Economic activity in Germany was reported to have surged, recording its strongest rate of private sector output in eight months.

The rise in productivity fanned hope that the fledgling recovery in the euro region could be gaining traction.

A solution being worked on by the Bank of Portugal and Novo Banco could see those that unwittingly invested in Grupo Espírito Santo bonds receive around 40% back, spread over ten years.

The solution involves the total loss of capital initially invested but a possible 40% returned over time.

Portuguese former footballer Luís Figo, in the running for the FIFA presidency, said today that if Sepp Blatter keeps the top job, this would mean 'four lost years.'

Figo said that nearly every football boss he meets says that change is needed but he still is not sure if football federations will turn against Blatter at the end of May when he may well be elected for the fifth time.

British expat pensioners have been warned that they are required to complete and return forms sent out by the Government in order to continue to receive their pensions.

The anti-fraud form is designed to prove to the government that the pensioner living abroad is still living and to stop friends or relatives fraudulently claiming the pension after a person has died.

The DVLA is doing away with the paper driving licence on 8 June of this year.

The agency is instead pursuing the aim of digitising motorists’ records.

Voters in Sunday’s regional elections in Andalusia gave Podemos 15 seats and its fellow upstart Cuidadanos (Citizens) received 9.

Both the new parties gained representation for the first time in Andalusia.

Four days after chaining herself to the office stairwell at Clube Praia da Rocha, Marilu Santana is adamant that she will remain until her wages from last year are paid.

The publicity surrounding the case of workers owed money since their seasonal contracts ended last October does not seem to have had any affect on Green Stairs, the managing company whose management continues to blame 'lack of funds.'

In the absence of the promised provision of sites, rules and regulations for tourists visiting the Algarve in motorhomes the GNR have been busy inspecting and fining dozens of campers in Silves and Armação de Pêra.

In police moves that already are sweeping across social media and dedicated motorcaravanning websites, around 50 mortorhome owners have been fined for illegal camping or irregular parking.