Business activity in the eurozone in February grew at its fastest pace since June 2011.

The increase was greater than had been forecast and observers are predicting continued growth for the first quarter of 2014.

The World Health Organisation has recommended that consumption of sugar be cut back by half to help reduce health problems.

The advice comes just a day after the chief medical officer in the UK said that a tax on sugar may need to come into force in order to fight rising obesity rates. Dame Sally Davies said research was likely to find that the ingredient is “addictive”.

One third of women in the EU have been subjected to physical violence or sexual abuse since the age of 15.

Assaults have taken place against 62 million women in Europe, according to the most comprehensive study of its kind.

The state has injected €36 billion into Portugal’s indigent, incompetent and often corrupt local councils under the Programme to Support the Local Economy

The plan was to help local authorities pay off years of outstanding invoices to suppliers but there are still 30 councils on the verge of financial meltdown, in fact 6 of them are technically insolvent, including Portimão.

Investments in real estate and capital transfers are responsible for 100% of the Golden Visas issued so far, a disappointment to the government minister in charge, but good news for Portugal's  real estate sector which has benefitted from an influx of high rollers.

The allocation of Golden Visas under the Residence Permit for Investment Activity in Portugal programme can be made if certain requirements are met - the acquisition of property of a value equal to or greater than €500,000, the transfer of €1 million of more of capital and the creation of at least 10 jobs.

Castro Marim council has authorised redevelopment and rehabilitation works to the municipal market in an project that starts now but will only be finished by ‘the end of the year.’

The work includes the complete replacement of the roof of the building, the redevelopment of outdoor retail areas and the fountain.

In 31 of the top 50 listed companies on the Portuguese Stock Exchange there are 51 politicians in management, administration and supervisory positions. 

56% of these politicians are crammed into just 9 of the listed companies. 47% are or were ministers and many of them hold jobs in more than one company.

Turismo de Portugal is implementing a plan to increase the flow of tourists from Russia and currently is working with a leading tour operator in Russia.

As reported last week the Algarve is to welcome 9,700 Russian tourists this summer arriving on charter flights organised by Natalie Tours.