New York has the Hudson; Paris has the Seine; London has the Thames. Rivers were important in the building of these cities: they were commercial routes and also a source of food. Aterciopelados (in English, literally “The Velvety Ones”) the well-known Colombian band, remind us of the importance of our rivers with the title song of their socially conscious album Río.

The old saying goes “Hijo de tigre, sale pintado”. Literally, it means the baby tiger is going to bear the same marks as his father. But it also means that there are some things we inherit and carry with us. Here, Aterciopelados is singing about leaving some inherited, violent habits behind.

Útilies. It relates to school supplies, including notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, paper, scissors… anything children need to get through the school year. Not a big deal for the middle class, but it can be a serious challenge to those of lesser means. López Obrador made it a campaign promise that útilies would be provided free to all children throughout Mexico, just as he did for the children of Mexico City while he was mayor.

Just, as immigration is a big campaign issue in the US, emigration touches a nerve in Mexico. When Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrador ran for president of Mexico in 2006, he wanted to make it clear that his goal was to create jobs, in Mexico, so that would-be migrants would feel less need to flee north.

Our good friends from México City are willing to talk about everything: good, bad or ugly. Here we have their take on kidnapping, one of the growing fears of Mexicans.

Arriving in December of ‘71, a young Arturo Vega decides that it is New York where he is going to clavar, or stay put. His journey began in Mexico, where he began his artistic life as an actor and participant in experimental theater or “happenings”—an art form which was not well received by the powers that be in that country.

Barrio Adentro (Inside the Neighborhood) is a program of free medical clinics that have been established throughout Venezuela. Critics include the Venezuelan Medical Association, who claim that the Cubans who make up most of the doctors are not qualified, though the WHO and UNICEF are generally as enthusiastic as Omar about the program.

Partido de la Revolución Democrática is what PRD stands for, and Mexican presidential hopeful Manuel López Obrador has been with the organization since its infancy when was known as the “Democratic Current” (Corriente Democrática), a dissenting wing of the once indomitable PRI, Partido Revolucionario Institucional.

Hugo Chávez is divisive figure in Venezuela, as he is the world over, but the enthusiasm he generates amongst a large and vocal segment of the population is undeniable. Omar Vizcaya is a Chávez supporter, and was kind enough to agree to share some of his thoughts and ideas about the current situation.

Marriage and children bring with them needs and responsiblities that a soltero doesn’t have. Rafael hopes to grow his small pharmacy into a cadena of drug stores that he can use to benefit his wife and kids. To raise the necessary capital, Rafael is working abroad for a few years.

Rosa teaches Amaya, a new volunteer at the Donkey Shelter, how to manage the charity shop where tourists buy souvenirs during their visits.

With the help of a tour guide, Pipo shows us the wonders of Atacames Beach in Ecuador.

Doctor Leonardo Suárez, who practices general medicine with an emphasis on general, obstetric and gynecological surgery, talks to us about some of the most commonly seen diseases in his local population in Otavalo, Ecuador, as well as some of their causes.

The Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) is a regulation which aids Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to establish themselves more quickly, simply and with less capital than was previously possible.

Open Europe covers such diverse stories as the Mediterranean Corridor, the death of Gaddafi and European poverty.

As Spain celebrates its 25-year anniversary as a member of the European Union, let's take a look at its evolution over those years.

Join our guides as they monitor sea turtles in the waters of Gorgona Natural National Park and explore some of the environmental factors which are currently a threat to them.

Seville's Nervión Plaza Shopping Center employs a total of seventy-two cameras recording twenty-four hours a day in order to, among other things, assist in theft prevention.

While some people on Gorgona Island search for the tiny blue anole lizard, others are determined to spot enormous humpback whales.

Ireland is one of the most important producers and exporters of seafood. People in Europe depend on it to obtain delicacies such as salmon and sea urchin.

The manner in which waste disposal is handled is of essential importance to the ecosystems of the island of Gorgona.

Angel Palacios, a “river ranger” who works for the Ministry of the Environment in Spain, continues to tell us about Talave Reservoir as well as his history with water maintenance.

Angel Palacios, a “river ranger” who works for the Ministry of the Environment in Spain, educates us about the Talave Reservoir in the municipality of Liétor.

The conclusion of this series further explains how the last of the three R's- Reuse and Recycling- can contribute to improving the environment as well as adding on an additional two: Rethinking and [taking] Responsibility.