CNN’s Stefano Pozzebon reports on how politics are impacting the Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest river by volume.

Amazon Rainforest

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

The Amazon River, known as the largest river by volume globally, is experiencing significant challenges due to climate change. The current severe drought has led to the emergence of sandbanks and sand dunes in the region, complicating transportation and affecting daily life. As a result, over 400,000 children are impacted, with more than 1,700 schools closed or inaccessible in Brazil due to the low water levels. 

The situation is increasingly visible, with U.S. President Joe Biden set to witness the changes firsthand during his visit to South America. His trip is significant as the region sees progressive leaders in both Colombia and Brazil, offering some hope for cooperative environmental policies. However, the potential shift in U.S. leadership, with climate skeptic Donald Trump as the president-elect, casts doubts on future international climate commitments. 

As the Amazon approaches a crucial tipping point, deforestation and climate change-driven extreme weather pose severe threats. Experts warn that without urgent action, the rainforest's collapse might contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, impacting critical ecosystems worldwide. The next four years are pivotal for addressing these challenges and preventing further environmental deterioration.



Sand dunes appear in Amazon rainforest

The Amazon, the world's largest river by volume and arguably also one of its most traveled transportation networks. Here there are no roads, people travel in ferries, boats and canoes. But as the Amazon battles a climate change fuel historic drought, getting around is more difficult. There are sandbanks everywhere, the boat could hit one and break its propeller, says this tourist guide. This month UNICEF reported that more than 400,000 children are being affected because of the current drought conditions. More than 1,700 schools closed or inaccessible because of low water levels in the Brazilian part of the forest alone. As U.S. President Joe Biden flies over the Amazon on Sunday, the dramatic effects of climate change will be impossible to miss, including sand dunes that look like they belong in a desert but were underwater not too long ago. It's a very important moment right now in the Amazon because for the first time there are two progressive presidents in the two biggest Amazon economies, which is Colombia and Brazil. So there's a tiny window of opportunity that both presidents come up with concrete proposals to conserve biodiversity in the Amazon. Nevertheless, next year when COP30 on climate change will be organized by Brazil in the Amazon, Trump will be in power. The U.S. president-elect is the elephant in the room throughout Biden's visit to South America. Donald Trump is a climate skeptic who pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement once before. What we fear is that Trump will represent the corporate powers that actually drive Amazon destruction and fuel climate change. Trump has vowed to reverse Biden's climate policies, which could drive other countries in South America to shrug off their own pledges. We don't have a global warming problem. They don't use that term anymore anyway because as you can see the planet it's getting it's very cool out here today isn't it? Experts say the Amazon is approaching a tipping point. If deforestation and climate change-fuelled extreme weather continue, the rainforest could collapse and release large amounts of planet-heating carbon like many other critical ecosystems overwhelmed by global warming. The next four years are crucial for this jungle and for the world alike, with the incoming commander-in-chief seemingly in denial.

Tens of thousands flee as border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand intensifies — with no ceasefire in sight.

Preah Vihear Province

Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand

Typhoon Co-May has moved away from the Philippines but many low-lying areas are still severely flooded. Three storms dumped a months’ worth of rain in a span of a week on nearly the entire country.

Manila

At least 30 killed in Philippines typhoon

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she will meet US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland to "discuss transatlantic trade relations."

Glasgow

Global Tariffs

Ursula von der Leyen to meet Donald Trump to discuss trade

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at dramatically changing how the U.S. approaches homelessness.

Washington

Trump signs executive order changing U.S. approach to homelessness

Former NFL Wide Receiver Donté Stallworth tells CNN’s Jake Tapper that the reselling of Super Bowl tickets by players and employees has long been an “open secret.” Stallworth believes that imposing fines and threatening player suspensions will significantly curb the practice of selling tickets for profit.

New York

NFL issues fines for selling Super Bowl tickets above face value

Typhoon Co-May has left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, making landfall in the country's northwestern region. Torrential rains and strong winds have battered towns and cities, damaging homes, roads, and farmland. At least 25 people have been reported dead.

Pangasinan

Philippines hit hard by Typhoon Co-May, dozens killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Palestinian militant group Hamas, a day after withdrawing their delegations from talks.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu, Trump appear to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump is spending five days in Scotland visiting his luxury golf resorts. While the White House touts the economic impact, some locals say the developments have scarred the land and stirred controversy.

Edinburgh

Trump visits Scotland to tour golf courses amid protests

The U.S. Department of Justice is set to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice, amid mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of the Epstein case.

Ghislaine Maxwell to meet with U.S. Justice Dept. amid Epstein probe

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday (July 25) as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas, despite international calls for a ceasefire.

Bangkok

Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a draft bill to restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies, following nationwide protests and EU concerns over recent reforms that threatened their autonomy.

Ukraine Invasion

Zelensky approves anti-corruption bill after protests

Chinese and European Union leaders have met in Beijing for their first in-person summit since 2023, addressing a range of contentious issues amidst growing trade tensions. The talks, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping and EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, highlighted the complex nature of China-EU relations.

Beijing

China-EU summit ends in climate deal, talks strain over Ukraine

The United Kingdom and India have signed a trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky, cars and spices and allow more market access for businesses. British PM Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a “landmark moment” for both countries.

London

UK, India sign free trade agreement during Modi visit

President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had a disagreement almost immediately as the two men set foot in the Fed's headquarters in Washington to survey an extensive renovation project on two of the reserve's buildings. Nancy Cordes has more.

Trump, Powell clash during tour of Federal Reserve renovations

Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler whose real name was Terry Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71, according to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Clearwater

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dead at the age of 71, WWE says

At least 12 were killed as a Thai-Cambodian border dispute escalated into deadly clashes on Thursday (July 24).

Surin

Thailand bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates

According to preliminary data, 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board.

Tynda

Passenger plane crashes in Russia, killing all 49 people on board

Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died, World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement on social media. He was 71. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.

Hulk Hogan dies at 71, WWE says

The Wall Street Journal reports that former Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appeared in the Epstein files. The White House denies wrongdoing.

Report: Trump was briefed on mentions in Epstein files

Columbia University will pay $200 million to resolve federal claims it failed to stop harassment of Jewish students during campus protests. The Trump administration had suspended the school's access to $400 million in funding.

Columbia settles for $200 million over antisemitism claims

Israel issued a statement indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Gaza negotiating team to return to Israel for ceasefire talks. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Israel brings back Gaza negotiating team for ceasefire 'consultations'

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students “questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,” and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to “civil discourse.”

Columbia University to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump

There are several developments in the cases involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant in ICE custody whom the Trump administration wrongly deported. CBS News' Katrina Kaufman reports.

Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain detained following new court orders

Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his 2023 overdose. He is the fourth person to plead guilty in the case and faces up to 40 years in prison.

Los Angeles

Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry death case

While both sides acknowledged progress on humanitarian issues, talks on a full ceasefire remain stalled. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for "result-oriented negotiations" to end the devastating war.

Istanbul

Russia and Ukraine conclude third round of peace talks in Istanbul

A passenger plane has crashed in southeastern Russia with up to 49 people onboard. Emergency services say the An-24 aircraft took off from the city of Khabarovsk and was heading to the town of Tynda. Wreckage was found on a mountainside around 15 kilometres from the flight's intended destination.

Russian passenger plane with 49 on board crashes

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to retain the independence of anti-corruption agencies, bowing to pressure from the first wartime street protests and rare rebukes from European allies.

Kyiv

Zelenskiy to protect anti-corruption agencies, bows to protests

U.S. President Donald Trump's name is among the many appearing in the Epstein files, according to the Wall Street Journal, and he was told as much earlier this year by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump calls reports he knew his name is in Epstein files ‘fake news’

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the doctor accused of supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine in the month leading up to his death, has pleaded guilty to four counts  of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is the fourth of the five people charged in connection with Perry's death to plead guilty.

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