While the Christian Evangelical School in Tennessee and the Blas Pascal School in Merida, Mexico may seem like strange bedfellows at first, the two institutions are set to prove that the students have more in common than they might realize.

The two schools have embarked on a bilateral cultural immersion program, in an effort to promote greater understanding and tolerance.

“We took the trip in order to allow our students to experience the life of a teenager in Mexico,” said Dawn Shute, ECS Spanish teacher who co-sponsored the trip with ECS world view director Noah Brink.

To read more about the story, click here.

The attention of some of North America”s foremost climate change experts will shifts towards hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), in anticipation of the forthcoming climate change summit in Switzerland.

The United States, Mexico, and Canada have pledged to do their part in combatting this growing issue, with the hole in the ozone layer continuing to increase.

The three nations will go before the summitt in an effort to get HFCs on the list of chemicals controlled by the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

To read the full Voice of America story, click here.

The similarities between the First Ladies of the United States and of Mexico are almost uncanny. Both are well established lawyers. Both are mothers of young children… not to mention both are married to two of the most powerful and influential leaders in the world, while maintaining a political power and leadership role all their own.

Columnist Lynn Sweet profiles the similarities between Michelle Obama and Margarita Zavala in anticipation of the upcoming state visit.

To read the full story, click here.

United States Secretary of States Hillary Clinton reinforced today the importance of cooperation between the US and Latin American Nations, particularly Mexico. She praised Mexico for its efforts in social reform, saying “ The Alliance of Youth Movements, launched in Mexico City in October with the backing of the State Department, is helping young leaders drive positive change in their own societies, starting with little more than a cell phone and an idea. “

To read the full transcript and see a video, click here:

Prosecutors in Mexico are questioning Mauricio Fernandez, the new mayor of Mexico’s wealthiest municipality, the Monterrey suburb of San Pedro Garza, for his alleged support of his residence in a move of vigilantism.

It is suspected that Hector Saldaña Perales, reputed chief of the Monterrey branch of the Beltran Leyva drug cartel, and three of his underlings were murdered by citizens taking the law into their own hands. The death was mentioned by the Mayor in an address to the public, hours before the body was found, further suggesting that the Mayor had prior knowledge of the incident.

While nothing has been proven as of yet, Federal Prosecutors are showing the public that they cannot, and will not stand for a lawless state, and that citizens taking matters into their own hands is simply not acceptable.

To read more on the story, please click here.

Mexico has joined in the fight to put pressure on China to drop unfair and potentially illegal export barriers.

The United States and the European Union had been struggling with these barries imposed by Beijing for some time now, and with Mexican officials, joining in the struggle, the Wall Street Journal is confident that the standstill could shortly come to a close.

The trade barriers, as currently imposed, violated World Trade Organization agreements, enraging the global community.

To read more, please click here.

While no loss of life is ideal in any situation, the streets of Mexico are safer tonight, as Braulio Arellano Dominguez, also known as “El Gonzo,” “Zeta 20″ or “El Verdugo,” is being reported dead.

The alleged drug czar was mortally wounded in a gun-fight with authorities, according CNN, during which he opened fire first. He was pronounced dead on the way to the hosptial.

According to www.CNN.com

“Officials said they confiscated five cars, four motorcycles, a submachine gun, a hand grenade, four pistols, more than 150 rounds of ammunition, communication equipment, three bags containing unspecified powder and pills, 74,900 pesos ($5,655) and $107 in U.S. currency.”

To read the full story, please click here.

BREAKING NEWS:

An earthquake that has measured at a 4.0 has struck just near the border of the United States and Mexico. The epicenter is estimated somewhere roughly nine miles west of Calexico, California.

As of yet, there is no information on any damages and/or casualties. For more information, please visit: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/40-earthquake-strikes-usmexico-border.html

Since opening its doors nearly two years ago, the National Museum of Death in Mexico has turned curious heads, both foreign and domestic.

USA Today, America’s most widely read newspaper, has highlighted the unusualy museum in a recent piece. However, the article thankfully reserves judgement and shows respect for the traditions of honoring the dead, the very purpose for which the Museum was created.

To read the full article, click here.

A full on sweep for nearly two days has resulted in the arrests of more than 300 people on suspect of drug related charges.

In a joint effort between Mexican and U.S. authorities, Federal Agents rushed into action yesterday, dealing a serious blow to organized crime in the United States and in Mexico.

The sweep and indictments culminated a 44-month operation during which the Justice Department arrested about 1,200 people and seized nearly 12 tons of drugs as well as $32.8 million in U.S. currency.

To read the full Wall Street Journal story, click here.