According to government data, Mexico has seen a 53 percent increase in animal cases of flesh-eating screwworm over the past month as it continues to travel north toward the US border.
According to Mexican government data, there were 5, 086 cases as of August 17, including 649 active ones, according to a report released on Thursday, citing newly updated information that hasn’t been made public.
According to the news outlet, the parasite has been found primarily in cattle as well as in horses, sheep, and dogs.
Different human infections have also occurred.
According to Mexican media, the state of Chiapas has reported 41 confirmed human cases over the past year. On August 4, a patient who had traveled to El Salvador received confirmation of the first human case in the state of Maryland.
Screwworm was wiped out by Mexico and the US decades ago, but it returned in 2023 after moving north from Central America.
According to the Mexican National Agricultural Council, the infestation has caused $1.3 billion in losses to Mexican cattle exports over the past year.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), screwworm threatens $100 billion in economic activity tied to cattle and livestock industries if left unchecked.
In warm-blooded animals, parasitic flies that lay their eggs are the source of screwworm infestations. If left untreated, the eggs hatch into larvae that can eat the host’s flesh and eat them.
Preventing future outbreaks is both challenging and difficult to treat.
To reduce the number of screw flies, the Mexican and US governments are building “sterile fly” production facilities in Chiapas and Texas.
Male flies are produced and sterilized in a large number in a sterile fly factory. These are then released to mat with wild females, which causes a decline in the wild population. In the US in the 1960s, screwworm was eradicated using this method.
According to the USDA, the two facilities and one in Panama will need to produce roughly 500 million sterile flies per week to transport screw flies back to South America, where the parasite is endangered.
Additionally, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved urgent veterinary medications to stop the parasite from spreading.
According to HHS, they list “animal drug products that may be approved for other purposes, or available in other countries, but not formally approved” for the screwworm.
After nearly two years of trial, the national security trial for Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai is now over.
Watchers closely monitor the outcome of the case against Lai, 77, as a sign of the financial hub’s rule of law and freedoms, with the attention of world leaders and global rights organizations.
The trial’s closing arguments were held on Thursday following repeated delays caused by bad weather and concerns for Lai’s health, with a later judgment date being set.
What information is necessary here:
Jimmy Lai, who is he?
Lai was well-known for being one of Hong Kong’s most well-known rags-to-riches stories long before his trial for national security.
In the 1950s, he fled China and emigrated to then-British Hong Kong, where he established a business empire.
The now-closed pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily was one of his business interests.
Lai was one of the few business leaders in Hong Kong to publicly support the city’s democratic movement and criticize the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which seized control of the city in 1997.
Lai’s activism, according to Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in the UK.
Jimmy Lai stands out from Beijing’s point of view because he is the most well-known and persistent tycoon who has used his wealth to support the Hong Kong democracy movement and thus challenges the CCP’s authority, Tsang told Al Jazeera.
According to Tsang, “this makes Lai a traitor who deserves severe punishment,” adding that the Chinese authorities demand that Lai be publicly criticized in order to “spy out others from following the same path.”
What fees are there?
Soon after Beijing enacted a national security law criminalizing secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, Lai was detained in August 2020.
Court proceedings finally started in December of this year, 2023, after numerous delays before the trial began.
According to a colonial-era statute, Lai is accused of conspiring with foreign forces on two counts under Beijing’s revised national security law and one count of sedition.
Prosecutors have accused Lai of encouraging residents of Hong Kong to march alongside the city’s anti-government demonstrations in 2019 and urging the United States and other foreign nations to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese governments.
Lai could face life in prison if found guilty under the national security law.
Lai has entered a not-guilty plea after already being found guilty of several crimes in connection with unauthorised assembly and fraud.
What causes controversy in his trial?
UN observers and Western governments have labeled the allegations against Lai as politically motivated.
According to Eric Yan-ho Lai, a research fellow at the Georgetown Center for Asian Law in Washington, DC, there have also been numerous irregularities throughout his prosecution.
According to Lai, who is not related, “He has been placed in solitary confinement and is suffering from arbitrarily detained” citing findings from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
Before his trial started, analysts saw that he had been convicted of numerous counts of public order and commercial fraud.
After Beijing overrode the Hong Kong courts on national security grounds, the tycoon was also denied access to Timothy Owen, his lawyer of choice, in London.
Hong Kong’s words: what?
The Hong Kong government criticized the trial as a “smear campaign” and claimed that Lai’s case is being handled “severally on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law.”
The government has also warned that commenting on the case might be seen as “an attempt to interfere with the court to exercise judicial power independently” and as “constitute perverting the court of justice”.
After the 2019 protests turned violent, Hong Kong’s authorities have also repeatedly criticized the national security law, arguing that it was required to bring peace and stability back to the former British colony.
When will the verdict be announced?
Although the court has not yet announced its decision, it may take weeks or even months.
Three national security judges appointed by Hong Kong’s chief executive, who is in charge of Beijing, will decide Lai’s guilt or innocence.
Tsang claimed that he was “99.99 percent certain” that Lai will be found guilty in all counts.
Given Lai’s prominence and increased government influence on Hong Kong’s judicial system, his opinion is shared by many observers.
According to the US consulate in Hong Kong, since June 30th, 207 people have been detained for national security offenses, 147 have been officially charged with crimes, and 108 have been found guilty.
One star sign may succeed more successfully by working with a talented friend, according to today’s horoscope for August 28; however, another could cause harm to a relationship with a coworker.
Find out what’s written in the stars with our astrologer Russell Grant(Image: Daily Record/GettyImages)
No matter what the subject, area of life, or relationship you’re in, you’ll want to leave, even though it’s Thursday, August 28th, and one star sign has been informed that if there’s a risk, no matter what the subject, life or relationship, it’s.
There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.
These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
More responsibility will come with a job offer. You will be invited to lead a community group if you aren’t currently looking for work. You are incredibly passionate about defending the rights of those in need. You are a natural fit for this position because of your interpersonal skills.
Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)
Your relationship with a coworker is harmed by having a limited perspective. There is no reason to collaborate, even if you don’t share many interests. Put your differences aside for the sake of professionalism. You could actually pick up a lot from each other.
Gemini (May 22 – June 21)
You might have to use your overdraft due to a fine, annual payment, or tax charge. Use this knowledge to determine prevention strategies for costs of this nature in the future. Consider purchasing long-term payment plans or purchasing insurance. Accept the guidance of a wise person.
Cancer (June 22 – July 23)
You will have more time for the things you enjoy doing with a higher salary. Just a few ways can you improve your mood and improve your work-life balance are traveling, studying, and spending more time with friends. When you believe that your hard work isn’t being rewarded, it can be discouraging.
Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)
Don’t try harder if you’re having trouble connecting with someone who seems distant. Instead, devote your time to forming bonds with people who value your upbeat personality. Genuine, sincere relationships that are based on genuine affection.
Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Consider it a sign to alter your lifestyle if you have heart racing or a feeling of discomfort in your stomach. Although having a childhood aspiration may seem unrealistic, it can be fulfilling. Stop believing that your own desires are unimportant; they serve as a guide.
Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
You have your desires met, but you are allowing other people’s opinions to stand in your way. Trust your instincts rather than waiting for your family’s approval if your family isn’t supporting your dreams. You will gain their respect by pursuing your goals while remaining independent.
Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
You’ll want to leave if there’s a risk involved, regardless of the subject, subject, or relationship. On most issues, you are acting logically. It is highly advised to investigate new financial security strategies. You can prevent future crises by taking the actions you do right away.
Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
Avoid being overly cautious or secretive. Being forthcoming builds trust with those who can assist you. Consider consolidating your debts to lower interest rates if your monthly payments are out of control. This method will make your finances easier and more timely, and it will make your obligations easier and faster.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
Your spouse will try to persuade you to relocate or adopt a different lifestyle. You think they are demanding too much of you. You crave heartache. Is it time to alter your romantic perspective? Someone with a different background will give you a different perspective.
Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
Your progress is being hampered by legal issues. Your main goal should be to resolve these disputes quickly. A trial will be preferable to a settlement outside of court. Although you may be irritated by the circumstances, being realistic about the consequences is crucial.
Continue reading the article.
Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Working together, you can achieve more by collaborating with a talented friend who shares your ambitions. They will manage the practical aspects and create a welcoming environment, so you can be creative.
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According to Washington’s defense chief, the US military has begun a review of Chinese nationals’ involvement in managing sensitive cloud services.
Pete Hegseth, the US’s secretary of defense, announced on Wednesday that he had ordered an audit of Microsoft’s use of Chinese nationals to check whether any security breaches had occurred.
Hegseth stated in a video statement that “the use of Chinese nationals to service Department of Defense cloud environments is over.”
We’ve requested a third-party audit of Microsoft’s digital escort program, including the code and the submissions made by Chinese nationals, and have written a formal letter of concern to Microsoft documenting this breach of trust.
“We weren’t aware of anything that was written in the code,” the question remains. Hegseth continued, “We are going to find out.”
Hegseth added that he had also instructed software providers to look into and stop “any Chinese involvement with DOD systems.”
Hegseth’s order comes after a ProPublica investigation in July revealed that Microsoft used contractors from other countries to maintain the Defense Department’s cloud systems in collaboration with US-based “digital escorts” in conjunction with US-based “digital escorts.”
Following the report, Microsoft announced that it would no longer support the military with technicians from China.
Following the publication of the ProPublica report, Hegseth declared that it was “common sense” to exclude Chinese nationals from sensitive systems.
Three warships and military vehicles were used in air defense exercises by Australia, Canada, and the Philippines off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, which Beijing had claimed.
The Philippine military said on Thursday that the joint naval exercises east of the Scarborough Shoal, which are a staging area for clashes with Chinese vessels, were aimed at “coordinated defensive measures” to counteract aerial threats.
The Philippines’ ship Jose Rizal, Australia’s HMAS Brisbane, and Canada’s HMCS Ville de Quot, which sails from a western Philippine province of Palawan, were also present, according to the military. The drills also confirmed “the Philippines’ commitment to advance defense cooperation with like-minded nations.”
In the South China Sea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan both claim the Scarborough Shoal and other islands, islets, and reefs, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also have overlapping claims.
Beijing has repeatedly warned that it will defend the shoal and outlying waters, which it claims are its own territory, despite China’s press release stating that it did not immediately make any comment on the drills.
At least three warplanes and at least one heavy-lift military helicopter were captured in video and photos that the Philippine military made available.
Exercise ALON Naval Forces Forge Stronger Cooperation As Maritime Exercises Off Bajo De Masinloc Conclude
A multilateral maritime exercise east of Bajo de Masinloc was successfully completed by the Philippine Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Navy… twitter.com/l6Pz4ifv1r
More than 3, 600 military personnel participated in 15 days of live-fire drills and manoeuvres that were scheduled to end on Friday, marking the final stages of Australia’s largest military exercises with the Philippines, known as Exercise ALON 2025.
The exercises, according to Australian Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Raven, were “the largest airlift of Australian combat forces since the 1999 East Timor mission,” when Australia was in charge of a multinational peacekeeping force in response to a security and humanitarian crisis, according to the Philippines Daily Inquirer.
According to the Inquirer, this demonstrates that we can deploy a combat-ready and combat-capable force in the Indo-Pacific to support a security partner like the Philippines.
The Scarborough Shoal, one of China’s most dangerous regions, has been closely guarded by its forces, and on August 11 they accidentally collided with a Chinese navy ship and a Chinese coastguard ship as they attempted to block a Philippine coastguard ship close to the shoal.
The first indication that the severely damaged ship made it back to port following the collision, which was captured on camera by the Philippines, was reported by the Reuters news agency on Wednesday.
The vessel is seen alongside a dry dock at the Yulin naval base near Sanya, a city on Hainan, with a crushed bow flanked by tugs, according to satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies to Reuters.
Beijing has accused Philippine vessels of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” without making any direct comments about the collision, despite Chinese officials’ refusal to comment on it.
There has never been a formalized system of sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal.
Beijing’s expansive claims to the entire maritime region were rejected by a landmark South China Sea decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, but the court was not given the task of establishing sovereignty over particular features.
The court also ruled that China’s shoal-blocking violated international law, and that it was a major fishing destination for the region.
India’s best-selling electric scooter, the Chetak from Bajaj Auto, experienced a significant speed bump in July. Production plans were hampered by a shortage of rare earth metals, forcing the company to almost half-measure its output.
Due to rare earth shortages, Bajaj only produced 10, 824 Chetak units in July, compared to 20, 384 during the same time last year.
Rakesh Sharma, executive director of Bajaj Auto, stated to Al Jazeera that the supply situation for rare earth magnets had contributed to the possibility of a sharp decline in production in July.
According to Sharma, the business has since quickly redesigned some motors to use light, rare-earth magnets, and has been overhauling supply chains to meet its needs.
“These adjustments helped us recover nearly half of our anticipated two-wheel electric output for July.” In August and September, we anticipate a production increase of about 60%.
After China imposed restrictions on its rare earth exports on April 4, two days after President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on April 2, Bajaj is facing an industry-wide shortage. Since then, no shipment has arrived in India, putting the fate of the automotive and other industries.
The Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), which has about 15, 000 auto retailers as members, presidents Vigneshwar Chittur Selvakumar and Vigneshwar Chittur Selvakumar, expresses concern over how the automobile industry’s shortages “may have a drastic impact on the industry.”
Any decline in production will have a negative impact on our business because we control about 80% of the vehicle sales, Vigneshwar said.
A total of 17 metallic elements, including dysprosium, terbium, europium, samarium, and gadolinium, are found in abundance in China, which has the largest reserves of rare earth elements in the world, which is estimated to be 44 million tonnes, and which accounts for 90% of the rare earth elements processing capacity.
The metals are also used in smartphones, computer screens, and other electronic devices besides EVs. They are also necessary for medical devices like magnetic resonance imaging systems, as well as defense-related devices like radar and guidance systems.
Aman Bir Singh, an EV consultant, told Al Jazeera, “The rare earth elements help to make strong magnets that are widely used in electric vehicles… to maintain a stable magnetic field. “Internal combustion engines (ICE) or hybrid vehicles that run on gasoline, diesel, and wind turbines are also used, but in a very small quantity, and the current shortage doesn’t impact them as much,” they say.
The shortage comes just as the EV market in India experienced its first-ever sales surpassing $2 million in 2024. Sales of 1. 6 million vehicles increased by 24 percent in 2023. With sales of 1.2 million last year, Two-Wheelers dominated that category.
More than 100, 000 electric cars were sold in the financial year that ended on March 31, 2025, which is also increasing sales. Tesla joined the movement in July, and she also unveiled its Model Y in the nation. In consequence, according to a report from CareEdge Analytics &, Advisory in July, the penetration of electric cars has more than doubled over the past two years, increasing from 1% to 2.6 percent.
Businesses in India are concerned that the current rare earth shortages may drive potential customers away, but sales of electric cars have started to increase.
However, a number of EV companies have stayed away from discussing the rare earth crisis.
According to Nilanjan Banik, an economics professor at Mahindra University, “the industry is still in a young state, and companies fear that they may lose customers and their share value if they concede to a rare earth shortage because potential buyers may be too apprehensive to purchase the vehicles.”
Due to their superior performance and compact size, the television industry is also affected by the shortage. Rare-earth magnets are crucial in the production of televisions, especially for speakers.
This presents a clear challenge, according to Arjun Bajaj, director of Videotex – television manufacturers for various reputable brands. The country is still heavily dependent on imports for these components. The industry is actively looking into alternatives like ferrite magnets, he continued, “While we currently have sufficient stocks for the current season, our focus is also on finding an alternative solution.” “But to match the performance of rare-earth magnets will require continued research and technological upgrades,” he continued.
Relief for India
After holding talks with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in Beijing on August 19, China announced that it would ease export restrictions on fertilisers, rare earths, and tunnel-boring equipment to India.
However, this was referred to as a “tactical gesture” by experts.
In the previous fiscal year, India’s trade deficit with China was a record $100 billion. In a recent clash between New Delhi and Islamabad in May, Beijing has also publicly supported India’s archrival, Pakistan, as a reminder that India’s dependence on China poses a risk for it.
The founder of the trade research group Global Research Trade Initiative (GTRI), Ajay Srivastava, said that “India’s dependence on China gives]the latter] significant leverage during crises.
“China now meets the needs of India in a number of crucial areas. Chinese imports are also a major industry player, accounting for 86% of all sales of everyday items like laptops and flat-panel displays. India’s share of bilateral trade has dropped to just 11.2 percent from 42.3% two decades ago, demonstrating how fragile supply chains are. The easement of the supply of rare earths is only a tactical move, according to Srivastava.
India, which has 8.52 million tonnes of rare earth elements, accounts for less than 1% of the world’s rare earth mining because it faces significant challenges due to its limited infrastructure, technological advancements, regulatory obstacles, and environmental concerns. It also has the fifth-largest number of rare earth elements.
According to Vishwas Dass, a policy expert from Delhi, the current disruption must be harnessed to promote domestic exploration, encourage capacity refining, and form mineral alliances with trusted partners.
Assam and West Bengal have already seen the start of exploration by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
Asit Saha, director general of GSI, stated to Al Jazeera that the exploration is in line with India’s long-term strategic plan to achieve self-reliance in key sectors and that it is consistent with the government’s policy of securing domestic mineral supplies for additional technological and industrial needs.
