Wildlife & biosecurity: The New World screwworm is spreading through Texas, with cases rising past 30 and experts still unsure how it entered the U.S. or how it’s moving—raising alarms for cattle health and longer-term eradication efforts. Climate & food systems: El Niño is already underway, with forecasts pointing to hotter conditions and disrupted rainfall that could mean drought and flooding risks for key crops, plus heat stress and feed shortages for livestock. Nicaragua agriculture: Nicaragua’s Ministry of Agriculture reports 8.1 million pineapples harvested from January to May 2026, concentrated in Managua, Masaya, Carazo, Granada, and the South Caribbean Coast—supported by year-round tropical production and staggered planting. Maritime pollution risk: A Nicaragua-flagged tanker (MT Al Jafzia) ran aground off India near Manori after its anchor chain snapped in rough monsoon seas; Indian authorities say it was unmanned and are coordinating salvage to prevent further drift. Nicaragua governance & church pressure: Reports say retired Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata has disappeared from public view after detention, intensifying concerns about the government’s crackdown on the Catholic Church. Regional illicit trade: A Central America-wide report links tobacco, alcohol, agrochemicals, and electronics smuggling to weak customs control in free trade zones and uneven state monitoring—Nicaragua is listed among the more vulnerable countries.