Mexico News Today Monday, January 4, 2021

 

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021

At 8.8 per 100 cases, Mexico leads in Covid fatality rate among most affected countries As of Sunday, there were just under 1.45 million confirmed cases, and the official death toll was 127,213. FULL STORY

AMLO announces genetically modified corn ban A decision to fully phase out the growing and importing of GMO corn by January 2024 has been slammed by Mexico's largest agricultural lobby, but organic growers call it a victory. FULL STORY

Guanajuato, Morelos confirmed at maximum Covid risk as cases mount The Heath Ministry updated the coronavirus stoplight map Friday to officially classify the two states as being at the highest risk level. FULL STORY RELATED: Daily Covid case tally is second-highest since pandemic began in March. FULL STORY Man who killed himself after positive Covid rapid test wasn’t infected Coahuila officials are on the defensive after a man admitted to a hospital to await confirmation of a Covid-19 diagnosis hung himself. FULL STORY Without support, 50,000 small businesses at risk Nonessential establishment closures in Mexico City and México state mean that thousands of Valley of México proprietors in the formal sector could shut down for good, says a small business organization representative. FULL STORY ADVERTISEMENT AMLO reveals poll showing he has second-highest approval rating President López Obrador was keen to demonstrate his popularity compared to other world leaders. FULL STORY MEXICO LIFE Specialty coffee markets help Mexican growers shine Thanks to a rise in niche markets, coffee production across the country has recently begun a resurgence, Leigh Thelmadatter writes. FULL STORY MEXICO LIFE Loose dogs pose an unexpected threat to a reserve’s wildlife Cameras set up in Jalisco's Primavera Forest show that escaped or abandoned family dogs from nearby neighborhoods are a problem for wild animals there, John Pint writes. FULL STORY Mexico to offer asylum to Wikileaks founder  "I'm in favor of him being pardoned," President López Obrador said after a British judge denied Julian Assange's extradition to the US. FULL STORY Fisherman dies after collision in clash with conservationists The man's family blamed his death on environmentalists who are working to protect the endangered vaquita marina porpoise. FULL STORY RELATED: 2 fishermen injured during clash with conservationists. FULL STORY Sabotage derails 11 rail cars carrying new vehicles Extensive financial losses have been estimated after the derailment of a train carrying automobiles intended for export to Europe. FULL STORY AMLO repeats belief that citizens should decide on abortion issue President López Obrador has once again proposed holding a citizens' consultation to decide whether the practice should be legalized in Mexico. FULL STORY OPINION A remote worker visa could provide Mexico with an economic shot in the arm Many countries have adopted remote worker permits as a way to fill empty rentals, restaurants and stores and stimulate the economy, Jim Blakley writes. FULL STORY MEXICO LIFE What goes on top of nachos? Just about anything! The dish may seem as American as apple pie, but a creative maître d' in a Coahuila restaurant invented it for a customer in 1940, Janet Blaser writes in The Tropical Table. FULL STORY THE MND POLL THE STORY: AMLO announces GMO corn ban; farm lobby critical, organic growers call it a victory. FULL STORY THE QUESTION:  Do you support Mexico's new ban on genetically modified corn? VOTE HERE LAST POLL: What are your expectations for 2021? Will it be a better year than 2020?  45% said yes, definitely. FULL RESULTS

• Disorder greets healthcare workers lining up for Covid shots in Mexico City • Man accused of beating children to death in marital dispute • E-commerce was a big winner in 2020; sales expected to be up over 30%