A Spaniard has pipped Bill Gates as the richest man on earth.

The fashion tycoon and founder of Zara and other shops sped ahead of Bill Gates by nearly $2 billion, according to Forbes magazine calculator.

Portugal's right-wing president Cavaco Silva this evening invited the Passos Coelho/Paulo Portas centre-right coalition government to return to power after its general election win, even though it will be outnumbered in parliament by opposition party MPs who have pledged to force out the coalition 'within days.'

The coalition won the October 4th election with 38.4% of the votes so will now try and rule as a minority government under Pedro Passos Coelho as prime minister.

Two 3-year-old children walked 500 metres from their Faro home to a playground while their mother slept.

The brothers have been removed from their parents who already were under surveillance for neglect.

Airbnb is upping its offer in the competitive world of short term property rentals by offering its property owners free liability insurance.

The online platform that connects people seeking accommodation with those who have the space is popular in Portugal which now joins 15 other countries that the US company automatically covers with its insurance offer.

Passengers waiting to collect their luggage at Lisbon airport were treated to a little more action than they expected from French airport operator ANA when the multiple TV system in baggage reclaim, Terminal 1,  started showing a porn film.

Red-faced staff spoiled to fun after a few minutes and changed the channel due to a customer complaint, possibly about sound quality.

The government has decided that, if and when TAP eventually is part-privatised, an auditor should be appointed to monitor the company's financial situation and that monthly consolidated accounts will be produced.

The decision was announced by Transport Minister Sergio Monteiro as the Council of Ministers today approved the 'strengthening of control mechanisms' at TAP after it is sold off int he hope that this will put at ease TAP's bankers.

Ricardo Salgado, the "Dono Disto Tudo" of the Espírito Santo clan and former president of Banco Espírito Santo is now allowed out and about.

Today his terms of detention were eased from house arrest to the same degree of freedom as former Prime Minister José Sócrates; they may leave their houses, travel within Portugal but are not allowed to go abroad, or talk to or contact in any way those involved in their cases.

Portugal has a few days in which to submit its 2016 State Budget or face proceedings from Brussels.

The European Commission will act, according to the European Commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue, Valdis Dombrovskis, who said that Portugal needs to submit its budget to avoid breaking the rules.