Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around the Republic, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Vallarta news headlines, some breaking Mexico news stories, and a few upcoming local events you won't want to miss.

There are plenty of things to celebrate while you are out and about in Puerto Vallarta this month... not only Canada Day and the 4th of July, but also the love, friendship support and concern that are all part of living in such a warm and caring community. Get out and enjoy summertime in Vallarta!

New Canadian Consular Agent in Puerto Vallarta

Patrick Courcelles, currently the Vice-Consul and Trade Commissioner of Canada in Guadalajara, will be the new Consular Agent in Puerto Vallarta, arriving on September 2nd, 2014. Mr. Courcelles was in Vallarta in March, along with a colleague from the Embassy, to take part in an informative meeting with the Canadian expat community, during which it was announced that he would be taking over this role. He also returned to PV for a week lst month, and is in constant contact with the staff at Canada’s local Consular Agency in Plaza Peninsula in order to keep up-to-date with all the files that they handle there. The new Consular Agent's email is: patrick.courcelles@international.gc.ca. For more information, visit tradecommissioner.gc.ca and mexico.gc.ca.

Mexico's Slim Buys AT&T's America Movil Stake for $5.57 billion

AT&T Inc said on Monday it had sold its equity in America Movil for $5.57 billion USD to a company controlled by Carlos Slim, allowing the billionaire to tighten his grip on the giant Mexican telecoms company. On Friday, Slim's real estate company Inmobiliaria Carso announced it was going to buy the stock, which AT&T said in May it would sell to help it gain regulatory approval for its purchase of DirecTV. The stock purchase gives Slim even more control over America Movil, his principal cash cow. Slim's firms and family already control more than 50 percent of America Movil's voting stock. AT&T said in a filing it sold the stock comprising 72.8 million "L" shares and 5.74 billion "AA" shares, which do not regularly trade.

British Authorities Visit Vallarta-Nayarit

Diego Gómez Pickering, the Mexican Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and other British authorities are spending a few days in Vallarta-Nayarit as part of a promotional trip through the region. The visit is being coordinated by the Mexico Tourism Board and the Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit convention and visitor bureaus. The British ambassador is accompanied by the United Kingdom's Mexican Tourism Board Director, Milko Rivera Hope, and UK media representatives, including the Sunday Mirror, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, Manchester Evening News, Cosmopolitan, Woman Magazine and the Sunday Times. Domestic media will also be present, with journalists from TV Azteca, Notimex, and Noticias MVS. Scheduled activities include a trip to the Marietas Islands, an expedition through the Sierra Madre mountains, and a visit to Sayulita. The visit is expected to promote the destination in conjunction with the two direct flights from Manchester and London Gatwick to the Puerto Vallarta International Airport that began in early May.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
Click on titles for more information

• 4th of July Weekend Sizzles at Daiquiri Dick's

• 2014 Optimist North American Championship at VYC

• Second Annual Punta Mita Beach Festival July 17-20