El Niño Food Shock: The UN’s World Food Programme warns El Niño could push up to 16 million people in Latin America toward food insecurity as drought hits crops and water supplies, with Central America already under drought alerts. Climate & Water Risk in the Region: A separate report notes El Niño is strengthening into a strong event, with Central America facing higher drought risk while other areas may see heavier rain and flooding—raising heat, wildfire, and livelihood threats. Marine Conservation Under Heat Stress: A peer-reviewed study says Caribbean queen conch marine protected areas may lose the ocean conditions the species needs abruptly within two decades, turning conservation planning into an urgent climate problem. Plastic Pollution Hotspots: Research highlights “plastic pollution hotspots” across Latin America—including Nicaragua—where imported waste and weak recycling systems are leaking plastics into ecosystems with major health concerns. Nicaragua-linked Local Angle: A Nicaragua sugar mill article describes industrial water-flow monitoring during centrifuge separation, underscoring how resource control matters in food and biofuel production. Immigration Policy Ripple (Nicaragua diaspora): In the U.S., Temporary Protected Status for about 200,000 Salvadorans remains in limbo after a deadline passed without a public decision, adding uncertainty for families and work authorization.