Leading by example, the US federal government, under orders from Barack Obama to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent over the next ten years, reported recently on good progress achieved so far.

The federal government is the single largest consumer of energy in the U.S., a nation that uses more fossil fuels than any other in the world.

Changing work habits, procurement practices, building designs and vehicle choices create a huge impact due to the sheer numbers involved: 1.8 million civilian workers, half a million buildings and 600,000 vehicles.

The proportion of women in sub-Saharan Africa who died because of pregnancy fell by more than a quarter between 1990 and 2008, according to estimates released yesterday.

Twenty years ago, the region’s maternal mortality ratio was 870 deaths per 100,000 live births, the worst rate of any region in the world.

But, in 2008, it was 640, according to data published jointly by the World Health Organization, UN Children’s Fund (UNFPA), the UN Population Fund and the World Bank.

Globally, the ratio fell by 34 percent, from 400 to 260, states the report, noting that this represented an annual decline of 2.3 percent.

“There was a 26 percent reduction in maternal death rates in sub-Saharan Africa and this data is encouraging,” Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, told IRIN.

There are increasing efforts in countries to train more midwives, provide family planning, and strengthen hospitals and health centres to provide care to pregnant women.

“We welcome and are thrilled by the decline, which shows that interventions are working,” Obaid said. But we need to do more.”

Data were collected in 172 countries. 63 provided complete information from civil registration systems and good attribution of causes of death for the estimates. The total estimate worldwide is less than half the reduction needed to achieve the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG), which concerns maternal health. (IRIN News)

Drug violence is spiraling in Mexico, which is celebrating the nation’s bicentennial this week. But now, a group of business leaders and media companies has launched a new program to try to lift the nation’s spirits and highlight Mexicans who are doing good works.

It’s been accompanied by an advertising campaign featuring Javier Aguirre, who coached the national soccer team during the World Cup, and the Mexican actress Salma Hayek.

Paraphrasing U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Hayek says in one of the TV spots, “Ask not what Mexico can do for you, but what you can do for Mexico.”

(READ the story in Southern California Public Radio)

Hiker Sarah Shourd is free after spending more than a year in an Iranian prison. Released after health conditions arose and in part as a gesture of thanks during Ramadan, the American is en route to Oman, to meet her mother.

Shourd, and two male hiking companions were detained on the border between Iran and Iraq in July, 2009, arrested and charged with spying.

(READ the story in the BBC)