Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. So we've put together a brief overview of several of this week's headlines from local Spanish language newspapers, a few breaking Mexico news stories, and a couple of upcoming events you won't want to miss.

Will Mexico Raise Minimum Working Age?

Through a bill sent to Mexico's Standing Committee, President Enrique Peña Nieto proposed to amend Article 123 of the Constitution, which expressly prohibits the use of labor by children under the age of 14. If passed, the amendment would raise the minimum age for child labor in Mexico from 14 to 15 years old. The President strongly disapproves of child labor which, he said, "can have a negative impact on the personal and emotional development of children and adolescents, and violates their rights concerning education, health and welfare." He went on to say that the practice of child labor affects the national economy, as it deprives children from obtaining the skills and knowledge needed to perform optimal work activities. According to the 2011 Child Labor module, developed by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), there were 3,136,000 children working in Mexico in 2011, most of whom were born to parents with little schooling. According to the President, school drop out rates accelerate at the age of 12, and the national average of working children who do not attend school has increased by 46 percent. Hence the proposal to amend Article 123, which would offer children the opportunity to attend school for at least one more year.

Apple Vacation Adds More Flights to Vallarta

Apple Vacations recently announced new flights will soon be operating from various cities in the United States to Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). The addition of new cities of origin and more flights from cities that already offer air service to PVR represent an increase of 73% in the seats available on nonstop flights to Puerto Vallarta / Riviera Nayarit. New flight departure cities include: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York, NY; Saint Louis, Missouri; Rockford, Illinois; and Lansing, Michigan. An increase in the existing air services from the cities of: Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Minneapolis, Minnesota complement the recently announced new flights. Apple Vacations has been a long-standing supporter of travel to the Banderas Bay region. Their latest advertising campaign, "The Mexican Pacific, Where the Past Meets Perfection," emphasizes the natural beauty and authenticity of Puerto Vallarta / Riviera Nayarit in traditional media, such as print, television, and radio; as well as through electronic and social media, digital marketing, and HD videos; not to mention their unwavering commitment to public relations efforts and keeping travel agents updated.

Peña Nieto to Attend G8 Summit in Ireland

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto informed the Standing Committee of Congress that he will visit Ireland from June 15 to 19 to attend the G8 Summit. The G8 is made up of the world's most industrialized countries whose political, economic, and military clout is the most important in the world. Countries in this group include Germany, Canada, USA, France, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and Russia. Though Mexico is not a G8 member, the President informed Congress that he had been invited to a working lunch with the summit's leaders in the Lough Erne area. He went on to say that the purpose of his visit is to reaffirm Mexico's commitment to free trade, capital mobility, and production integration. While there, Peña Nieto will visit the city of London in an effort to boost trade and economic ties between the British capital and Mexico.

Vallarta Students Learn to Care for the Environment

After having set the goal of planting 5000 trees in Puerto Vallarta area schools, parks and medians, Ecology Director Luis Fernando Gonzalez Guevara started the program on June 12th with the students at Francisco González Bocanegra elementary school. After a short talk in which he spoke on the care and commitment to the environment, the students christened the 50 trees of different species that were planted in Colonia Arboledas by the City Parks and Gardens staff. During the planting, the authorities explained that the trees need water and nutrients to grow, and taught the children how to take care of them. After the saplings were planted, the students were asked to give each one of them a name, like "Pancho," "Shaen," and "Pedro," which will make the kids feel more connected to the trees as they care for them and watch them grow. Afterwards, Gonzalez Guevara told the students that they were responsible for taking care of their trees, and that he would return to the school in a couple of months to inspect them and assess their growth.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around the Bay
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• Vallarta Pride Awards & Fundraising Event

• Colors on Canvas PV Summer Art Sale

• Democrats Abroad Tequila Tasting at No Way José!

• Punta Mita Beach Festival July 4–7, 2013

Don't forget to vote for your favorite Puerto Vallarta restaurants in our 2013 Best of Banderas Bay Awards, right HERE on BanderasNews.com. We'll be collecting your votes in categories ranging from 'Best Breakfast' to 'Best Margarita' through December 31st, and the Puerto Vallarta restaurant with the most votes in each category will be named 'The Best of Banderas Bay' at an awards ceremony in early 2014. Click HERE to vote NOW!