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CNN —At least 34 people have been confirmed dead following landslides in Colombia’s northwestern department of Chocó, the governor’s office said in a statement Saturday. So far, 17 bodies have been transferred to Medellin for forensic examination, and another 17 are expected to be transported as well, the statement read. A member of the rescue team stands at the area of a landslide in the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia on January 13, 2024. Fredy Builes/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople observe the area where of a landslide in the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia on January 13, 2024. Colombia has been plagued by deadly mudslides before.

Persons: Nubia, Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi, “, Francia Marquez, Fredy Builes, Marquez Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Getty, Unit for, Risk Management, Colombian Civil Defense, National Army, Ministry of Health, Social Protection Locations: Chocó, Medellin, ”, Nubia Carolina, Quibdó, Quibdo, Choco, Colombia, AFP, Mocoa

☆ Death Toll Rises to 23 After Mudslide in Northwest Colombia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A mudslide brought on by heavy rains in northwest Colombia killed at least 23 people and injured dozens on a busy highway, authorities said on Saturday. The mudslide, which happened Friday afternoon, covered a roadway that connects the cities of Quibdo and Medellin in the Pacific province of Choco. At least 35 people were also injured and an unknown number of people are still missing as mud completely engulfed several cars on the road, authorities said. "The extraction of bodies continues," the governor of Choco said in a statement shared on social media. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Diane Craft)

Persons: Luis Jaime Acosta, Cassandra Garrison, Kirsten Donovan, Diane Craft Organizations: Colombia's National Unit for, Risk Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Quibdo, Medellin, Pacific, Choco

☆ Panama announces new measures to curb record migration through Darien Gap
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Deportation flights for irregular migrants with criminal records are set to double with the help of the country's security ministry, Panama's immigration institute chief Samira Gozaine said. Official data shows some 352,000 people have crossed the dangerous stretch this year by Sept. 8, already surpassing the record high of nearly 250,000 seen for all of 2022. Panama will also increase financial thresholds at its checkpoints, requiring people expecting to stay 90 days to show proof of funds of at least $1,000, rather than the $500 it previously expected. The United Nations expects crossings through the jungle to surpass 400,000 this year. Reporting by Elida Moreno: Editing by Sarah MorlandOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Samira Gozaine, Elida Moreno, Sarah Morland Organizations: Nicanor Air Base, PANAMA CITY, Authorities, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Choco, Panamanian, Colombia, Darien, Panama, PANAMA

Gonzalez, a protege of former President Rafael Correa who has promised to revive his social programs, won 33% support, while Noboa, son of prominent banana businessman and former presidential candidate Alvaro Noboa, was a surprise second-place with 24% of the vote. The contest was darkened by the assassination of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio earlier this month. The crime is still under investigation, but Villavicencio, who was replaced as a candidate by his friend and fellow investigative journalist Christian Zurita, came third with 16%. Noboa seemingly gained support after performing well in the only televised debate of the campaign. Reporting by Alexandra Valencia and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez, Daniel Noboa, Ecuador's, Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Noboa, Alvaro Noboa, Fernando Villavicencio, Villavicencio, Christian Zurita, Sharp, Correa, Guillermo Lasso, Alfredo Espinosa, Espinosa, " Espinosa, Villavicencio's, Alexandra Valencia, Julia Symmes Cobb, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Amazon, Thomson Locations: QUITO, Quito, Choco

☆ Factbox: Top five candidates vying for presidency of Ecuador
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

She was leading voting intention with about 30% in recent polls, though no polls have been published since Villavicencio's killing. The 54-year-old widower has promised to fight crime with better social programs and data-driven security policies. OTTO SONNENHOLZNERSonnenholzner, a 40-year-old businessman and economist, has promoted himself as a young policymaker seeking to bring "peace, money and progress" to Ecuador. JAN TOPICTopic, 40, a private security and telecommunications businessman, has promised security would be his first and most important focus if elected. Already-printed ballots will show Villavicencio's name and photo, but the electoral authority has said votes will be counted for his replacement.

Persons: Yaku Perez, Henry Romero, Guillermo Lasso, Fernando Villavicencio, LUISA GONZALEZ Lawyer Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Gonzalez, Correa, YAKU PEREZ, Perez, Carlos, Yaku, OTTO SONNENHOLZNER Sonnenholzner, Lenin Moreno, Moreno, Sonnenholzner, El, Nayib Bukele, CHRISTIAN ZURITA Zurita, Zurita, Fernando, Alexandra Valencia, Oliver Griffin, Julia Symmes Cobb, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, French Foreign Legion, Central, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights QUITO, Here's, Belgium, Choco, Ukraine, Central American

☆ Ecuadorean votes could bar oil output in Amazon reserve, mining near Quito
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

But oil and mining guilds say their industries are needed to shore up Ecuador's battered economy and that bans would expose the areas to illegal mining and deforestation. Outgoing President Guillermo Lasso, who moved ahead elections after lawmakers attempted to oust him, has failed to raise oil production or attract more mining investment as violence and social problems have worsened. A "yes" vote in both referendums could complicate finances for his successor. State oil company Petroecuador says a "yes" on the Yasuni referendum would cost the country $13.8 billion in income over the next two decades. But residents say mining will threaten high altitude wetlands, water and animals like the spectacled bear.

Persons: Read, Ecuadoreans, Guillermo Lasso, Santiago Pérez, Ramon Correa, Correa, Rafael Correa, Pedro Bermeo, Bermeo, Petroecuador, Australia's SolGold, Maria Eulalia Silva, Morelia Fuentes, Alexandra Valencia, Tito Correa, Karen Toro, Julia Symmes Cobb, Marguerita Choy Organizations: ITT, Environmental, Reuters, Voters, of Mining, Mining, Thomson Locations: Orellana, Orellana province, Ecuador, QUITO, Quito, Choco, North America, State, Pastaza

☆ Premarket stocks: Markets and consumers are in an upbeat mood. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Stocks and consumer sentiment are rising in tandem after slumping last year, in another sign of growing optimism that the economy could dodge a recession. Consumer sentiment tracked by the University of Michigan jumped 13% in July, notching its second consecutive month of improvement. That comes after stocks and consumer sentiment tumbled in 2022 as sticky inflation and the Federal Reserve’s aggressive pace of interest rate hikes spurred fears that the US economy would tip into a recession. “Consumer sentiment reached levels consistent with the lows of some past recessions last summer,” wrote Lori Calvasina, head of US equity strategy at RBC Capital Markets. Still, consumer sentiment could decline if more people lose their jobs, paychecks and spending power.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Lori Calvasina, Ed Moya, Moya, Jon Ekoniak, Pete Muntean, Vanessa Yurkevich, Robert Travis, “, ” Read, Michelle Toh, Kan, Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, CNN, University of Michigan, RBC Capital Markets, OANDA, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bordeaux Wealth Advisors, UPS, Teamsters, United Parcel Service, Independent Pilots Association, Brotherhood of Teamsters, South, Starbucks Asia Locations: That’s, BlackRock, Wells Fargo, South Korean, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Philippines

☆ Starbucks teams up with Blackpink, betting on the power of K-pop
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Starbucks is teaming up with Blackpink, one of the world’s hottest musical acts. The centerpiece of the lineup is the Blackpink Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino, a drink that is an aptly hued blend of black and pink. Like other major global brands, Starbucks is leaning into the frenzy around K-pop, hoping that it will translate to a boost in sales. The company has partnered with Blackpink before, launching a collection of merchandise in Thailand two years ago. In 2022, the group was named Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year, becoming just the second K-pop group to receive the title.

Persons: ”, Blackpink, Emma McIntyre, Kan, they’ve, —, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé —, Dior, Bang, Hyuk, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Starbucks, Coachella, Blackpink, South, Netflix, BTS, Disney, CNN, HYBE Locations: Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Philippines, Indio , California, Asia, Thailand, South Korean

☆ Fans are just noticing that an iconic Good Humor ice cream treat no longer exists
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Not since last year’s disappearance of the Choco Taco have ice cream fans been this shocked. Good Humor confirmed that its Toasted Almond bar, the sweet treat that has been around since the 1960s, is no more. Good Humor, owned by Unilever (UL), actually axed the product in 2022, but customers are noticing just now as summer starts. The company’s account on Twitter has been replying to depressed customers’ complaints and relaying a similar statement. One person tweeted “just found out the good humor toasted almond bars have been discontinued and it has ruined my year” and another posted that Good Humor has “made the biggest mistake in history.”The Toasted Almond bar joins the Choco Taco, a popular dessert previously made by Klondike, in the ice cream graveyard.

Persons: New York CNN —, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Choco Taco, CNN, Unilever, UL, Twitter, Klondike Locations: New York, Choco

☆ Panama boosts security in Darien Gap to confront human traffickers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Operation Choco" aims to stop transnational organized crime in the Darien by mobilizing aerial support and confronting crime groups "head on," Security Minister Juan Pino told a press conference. It is affecting national security, not only in Panama but across the continent," Pino said, stressing that the initiative was "totally Panamanian." In April, Panama joined Colombia and the United States in a pledge to increase joint actions against human traffickers in Darien Gap. This is an effort wholly from the Panamanian state, because we are seeing that the situation of irregular migration is being exploited by transnational organized crime, which is profiting in the millions," he said. More than 166,000 migrants have crossed the Darien so far this year, according to the security ministry, mostly children and teenagers.

Persons: Carlos Jasso, Juan Pino, Pino, Oriel Ortega, Elida Moreno, Sarah Morland, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, PANAMA CITY, Thomson Locations: Puerto Obaldia, Guana Yala, Panama, Colombia, Darien, United States, Colombian, Panamanian

BOGOTA, May 16 (Reuters) - Deforestation in Colombia during 2022 is forecast to have fallen by up to 10% versus the previous year, Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said on Tuesday, citing significant decreases in the country's Amazon. Deforestation in Colombia in 2021 rose 1.5% versus the previous year to 1,741 square kilometers (430,218 acres), representing an area twice the size of New York City. A 10% decrease in deforestation would take the total area of forest destroyed during 2022 in Colombia to below the 1,589 square kilometers registered in 2019, the first full year of the administration of former President Ivan Duque. Between 2001 and 2021, more than 31,000 square kilometers of forest were destroyed in Colombia, of which some 18,600 square kilometers were deforested in the country's Amazon. Colombia's government will publish full deforestation figures for 2022 in June, Muhamad said.

☆ Biologists found 5 new species of snakes and Leonardo DiCaprio named one that produces a 'musky and distasteful odor' after his mom
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

One of the snakes was named by actor Leonardo DiCaprio in honor of his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken. The snakes are being threatened by mining operations in the country, scientists noted. Biologist Alejandro Arteaga examining a preserved snail-eating snake in a museum Jorge CastilloOf the five species, one — a red-orange snake with large, glowing orange eyes — is called DiCaprio's snail-eating snake. "When threatened, individuals may hide the head among body coils and produce a musky and distasteful odor," the study read. Alejandro ArteagaThe four other snakes include the canopy snail-eating snake, Marley's snail-eating snake — named after the daughter of billionaire Brian Sheth — as well as Vieira's snail-eating snake, and Welborn's snail-eating snake.

☆ Violence in Colombia falls in first month of ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BOGOTA, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Colombia's ceasefire with four armed groups has led to significant reductions in violence during its first month, Interior Minister Alfonso Prada said on Monday, with fewer murders and attacks on armed forces. Homicides in provinces heavily affected by conflict and where one or more of the groups participating in the ceasefire are active fell by up to 68%, he said, without giving absolute figures. The Pacific province of Choco saw the 68% reduction, followed closely by Arauca, on the Venezuelan border, which saw murders fall by 66%. In Cordoba homicides were down 52%, while in Magdalena they fell 37%, Prada said. Prada did not give figures for members of illegal armed groups killed this month, but the country's navy said earlier on Monday at least nine rebels from the ELN died in fighting last weekend close to Buenaventura.

☆ From the McRib to the Choco Taco, here are 6 foods we lost in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Chili’s Original Chicken TendersChili's replaced its Original Chicken Crispers with something crispier, as pictured here. Honest TeaRIP Honest Tea. Weeks after Coke’s announcement, the founders of Honest Tea launched another bottled iced tea drink called Eat the Change. Wendy’s Vanilla FrostyWendy's vanilla Frosty will come back eventually. Let’s be clear: the Vanilla Frosty isn’t gone for good.

☆ Uber Eats report reveals wild delivery cravings for 2022 – from Choco Taco to celery juice. Here are the wackiest trends and requests.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Uber Eats noted this uber-specific delivery request from a butter fanatic: "Hi there. This is going to sound insane, but would you be so kind and put a disturbing amount of butter on my grilled cheese? Like, you're going to need the Red Cross Emergency Rapid Response team on site and provide me with astronaut diapers — just in case." Double cheddar and tomato jam grilled cheese. Maren Caruso/Laura Werlin

Through trial and error, I learned to keep track of my spending and gained valuable experience with money. I still use these lessons today to monitor my spending, keep a budget, and compare prices for the best deals. A $5 bill gave me practical experience with money every dayI used problem-solving skills to make sure my sister and I had enough money for food and beverages without going over our budget. When we asked our mom for more money, she reminded us to use our money more thoughtfully next time. My mother's lessons continue to help me be an informed consumerMy mother's lessons with the $5 bill remain with me today.

☆ Landslide buries bus in Colombia, killing at least 34
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BOGOTA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - At least 34 people died when a landslide buried a bus in northwestern Colombia on Sunday, the government disaster agency said on Monday. [1/3] Police help the rescue operations of a bus that was buried after a landslide due to heavy rains in Pueblo Rico, Colombia December 4, 2022. Colombia National Police/Handout via REUTERS 1 2 3Landslides are common in Colombia due to the mountainous terrain, frequent heavy rains and informal construction of houses. Events linked to heavy rains have killed more than 216 people and left 538,000 homeless so far in 2022, according to government statistics. The country's most recent large landslide killed over 320 people in the city of Mocoa in 2017.

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