastic! I am a housekeeper for several private homes. My least favorite job is cleaning window blinds! I have used every method there, but the job is still very time-consuming. The main reason it takes so long is you must clean each and every slat separately to do the job right. Not anymore! With this product, you can clean two slats at once, and it cleans them the first swipe! The microfiber is the key to getting all the dust, and the design of the product makes it super easy! PLUS, this tool can be used on different types of blinds because it is flexible! I have used it on wooden shutters, plastic vertical patio door blinds, and horizontal metal 'mini' blinds. Additionally, the microfiber 'sleeve' that fits on the tool is washable, and it comes with five of them, so it's a real value, being reusable and with so many to use it should last a long time before they all completely wear out! This product deserves 10 stars!" —Sandy DGet the brush and five microfiber sleeves from Amazon for $6.99 (available in blue or green). A mold-resistant white grout pen that'll cover grout stains with a fresh coat of waterproof white paint. Each pen can cover up to 150 feet of grout. Be sure to clean your grout beforehand, as this pen covers stains that will be easier to cover if the surface is are 11 different grout colors available: white, winter gray, light gray, gray, dark gray, black, ivory, cream, beige, brown, and terracotta. You can view all the review: "I have 12-inch white tile in my whole house that is 20 years old. Even though I kept it looking nice, the grout was still getting dark. I cleaned the grout and let it dry well until the next day, then used the grout pen. It looks like it is brand-new. One thing that I found out was that if the tip of the pen starts to look worn, you can just pull it out and turn it over — it is the same tip on both ends. It will take some time to do the whole house, but it looks so great that I will just do a section at a time 'til I finish. One other thing that I did was run my finger down the grout line after I applied the grout pen, then wipe down the tile line with a paper towel so no other cleanup was necessary." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in a narrow or wide tip). An under-cabinet lighting kit to give any space — kitchen, closet, bookshelf, you name it — a warm, ambient glow that instantly elevates the whole room. It's peel-and-stick, comes with a remote, and makes everything look a little more pulled together. Promising review: "I have five different sets in the kitchen and the adjacent living room. These are extremely easy to install, and you can adjust the warmth from very yellow to bright white. The quality is excellent, and there are no problems after months of use. I only use one remote control for all sets, but I could program each remote to control each set independently if I wanted to. Great value for the price." —John TrivesterGet 20 feet from Amazon for $17.99+ (also available in another color). A very fancy 12-inch showerhead because nothing feels better than a hot, luxurious shower after a long day. If you're looking for something that can go from a gentle rain to a monsoon with the turn of a dial, you definitely need this upgrade. Promising review: "Wished I upgraded my shower head sooner. Installation was very simple, and it even came with a guide if needed. It comes with an extension arm that connects to your existing water pipe. No leaks whatsoever, and I did not need any other tools. Took less than five minutes to install. It feels really nice standing right under the showerhead, and it covers your whole body with nice pressure and looks nice! Definitely recommend it to those looking for an upgrade!" —Vincent HorngGet it from Amazon for $40.99+ (available in two sizes and four finishes). An ultra-thin socket cover to tame the mess of plugs and cords behind your furniture without sticking out (literally). It sits flat against the wall and runs the cord neatly along the baseboard, so your outlets stay functional *and* visually unoffensive. A set of drill brush attachments perfect for taking on the toughest stains on your home's tile, glass, grout, and fiberglass. You'll save so much time and energy thanks to these attachments, and can instead focus on doing what you do best: zoning out on the couch while watching the latest Netflix show. A pack of cabinet pulls to give your kitchen or bathroom cabinetry a mini makeover that won't break the bank. This is an easy way to make a big visual impact, especially if you're a renter (just store the old pulls in a shoebox under the sink and then put them back on when it's time to move out). Promising review: "The handles are made with high-quality heavy metal so they will stand up to everyday usage. I am very happy with how they look and showcase my kitchen cabinets. They will make your cabinets look like a high-end, very expensive item...a 10 out of 10 for sure." —Amazon CustomerGet a pack of 2 from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in six styles and 12 finishes). A tiny but mighty Levoit air purifier that'll have you breathing cleaner, fresher air without overcomplicating things. It quietly zaps dust, pet dander, and mystery particles floating around your home, so you're not just marinating in allergens all day. Promising reviews: "This air purifier is the best we have found. We have four different kinds of air purifiers in our home, as my spouse has immense allergy problems. None of the others works as well as this one. The first week, we tried this in our living space. It pulled so much dust out of the air; there was a dust sheet on the filter. We cleaned it off and moved it to our bedroom. His sleep improved immensely! We purchased a second air filter for our den, where he spends most of his time. As the other purifiers break, we will replace them with this one." —TrishaGet it from Amazon for $89.99+ (also available in black). Some motion-activated, battery-powered nightlights to illuminate dark areas in your home like closets, deep cabinets, and bathrooms. These are great gets when it's late at night and you're wandering around your house like a Victorian ghost, but don't want to turn on all the lights. Some super realistic peel-and-stick subway tile in a contemporary shape if you've been meaning to add a little pizzazz to your walls. These are great for renters, especially if you have a bathroom or kitchen with an outdated aesthetic. All you do is peel and stick, and when it's time to move out, you just peel them off — it's really that easy. A sink plunger to easily unblock all the grossness that's been building up in your drain for who knows how long. If you live in a home where the water drains reeeeaaaallllllly slow, this product can probably dislodge all the blockage in just a few pumps. Promising review: "I needed for my bathroom sink. I doubted it would work as easy and fast as advertised but it did. I thought I'd really have to work it for it to work. Super impressed. Took like a minute, if that. Piece of advice though, if your sink has that overflow drain, put a sponge or something over it. Water and gunk will plunge out of the hole and if you aren't expecting it will have a mess." —AGet it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in small and large sizes). An expandable shelf for under your sink that adjusts itself around your awkwardly shaped pipe. You will be able to fit so much more stuff under your sink when you use this! Measures 15 inches long x 11.25 inches wide x 15 inches high and can expand to 25 inches review: "I'm so glad I bought this. I have a 24-inch vanity in my bathroom, and this fits perfectly. I have it extended to about 23 inches, and it holds sturdy, though I can see that if you were to extend it to its full length, it gets weak in the middle. I liked it so much that I ordered another one for the kitchen. I got some clear bins to help organize bottles and other goodies I keep in the bath." —Marlene it from Amazon for $24.87 (available in three finishes). Some solar-powered outdoor lantern lights if your backyard's too dark at night. Because they don't require electricity, you can hang them and then not worry about maintenance. Promising review: "My goodness, I did not expect to love these lanterns as much as I do. They are very, very good quality and display lots of light. I hung both of them between my small patio and English garden, and they provided enough light for both areas. I received them late afternoon, so they got about four hours in the sun. At 9 p.m., both came on like clockwork. I got up at 3 a.m. to check if they were still on, and they were as bright as ever. They are so dang cute and unique in my yard. I will be buying more. Love, Love, Love them." —Dog TailorGet it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three styles). A broom and mop organizer you can put on your closet's wall to keep all your cleaning tools neatly organized and off the floor. They'll also be out of sight and out of mind, which is exactly what you need if you hate cleaning and don't want to see the tools it requires on an everyday basis. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner that'll use magical blue foam to rid your garbage disposal of foodstuff and odor. I have these and actually look forward to using them, they're that great. You push one of the biodegradable packets into your drain and then turn the water on. Before you know it, this blue foam starts bubbling up from your drain(s) and after a few minutes, completely disappears. After that, the drain is super clean, and those lingering smells are gone. Here's what you do: Run some hot water, pop one of the packets in your disposer, let it foam, then wait for the foam to fully disappear. Garbage disposer = clean and ickiness-free. Promising review: "Works like a charm! These are pretty cool! I was a little skeptical but I followed the easy-to-use directions and it worked just like the product said it would. Foamed up and cleaned the drain!! Smell removed!!" —Jennifer KGet two packs of four from Amazon for $11. A roll of wood grain tape if you have one of those big frameless mirrors in your bathroom and want to take it up a notch. Instead of ripping it out and replacing it with something expensive, use this tape to frame it. Promising review: "Where do I start? I absolutely LOVE this product. I wanted to replace our bathroom mirror, but due to the size, it would have cost a lot! I came across this on Amazon and decided to give it a try. The application process was super easy and applied without bubbles as long as you go slow and rub it down as you go. I kid you not. It looks like wood and feels like it, too! You can feel and see the 'wood grain.' It's absolutely stunning and looks like I bought a whole new mirror." —TaylorGet it from Amazon for $7.92. A compact utensil organizer that smartly stacks cutlery instead of placing it side-by-side. If your kitchen feels cramped or has very little drawer space, use this to store all your silverware without taking up much real estate. A hidden storage box disguised as a beautiful collection of books. Now, instead of having your electronics and all their cords on display, they'll be covered up by what looks like a top-tier curation of books. And some metal bathroom shelves with super-strong adhesive that can hold up to 15 pounds each. No more dangling a shower caddy around your showerhead!
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu eyes new markets, smaller trade delegations
OTTAWA — Ottawa's new trade minister says he's looking to sign deals in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and beyond — and to convince businesses to actually use the trade agreements Canada has already signed. "My primary role as Canada's top salesman is to be out there hustling, opening doors for businesses and accessing new markets," Maninder Sidhu told The Canadian Press. "My phone has been ringing with opportunities because people want to deal with reliable, stable trading partners." Prime Minister Mark Carney has tasked Dominic LeBlanc as minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade. Sidhu's job focuses on countries other than the U.S. Export Development Canada says Ottawa has 15 free trade agreements covering 51 countries, offering Canadian exporters preferential access to over 1.5 billion consumers. But Sidhu said Canadian businesses could be doing a lot more to look beyond the U.S., particularly as Washington threatens and imposes a range of tariffs. Sidhu served four years as a parliamentary secretary in roles reflecting all three branches of Global Affairs Canada: aid, trade and diplomacy. The job saw him represent Canada in trade promotion events in Southeast Asia and security forums in the Caribbean. Sidhu worked as a customs broker before politics — a job that focuses on navigating red tape and tariffs to secure the best rate for trading goods. Sidhu said he plans to visit Brazil soon as the South American country seeks to revive trade talks that kicked off in 2018 between the Mercosur trade bloc and Canada. His predecessor Mary Ng put an emphasis on large trade missions which took months to plan. The minister would sometimes fill a plane with corporate and business leaders, spending a substantial chunk of time in one or two countries. Sidhu said he is hoping to bring smaller delegations of companies with him on his trips abroad, with a focus on specific sectors, "whether it's South America, Indo-Pacific to Europe, to Africa." "Businesses feel like they're heard, but they're also getting higher-level meetings on the opposite side in the countries that we take them into," he said. Ottawa is navigating its trade ties with China as the two countries work to revive the decades-old Joint Economic and Trade Commission, a forum to sort out trade irritants. China has been roundly accused of engaging in coercive trade practices and of restricting certain commodities or services like tourism during political disagreements with Ottawa. Sidhu said the goal there is to offer "stability" to industry, with an emphasis on "how do we work through those challenges, and how do we make sure that those conversations are facilitated." Sidhu also downplayed the chances of a bilateral trade deal with the United Kingdom. Trade talks collapsed last year over the U.K.'s desire to sell more cheese in Canada and after Britain blocked Canadian hormone-treated beef. Both countries are using a temporary deal put in place after Britain left the European Union, and the U.K. will soon enter a trade bloc that focuses on the Pacific Rim, Sidhu noted. He said Canada would still be open to a full deal. "If U.K. and Canadian businesses already have access on 99 per cent of the items that we trade, then if we're looking at trade agreements, we need to make sure that we're getting the best value for our negotiations," Sidhu said. He also said Canada could consider "sector-specific agreements" with other countries, instead of comprehensive deals that span most industries. "We are getting very creative in how we can open up more doors," he said. Sidhu did not name specific countries where Canada might pursue sector-specific agreements. Canada had been looking at a trade agreement with India that would be limited to certain sectors — before Ottawa suspended talks in 2023 following an assassination the RCMP has linked to New Delhi. Ottawa launched security talks with India this spring and agreed to re-establish high commissioners. Sidhu was circumspect when asked when Canada might re-establish trade talks with India. "This is a step-by-step approach," he said, adding that the eventual return of top envoys will help "to carry out those very important conversations." Sidhu said Global Affairs Canada is still sorting out how Carney's decision to cut spending in all departments will affect the trade branch. "It's really going to be a focused approach, of where we can make the best impact," Sidhu said. The Business Council of Canada has urged Ottawa to expand the number of trade commissioners, who provide the contacts on the ground for Canadian companies looking for export opportunities. While Sidhu did not say whether Ottawa's cuts will mean fewer trade commissioners, he said he's heard a clear message from chambers of commerce that these positions are extremely valuable. "It comes down to return on investments, what programs are working (and) where can we get the best bang for our buck for Canadian industry and Canadian workers," he said. "A lot of the business community doesn't even know that (the Trade Commissioner Service) is there to help. And so my job is to help amplify that." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
