Portugal's new points-based driving offence system starts on June 1st

gnrA new driver’s licence system comes into effect on June 1st with all drivers starting off with 12 point in credit.

Points will be deducted for serious driving offences - two points, and very serious offences - four points.

Freewheeling willies are out in Spain

mallorcaAnother major Spanish resort has become fed up with the unseemly antics of tourists.

Mojácar, on the southern Almeria coast, decided to curb what it calls the “vulgarity” so often associated with stag and hen parties, such as blow-up dolls and willies.

Portugal falls three places in world competitiveness ranking

portugalPortugal has slipped to 39th position of 61 countries in the latest IMD World Competitiveness Scoreboard with Turkey rising, Spain gaining ground and post bail-out Ireland now in the top ten

Competitiveness is a frequently used word in political speeches, alongside ‘sustainability’ but at least competitiveness can be scored and Portugal had not done well with rising unemployment, a banking system on the edge of madness and poorly performing exports.

Merkel 'not concerned' about Portugal's financial state

rebeloMerkelMarcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal’s president, finished his trip to Germany today and commented to following press that it has all gone awfully well, in fact far better than he expected.

The president said that he is happy with Germany’s understanding of the position Portugal is in and that his meetings with Chancellor Angela Merkel, the German President, Joachim Gauck and the president of the Bundestag, Norbert Lammert left him feeling optimistic.

'Tourists go Home!' graffiti blights Mallorca as Spain feels the strain

MallorcaPalmaAs the cash registers in Spain are being braced for a record influx of tourists this year, tensions are beginning to be felt in parts of the country.

“Tourists go home” graffiti in Palma de Mallorca has abounded. The island annually hosts million of foreign visitors. Last August saw one day when the population nearly doubled, hitting a record two million.

Portuguese project on shortlist for EC 'renewable energy innovation' award

pvA project submitted from Portugal is among the finalists in a renewable energy competition run by the European Commission.

Online polling ends on June 5th for the EC’s European Prize for Energy and among the nine finalists chosen is a Portuguese project ‘RESocial Innovation.’

More Germans now heading east

germanyFor the first time more people in western Germany moved into the eastern portion of the country since reunification opened up the border between the two sides in 1990.

Initially, migration westward was the trend and some 200,000 people a year headed west looking for jobs and greater financial certainty.

British landlord number on the rise

ukhighstreetThe number of landlords in the UK has jumped by 7% over the last year to reach 1,750,000, according to HMRC data on those who declared income from property.

The official data extends only to April 2014, giving rise to the expectation that the current figure is likely to be higher still after the recent race to acquire buy-to-let properties before the start of the new stamp duty regime.