Mexico News Today Monday, August 24, 2020

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020

As deaths reach 60,000, health officials say virus numbers are declining—but so is testing The number of Covid-19 tests being performed each day has consistently trended downwards in recent weeks from 10 per 100,000 inhabitants to as low as 3. FULL STORY ‘Excessive fine’ imposed against newsmagazine critical of AMLO government The government has fined Nexos for an irregularity in some paperwork but several critics and the magazine itself see it as an attempt at intimidation. FULL STORY Share this email and introduce friends to Mexico News Daily Forward

Mexico shaping up as one of worst health and economic casualties of virus Mexico surpassed its “catastrophic” worst-case scenario of 60,000 Covid-19 deaths on Saturday and while the government continues to be upbeat, some observers say it's not over yet. FULL STORY Mexico City remains at orange virus risk level but theaters allowed to reopen The city will remain at the high-risk level for the coronavirus for the ninth straight week, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced. But conditions are holding steady and some restrictions will be eased. FULL STORY 47-day-old baby recovers after contracting Covid-19 A baby girl born in Chiapas with Covid-19 transmitted by her mother is safe and sound at home after a 47-day battle for her life. FULL STORY Tabasco restaurant serving traditional cuisine among world’s top 20 A restaurant specializing in pre-Hispanic cuisine has made it onto the list of the top 20, compiled by Travel + Leisure and Food and Wine. FULL STORY IKEA supplier set to build manufacturing plant Upon completion in the second quarter of 2021, the mattress and sofa factory is expected to provide 2,000 new jobs in Coahuila. FULL STORY THE MND POLL THE STORY: Municipal council in Hidalgo decides kids shouldn’t be barred from bullfights FULL STORY THE QUESTION: Should children be permitted to attend bullfights and cockfights? VOTE HERE LAST POLL: Do you support banning the use of the herbicide glyphosate? 80% said yes. VIEW FULL RESULTS 24 billion pesos disappeared from Federal Police coffers Former commanders diverted money that was to have been used to pay for officers' travel expenses and bonuses among other operational costs. FULL STORY WHO  says scale of pandemic 'under-recognized’ The magnitude of the Covid-19 epidemic in Mexico is being underestimated, warns the World Health Organization, and one of the main reasons is the lack of testing. FULL STORY ADVERTISEMENT Electricity commission has ‘abandoned’ Baja California, governor charges Jaime Bonilla has accused the CFE of abandoning the state as it seeks a solution to its energy crisis with a new solar plant. FULL STORY Electricity shortage triggers appeal to cut consumption A growing deficit of electricity in Baja California is affecting the water supply to 60 neighborhoods in Tijuana and requiring 15 companies to operate at reduced capacity during the summer months. FULL STORY Classes by TV not an option for many communities More than 30 million students across Mexico were scheduled to return to school by attending virtual classes on Monday but not all of them have access to the technology they need to study remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic. FULL STORY Project links donors with students needing computers "Laptops With A Cause” distributes donated computers to students who don't have one. So far, organizers have received applications from 4,700 people looking for a computer, and 300 have donated one. FULL STORY

MEXICO LIFE Chocolate: a gift from Quetzalcóatl to Mexico and the world Tabasco, which produces 66% of Mexico's cacao, may be the best place to visit and see how it is grown and processed, writes Leigh Thelmadatter. Its Chocolate Route connects traditional haciendas that open their doors to visitors.. FULL STORY Because some like it hot: jalapeños add kick to everything they touch The secret to the popularity of jalapeños may lie in their hot but tolerable (and often irresistible) chile pepper kick, writes Janet Blaser, who says the pepper can be added to a smorgasbord of dishes. FULL STORY