For the Algarve, a better use of the tourism sector, effective exploitation of natural resources and a regional administration with greater decision-making power are three of the suggestions published by the Order of Economists in its new 'Guidelines for a Regional Economic Model.'

The study revealing the patently obvious was presented at a regional meeting of the Order of Economists in Faro and analysed the potential of the Algarve's economy against the state is currently is in.

Selling agricultural products or local crafts without a license will leave the vendor open to fines of between €500 and €25,000.

The rules and regulations for markets were published today by the government and contain a clause that allows fines to be issued by the local council, rather than as a result of any judicial process.

Portugal no longer has a candidate in the race for the presidency of the world football body FIFA as sporting legend Luís Figo pulls out, complaining bitterly of the total control exerted by the current president Sepp Blatter.

The elections to be held on May 29 are rigged and the outcome has been predetermined, according to Figo who now refused to lend his weight to any other of the candidates saying that the whole process is neither free nor democratic and is rife with favouritism despite change urgently being needed.  

While most attention appears to be focussed on the gain in immigration into the UK, the figures released also show that some 323,000 people left Britain last year.

The Office for National Statistics revealed that 318,000 more people arrived in the UK than left in 2014. It said this was a “statistically significant” advance in immigration over 2013.

Spain will undergo another round of regional elections on Sunday in 13 of its 17 autonomous areas.

The elections are for councillors of 8,116 local councils and for the enclaves of Ceuta (pictured) and Melilla.

The Council of Ministers has agreed with Parpública that negotiations to sell TAP should continue with only two of the three bidders for TAP.

The rejection of Pais do Amaral’s bid does not mean the end of any Portuguese involvement as latecomer to the race, Humberto Pedrosa from the Barqueiro Group, is in partnership with the American businessman David Neeleman and their bid has been accepted.

Sir Cliff Richard has put his home in Berkshire up for sale.

The asking price is £4.75 million.

The animal protection group, the Born Free Foundation, says it successfully has forced the suspension of any further recording of the ‘Dolphins with the Stars’ series at Zoomarine in Guia.

Born Free and the Dolphinaria-Free Europe Coalition complained at government level at the exploitation of dolphins at Zoomarine for the purposes of the TV show: