Mexico News Today Wednesday, August 19, 2020

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020

With daily consumption of 2.2 liters of Coca-Cola, Chiapas leads Mexico—and the world Nobody in the world drinks more Coca-Cola and other sugary drinks than the residents of Chiapas, Mexico’s southernmost and poorest state. A researcher calls the state the epicenter of Mexico's 'soft drink consumption epidemic.' FULL STORY Video shows officials counting wads of cash believed to be bribe money A new video shows two former Senate officials — with links to the National Action Party — receiving wads of cash believed to be bribes to ensure approval of structural reforms in 2013-2014. FULL STORY Share this email and introduce friends to Mexico News Daily Forward

New coronavirus cases lift total to 531,239; 751 deaths reported Tuesday The federal Health Ministry reported 751 additional Covid-19 fatalities on Tuesday, lifting Mexico’s death toll to 57,774, while 5,506 new cases were registered. FULL STORY RELATED: 2 states see rising Covid-19 case numbers but nationally they’re dropping. FULL STORY 30 tourists arrested for not using face masks in Oaxaca The arrests in Huatulco came just as an increase in Covid-19 cases triggered an order that bars shut down in the popular beach destination. FULL STORY Mexico bookings stronger than in other destinations Mexico’s health and safety protocols appear to be inspiring confidence in travelers, particularly in Quintana Roo, where some hotels are at 100% of their permitted occupancy. FULL STORY Los Cabos first destination to get Platinum Beach award Five beaches have been designated as Platinum beaches, the first in the country to obtain the certification under a new government program. FULL STORY 3 beaches reopen in Playa Three beaches in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, will reopen Thursday as part of a pilot program, the mayor announced. FULL STORY Volunteers in Querétaro give classes in the street to kids without TV, internet For street kids in Querétaro, the classroom is coming to them thanks to a special education teacher and volunteers inspired by her actions. FULL STORY Health agency could come under Health Ministry and coronavirus czar The responsibilities of the government’s chief coronavirus strategist, could soon be significantly broader. But critics warn against taking away the autonomy of the federal health regulator, Cofepris. FULL STORY ADVERTISEMENT Efforts under way to capture jaguar and cub in Guerrero The search for the animals is underway in Chilpancingo, after the pair of felines was seen last weekend in neighborhoods near the capital city. FULL STORY Friends, family get jobs at tax department through AMLO’s ex-assistant A former member of President López Obrador’s security detail secured jobs for her partner, father-in-law and at least four friends and associates at the federal tax administration. FULL STORY Oil rig workers defenseless in face of pirate attacks: ‘We fear for our lives’ Frequent attacks by modern day pirates on oil platforms have left some workers scared that they could be killed while working offshore. FULL STORY Jalisco cartel's new tactic: drones armed with C-4 More evidence has surfaced to indicate the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is using drones armed with C4 explosives to attack its enemies. FULL STORY Genevieve triggers hurricane warning in Baja Sur; citizens asked to remain home Heavy rains began to fall in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday as Hurricane Genevieve closed in on Baja California Sur. FULL STORY Youths beaten in attempted lynching in Hidalgo Two young men accused of kidnapping a child were nearly lynched in Tlahuelilpan Tuesday night. FULL STORY AMLO threatens to take away port concession from 'private firm' in Veracruz But the administrator of the port of Veracruz is in fact a state-owned company created by the federal government in 1993. FULL STORY Scientific station will aid program to rescue condor The California condor has been successfully reintroduced into Baja California’s San Pedro Mártir National Park, and now a new scientific station is intended to help ensure the species’ continued survival. FULL STORY THE MND POLL THE STORY: Herbicide shortage will have major effect on harvests, farmers warn FULL STORY THE QUESTION: Do you support banning the use of the herbicide glyphosate? VOTE HERE LAST POLL: Is Oaxaca's junk food prohibition a good idea? 79% said it is. VIEW FULL RESULTS

MEXICO LIFE Finding the elusive jaguar was a challenge for wildlife photographer It took several months for photographer Alejandro Prieto to capture his first image of a jaguar in the wild. It was the first of 100 he took for his project Jaguar Story. FULL STORY OPINION Indigenous Mexicans turn inward to survive Covid-19 While the coronavirus hammers Mexico, some indigenous communities in Oaxaca are finding creative ways to cope, writes Jeffrey Cohen. FULL STORY