Colombia deforestation surges 43% fueled by fires, land-grabbing

Colombia deforestation surges 43% fueled by fires, land-grabbing

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Deforestation in Colombia surged last year, according to data from the country's environment ministry said on Thursday, as some 113,608 hectares (1,136 square km) were destroyed largely in its Amazon region, 43% more than in the previous year. The figure marks a sharp reversal after 2023 saw the amount of forest land destroyed fall 36% from the prior year to 79,256 hectares (793 square km) - its lowest level in 23 years. "Deforestation persists," Environment Minister Lena Estrada said at a press conference in Bogota. "The most affected territory is the Amazon, a fragile territory." Estrada said the increase in 2024 was partly due to forest fires spurred by a drought, fueled by climate change. Land-grabbing for pastures, the expansion of livestock farming, illegal road construction, and more growing of illicit crops such as coca leaves were also primary drivers, she said. The Amazon region accounted for more than 65% of the total loss, with some 75,000 hectares destroyed. Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world and is home to thousands of plant and animal species, although it loses swathes of forest each year to deforestation. The South American country has approximately 59.1 million hectares of forest, covering more than half its territory. (Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra and Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Sarah Morland)

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 31, 2025

Colombia deforestation surges 43% fueled by fires, land-grabbing

Colombia deforestation surges 43% fueled by fires, land-grabbing BOGOTA (Reuters) -Deforestation in Colombia surged last year, according to ...

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US and Ecuador sign agreement to combat transnational crime

US and Ecuador sign agreement to combat transnational crime

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The United States and Ecuador on Thursday signed a bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening their collaboration against transnational criminal networks. The agreement, signed during a visit of U.S. Homeland SecuritySecretary Kristi Noemto the South American country, facilitates the exchange of information on suspected criminal offenders and risk assessments of cargo and travelers. Noem told reporters the efforts are "crucial steps to improve security and ensure that migration is carried out within the framework of the law." The deal with Ecuador comes as the administration of U.S.President Donald Trumpseeks to bolster regional cooperation in itsclampdown against immigration and transnational criminalgroups, includingTren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gangdesignated as a foreign terrorist organizationby the White House earlier this year. On Wednesday, Noem signed a similar agreement with Chile, which she visited as part of her latest tour of Latin America. That agreement allows Chilean officials to identify potentially dangerous migrants entering or exiting the country and share their fingerprints, iris scans and other biometric data with Homeland Security to prevent such individuals from traveling to the U.S. ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean athttps://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 31, 2025

US and Ecuador sign agreement to combat transnational crime

US and Ecuador sign agreement to combat transnational crime QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The United States and Ecuador on Thursday signed a bilater...

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Kavanaugh defends emergency orders as Supreme Court faces more bids for intervention

Kavanaugh defends emergency orders as Supreme Court faces more bids for intervention

Justice Brett Kavanaugh defended how the Supreme Court is handling an unprecedented number of emergency appeals from the Trump administration, saying that as presidents push the limits of their power, courts will have to respond. Speaking before a group of lawyers and judges Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri, Kavanaugh said presidents in both parties, stymied by inaction in Congress, have relied more on executive orders "to get things done." That's led to more legal challenges, Kavanaugh said, which inevitably draw in the Supreme Court to determine whether the new regulation can take effect, at least temporarily, while the legal challenges play out. So far, the court has been inclined to say yes, agreeing to allow a number of President Trump's high-profile executive orders to take effect while the lower courts review the merits, such as orders tofire members of independent federal agencies,freeze certain federal grantsandplan layoffs at nearly every federal agency. Asked about criticism that the court isn't doing enough to explain its reasoning in some of those emergency cases, Kavanaugh said the court has written more than it has in the past. He said the court also had made some internal changes in the past five or six years "to try to get the right answer," including scheduling emergency oral arguments, as in the recent casechallenging nationwide injunctions. He said he was a "fan of more process" and mentioned two recent cases, including the president'sremoval power in independent agencies, where he unsuccessfully urged the court to step in and decide the underlying issue before it went through the lower courts. Kavanaugh's hour-long remarks came in a conversation with U.S. District Judge Sarah Pitlyk, one of his former law clerks, at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit's judicial conference. It's one of several judicial conferences this summer that will feature different justices. Last week, Justice Elena Kagan spoke to the California-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where she urged the court to be more cautious with its handling of the so-called emergency docket. She also said that while she finds some of the court's recent decisions "frustrating" and "sometimes even maddening," prompting fierce dissents, she believed her colleagues were "all operating in good faith." Kavanaugh shared a similar sentiment about the other justices, saying even in disagreement, "they're thoughtfully engaging in difficult issues," and he believed it was "a sign of strength when there are different views expressed." "The collegiality of the Supreme Court is very strong, strong to this day," he said. "We all look out for each other. We think the other eight are patriots and are good people." His wide-ranging conversation with Pitlyk was at times personal and humorous, touching on everything from lessons he's taken from sports to some of his favorite opinions in recent terms. He said he's aware of criticism of the court, but that "criticism is part of the job." Like the referees for high school sports, Kavanaugh said, as a justice, "you have to recognize and know thick skin and criticism comes with the territory." "Did you ever walk out of a game and say, 'our team lost, but the refs were great?'" Kavanaugh said, to laughter from the audience. "That informs my judging, too." Watch: Hawaii Gov. Josh Green gives update on tsunami warning Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi gives tsunami warning update Tsunami warning issued for Hawaii after 8.7 earthquake near Russia

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 31, 2025

Kavanaugh defends emergency orders as Supreme Court faces more bids for intervention

Kavanaugh defends emergency orders as Supreme Court faces more bids for intervention Justice Brett Kavanaugh defended how the Supreme Court ...

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See Todd and Julie Chrisley's Teary Reunion as They Return to 'Divided' Household Post-Prison in New Show Trailer (Exclusive)

See Todd and Julie Chrisley's Teary Reunion as They Return to 'Divided' Household Post-Prison in New Show Trailer (Exclusive)

The Chrisley family returns with a new series titledThe Chrisleys: Back to Reality, premiering as a two-night event Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime. The new series follows the brood as they navigate family hardship surrounding Todd and Julie Chrisley's legal woes This announcement follows Todd and Julie's release from prison on May 28, following a pardon from President Donald Trump The Chrisley family's grand return to reality TV has officially arrived. On Thursday, July 31, Lifetime unveiled the long-awaited trailer for the brood's new series titledThe Chrisleys: Back to Reality, which is produced by Bunim/Murray Productions — and PEOPLE has the exclusive first look. The series will follow the Chrisley family, consisting of parentsToddandJulie Chrisley, along withChase Chrisley,Savannah Chrisley,Grayson Chrisley,Chloe ChrisleyandNanny Faye Chrisley, navigating life as the longtime couple "are eventually pardoned, released from prison and return home." The series "shows a side of the Chrisleys that has never been seen before with exclusive access to the family," including Julie's parents, Harvey and Pam, joining the bunch onscreen for the first time. "The new series exposes the raw truth of the Chrisley's lives — past and present — and the reality is far different from what audiences have seen before. The family faces a critical point that will either make their bond stronger or leave it shattered forever. This series delivers an unfiltered, deeply personal look at their journey and introduces the real Chrisleys as they navigate this new chapter." Lifetime The trailer opens with Savannah, 27, and her parents' lawyer, Alex Little, speaking with Todd, 57, over the phone while behind bars. "We will get through this. I don't know how it's going to end. But at some point, the truth is going to come out," Todd says. As footage of Julie and the family appears, the 52-year-old is heard saying: "I live every day with the hopes that I will be reunited with my husband and my kids, and my parents and my mother-in-law." "Do you think there's a possibility that I can get outta here before I need a face lift?" Todd then asks Savannah and his attorney, leading to chuckles from the pair. "My dad always told me, 'I'm sorry that I couldn't apologize for something I didn't do,'" Chase, 19, says. Savannah is then shown tearing up, recalling the moment she bid farewell to her parents. An equally teary-eyed Nanny Faye, 81, also notes that the family "was still all in a fog" over everything that went down, adding, "I hate that I'm emotional, but I can't help it." Lifetime Take PEOPLE with you!Subscribe to PEOPLE magazineto get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happen true crime stories and more — right to your mailbox. "Not having my parents around almost felt like a death," Chase, 29, said. Additionally, Savannah says that the Chrisley "household is completely divided" amid Todd and Julie's absence. "I told my parents I don't know if it can ever be repaired, honestly," she adds. The moment Julie steps out of the car, donning her natural brown hair, she immediately hugs her 12-year-old daughter, Chloe. The matriarch then embraces Todd, who is then seen wiping tears away in the next scene. "Well, we survived," Julie says. "We survived." Lifetime Thereafter, Julie's mom tells her in a separate scene: "You haven't seen your spouse for three years. It's never going to be like it is. And if they say that, then that's not true." However, the longtime couple is focused on sharing their truth, as Julie then says, "We can tell this story today, and then, we can be done with this part of our life." "I'm looking at this as me exposing the truth," Todd concludes. "And depending on how long this interview goes, you might see more than what you bargain for." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, produced by Bunim/Murray Productions (a part of Banijay Americas), counts Julie Pizzi, Farnaz Farjam, Jesse Daniels, Rit Saraswat, Nicole Blais, Savannah Chrisley and Chase Chrisley as executive producers. Brie Miranda Bryant and Nicole Vogel executive produce for Lifetime. Lifetime The family was supposed to pick up with a new show. The series, previouslyannounced by PEOPLEin August 2023, eventually fell through, with Savannah telling PEOPLE that "there were some things that were done that I did not like." "I'm not getting myself in a situation I don't feel comfortable and safe in," she added. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Todd and Julie's legal problems began in 2018, when they wereindicted by a federal grand juryon 12 counts of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Lifetime Following their trial, both were found guilty on all counts. Todd wassentencedto 12 years in prison, while Julie was sentenced to 7, with each also given 16 months probation. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf While they began serving in 2023, the entire Chrisley family maintained their belief in Todd and Julie's innocence, as they tried to appeal to both the courts and, eventually, the president. Lifetime In February, Savannah confirmed to PEOPLE the family's plans to request a pardon fromPresident Donald Trump, whichwas granted three months lateron May 27. They were released the following day. White House Representative Harrison Fields said that "[Trump is] always pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted by an unjust justice system,"according to NBC.President Trump himselfstated, "I don't know them, but give them my regards and wish them good luck." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Just before the news of Todd and Julie's pardon, PEOPLE exclusively revealed that a then-untitled Chrisley projectwas greenlit at Lifetime. The Chrisleys: Back to Realitypremieres as a two-night event Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime, with a finale dropping on Sept. 16. Read the original article onPeople

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 31, 2025

See Todd and Julie Chrisley's Teary Reunion as They Return to 'Divided' Household Post-Prison in New Show Trailer (Exclusive)

See Todd and Julie Chrisley's Teary Reunion as They Return to 'Divided' Household Post-Prison in New Show Trailer (Exclusive) Th...

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Rupert Everett walks back claims he was ‘fired’ from Emily in Paris

Rupert Everett walks back claims he was 'fired' from Emily in Paris

Rupert Everetthas issued a statement to clarify that he was not "fired" from the hitNetflixseriesEmily in Paris. The British star ofMy Best Friend's WeddingandAn Ideal Husbandplayed Italian fashion designer Giorgio Barbieri in season four of the show. Media reports earlier Thursday in publications includingVanity Fairhad claimed that the Bafta-nominated actor had said at an event in Italy that his failure to return to the show was "a tragedy." "I was in bed for two weeks because I couldn't get over it," Everett reportedly continued. "I did a scene in the latest season, and they told me, 'Next year we'll speak.' I waited for them to call me – but ultimately, it never came, and they just fired me. Show business is always very difficult, from the beginning to the end. When they write the screenplay, they think they want you – but then things change, and they lose your character. I don't know why." However in a statement toThe Independent,Everett said: "In reference to the recent articles about me and the Netflix seriesEmily in Paris, I would like to confirm that I was never fired from the show. "I was talking to a group of acting students — in my shaky Italian — at a festival in the south of Italy, and it all got a little lost in translation!" Everett shot to fame in the play and film adaptation ofAnother Country, Julian Mitchell's play about a gay pupil in a 1930s private school. One of his most memorable roles was as Julia Roberts' wingman in 1994 romantic comedyMy Best Friend's Wedding; parts inSt Trinian'sand the Shrek franchise followed in the 2000s. AnotherEmily in Parisstar who won't be returning for season five is Camille Razat, who played Emily's "frenemy" and love rival Camille. Razat said of the decision to quit the show after four seasons: "After an incredible journey, I've made the decision to step away fromEmily in Paris. It has been a truly wonderful experience – one filled with growth, creativity, and unforgettable memories." Her departure coincides with the revelation that the new series will be set in Rome, a decision that creator Darren Star said was designed to "stay ahead of the audience and take them to unexpected places" and prove that "the show has the ability to have a bigger footprint". Emily in Pariswill return to Netflix later this year.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 31, 2025

Rupert Everett walks back claims he was ‘fired’ from Emily in Paris

Rupert Everett walks back claims he was 'fired' from Emily in Paris Rupert Everetthas issued a statement to clarify that he was not ...

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