Countries in the European Union experienced a steep rise in the number of asylum seekers in 2013.

The number rose to nearly 435,000. In all, this is 100,000 more than in 2012.

The eurozone continues to show continued growth, pointing to the recovery taking hold.

A survey of thousands of companies across the eurozone indicated that growth remained stable in March. It was conducted by the respected agency Markit whose reports are watched closely by economists.

Anger in Italy is rising with the continued advent of mafia-themed foods produced by foreign companies.

“Chilli Mafia” peanuts, “Al Capone pasta”, “Wicked Cosa Nostra” tomato sauce, and “Don Corleone” liqueurs might have the makings of a decent dinner, but Italy is increasingly outraged at the food and drink products which seem to glamorise the organised gangs.

Pedro Passos Coelho has confirmed that the government is preparing more cuts but denied that these are contained in a "hidden agenda."  

Speaking in Viseu today the PM said, "I could not be more transparent, everyone knows the budget is agreed with target of 2.5% of GDP for 2015."

The new national draw based on the submission of invoices starts in April with Audi beating BMW as the chosen supplier of the 'Fatura da Sorte' prizes.

The Audi A4 and the Audi A6 are the two models that those registered on the Portuguese tax system will be able to win in the 'Invoice of Luck' draw. 

April 1st is the start date and one car a week will be given away until March 31st, 2015 when the scheme will be reviewed.

David Hasselhoff launches ‘Acceleration 2014’ an event that is planned to take place at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve from 25th to 27th of April.

The event is a mix of racing and music. The 61-year old American actor who had leading roles in Knight Rider (1982-1986) and Baywatch (1989-2001) is the face of Acceleration 2014 which will attempt to attract punters to the Algarve’s premier white elephant, tucked away in the hills to the north of Portimao.

Socialist parties in the Algarve and in Andalusia want to strengthen cross-border cooperation and see as essential a new rail link between Portugal and Spain.

Antonio Eusebio led a Socialist Party delegation from the Algarve to Seville where they met brother Socialists from Andalucia to discuss a greater degree of cooperation between the two parties, as well as to review projects of interest to the two border regions.

The likely increase in tourists in the Algarve this summer, compared to 2013, will be accompanied by a fall in discretionary spending of 10% in restaurants and shops, according to gloomy predictions from the head of the beach vendors group, the snappily titled Associação dos Industriais e Similares de Concessões da Orla Marítima do Algarve (Aiscoma).

Less than two months before the opening of the season in Albufeira the president of Aiscoma estimates that there will be more tourists in the Algarve, but that they will spend less.