This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Extreme weather and climate impacts had a damaging toll on Latin America and the Caribbean last year the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a new report on Friday. The study also highlights positive developments amid the bleak news such as the growing role of renewable energy in the region and the power of early warning systems to save lives “In 2024, weather and climate impacts cascaded from the Andes to the Amazon, from crowded cities to coastal communities, causing major economic and environmental disruptions,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo “Drought and extreme heat fuelled devastating wildfires Exceptional rainfall triggered unprecedented flooding and we saw the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record,” she added The State of the Climate for Latin America and the Caribbean report reveals that 2024 was the warmest or second warmest year on record Rising temperatures led to the disappearance of the Humboldt Glacier which became the second country in the world after Slovenia to lose all its glaciers in the modern era El Niño conditions in the first half of the year influenced rain patterns areas across the Amazonia and Pantanal regions in Brazil experienced widespread drought where rainfall was 30 to 40 per cent below normal. were driven by drought and extreme heatwaves Wildfires in Chile resulted in over 130 deaths - the country’s worst disaster since the February 2010 earthquake Floods triggered by heavy rainfall in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul became Brazil’s worst climate related disaster causing billions in economic losses to the agricultural sector. While timely warnings and evacuations helped mitigate the impacts of the flooding WMO said more than 180 fatalities were reported thus highlighting the need to improve understanding around disaster risks among both authorities and the general public pointing to bright spots in the report. “Early warnings and climate services from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) are saving lives and increasing resilience throughout Latin America and the Caribbean,” she said renewable energy accounts for nearly 69 per cent of the energy mix Solar and wind energy experienced a remarkable 30 per cent increase in capacity and generation compared to 2023 The UN weather agency and partners are also assisting national meteorological and hydrological services to support renewable energy development and integration through artificial intelligence-based wind forecasting The State of the Climate for Latin America and the Caribbean report was issued at a WMO Regional Association meeting hosted by El Salvador to inform decisions on climate change mitigation adaptation and risk management at the regional level It complements the State of the Global Climate flagship report Glaciers in many regions will not survive the 21st century if they keep melting at the current rate, potentially jeopardising hundreds of millions of people living downstream, UN climate experts said on the first World Day for Glaciers You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed The requester URL cannot be found in our server. If you followed a broken URL please send an email to catholicna@catholicna.com so we can solve the problem. Click here to return to the homepage CNA is a service of EWTN News, Inc. The media cameras are gone from 2024’s inundations but in Valencia 100,000 wrecked cars remain to be disposed of and in both cities there’s a visceral trauma felt each time rain starts falling as residents pick up the pieces in communities where year by year extreme weather makes it harder to live researchers are finding similar patterns of causation in these cities on two widely separated continents — patterns serving as a warning to the world What residents know in their very bones is that repeated massive flooding sweeps away historical and cultural diversity When last year waves of torrential rain fell on both communities — Porto Alegre in the south of Brazil and Valencia on the Mediterranean coast of eastern Spain — they ended up looking much the same many causes were pointed to involving dynamic Earth systems though causation and solutions are proving more complex and daunting than expected Torrential rains began in April and lasted six weeks bringing overflowing rivers and massive mudslides At least 180 people died and half a million were driven from their homes As with all such recent weather disasters, the stories of loss resonate in a warming world, where people have begun asking if their community might be next. Brazil alone has seen a 460% increase in climate-related disasters since the 1990s, according to one landmark study Parts of Porto Alegre remained underwater for weeks It was the worst flood in the history of Rio Grande do Sul state with 1.6 million hectares (2.5 million acres) affected Valencia’s floods in October 2024 impacted 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) less than the area flooded in Rio Grande do Sul But size doesn’t define terror: The speed at which the deluge unfolded and toll in human lives was greater than in Brazil At least 205 people died — Spain’s worst disaster in decades “It was absolutely horrific, I don’t think anything can prepare you for seeing it with your own eyes,” Valencia resident Zoe Wilkes told the BBC “Every single street had 50 cars piled on top of each other; they were wedged between tree trunks and up in the branches houses were missing walls — debris was everywhere It was completely bizarre and terrifying.” Rescue teams discovered seven bodies in an underground parking garage According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change extreme weather events causing highly impactful floods and droughts are becoming more likely and severe due to human-driven climate change which has destabilized the historic hydrological cycle scientists continue doing careful forensic analyses of the disasters While the fingerprint of CO2-induced climate change is all over the catastrophes other fingerprints are also being detected — some identified decades ago by a little-known climatologist Scientists agree that the immediate cause of the horrific flooding in both countries was a confluence of extreme meteorological conditions In Brazil, several weather systems collided over Rio Grande do Sul, according to Paulo Brack a professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul’s Institute of Biosciences Unusually high humidity arrived on winds from the west partly due to Pacific Ocean warming during El Niño This ran into a surge of humid air from the Amazon These moisture-laden winds then encountered cold fronts coming up from the south The cold fronts normally travel north without difficulty. But this time, Brack said, they met an obstruction and stalled. “The atmospheric blockage, called a heat dome was related to deforestation and the lack of vegetation [in central Brazil] preventing them from traveling to other states.” the national center for natural disaster monitoring and alerts continued the story: “With nowhere else to go,” he told Mongabay “the rains eventually descended chaotically on Rio Grande do Sul with 420 mm [16.5 inches] of rain falling between 24 April and 4 May.” the flooding was attributed to a “cut-off low pressure storm system,” as cold autumn winds came down from Northern Europe to collide with a heavily warmed mass of air and moisture sitting over the Mediterranean The result was a sudden catastrophic storm with more than a year’s worth of rain — 445.5 mm (17.5 in) — falling in a day Scientists recognize that local changes in land use can make these climate change-driven extreme meteorological events more intensely damaging In Rio Grande do Sul, they point to a loss of about 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres) of native vegetation Much of the forest cleared was replaced by soy farms with the crop now Brazil’s leading agricultural export Eduardo Vélez, a researcher at MapBiomas, which uses satellite imaging to track changes in soil use, told BBC News Brasil that a third of this conversion occurred in the Guaíba River Basin Researchers suggest that if vegetation along the banks of the Guaíba had been preserved water levels would have been as much as 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) lower limiting the scale of the Porto Alegre disaster Local land-use change also exacerbated Valencia’s floods. Hossein Bonakdari, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Ottawa, Canada, noted: “Rapid urban development … has significantly contributed to flood severity by increasing impermeable surfaces which prevent water from being absorbed into the ground.” practices like soil compaction from agricultural expansion and deforestation have reduced the landscape’s ability to naturally retain water causing rapid runoff that intensifies downstream flooding,” he added Most scientists today agree that while these local land-use changes play a role in flooding increased carbon emissions are the most important causal factor “No doubt about it, these explosive downpours were intensified by climate change,” Friederike Otto from World Weather Attribution at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, told Euronews She added: “With every fraction of a degree of fossil fuel warming These deadly floods are yet another reminder of how dangerous climate change has already become at just 1.3°C [2.3°F] of warming [since preindustrial times].” Linda Speight, a lecturer at the University of Oxford’s School of Geography and the Environment, agreed these [violent storms] are no longer rare events Climate change is changing the structure of our weather systems creating conditions where intense thunderstorms stall over a region leading to record-breaking rainfall — a pattern that we are seeing time and time again.” But other scientists suggest that while the focus on increased emissions is valid it gives the false impression that climate change can be combatted solely by reducing emissions conceals another extreme weather intensification fingerprint The health of the planet will only be restored if this complex interrelationship is recognized and the multiple causes dealt with in a more holistic manner land-use change (and the outsized effect it has on the water cycle) could be having a bigger and more immediate impact on climate — especially helping trigger extreme events like flood and drought To properly address the growing crisis, we must repair local ecosystems and reinvent infrastructure (regrowing riverine forests and making cities flood-proof, for example). Likewise, we must also restore national — and even continental — forests, marshlands and other vegetation to stabilize the hydrological cycle This message often runs counter to the world’s dominant economic development paradigm One scientist who spent most of his life warning that ignoring this hydrological truth would threaten the very survival of humanity was Spanish scientist Millán Millán Muñoz When Millán trained as a scientist in the 1960s soil and water played crucial roles in regulating global climate Indeed, scientists believed this for centuries. Greek natural philosopher Theophrastus more than 2,000 years ago demonstrated a keen understanding that when forests were clear-cut weather changed: “The greater part of the district was dried up and put into cultivation,” he wrote “[T]he clearing of the woodlands has opened up the land exposing it to the sun and bringing about a warmer climate.” In 1800, explorer Alexander von Humboldt wrote about devastation due to deforestation in Venezuela: “When forests are destroyed as they are everywhere in America by the European planters The beds of the rivers remaining dry during a part of the year are converted into torrents whenever great rains fall on the heights.” echoed millions of Kenyan women when she warned: “If you destroy the forest the crops will fail and you will die of hunger and starvation.” From the 1970s on she was part of a huge Kenyan women’s movement that nurtured and protected millions of trees Millán’s conviction that land-use change was a key factor impacting Earth’s hydrological cycle and climate was strengthened in 1991 when he and nine other scientists were asked by the European Commission to determine why the weather in Valencia and the entire Mediterranean region was rapidly changing Millán became certain that the droughts and storms were linked calling them “the terrible twins.” He and his team discovered that the rain clouds that came in from the Mediterranean historically no longer contained enough moisture to make rain The clouds had a water content of just 14 grams per cubic meter of air (about 0.01 ounce per cubic foot) while they needed 21 g/m3 (0.02 oz/ft3) to precipitate The research team also determined the reason for the moisture loss: In the past as clouds reached the Mediterranean coasts picking up added grams of moisture as well as cloud condensation nuclei Those moisture-laden clouds would then float above the great rainmaker Those forests did more than send up the needed grams of moisture and cloud condensation nuclei When the westward-flowing clouds then reached a mountain range such as Spain’s Sierra Nevada and as they headed back east toward the Mediterranean Sea Then came the Mediterranean region’s intensive development over the 20th century Coastal marshes were paved over to make way for roads Oak forests were cut for timber and agriculture picked up heat from concrete and compacted soils And for every degree Celsius of warming those clouds experienced they were able to contain 7% more water vapor without making it rain When those clouds hit the inland mountains they rose and returned but still didn’t release their precipitation Day after day the clouds piled one atop the other helping make the Mediterranean Sea one of the hottest in the world These cloud formations could reach 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in height when cold autumn winds drove down from Northern Europe this immense moisture-laden cloud formation sitting over the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Spain could be triggered to produce a super storm dumping a deluge on a landscape shorn of its forests and wetlands A year’s worth of rain could fall in a day and with no vegetative sponge to soak it up These deluges fell on pavement and hard-packed Spanish soils that had suffered years of intensive industrial agriculture Healthy soils would have absorbed much moisture A vicious hydrological cycle was created and intensified with more deforestation pushing more regional warming and the “terrible twins” of drought and deluge That one-two punch stressed and degraded the remaining forests Add global greenhouse gas emissions to the mix and the puzzle obscuring the causes of the escalating floods in Valencia and Porto Alegre becomes clear Millán emphasized that all elements in the natural world interact and depend on each other soil and vegetation — these were the pillars of life profound changes in land use and freshwater systems could be seen in conjunction with surging emissions and global climate change to fill out the fingerprint of extreme weather events land use and water change were much more dramatic in their effects than increased emissions A case in point at the heart of Millán’s theory: the 2024 Valencia flood Millán’s study was initially well received. He was invited by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to contribute to its Third Assessment Report in 2002 But that was also a time when climate scientists — who built models based on projections of increased global carbon emissions and rising temperatures — were becoming dominant Millán found that the modelers were not interested in his analysis of interacting factors and “questioned every result we presented.” He found himself involved in endless losing arguments and eventually left the IPCC also preferred the modelers’ straightforward analysis to Millán’s complex accounting With countries the world over attempting to improve living standards via rapidly expanded industrial agriculture people were often infuriated when told deforestation and development were seriously damaging the climate and destabilizing the hydrological cycle This framework encompasses and greatly expands on many of Millán’s ideas Today, Millán’s supporters have swelled in number, as they argue for the integration of an Earth systems approach to climate solutions. In a 2024 Mongabay commentary should not be sited on natural forest land ignores that “Earth has developed an exquisitely fine-tuned system for regulating temperature and moisture that is driven by the life that dwells here She goes on: “This does not mean that CO2 concentrations are irrelevant carbon in the atmosphere can be seen as a lever part of an overall climate-regulation system.” Solar power and other renewables can play a part in tackling the crisis but a systems approach balancing all inputs is needed That’s why solar installations should be located “in abandoned industrial sites above parking lots and on warehouse roofs.” faculty professor of geosciences at Utrecht University in the Netherlands told Mongabay that Millán was “absolutely right to point out early the need to look integrally at the total process.” Van Egmond adds that he’s long worried science has become too hyper-focused on single causes with singular solutions “This is the root cause of all our current problems,” he said “As science has progressed — and particularly with the advent of computers — there has been this overvaluation and overconfidence that we can ‘control the world by scientific-technological means.’ But the last few decades have shown that this will not be the case.” some scientists are sympathetic with Millán’s holistic views underlining the existential urgency of landscape-wide forest conservation — ideas unwelcome among policymakers keen to promote economic growth who worked at Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) He has argued there is “a profound connection between deforestation in the Amazon and the intensification of extreme climatic events in Brazil such as the catastrophic floods in Rio Grande do Sul and the prolonged droughts in the Pantanal and elsewhere.” he sees droughts and floods as “dreadful twins,” bred in this case by Amazon deforestation and rising global temperatures Nobre stresses the role of the rainforest not only in guaranteeing Brazil’s traditionally benign climate acts as a powerful natural “air conditioner” through the process of evapotranspiration and is associated with a biotic pump that drives moist winds far inland not only cool air at the Earth’s surface but also release moisture that rises high into the atmosphere forming heat-reflecting clouds and triggering rainfall their theory turned traditional textbook thinking about climate on its head by proposing that it isn’t atmospheric circulation that drives the hydrological cycle; rather it’s the world’s forests and the hydrological cycle that drive the mass circulation of air Whether the biotic pump theory is proven out or not, what is clear to scientists today is that forests play a much more complex and comprehensive role in climate regulation than simply being sequesters of CO2 a dynamic and healthy Amazon Rainforest ensured a stable and productive climate system especially in regions dependent on what scientists dubbed the Amazon’s “flying rivers” — massive streams of water vapor formed over the Atlantic Ocean by dominant trade winds which then blow across the Amazon picking up more moisture from the forest until they are finally redirected southeast by the Andes That southeast turn brought regular rains to the farmlands of central and southern Brazil These nations benefited from this reliable precipitation pattern over what Nobre calls the “lucky quadrangle,” an agricultural area still responsible for 70% of South America’s GDP He contrasts this bounty with desert landscapes found at similar latitudes on the other side of the Andes and on other continents like Australia or in Namibia Nobre fears the ongoing destruction of the Amazon is destabilizing this once robust system leading to the formation of a “hot air bubble” similar to the build-up of moisture-sodden clouds described by Millán over Valencia block rain systems and exacerbate droughts and floods while pushing “flying rivers” into uncharacteristic pathways that intensify extreme weather events In recent years, studies have found that the Amazon rains that fed southern Brazil and nations to the south for generations are declining due to intensive loss of rainforest The 2024 floods in Porto Alegre and Valencia have receded concerns are now growing over indications of a new threat: drought the recovery effort continues; not least among the daunting demands is the need to find a final resting place for those aforementioned 100,000 wrecked cars People are dreading the arrival of the hot summer and regular summer rains now a fading memory 2024 was the first year in history in which average global temperatures exceeded preindustrial levels by 1.5°C (2.7°F) — the upper relatively safe limit set by the Paris climate agreement. Soaring temperatures, persistent heat domes, super storms, droughts and fires battered the globe. Modelers have so far been unable to fully account for all of 2024’s heat and a super-energized and unstable hydrological cycle The planet can live with the “new normal.” The question is: Can humans though the scope for recovery lessens each year the crisis runs unchecked with amunas in Chile and eris in India serving similar purposes Millán has helped inspire an international movement based around regenerating land and protecting forests. “While Millán’s predictions are now becoming reality in the extreme weather we’re seeing in the Mediterranean, it’s not too late to stop the feedback loop of nature degradation and climate disaster,” Willem Ferwerda, founder of one such initiative called Commonland “Integrated land restoration can restore the ecological function of degraded landscapes through making agriculture more regenerative reviving forests and wetlands to rebuild natural water cycles and stabilize regional climates The organization is working in Spain to heal devastated landscapes because “You can’t fix the climate crisis without restoring the land It’s like trying to rebuild a house on a crumbling foundation That’s why Commonland is dedicated to supporting local people and organizations to work together.” He goes on: “Through restoring the land life-giving summer rains in the Mediterranean basin but also restore a sense of hope and connection for communities living there.” Nobre also finds hope in nature’s regenerative power He embraces the “miraculous technology” of seeds which encapsulate millions of years of evolutionary intelligence What needs to be changed above all is the way we view the natural world Writer and poet Rob Lewis was regularly in touch with Millán before the latter died in January 2024 in Valencia the city that nine months later faced a catastrophic flood Lewis summarized Millán’s thoughts on water: while [the actively growing parts of trees are] 80 to 90% How much water a landscape can hold is therefore proportional to how much life is in the landscape and soil the more water it can “milk” from ocean flows the result being increased climate cooling and moderation But the reverse is true: Cut down forests and drain the marshes and you dry the land until it becomes lifeless and loses its ability to moderate climate It is the tragic story of civilization and of our time Banner image: More than 200 people were killed in Valencia by the 2024 flood The army joined rescue efforts in the worst flash floods ever to hit Spain leaving victims in the ravaged region begging for aid As global fire risk rises, modern homes become toxic plastic traps Pearce, F. (2020). Weather makers. Science, 368(6497), 1302-1305. doi:10.1126/science.368.6497.1302 Richardson, K., Steffen, W., Lucht, W., Bendtsen, J., Cornell, S. E., Donges, J. F., … Rockström, J. (2023). Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries. Science Advances, 9(37). doi:10.1126/sciadv.adh2458 Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, Å., Chapin III, F. S., Lambin, E. F., … Foley, J. A. (2009). A safe operating space for humanity. Nature, 461(7263), 472-475. doi:10.1038/461472a Fritsche, I., Cohrs, J. C., Kessler, T., & Bauer, J. (2012). Global warming is breeding social conflict: The subtle impact of climate change threat on authoritarian tendencies. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 32(1), 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2011.10.002 FEEDBACK: Use this form to send a message to the author of this post The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa as protected areas become battlegrounds over history and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins and trying to forge a path forward […] Salgado Filho International Airport in Brazil suffered severe flooding earlier this year TAP Air Portugal will resume flights to Porto Alegre in Brazil from early April nearly a year after severe flooding in the region prompted the suspension of service Flights between Lisbon Airport and Porto Alegre’s Salgado Filho International Airport will be offered three times per week from April 1 (4,748-nm) route was halted in May following widespread floods caused by heavy rains and storms that hit the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul and the adjacent Uruguayan cities of Treinta y Tres Damage sustained during the floods forced the closure of Salgado Filho International Airport until October marking the end of a seven-month period of extensive repairs “With the resumption of the offer of direct flights between the southernmost capital of Brazil and Europe TAP fulfills the commitment it made on the date it was forced to suspend this connection and is pleased with the reopening of Porto Alegre airport to international flights,” TAP said in a statement operating a one-stop service from Lisbon via Belém with A321neo aircraft Speaking to Aviation Week when the Florianópolis route commenced TAP Group Head of Strategy Henri-Charles Ozarovsky said the destination had been under consideration for several years citing growing demand and codeshare partnerships with Brazilian airlines Azul and GOL as key factors “We continuously monitor data from various regions to identify profitable and sustainable routes When the opportunity arose to expand to Florianópolis we saw it as a strategic move to leverage existing operations and partnerships," Ozarovsky added as well as connecting Porto to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro According to data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser TAP has a 24.3% capacity share of the Europe-Brazil market during December 2024 putting it ahead of LATAM Airlines Group on 22.2% Air France and KLM have a combined 15.5% share while British Airways and Iberia have 11.4% of the market Earlier this month, TAP announced plans to add Los Angeles to its North American network next summer launching nonstop service from Lisbon as part of a broader expansion that includes two additional Portugal-U.S Flights between Lisbon and Los Angeles are set to begin on May 16 initially operating three times per week through Oct A fourth weekly roundtrip will start on May 25 flights linking Porto and Boston Logan International Airport will start on May 14 A route connecting Terceira in the Azores and San Francisco International Airport will follow on June 3 the global route development community's trusted source for news and information insight and analysis from our award-winning editors delivered to your inbox daily Mexico will face Internacional on January 16th in Porto Alegre Mexico will start their year with a South American tour that will begin with a friendly match against Brazilian club Internacional de Porto Alegre Mexico announce the friendly that will be played on January 16th in the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre Mexico is rumored to be playing another match against River Plate but it has still not been confirmed by the federation Mexico will start 2025 with a non FIFA date tour of South America Mexico will travel to Brazil and Coach Javier Aguirre will face their second club match in his tenure While facing clubs had been extremely rare Mexico has decided to continue this trend after facing La Liga’s Valencia in October That match was played in Puebla and ended with a tie Mexico will have a tough task being the away team as they face Inter de Porto Alegre They should also have a tough task as it’s all but official that they will face off against River Plate in Buenos Aries These friendlies will be the only action Mexico will face before playing in the Semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League That match will be an official CONCACAF competition and thus will have their Euro based players but this January tour will only have Liga MX players which only be starting the weekend prior to the Inter match Here at PUCRS you can take the course you want Courses that will make a difference in your development There are 20 program options in the best graduate courses in the country Renowned teachers and our quality guarantee Courses with different themes and prices for senior citizens Commitment to scientific and technological advancement. 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Hold your event in the most complete complex in the south of the country. Services and environments that can make your day-to-day life easier Our impactful actions for the community and education Raising funds to finance projects and strategic actions We continue to work alongside the people of Rio Grande do Sul in rebuilding the State We are a community university focused on society A new University for a new society. We are the best private university in the country and one of the best in the world Rector Evilázio Teixeira received the honor yesterday (21) at the Porto Alegre City Council Members of the Marist Network were also present on the occasion received the title of Citizen of Porto Alegre this Tuesday (21) The ceremony was held at the City Council and brought together authorities and representatives of the university community The awarding of the title is a proposal by councilor Moisés Barboza (PSDB) innovation and social development carried out by the University during the period in which he was head of the Rectorate. The honor comes at an extremely special time for PUCRS: in the same month that it celebrates its 75th anniversary as well as the Legislative Assembly itself for the honor he revisited his career and declared himself optimistic about life and the journey that has led him to where he is today. the city that welcomed me as a Marist religious and manager of an institution that is recognized as the best private university in Brazil and one of the best in Latin America I have no doubt that this honor bestowed upon me is also a tribute to PUCRS scientific and cultural development of Porto Alegre and Rio Grande do Sul,” said the rector. Moisés Barboza greeted Brother Evilázio and recalled the importance that PUCRS has in his life The councilman recalled that the University in addition to being an educational institution is a space that welcomes several professionals and employs thousands of collaborators Moisés highlighted PUCRS' commitment to society beyond education “Generations and generations of young people have passed through PUCRS The way that Brother Evilázio and the people who work at PUCRS touch and encourage these young people goes far beyond learning and teaching values but one that has produced many fruits for our city We have also exported sons and daughters of PUCRS who are the fruits of the University’s quality education Municipal Secretary of Education of Porto Alegre highlighted the importance of granting the title to the rector of PUCRS someone who has contributed daily to education not only in the capital but also in the state where he completed his master's and doctorate in Education he highlighted how the Campus has been remodeling itself to serve new students. “I was surprised because it had been a few years since I had been back to PUCRS and I was delighted with the quality of the structure of building 15 It was nothing like the building I studied in a few years ago and the excellent spaces that PUCRS is offering to all its students.” Brother Evilázio has dedicated his life to the University Brother Evilázio also highlighted that education is an important form of citizenship and a tool for social change: “I am very proud and happy to have dedicated my life to the University for almost 30 years This is one of the ways I exercise my citizenship I truly believe that education is something that improves human beings in every way and it always takes place in relationships between people; and human beings are the foundation the end and the object of all institutions in which social life is expressed and carried out Evilázio Francisco Borges Teixeira has a Bachelor's Degree in Law from PUCRS He is also Professor of Theology and Philosophy with a Master's and Doctorate in Systematic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome) and a Master's and Doctorate in Philosophy from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum (Rome). English and French at the Scuola Dante Alighiere in Rome the Centre Studies of English in Dublin and the Institut Catholique de Paris She also took part in a cultural exchange program at NESE – The New England School of English in Cambridge She completed an MBA in University Management and Leadership at IGLU – the Institute of University Management and Leadership and completed an internship at the University of Ottawa in Canada She participated in three educational missions promoted by the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs She completed the Course for Board Members at the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance – IBGC. He has several published works translated into several languages The main ones include: Imago trinitatis: God The Education of Man According to Plato (Sao Paulo Spirituality and Quality of Life (Porto Alegre Postmodern Adventure and its Shadow (Sao Paulo 2005) and Dignity of the human person and the rights of children and adolescents (Porto Alegre Read also 75 years and one step forward Learn about research projects and our researchers information and follow everything that is happening at the University learn about the Fluir program and have access to the main systems Floods caused by torrential rains killed nearly 200 people in the Brazilian city of Porte Alegre in April-May 2024 and a picture of the same place taken on April 10 Houses painted by artists from the Paredes com Proposito (Purposeful Walls) project in Porto Alegre a plaque recalls the flooding that had completely submerged the historic building Porto Alegre continues its recovery after deadly floods last year displaced half a million in the Brazilian city volunteers touch up houses left standing after devastating floods last year that killed nearly 200 people and displaced half a million in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre As residents continue to repair damage nearly 12 months after Rio Grande do Sul's worst-ever natural calamity they worry not enough is being done to buttress the city against another such catastrophe which experts say is made ever more likely by climate change Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Breaking news and news alerts as they happen Weekly headlines from the Florida Keys Free Press Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Español Português The funds will be used to address the impact of the severe flooding that Porto Alegre and seeks to strengthen the city's resilience to natural disasters It is estimated that this funding will directly benefit more than 100,000 people Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean approved a loan of up to USD 80 million for the Mayor's Office of Porto Alegre to address the impacts of the floods that occurred in April and May of this year and to contribute to climate resilience by promoting sustainable urban development in vulnerable areas of the city Porto Alegre faces significant challenges due to its geography and hydrology which make it susceptible to natural disasters the Social Innovation Program for the Territorial Transformation of Porto Alegre will directly benefit more than 100,000 people and It will also contribute to the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by the rains a tragedy that affected 2.12 million people throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul and left 183 dead Works will also be carried out in at-risk areas already mapped by the mayor's office "This loan promotes sustainable urban transformation especially in vulnerable areas of Porto Alegre this initiative positions the city in line with global development and climate adaptation goals a priority for CAF investments," said Sergio Diaz-Granados The Social Innovation Program for the Territorial Transformation of Porto Alegre includes urbanization interventions in densely populated neighborhoods marked by social and environmental vulnerability Among the actions planned is the construction of Integrated Territorial Complexes which will decentralize municipal services by offering spaces dedicated to education These structures will also serve populations at social and climate risk promoting resilience in the face of the challenges imposed by the extreme events that affected the city and the state in 2024 The program's financing project also contemplates improvements in urban infrastructure and disaster management tools to strengthen Porto Alegre's capacity to prevent and respond to future climate crises info@caf.com Tlf. +58 (212) 209-2111 By Damon Orion, originally published by Resilience.org This article was produced by Local Peace Economy expanded the sewer system’s reach from 46 percent in 1989 to 86 percent of the city led to the construction of more than 50 schools from around 1997 to 2007 decreased truancy from 9 to less than 1 percent and helped double the number of students attending university from 1989 to 1995 Pointing to the other advantages of this model, the paper added “[P]articipatory budgeting can be an important tool in improving information flows between citizens and their political representatives and ensuring that citizens’ preferences are reflected in the actual implementation of public policies on the ground.” “PB has become perhaps the most widespread and durable practice of participatory and deliberative democracy and institutions around the world and practiced for over three decades.” PBP actively supports efforts like Los Angeles Reforms for Equity and Public Acknowledgment of Institutional Racism (L.A REPAIR “a flagship example of what communities can do when they’re given the power to dream up what community-led programs and service projects can look like.” director of strategic communications at PBP By investing city resources in the Denver communities that faced the greatest barriers to participation the People’s Budget helped ensure that the most civically engaged community members were not the only ones involved in this process Besides city residents “who are checking their local news outlets for updates or have the time to go to public hearings etc.,” the program made a strong effort to reach “folks who are working multiple jobs or are non-English speakers or incarcerated community members,” Cusack says He adds that the program’s leaders invested in interpretation and translation outreach and set up pop-up sites and tables at shelters for unhoused Denver residents “[The People’s Budget] ran outreach events and learning events in county jails to ensure incarcerated community members could make this decision just like anyone else.” participatory budgeting may also benefit individuals “insight into how it is sometimes brave and risky for elected officials to support something like participatory budgeting and powerful for them to give that decision-making power to the community.” Cusack notes that at a time when public budgets and government capacities are actively being taken away “is a valuable example of what it can look like to double down on democracy and to insist that not only are our public services vital to our communities’ well-being but that we have the best knowledge about what we need A couple of wealthy individuals trying to take away these services can’t tell us what we do or don’t need.” He adds that participation in the PB process “leaves folks with the knowledge and understanding of what it can look like to work together to make these decisions about our collective resources I think there’s an argument to be made that participatory programs are all the more important to invest in and support in a time when things we thought were safe from the market are being privatized and made into things that are for profit and not for the people.” Damon Orion is a writer, journalist, musician, artist, and teacher in Santa Cruz, California. His work has appeared in Revolver, Guitar World, Spirituality + Health, Classic Rock, High Times, and other publications. Read more of his work at DamonOrion.com By Helena Norberg-Hodge, Henry Coleman, Local Futures we need to condemn globalization loud and clear And we need a cohesive strategy that moves us sensibly and sanely in the opposite direction By Trey Sutton Let’s keep pushing businesses to behave better and to innovate in ways that are genuinely beneficial for us and the environment But we should not expect – and we certainly should not depend on – commercial salvation By Matt Orsagh The way we do business and the way we live our lives is ingrained in a growth at all costs mindset But that “cost” is the very systems that keep us alive Resilience is a program of Post Carbon Institute a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the world transition away from fossil fuels and build sustainable Reposting Policy | Privacy Policy Parece que a página que você está procurando não está disponível RIO GRANDE DO SUL— On the evening of April 29 a hydrologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria in southern Brazil headed to his river monitoring station an hour’s drive away from his home so water would be trickling into the Guarda-Mor River from all around the watershed and he wanted to be there to measure the sediments filtering in noting how his team springs into action whenever rain is forecast — most of the time his team had skipped the last three days of downpours so he was anxious not to miss the fourth opportunity to collect data Little did he know that the rains he was chasing would leave an unprecedented trail of destruction and indelible trauma Minella realized he would potentially be the only person in the world able to capture the data as the flood happened All across Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state, rains saturated the land. Creeks, tributaries and rivers spilled over. After three days, on May 2, all that hydrological excess would march eastward into Porto Alegre, the state capital, and cause the worst flood to have ever hit the state residents statewide are still grappling with the consequences is slowly making sense of the floods’ devastating impact and how to move forward while other scientists are working to recover ecosystems farmers in the region are having to rethink their practices if they want to prevent similar disasters in the future the government agency created in June to help with recovery displaced nearly 600,000 people and affected 90% of the state Climate change is also increasing the frequency of floods a hydrologist at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul noting that the 2024 flood came hot on the heels of a smaller flood just last year “What happened is perfectly matched with the climate change projections leaving ecosystems more vulnerable to environmental shocks Analyzing the data he collected during the flood, Minella found that excessive runoff also contributed to the event’s severity. Intensive agriculture practiced across the highlands surrounding the Jacuí River Basin in central Rio Grande do Sul has compacted soils reducing their capacity to absorb water and removed natural vegetation that slows down runoff Minella’s measurements showed the water current speeds were orders of magnitude above the baseline while the river’s haziness indicated it carried a lot of sediment The fast-moving runoff gouged riverbanks and littered the scene with felled trees and car-sized boulders Cultivation practices on the plateau “generate runoff that impacts the lower part of the catchment,” Minella says “It’s an important and very difficult message,” one that farmers might not want to hear Many households say they haven’t received any help a 53-year-old farmer in the central part of the state forked out her life savings to start over after mudslides damaged her home and destroyed her farm But she says she accepts that the cash-strapped government can’t do much Across the state, farmers like her are having difficulty bouncing back. According to the State Department of Agriculture more than 48,000 producers and nearly 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) of land — an area larger than Belgium — were affected by the floods The National Confederation of Municipalities estimated that Rio Grande do Sul’s agricultural and livestock sectors suffered a combined loss of $600 million Walk or drive over the tapestry of farmlands in the valley a soil scientist at the Federal University of Santa Maria is visiting farms to evaluate the flood’s aftermath Recovering the soil structure and fertility is the first step in restoring denuded plots Although farmers are turning to quick fixes such as conventional fertilizers in particular nitrogen-fixing legumes and millet which have short life cycles and quickly decay into humus “Organic matter is central in this process of soil recovery,” Schenato tells Mongabay there’s no guarantee that the soil will completely regain its previous productivity “Will we have the same yield potential in these areas That is a question that we have no answer to,” Schenato says “We are certain that in some areas we will not achieve the same yield for five to 10 years it will not be possible to cultivate anymore.” Several researchers at the Federal University of Santa Maria are currently working to restore native biodiversity in disaster-prone areas so researchers have to gather them themselves from the wild and propagate them in greenhouses Forestry scientist Ana Paula Rovedder is collecting native seeds for ecological restoration working with Schenato to convince farmers to start a seed production supply chain It could be a win-win solution: seed producers would earn some income from sales while regenerating the land “Restoration of native vegetation is a must,” says Valério Pillar a vegetation ecologist at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Though native vegetation can’t avert flooding entirely “it could reduce the damage.” Floodwaters just a few inches lower would make the difference for some neighborhoods staying dry agroforestry solutions can take a long time to pay off “The impact of this extreme event is so great that it will be very difficult for us to rebuild the capacity of these native forests,” Rovedder says Minella says the government should incentivize broad-based array construction “This is the point — farmers will receive money to decrease the floods,” he says He’s currently seeking government sponsors for the project as farmers in the highlands who inadvertently exacerbated the flooding were the least affected by it Changing the topography can disrupt farming operations as most equipment is optimized for flat and smooth surfaces “The amount of maneuvering that you have to do … requires a lot of planning,” says Alice Prates Bisso Dambroz Minella’s graduate student who also comes from a family of soy producers Crops can be fussy to care for: farmers operate on tight schedules to match the pace of the seasons and strive for cutthroat efficiency to work around the whims of the weather farmers are most concerned about making a profit “That’s kind of the thought,” Dambroz says “‘Do I need the infiltration terrace right now?’” entities such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) have long been involved in encouraging farmers to adopt environmentally friendly agricultural practices isn’t clear; many of their strategies are based on technological assistance and don’t provide direct incentives for participation these uneasy choices weigh on those living at lower elevations a 50-year-old dairy farmer who lost half of her riverside pastures to the floods is keeping on through sheer “Brazilian grit,” she says She hasn’t received financial help from the government She says she hopes the government will reengineer the river altogether — either through straightening the river channel or deepening the bed — so it never floods again However, Minella says that would be costly and expose populations downstream to unknown consequences. “It’s impossible to control the river,” he says. The more straightforward solution, he says, is to relocate away from floodplains away from any risk of high water in the first place The flood in Rio Grande do Sul was just the latest wake-up call to the urgency of addressing climate change in everyday policy and action It speaks to the broader challenge of “recognizing climate change and its impacts on life from now on,” says Corezola from the state reconstruction secretariat In the past, the Brazilian government hasn’t always acted in the best interest of the climate, and now, the current administration faces a hostile Congress to pass environment-friendly policy But it’s becoming increasingly harder and costly to ignore environmental catastrophes like the May flood “It is necessary to change culture towards behavior adapted to climate change,” Corezola says “We can no longer repeat what happened in Rio Grande do Sul.” This story was partially supported by the Pulitzer Center Londero, A. L., Minella, J. P., Schneider, F. J., Deuschle, D., Menezes, D., Evrard, O., … Merten, G. H. (2021). Quantifying the impact of no‐till on runoff in southern Brazil at hillslope and catchment scales. Hydrological Processes, 35(3). doi:10.1002/hyp.14094 Werle, L. (2024). Modelagem do efeito do terraceamento para o controle do escoamento superficial numa bacia rural no sul do Brasil (Master’s thesis, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil). Retrieved from http://repositorio.ufsm.br/handle/1/32278 Rodrigues, M. (2023). Politics and the environment collide in Brazil: Lula’s first year back in office. Nature. doi:10.1038/d41586-023-04042-x Banner image: The metropolitan area of Porto Alegre affected by floods earlier this year Image by Ricardo Stuckert / PR via Wikipedia FEEDBACK: Use this form to send a message to the author of this post. If you want to post a public comment, you can do that at the bottom of the page. The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa, as protected areas become battlegrounds over history, human rights, and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss. Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins, and trying to forge a path forward […] Volume 12 - 2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1414302 This article is part of the Research TopicMicrosurgical Anatomy of the Central Nervous System and Skull Base Volume IIView all 8 articles lenticulostriate arteries (LSTa) tumoral encasement increases neurological deficits risk despite intensive efforts to preserve the internal capsule's integrity we focus on the LSTa relationships with the medial aspect of the insular tumors We propose a new non-invasive method for LSTa involvement prediction in preoperative MRI (Porto Alegre Line) We compare it with direct intraoperative encased LSTa visualization Methods: A retrospective review of our database of 52 patients of insular glioma was performed In cases with no tumor located medial to Porto Alegre line mainly for the tumor part located next to the limen insula was the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF) identified through altered speech patterns during electric subcortical stimulation the parameter used to stop resection was the confirmation of the corticospinal tract with 10-mA stimulus The resection limit of tumors placed medially to the Porto Alegre line was intraoperative direct LSTa visualization Results: The LSTa involvement was the most critical medial limiting factor in more aggressive tumor resection and an excellent overall survival (P = 0.022) In cases in which there were direct intraoperative LSTa encasement visualization Porto Alegre Line was employed as an MRI preoperative landmark for prediction of LSTa involvement in those patients with Sensitivity Conclusion: We have found that LSTa encasement is a limiting factor to reach a satisfactory extent of resection and that Porto Alegre Line can predict it there is still a lack of practical MRI criteria that can predict the involvement of these arteries The study aims to describe the current state-of-art for functional mapping during resection of insular gliomas focusing on the underlying microsurgical anatomy and the impact of the relationship between the LSTa and the tumor based on the extent of resection and functional outcomes after surgery for insular gliomas we describe the “Optic Chiasm - Insular Recess line” (OC-IR line) and Porto Alegre Line on preoperative MRI as an important surrogate marker for prediction of the involvement of the LSTa A retrospective review of our database of 52 patients of insular glioma operated on by the senior author (GRI) between 2007 and 2018 was performed. Insular gliomas were classified according to Yaşargil (17) and Berger-Sanai classifications (18, 19) All patients undergoing awake surgery were submitted to a preoperative simulation of the clinical environment's surgical process the patient's head was fixed in a Mayfield frame Operating microscope and ultrasonic surgical aspirator with a low setting were used in most patients Over the years, our technique for resecting the insular tumors has evolved from an approach focused purely on the underlying microsurgical anatomy to a combination of anatomy and functional brain mapping. The first patient of this series, who presented a left insular low-grade glioma (LGG), was operated via transsylvian approach without any type of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in 2007 (29) We presume that identifying early and pre-operatively the anterior perforated substance via MRI as well as its proximity to the tumor could help ascertain the path of the LSTa across the medial tumor boundaries The anterior perforated substance can be found in coronal T2-weighted MRI by examining a plane which cuts through the optic chiasm The optic chiasm in this case is the medial reference and the insular recess at the anteroinferior aspect of the insular pole is the lateral limit (Optic Chiasm - Insular Recess line - OC- IR line) We thus trace a vertical line from the lateral limit of the OC-IR line parallel to the median sagittal plane as the probable lateral LSTa trajectory (Porto Alegre Line) (Figure 1) Figure 1. Porto alegre line (red) on coronal T2-weighted MRI reflects indirectaly the lateral limit of the anterior perforated substance, the OC-IR line (yellow). Figure from Isolan et al. (36) Coronal T2-weighted MRI at the level of the optic chiasm as an imaging parameter of the anterior perforated substance The imaginary line (the Optic Chiasm – Insular Recess line) extends from the optic chiasm medially to the insular recess laterally It is used to locate the anterior perforated substance (Yellow line) The ascending red line which we call The Porto Alegre Line extends from the lateral end of the OC-IR line and defines the lateral limit of the lateral LSTa within the central core In cases which the medial border of insular tumor cross this line medially there is a high probability that LSTa will participate in the tumor's evolution Up to 2013, we calculated tumor volume using three largest diameters (D1, D2, and D3) of the tumor taken from T2-weighted MR images along the three principal anatomical planes. Then, we estimated tumor volume using the formula D1 × D2 × D3/2 (44). Since 2014, we have used OsiriX (Pixmeo SARL, Geneva, Switzerland) via stored MR image files in DICOM format (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) (45) Categorical variables were represented by absolute and relative frequency Quantitative variables were defined by the median and interquartile range according to the distribution verified by the Shapiro-Wilk normality test The proportions of the immediate postoperative deficits and late postoperative deficits (6 months) were compared between the general mapping categories and discriminated by the chi-square test we compared the distribution of the extent of resection (EOR) between the categories of LSTa involvement and surgical techniques using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests Spearman's correlation was performed to verify the degree of relationship between the survival time and the score of the degree of resection (EOR) Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to describe the mean or median variability and probability at specific survival time points This description was stratified by symptoms by Yaşargil's and Berger-Sanai's classifications and by time ranges from symptoms to diagnosis we compared the estimated time distributions using the Log-Rank test The analysis was performed using the SPSS software (v.25) The classification level used was p value < 0.05 The clinical features of the patient enrolled in this retrospective study are summarized in Table 1 Most of the tumors were situated on the left side (29 subjects) The most frequent symptom was complex partial seizure A total of 52 patients were enrolled in this study The histologic analysis was stratified as follows: patients of diffuse astrocytoma (30 subjects) and patients of anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma (22 subjects) The mean age for high-grade tumors was 41 (range of 19–68 years) the mean age was 32 (range of 13–53 years) According to Berger-Sinai's classification the tumor was found in one zone in 7 cases (13.5%) Considering Yaşargil's classification of insular tumors 28 patients were classified as type 3 (A or B) and 24 as type 5 (A or B) When analyzing the survival odds according to the Yaşargil's classification patients classified as type 3 (A or B) demonstrated a longer survival rate and patients of type 5 (A or B) have shown shorter survival rate mean of 59.1 months (Log-Rank test p = 0.008) According to Berger-Sanai's classification the survival odds in this series were: when the tumor was found in one zone mean survival was 98.7 months; whenever the tumor was more invasive and situated in two zones the mean survival obtained was 67.9 months Regarding extent of resection, we found under the Spearman correlation longer overall survival in the population submitted to more than 90% resection (R = −0.037 in low-grade tumors and R = −0.169 in high-grade tumors (Table 2) The correlation of LSTa involvement with the extent of resection (EOR) and survival and the correlation of EOR via the transsylvian or transcortical and survival rates (A) An inferior view of the anterior perforated substance (APS) and LSTa territories The APS is bordered by medial and lateral olfactory striae the green circle indicates the lateral LSTa red circle indicates the branches of the anterior choroidal artery and blue circle stands for the medial LSTa The OC-IR is drawn between the optic tract and recess of the limen insula; (B) the surgical view of LSTa on the left side The medial LSTa arises from anterior cerebral artery and the lateral LSTa arises from the middle cerebral artery; (C) white fiber dissection showing the LSTa passing through the APS to supply the basal ganglia; (D) enlarged view of C Kaplan-Meier graph showing the relation of the lenticulostriate arteries involvement and survival rate Figure 5. Illustration showing no evolvement of the LSTa by the tumor in axial (left) and coronal (right) view. Figure from Isolan et al. (36) Figure 6. Illustration showing evolvement of the LSTa by the tumor in axial (left) and coronal (right) view. Figure from Isolan et al. (36) Relation of intraoperative brain mapping and neurological deficits Fourteen patients had refractory epilepsy (46) All of them improved their seizures after surgery Considering that the LSTa were involved in 13 patients (intraoperative visualization in its superior part with no IFOF distuption), the coronal T2-weighted MRI showed that, using the Porto Alegre Line, as a parameter, the involvement of these arteries could be predicted in all MRIs with tumor located medial to the Porto Alegre Line (Figures 1, 7, 8) In cases in which we did not see the LSTa intraoperatively the medial limit of resection was based on subcortical mapping and most of these tumors were lateral of the Porto Alegre Line being a total resection feasable Based on these results Positive Predictive Values of the Porto Alegre Line in predict LSTa encasement by the tumor In order to avoid postoperative neurological deficit after insular glioma resection surgeons have to use subcortical mapping for safe resection of the tumor located lateral to the porto alegre line and microscopic direct visualization of the lenticulostriate arteries (arrow) for safe resection of the tumor located medial to the porto alegre line (red line) Insular gliomas migrate along white matter tracts, progressively invading the surrounding structures. Inevitably, low-grade tumor progresses to high-grade malignancy. A significant delay of malignant transformation of low grades and death can be achieved by appropriate and timely treatment. According to current guidelines, an aggressive protocol with a maximum safe resection, when feasible, is the first line treatment (53–59) Thus, the management of patients with insular tumors has been dramatically changing during the last two decades, mainly due to technological developments in neuroimaging and the available surgical armamentarium. The benefits provided by these technical advances have generally improved the decision-making process involved in the management of intrinsic brain tumors (60–68) Awake craniotomy with intraoperative mapping by cortical and axonal stimulation allows minimizing the risk of neurological dysfunction by sparing eloquent surrounding brain structures while improving the resection extent Cortical and subcortical brain mapping have become a standard of care across multiple subspecialties within Neurosurgery It is therefore a reliable method in the treatment of insular gliomas The technique of intraoperative direct electrical stimulation has been previously described as a safe, precise and reliable method of detection of functional cortical areas (37, 69–72) as well as subcortical supra-tentorial (73), infra-tentorial (74) and spinal pathways (75) we began our experience with direct cortical/subcortical electrical stimulation in 2012 we were able to obtain a greater extent of resection with simultaneous preservation of functional areas at the same time analyzing our cases submitted to the awaked protocol that all the patients operated with gross total resection philosophy were functionally preserved at six months postoperatively some neurosurgeons advocate the traditional transsylvian approach After the opercular split and exposing the middle cerebral artery the tumor was resected in-between MCA branches Other neurosurgeons advocate a transcortical approach one or more delicate and limited subpial dissection is carried out until the superior or inferior circular insular sulcus exposing the superior or inferior insular surface twenty-nine patients were operated on with the transsylvian route and twenty-two patients with the transcortical route We could not find a statistical significance to establish a clear correlation between surgical approaches and long-term survival or extent of resection transcortical approach is a tumor-directed approach but has the disadvantage of a poor arterial control especially the lateral lenticulostriate group we noted that this was not a problem because we could predict the LSTa encasement using the Porto Alegre Line vascular injury may be a possible associated complication Another disadvantage of this approach is that sometimes the posterior third of sylvian fissure cannot be appropriately split while preserving the superficial sylvian vein and its anastomosis with Labbé or Trolard veins This is especially true in a tumor located in zone 2 of Berger-Sanai's classification There are two main classifications for insular gliomas. Yaşargil's first extended series of limbic and paralimbic tumors included 57 insular and parainsular tumors (17) After the advent of microsurgical techniques these first encouraging results convinced many neurosurgeons to take a renewed interest in insular tumor surgery proposed a classification system based on whether a tumor was restricted to the insula (type 3) or was included in the adjacent operculum (type 3B) Tumors Type 5A and 5B were those involving one or both of the paralimbic orbitofrontal and temporopolar areas Berger and Sanai have developed a quadrangular system to classify tumors in zone I to IV according to their major locations (51) The system considered a plane traced over the sylvian fissure where the insula straddle intersected by a perpendicular plane through a projection of the foramen of Monro This classification is essential because the tumor in zone 2 (superior and posterior part of the insula) is better resect with transcortical approach in order to avoid brain retraction and possible venous infarction of posterior third of the superficial sylvian veins and its anastomosis we observed that type 3 tumors in Yaşargil classification could be resected with a transinsular approach despite the decision making of surgical approaches (transcortical or transsylvian) survival rate was affected by the LSTa encasement There is normally no anastomosis between any LSTa The lateral view of LSTa appears fan-shaped and covers the lateral face of the internal capsule Identifying the LSTa intraoperatively within the sylvian vallecula does not necessarily indicate their intraparenchymal route as the tumor can medially displace arteries here. Yaşargil found that low-grade gliomas initially extended within the confines of the anatomical limbic system's, which suggests that resection will be complete when LSTa are observed intra-operatively or when the common white matter is found covering the putamen (84) The problem of this technique is to disrupt the IFOF before see the LSTa which can happen in the inferior and anterior part of the tumor and cause language deficit These are our images and anatomical brief for LSTa during resection of insular gliomas Detailed knowledge of LSTa's origin and spread is essential to successful resection anatomical knowledge of their path has a direct effect on the limits of tumor resection and on preservation of function Starting from the dorsal aspect of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery the LSTa enter the lateral two-thirds of the anterior perforated substance of the basal forebrain a quadrilateral area of grey matter located anterolateral to the optic tract and posterior to the gyrus rectus and olfactory trigone It is medially limited by the optic chiasm and laterally by the lateral olfactory striae After going across the anterior perforated substance the LSTa extend into the lateral thirds of the anterior commissure the lateral portion of the globus pallidus the superolateral two-thirds of the head and whole body of the caudate nucleus then outward towards and including the external capsule the superior portion of the whole anterior limb and superior portion of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and periventricular white matter (corona radiata) at the angle of the lateral ventricle Isolated tumor cells in insular gliomas can penetrate intact parenchyma and generate tumor tissue encasing the LSTa Certain clinicians advocate stereoscopic angiography and computerized tumor reconstruction, MR angiography, and CT angiography to estimate the position of the LSTa (16) In spite of the soundness of these studies we have demonstrated that coronal T2-weighted MRIs Porto Alegre Line can predict the LSTa's location and route to great utility This method was able to anatomically locate LSTa medially encased by tumors in 13 subjects the medial tumor border was confined to the normal white matter lateral to the putamen Over 90% the tumors were resected from the latter patients The presence of LSTa was a limiting factor to a reasonable extent of resection and we recommend that tumors encasing these arteries must be left intact due to the high risk of permanent postoperative functional deficit Another possible etiology of internal capsule and corona radiata infarction could be, at least theoretically, lesion or coagulation of the long perforating arteries (LPra) (85) The LPra originate in the M2 segment of the MCA vascularizing the insular cortex most commonly located in the posterior half of the central insular sulcus and the long gyri can reach the corona radiata and/or more deeply in 36% of cases Some pass through the fibers of the corona radiata and reach the lateral ventricular body's ependyma we coagulated long perforating arteries (LPra) in the posterior part of the insula without any postoperative stroke observed The external capsule is the limit of the regions supplied by the short insular arteries No anastomosis occurs among the insular and lenticulostriate arteries Although the LPra could be the reason for a postoperative motor deficit after insular glioma resectoin involving LSTa preservation, we did not find this to be the case with any of our patients even after coagulating all insular perforator arteries using the transsylvian approach Porto Alegrès Historic City Center is one of its busiest neighborhoods and also sees the highest number of muggings. The neighborhood is bounded by Sarmento Leite Street to the east and by the Guaíba River to the west (36) Crossing into the city center runs the risk of falling victim to a crime much as intruding on insula gliomas can run the risk of injuring the lenticulostriate arteries and causing neurological deficits such as the small number of cases with awake surgery we have not performed multivariate analysis In the near future we consider exploring the integration of the Porto Alegre Line with other advanced imaging modalities or machine learning algorithms to enhance predictive accuracy Adding cortical and subcortical mapping to microsurgical anatomy x-ray view knowledge is paramount to face insular glioma surgery in the modern era and to not put the patient on jeopardy (36, 89–91) We have found that LSTa encasement is a limiting factor which impacts the EOR of insular gliomas future attempts to classify such lesions should consider the encasement of the LSTa among its prognostic factors for overall survival and EOR of these tumors possibly enabling the surgeon to anticipate a subtotal resection The preliminary data obtained in this study is expected to provide a foundation for future studies on the significance of the LSTa in insular glioma surgery The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors The Research Ethics Committee of the FEMPAR (Faculdade Evangélica Mackenzie do Paraná) approved this study Informed consent was obtained from all patients This study adheres to the principles outlined in the US Code of Federal Regulations 200925 and the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki.2 SB: Writing – review & editing JM: Writing – review & editing TM: Writing – review & editing KY: Writing – review & editing RG: Writing – review & editing OM: Writing – review & editing RR: Writing – review & editing JF: Writing – review & editing The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research This research was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq Brazil) grant 406484/2022-8 (INCT BioOncoPed) to R.R The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus; 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Suscribe x MercoPress, en Español Montevideo, May 5th 2025 - 13:51 UTC Brazilian authorities announced Friday that Porto Alegre's Salgado Filho International Airport (POA/SBPA) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul will be reopening Monday after months of being inoperational given the unprecedented floods The measure will be carried out as scheduled: airlines have been selling tickets for these flights since August [including] international flights,” assured Presidential Communications Secretary Paulo Pimenta in a video posted on social media He and Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho landed Friday morning at Salgado Filho aboard a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aircraft to participate in the reopening ceremony only 128 daily landings and take-offs by Azul and Latam will be handled between 8 am and 10 pm Salgado Filho Airport has been closed to air operations since the heavy rains and floods that hit the state last April which left the airport runway submerged for 23 days Also present at Friday's event were Fraport Brasil CEO Andrea Pal Rio Grande do Sul Lieutenant Governor Gabriel Souza and Porto Alegre Deputy Mayor Ricardo Gomes The federal government contributed R$ 426 million (US$ 74.83 million) to Fraport's efforts to get the air terminal back in service We need to make sure that a situation like this never happens again efficient containment system that brings security but also so that families can live in their neighborhoods,” Pimenta stressed Gomes criticized those who tried to pin the airport's mishap on the local administration and insisted that such an amount of water could have never been foreseen “The volume of water that was needed to flood this runway with the height that the water reached of the irresponsibility of those who tried to attribute the volume of water that arrived here to one or two pump houses Commenting for this story is now closed.If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page Months after devastating rains displaced 420,000 people in Rio Grande do Sul an unusual consensus has formed around the need for a faster transition to renewables a row of wooden houses with makeshift fences lean among piles of debris and power poles tangled in sagging wires “There used to be a church here,” she says In May, a devastating flood ravaged her neighbourhood, leaving a trail of chaos and triggering a humanitarian crisis The water took over everything,” says Romero a supermarket assistant who migrated to Brazil from Venezuela in 2018 She lost all of her possessions in the disaster and now fears moving again in search of a safer home It’s something we would never have imagined happening,” Romero says and are living in 40 shelters in 23 different cities The floods may have cost the Brazilian economy 97bn reais (£13bn) with damages of R$58bn just in Rio Grande do Sul As the effects of the climate crisis are increasingly felt in South America, state authorities are urgently seeking to adapt and mitigate the risks of floods and extreme weather events in a region where the number of days of extreme rainfall has more than doubled since the 1960s more than 80% of Brazil’s electricity already comes from renewables: 58.6% is provided by hydroelectric plants wind power has grown to 17.6% and now provides as much energy as fossil fuels In October, Rio Grande do Sul’s governor, Eduardo Leite, launched a Just Energy Transition Plan for the state including green hydrogen (H2V) plants and the state’s first offshore windfarm to support the shift to renewable energy and foster economic growth especially in communities that still rely on coal Key targets of the plan include reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and ensuring sustainable development for local communities Elisandro Dutra Glubert has lost count of how many people he has rescued as a volunteer Photograph: Daniel Marenco/GuardianAccording to officials the state assembly could vote on the energy transition plan within a year says the disaster has created a rare sense of unity around the energy transition policy put forward in the middle of the electoral term our government adopted a systemic strategy to move towards renewable energy solutions I felt we had found a big point of common agreement with society to find climate solutions,” she says The state government says investments in green hydrogen, offshore wind power and biofuels could be crucial to the region’s economy. A McKinsey study last year suggested that green hydrogen could bring R$62bn and 41,000 new jobs to Rio Grande do Sul by 2040 A recent World Bank report also suggested that southern Brazil’s offshore windfarms had the potential to produce 660GW of electricity – roughly the equivalent of the world’s total new photovoltaic capacity this year The country has 97 offshore wind projects being developed The windfarm in Osório which was the largest in South America when it began operating in 2007 who made a bid to run for Brazil’s presidency in 2022 believes market liberalisation will boost the region’s energy sector He plans to allocate public funds to spur the construction of offshore windfarms and component plants to attract investment and new competitors “Transitioning to renewable energy sources requires significant investment but the technology is still in its early stages which makes investors cautious,” Leite acknowledges Leite hopes to help communities that are heavily reliant on coal to transition into new jobs and a more sustainable economy He says: “81% of our energy production is renewable but there is still a part being produced by coal-fired power plants A child in Sarandi fixes her bike on a street still full of debris left by the flood Photograph: Daniel Marenco/Guardian“Still if you don’t create new economic prospects there will be no political or social capital to support the transition.” states that secure these investments are more likely to improve job opportunities and encourage sustainable development “The state will have cheaper energy produced locally which will also encourage the regional economy,” Studzinski says Daniela Cardeal, head of the renewable energy industry employers’ union SindiEnergia which is also in talks with the government to integrate more clean energy sources into the power grid says southern Brazil has a long “interconnection queue” of projects undergoing impact assessments before construction begins which does not help to attract new projects But our market is experiencing an exciting moment for new “We have to take on this opportunity and start thinking how this can help to revamp our state in two to five years.” The dark water spills into the streets with every heavy rain, garbage forming a cruel reminder of the disasterGabriela BarretoIf the transition plan succeeds, Rio Grande do Sul could become a global benchmark for renewables. The state already accounts for 27% of Brazil’s biofuel production Renewables also help to decarbonise agribusiness – one of the region’s most polluting industries. Domingos Lopes, vice-president of the state’s agriculture federation says he is optimistic about the transition “Brazil can be a low-carbon agriculture player All those policies would consolidate our sustainable agriculture the Brazilian congress has yet to vote on a bill to establish a new legal framework and regulate energy transition projects leading many investors to hold off on their most ambitious plans Photograph: Daniel Marenco/The GuardianEven if experts agree that the Green New Deal promised by the Brazilian president could increase local GDP and reduce dependency on agriculture and livestock many fear that the push for renewables could divert attention from pressing social problems Campaigners stress that people displaced by the floods are still in need of government help “Six months after the floods, the situation has become even more critical. The houses, most of which were in a very precarious condition, are destroyed,” says Gabriela Barreto, a campaigner with SOS Children’s Villages polluted water spills into the streets with every heavy rain debris and garbage forming a cruel reminder of the disaster.” says the scale of the catastrophe is the biggest challenge “The floods affected almost every municipality The state authorities have also allocated more than R$2.4bn to hundreds of projects, including housing in safer areas for those who were displaced. in Porto Alegre and inland cities affected by the flood thousands of people continue to live in flood-risk areas is rebuilding her life a few blocks from a canal in Porto Alegre that overflowed in May the house her family had built and her small beauty salon She says she still has nightmares about when the murky water swept into her home and she and her husband had to flee with just a bag of clothes for their two children “It’s harrowing to lose all that we worked for our entire lives,” she says For travel to the United States on a temporary basis For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less Trump was sworn-in as the 47th President of the United States of America Learn more about quality higher-education opportunities in the U.S that you will not find anywhere else in the world Consulate General in Porto Alegre will resume routine operations and reopen to the public Consular applicants should use the online automated system to schedule their visa appointments We continue to be available 24/7 to provide services to U.S We use cookies to make our website work better and improve your experience By David Kaminski-Morrow2024-08-12T11:26:00+01:00 Brazil’s government has declared that the flood-hit Porto Alegre airport will be re-opened to commercial flights from 21 October Minister for ports and airports Silvio Costa Filho has authorised carriers to resume ticket sales to the airport and says its operator expects full capacity to be restored from 16 December Porto Alegre’s Salgado Filho airport suffered extensive flooding as a result of destructive storms that hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul at the end of April The government says restoration of service will be “gradual” beginning with 128 aircraft movements over a 14h period and civil aviation regulator ANAC will decide on initial slot allocation for airlines seeking to resume flights accelerate the recovery of the state’s economy” Porto Alegre’s runway was submerged for 23 days says the runway remained submerged for 23 days – an “unprecedented” event which has demanded “rigorous analysis” to ascertain the extent of water damage The 3,200m runway had been in use for just two years after a programme to extend the old 2,280m runway was completed in April 2022 Initial cleaning and assessment work following the flood concluded that more than 2,000m of runway needed partial reconstruction the operator says the upper layers were “compromised” and some 45cm of asphalt required removal A 500m section of the new runway suffered less impact although its asphalt was affected to a depth of 15cm Fraport Brasil says a second phase of work will recover areas necessary to resume partial operation including 1,300m of runway plus large sections of the apron and taxiways will concentrate on areas unaffected by initial restoration of aircraft movements Fraport Brasil estimates the cost of restoration at R$700 million ($127 million) Airport operator Fraport says costs at its flagship airport in Frankfurt are hindering growth and preventing the facility from returning to its pre-Covid-19 passenger figures Brazil’s civil aviation regulator has granted authorisation for a Porto Alegre military air base to handle commercial flights after flooding put the city’s international airport out of action for an indefinite period Porto Alegre’s Salgado Filho airport was flooded after storms struck the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul .. Timescales for resumption of flight operations at Brazil’s Porto Alegre airport remains uncertain after heavy rain led to flooding which closed the airport The airport authorities have issued a NOTAM – which provisionally remains in effect until 30 May – confirming that the facility has defended the hybrid-electric aircraft developer’s decision to close its Swedish operation and relocate to the USA arguing it will benefit the business in the long run Indian civil aviation authorities have closed the country’s airspace to Pakistani-registered aircraft in a further deterioration of relations between the neighbouring states The measure appears to be a retaliatory ban after Pakistan implemented a similar restriction on Indian aircraft on 25 April Tensions between India and Pakistan have risen after .. Hybrid-electric developer Heart Aerospace is to abandon its long-term Swedish home and relocate operations to Los Angeles to “accelerate development” of its 30-passenger ES-30 aircraft FlightGlobal is the global aviation community’s primary source of news analytics and advisory services to connect the aviation community globally and help organisations shape their business strategies identify new opportunities and make better decisions faster Site powered by Webvision Cloud member-first insights and commentary on the global aviation industry Close Donate now: Support recovery from severe storms across the U.S. Support recovery now Support recovery now Record rainfall and flooding occurred in late April through mid-May in Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil. Warm water in the Pacific Ocean, affected by El Niño, and very high temperatures in the South Atlantic Ocean contributed to humidity and increased the amount of rainfall The area received three times the average year-to-date rainfall in a two-week period, and Reuters reported that some parts of the state had received more than 25 inches of rain in May Many streets flooded after the Guaíba River breached its banks in early May, reaching a high of 17.5 feet breaking the previous record set in 1941 of 15.7 feet These stunning photo essays from The Washington Post and the New York Times highlight the immense destruction caused by the flooding (Photo: Rio Grande do Sul’s security forces work tirelessly to rescue people from flooding in Porto Alegre, May 3, 2024. Credit: Governo do Rio Grande do Sul via X) Read more Read less See all The 2024 floods emphasized the need for early warnings for all and a better response to El Niño and other weather patterns and climate change impacts Following the floods in Brazil in 2022, Reuters reported the flooding “[underlines] a lack of urban planning in low-income neighborhoods throughout much of Brazil where shantytowns are often built on hillsides prone to collapse The destruction also comes as scientists begin to question whether abnormal rain cycles in Latin America’s largest nation could be a result of climate change.” A recent paper from the Grantham Institute for Climate Change said that because there had not been severe flood events in Porto Alegre and maintenance of its flood protection system … This in addition to the extreme nature of this event contributed to the significant impacts of the flood and points to the need to objectively assess risk and strengthen flood infrastructure to be resilient to this and future The researchers also drew a link between poverty and flood protection systems they feel that the ongoing impacts of climate change will continue to “perpetuate inequalities in urban environments typically inhabited by lower-income populations face higher risks of flooding and associated impacts where those in unprotected areas are more susceptible to flood-related disasters leading to repeated losses and hindered economic progress Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach to urban planning and flood management that prioritises equitable protection and development.” At least 200,000 homes were damaged or destroyed People who lost their homes will need assistance rebuilding their homes funders can assist by rebuilding housing stock in a more flood-resilient manner by improving the quality of construction and investing in flood-resistant repair techniques and many fields of rice and other grains were underwater and work at meat production plants stopped because of flooding Many grain silos flooded, and water sat there for weeks. Grain deliveries were disrupted due to rail disruptions and flooded roads, diverting trucks for hundreds of miles Brazil’s National Confederation of Municipalities estimates more than $245 million in agriculture and livestock losses. The state is one of the major agricultural-producing states in Brazil – about 12.6% of the country’s agricultural GDP – including 70% of Brazil’s rice Conversely, the livestock and agricultural sectors comprise about 17% of the state’s GDP. Major crops include “soybean the Brazilian bank Bradesco forecasts a 3.5 percent recession in Brazil’s agricultural sector in 2024.” As with most disasters, experts recommend cash donations, which allow on-the-ground agencies to direct funds to the greatest area of need support economic recovery and ensure in-kind donation management does not detract from disaster recovery needs Direct cash assistance allows families to purchase items and services locally that address their multiple needs It gives each family flexibility and choice ensuring that support is relevant and timely Cash assistance can also help move families faster toward rebuilding their lives health care needs may increase and result in the outbreak of diseases especially waterborne and infectious diseases At least 3,000 health care facilities – doctors’ offices clinics and health centers – were affected by the flooding This necessitated mobile clinics for those on the move and tailored services and assistance that met the needs and priorities of the communities funders supported rebuilding WASH infrastructure and supporting access to hygiene needs to help reduce the outbreaks of water-borne diseases After the flooding, there was a rise in Leptospirosis cases in the region. Officials seemed to get control of the outbreak in July without it becoming the feared epidemic The State Health Surveillance Center tracked the following illnesses after the flood: as of May 29 there were 2,327 reported cases of Leptospirosis seven deaths and 10 deaths under investigation; there was also one case of accidental tetanus 182 rabies accidents and 28 accidents with venomous animals According to the Pan American Health Organization between Epidemiological Weeks (EW) 1 and 36 in 2024 “9,569,467 dengue cases were reported representing an increase of 255% compared to the same period in 2023 and an increase of 432% compared to the last 5-year average for the same period in the country The cumulative incidence rate as of EW 36 is 4,471 cases per 100,000 population 7,343 dengue cases (0.08%) were characterized as severe and 5,303 fatal cases were recorded (case fatality rate 0.055%).” While not all cases of dengue are attributable to the floods it is clear they contributed to the rise in cases If you have questions about donating to the CDP Global Recovery Fund, need help with your disaster-giving strategy or want to share how you’re responding to this disaster, please contact development (Photo: Flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, May 3, 2024. (Photo credit: Governo do Rio Grande do Sul via X) If you are a responding NGO, please send updates on how you are working on recovery from this disaster to Tanya Gulliver-Garcia We welcome the republication of our content. Please credit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy See them all Flooding is our nation’s most common natural disaster increased urbanization and the failing of infrastructure such as dams and levees all play a part — and cause millions (sometimes billions) of dollars in damage across the U.S A place to start recovering after a disaster Landslides are a movement of a mass of rock Landslides are a type of ‘mass wasting,’ which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity Give with confidence The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is a 501(c)(3) charity that has earned Charity Navigator’s four-star rating and Candid’s Platinum Transparency seal Made with by creatives with a conscience On Thursday, June 13, 2024, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with officials of Porto Alegre, Brazil. In this city, several meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been used as shelters from devastating floods earlier this year The Apostle met with some of those who have been displaced and who have volunteered to help the community which has been so devastated by floods,” Elder Gong said “We’ve been greeted by senior government officials who have been very appreciative for the wonderful cooperation as neighbors and friends and community members as brothers and sisters with our Church members and our Church leaders It’s just tender and sacred to be reminded that in the hardest of times we’re never alone and He helps us and He blesses us — and we do it together Downloadable B-roll & SOTs Earlier in the week, the Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with officials from Operation Smile one of the faith’s humanitarian cooperation organizations Operation Smile is a global charity that performs free surgeries for children with cleft lip and cleft palate executive Director of Operation Smile in Brazil expressed gratitude for Church funds that help them do their work “We know that it comes from the donations of all the people around the world,” she said “This is very important and helps us achieve everything that we want to offer to the cleft patients around the country.” Operation Smile has performed more than 800 surgeries in Brazil “It’s wonderful that there’s a way to bring hope and smiles to those who have a particular need for hope and smiles and that we do this in different places that have particular need and that we’ve been doing it together for a period of time and will continue,” Elder Gong said He presented Marachco and her colleagues a plaque of appreciation for the work they do “This really touched my heart to receive this recognition from the Church as an organization,” she said Elder Gong also met the man who oversees the rights of the disabled in São Paulo “One of the specific things we discussed was one of the core competencies the Church has — working with mobility devices wheelchairs and other things,” Elder Gong said “We’re going to explore ways to specifically see if there aren’t peoples and projects that can be worked on together because this is his area of expertise that might help bring freedom to somebody who can have a mobility device In 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ distributed nearly 26,000 wheelchairs around the world Da Costa said São Paulo has 3.3 million people with disabilities — including 1 million with motor disabilities He expressed gratitude for the “values that inspire the Church and that also inspire our work Elder Gong gifted Da Costa a Book of Mormon He opened to the account of Jesus appearing to the people and healing them He took the people who were blind and He gave them back their sight and the people who are deaf He gave them back their hearing He helped them to be able to walk again.’ And we said “There is a lot of synergy of work that we can and will do together,” Da Costa said certain that we can build a lot in favor of all people the owner of one of the country’s largest communication groups Saad produced a documentary about the Church that was seen by as many as 50 million people ‘I want to help make sure that your message gets out because we’re concerned about the same things about society being open and fair,’” Elder Gong said “We’re delighted to have that wonderful conversation with him.” admirers of the Church and the work you do here in Brazil in the United States and in the rest of the world,” said Saad who brought his daughter with him to meet the Apostle Elder Gong gave them a small family statue and discussed the Church’s teachings about eternal families “It was wonderful to talk heart to heart and knee to knee about families to give him a small statue of the family,” Elder Gong said “To speak of those things in spiritual terms was a tremendous privilege and blessing.” who accompanied her husband on these visits said she is grateful to see so many people in the world doing good “It makes me happy that we’re friends with so many of them,” she said “I’m grateful that we were able to share who we are more broadly with them here and to have them understand that this is not just a Salt Lake operation and it’s strong and vibrant here in Brazil.” You are about to access Constant Contacts (http://visitor.constantcontact.com) You are now leaving a website maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We provide the link to this third party's website solely as a convenience to you and security practices that differ from those on our website By referring or linking you to this website we do not endorse or guarantee this content If you would like to stay on the page you are viewing please click Cancel To download media files, please first review and agree to the Terms of Use Download a photo or video by clicking or tapping on it To download all photos or videos related to this article select the links at the bottom of each section but the name or any other information about the user will not be kept in the database The results will be used in two Lab projects: Integration of Autonomous Systems and Sensor Networks for Remote Data Acquisition for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters e Social Vulnerability to Possible Impacts Related to Hydro-Meteorological Phenomena Mexico will face Internacional de Porto Alegre on January 16th and River Plate on January 21st Mexico has named an alternate squad to face the friendlies to be played against Internacional de Porto Alegre and River Plate in South America a lot of clubs didn’t release players and Coach Javier Aguirre had a lot of trouble getting a list for the non FIFA date friendlies Mexico will play against Internacional on January 16th in Porto Alegre and then close out their tour facing River Plate on January 21st On Saturday it was announced that Luis Romo and Jesus Orozco would not make the trip Both players are in the middle of a trade between sides and the negotiations are taking place currently Also out of the squad would be Jesus Alberto Angulo Roberto Meraz and Gustavo Sanchez (both Mazatlan FC) were called up for the tour Mexico will play against Internacional de Porto Alegre first and then travel to Buenos Aires With the number of problems and the very alternative squad (which points toward and almost C squad) Mexico will have a lot of work to do and it’s incredibly worrisome how Mexico keeps having problems just prior to the very important World Cup 2026 that they will co host 43,000+ global companies doing business in the region 102,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects news and interviews about your industry in English Applicants with scheduled appointments will receive instructions about rescheduling their interviews 2024: With public safety as its top priority the United States Consulate General in Porto Alegre will remain closed to the public for visa services through June 28 Applicants with routine appointments scheduled for this period will receive instructions for rescheduling The Consulate remains available 24 hours a day We encourage visa applicants to apply at other U.S consulates currently providing consular services in Brasília Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debts https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1059945?utm_content=shareClip&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pxhere Following its cancellation due to the floods in Porto Alegre in May 2024 the 1st International Antifascist Conference will take place next year in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul This delay was a result of the climate crisis with effects on the host city so severe that While this tragedy has forced us to postpone the Conference it makes its realization even more necessary to combat one of the major expressions of today’s far-right: climate denialism we will be fully prepared to welcome delegations from around the world who had already confirmed their participation many of whom have already purchased tickets and made arrangements to make Porto Alegre once again a hub of resistance and alternatives we are sending the original call with the new date so that we can build the 1st International Antifascist Conference together in unity There is an intense dispute over the societal project currently in progress Brazilian people have lived through the tragedy of the Bolsonaro government and have drawn their conclusions about this genocidal and authoritarian project through much social and political struggle still maintains a daily presence in society Through this traumatic yet revealing experience we have learned about the resilience and coordination of far-right movements in their efforts to uphold capitalism This dimension resonates with international neo-fascists and far-right movements that are organizing themselves to compete on a global scale Trump is eligible to run for the US presidency with real chances of winning; Netanyahu is promoting a genocide recognized by the international community against the Palestinians; and in our neighboring Argentina Milei is creating a veritable “laboratory” to develop a war plan against the working class working to dismantle historical achievements and rights the capital of important traditions and democratic aspirations we seek to create an experience of unity among social and political movements that have a militant presence and relevance in society and in the broader ideological and political landscape We indicate the struggle against the far right on multiple fronts as a priority while obviously respecting our differences From the initiative of PSOL and PT from Rio Grande do Sul we call on international anti-fascist movements to open a dialogue that can confront the destruction that is being carried out by the heralds of conservative ultra-liberalism prioritizing unity on the streets against the far right Porto Alegre was the center of popular resistance that defeated a coup in 1961 and it was the home of the World Social Forum in the beginning of this century which brought together thousands who participated in the construction of another global project Setting aside the different views about that experience The mobilizations and significant social struggles against the far right and their plans are the other side of the coin on the international scale Hundreds of thousands took to the streets against the neo-Nazi party in Germany and did the same in defense of the Palestinian people on five continents as well as in Argentina with massive resistance from the working class and popular segments against Milei led to a massive national mobilization that went beyond the unions bringing together a diverse range of workers’ sectors forming a true united front to defeat Milei the reactionary bills that Milei sought to impose were defeated in Congress It is from these struggles that we want to coordinate and gather in May in Porto Alegre a struggle capable of defeating expressions of extreme right and fascism paving the way for solidarity among people in struggle defending social and economic rights and freedoms to be part of this space and this initiative Laura Sito – President of PT of Porto Alegre Roberto Robaina – President of PSOL of Porto Alegre Source : https://www.antifas.org/call/ Series : Social Movements and the Politics of Debt COMMITTEE FOR THE ABOLITION OF ILLEGITIMATE DEBT 8 rue Jonfosse4000 - Liège- Belgique Students from the 2nd and 5th grades of a school in the Restinga neighborhood participated in a game test Being aware of society's demands and working on inclusion and racial equality from the early grades is essential for the development of fairer people and a more equal world It was with this in mind that a partnership between the PUCRS Schools of Humanities and Polytechnic through the professors Patrícia Grossi and Ana Paula Bacelo the university research reinforces self-esteem and recognition of cultures in the country “I designed a project that could be developed in a pilot school in Porto Alegre and that would contribute to the promotion of black culture and diversity in the classroom” The project was implemented at the Municipal School Senator Alberto Pasqualini one of the neighborhoods with the highest concentration of black people and people from the outskirts of Porto Alegre the school already had initiatives in this area made up of six black teachers engaged in creating devices that reinforce the importance of representation “The idea of creating a game that engages with contemporary childhoods and Afro-Brazilians affirms the urgency of having black characters in children’s cultural artifacts Seeing images that look like you is important for the development of black and white children.” second and fifth year students Alberto Pasqualini The activities promoted knowledge about black history and characters in a different way did not identify with black princesses or have black heroes as a reference even though the majority were black and brown. “The game presents information about black personalities (mainly women who made history) cultural points that work with blackness in the Restinga neighborhood quilombos in Porto Alegre and black territories in the capital All of this strengthens the teaching of Afro culture One of the highlights of the children's feedback was the identification of the characters with people close to them Students from four 4th grade classes at Colégio Marista Champagnat also tested the game Criado from the Integration Program between PUCRS Areas the game involved students froms courses in Software Engineering putting interdisciplinarity into practice at the University One of the project participants is Marcelo Fróes the motivation to participate in the development of the game goes beyond professional issues because it is important to reflect on diversity for the gaming public Participating in the process as a scholarship holder and then as a volunteer was rewarding and provided me with development in several areas of my life Volunteering in a project like this gives me hope in contributing to helping other black children and young people feel included in the technology field and increasingly represented in the world of games.” Representation still needs to be widely disseminated in the imagination the game addresses these issues in a didactic and assertive way “One of the most important aspects I can highlight is the representation we try to build with black protagonists with curly hair but even in 2023 it is difficult for children even adults to feel good about their own hair and skin tones.” Design student and CNPq technological initiation scholarship holder Being a scholarship holder is a unique way to enter the universe high tech which are games “This project gives me the possibility of using technology to promote diversity I believe that knowledge is fundamental to building a better future.” Contributing to the anti-racist struggle was one of the motivations that led Márcio Souza da Rosa Filho a student of the Software Engineering Course “I have always been passionate about games since I was a child and have wanted to learn how they are made I have also become more aware of issues of racial inequality Volunteering allows me to use my skills and knowledge to make a difference in the world in a meaningful way It is rewarding to know that I am contributing to something that can educate inspire and positively influence people.”. the project's goal is to replicate the game in other schools “Students from four 4th grade classes at Colégio Marista Champagnat have also tested the game which has been widely accepted by students” Seeing images that look like you is important for the development of children of all races.” Read also PUCRS offers full undergraduate scholarships for black, brown and indigenous people Check out information about benefits, academic calendar, access to academic systems and much more. 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Access the HR Portal, learn about the Fluir program and have access to the main systems. we can't find the page that you are looking for Don't let that stop you from visiting some of our other great related content protected by reCAPTCHA.css-trhdh3::after{background-color:#fa9000;}EXPLORE MOREblinking-dotLive updatesLive updates, ‘Blackmail tool’: Hamas rejects Israeli plan to bypass Gaza aid agenciesUN and humanitarian aid groups say Israel proposed ‘dangerous’ ration ‘scheme’ after nine-week siege Francis-era reforms that saw a diverse group of cardinals join the mix make his successor nearly impossible to call the California federal penitentiary has been shut for more than six decades The attack comes as Moscow prepares to welcome foreign leaders from China and Brazil Reports say Israel now eyeing occupation of entire enclave control of aid and possible expulsion of Palestinians A study gives clues to cosmic origin of gold and heavy elements and they were created earlier than we thought Attack claimed by Houthis temporarily halts air traffic at Israel’s busiest airport and triggers air raid sirens US president makes claim after Mexican leader says her country’s sovereignty ‘not for sale.’ Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe says the ‘ongoing’ discussions are ‘still in the early stages’ the three rectors sign the partnership Photo: Gustavo Diehl/UFRGS Hired to advise the initiative and transmit the methodology to the educational institutions involved and assist in the creation of this pact Josep Piqué emphasized that: “the innovation agenda is an agenda of challenges” President of the International Association of Science and Technology Parks Piqué is linked to similar initiatives in Barcelona (Spain) this alliance will make the city a national reference in innovation and entrepreneurship enabling national and international connections in favor of social and economic development “We will be a hub for generating new ventures have a technological base to attract new investments and retain talent PUCRS is clear about its role as a catalyst for the development of the city Josep Piqué was hired to advise the alliance Photo: Gustavo Diehl/UFRGS For the Superintendent of Innovation and Development at PUCRS, Jorge Audy the idea is to articulate a set of actions “We will need legislation that speeds up the process of generating new technology-based ventures we need to create a positive atmosphere to attract investments from abroad” the proposal is to develop a pact that brings together the main agents of the city's development "We will create an innovation ecosystem that attracts new investments that allows the emergence and flourishing of local companies of new companies that have technology and creativity as their main foundations” learn about the Fluir program and have access to the main systems.