Rates bills rise 300% for unused properties

olhaoCollapseSMALLLisbon, Cascais, Sintra and Oporto councils are among 20 municipalities following the lead set by Olhão as each is to raise local property rates bills by 300% for unoccupied or derelict buildings in their areas.

The 300% IMI rise is the maximum allowable under new laws and these councils are working with local Finanças offices to send out rates notices showing the higher figures.

IMF boss walks free despite guilty verdict

imfThe head of the International Monetary Fund has been found guilty of negligence but no penalty was meted out.

Christine Lagarde, 60, was judged guilty of negligence when, as France’s finance minister, she approved an enormous payout of taxpayer’s money to a controversial French businessman.

Most refugees in Germany still without jobs

FACTORYmERCOf the hundreds of thousands of refugees who reached Germany in the last two years, only 34,000 have found employment so far.

Of these, 22% are on temporary contracts, according to Germany’s Institute for Labour Research.

Portugal's new drone laws may be short-lived

dronegolfPeople in charge of flying drones who break the rules currently are liable to fines of up to €2,500, a fugure that needs to be revised upwards, according to the National Civil Aviation Authority.

Luís Riberio commented that failing to observe the regulations constitutes an aeronautical infraction open to fines of between €250 and €2,500 but that the "the fines must be updated in the future."

Hundreds converge on Portimão aerodrome for Christmas skydiving festival

portimaoaerodromeThe drone of aircraft engines again will be heard over the airfield at Portimão as from December 21st until January 4th next year as hundreds of parachutists gather for their ‘Christmas Boogie 2016’ festival.

The event, run by Skydive Algarve, will see around 600 skydivers from 25 different countries converge on the airfield while hoping for clear skies and a low wind.

Rats - Paris determined to triumph

ratParis is battling to quell its millions-strong population of rats which have become so bold that many have been spotted in daylight hours.

Authorities have had to put at least nine of its famous parks off bounds to visitors for a number of weeks while the battle ensues.  Rat catching patrols are the only ones allowed in to bait traps laced with toxins and the block sewer exits.

Algarve hotel staff to be trained in emergency first aid

heartThe Algarve’s regional tourist board and the Algarve Regional Health Administration have signed a collaboration that will train hotel workers in life-saving techniques and the use of defibrillation equipment.

The goal is to save the lives of any guest, or staff member, in any of the Algarve’s hotels who has a heart attack or is suffering from a life-threatening event.

Plasma supply corruption case - former Ambulance service boss held in jail

INEM125The former INEM president, Luís Cunha Ribeiro, is being held in jail until his trial as the key defendant in the plasma corruption investigation, the Lisbon Criminal Investigation Court has announced.

Ribeiro will sit in jail until the investigation into corruption, money laundering and his free use of two luxury apartments is completed.