It appears that President Calderon has stayed focused on his key initiatives throughout recent events. On the heels of a recent voluntary promise to cut greenhouse gases, the President reemphasized his commitment to the environment as a top priority.

“Finger pointing has gone on for more than a decade without humanity taking a simple step forward in the fight against climate change,” said Calderon.

To read the full NY Times Article, click here.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History recently inked a deal with Google Mexico to promote various archeological and tourist sites throughout the country. The new platform will be highly interactive and give visitors the opportunity to experience Mexican history and culture in a way that they never have before. It will truly be Mexico 2.0.

To read the full Associated Press Article, click here.

Efforts to secure Mexico have already being paying off in a big way, says Stewart M. Powell of the Houston Chronicle. As head of U.S. Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano claims that early efforts have been met with much success, even in the infancy of the new campaign. She remains optimistic that the positive trends will continue.

Over 9,886 firearms that were headed to Mexico have been seized between October 1st and June 15, more than 6,000 more guns than the same period last year.

To read the full article by the Houston Chronicle, click here.

In hard times, one must look towards the silver lining. Ian Bremmer of Foreign Policy magazine explains that the silver lining for Mexico is actually brighter than anyone expected.

“But Mexico is no failed state. President Felipe Calderon enjoys domestic approval numbers in the mid-60s, in part because a majority says his government is making progress in battles with the drug gangs…Mexico is having a bad year. Recovery will take time. But it will recover its position as a politically stable and dynamic emerging market and a sound long-term investment bet.”

To read the full Foreign Policy article, click here.

They say that hindsight is 20/20, but the sting of the misinformation that went on during the H1N1 crisis in Mexico still remains. Now, American journalists, such as renowned columnist Andres Oppenheimer at the Miami Herald, are claiming that the American media was too quick to label Mexico as the cause of the problem. The reports coming out of the crisis was, according to Oppenheimer, shaky and speculative, and there are still many gaps to filled in. Unfortunately, in many cases, the damage is done. But the only cure for misinformation, is reliable, official documentation to light the way.

To read Oppenheimer’s full article, click here.

In a major step for border security, Mexico and the United States have recently signed a new border agreement. The document, signed on Monday, June 16, is full of new provisions, including inspections on southbound vehicles for weapons and drug money.

However, Erin Kell at the Arizona Republic insists that this move will not only make the border more secure, but it will also make it easier for tourists and licensed workers to get around safely.

“…the agreement, signed by U.S. and Mexican officials, will make it easier for tourists and workers to pass through customs when returning to either country.

‘People traveling south across the border will see more license-plate scanners and more canine teams in place,’ Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said at a news conference.

But she said U.S. officials don’t want to creat traffic jams and will make the process as efficient as possible.”

To read the full article in the Arizona Republic, click here.

After taking some recent heat from the media, Ben Stiller insists that he supports Mexico to the fullest, and he hopes that one day, the government will help to support him, quite literally.

While in Mexico on a recent promotional junket for his new movie A Night at the Museum 2, the actor supposedly cleansed his hands with disinfectant after shaking hands with local reporters. However, the actor insists that it was all a misunderstanding. He is ready to wash his hands of the entire situation, and expressed his interest in meeting with President Calderon - as he joked that perhaps the President could give him a job.

To read the full article from the Chicago Tribune, click here.

The honors have been going both ways recently. Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza is the most recent recipient of the Order of the Aztec Eagle, in a show of bilateral support between the two nations.

To read the full Houston Chronicle article, click here.

The Houston Chronicle recently came out with an opinion piece about the complex relationship between Mexico and the United States. It suggests that the bonds between the two nations have only been strengthened by the recent H1N1 situation, and is now stronger than ever.

To read the entire article by Nelson W. Cunningham, click here.

In what could be a huge step for the environment, President Calderon pledged his devotion to the greening of Mexico. On June 5th, the President said that Mexico will cut its greenhouse has emissions by 50 million tons within three years.

But Reuters reports that the most remarkable part of the announcement is not the number, but the voluntary spirit of the President’s actions.

“Mexico is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol but is not among the nations obliged to reduce emissions under the treaty.”

Considering the sheer size of the nation, especially in the field of oil refining, President Calderon’s voluntary pledge could be a major step in climate protection.