Grim find in the Azores

azoresWhen the crew of the ship ' Vatan L,' saili

Two male corpses, who authorities believe are from Togo, Africa, had died of hunger and thirst in a compartment that had been sealed for about two weeks on leaving Togo. Death may have been caused by a lack of oxygen combined with air pollution caused by the pesticides used in the seed production.

EasyJet in ash cloud tests

volcanoEasyJet has flown an aircraft through an artificial ash cloud in order to test flying conditions.

The artificial cloud hung over the Bay of Biscay and was between 600ft and 800ft deep and nearly 2 miles in diameter.

UK’s rebounding economy pumped up by exports

ExportsAlthough there was a slight drop in the value of the goods for export in the last quarter, they still amounted to £75.7bn. Since then, orders have picked up.

Some of the increase came in orders from parts of the EU, particularly of cars. Although it has not been an easy year, indications are that the major European markets are becoming more stable since the beginning of 2013 and activity seems to be picking in both the core of Europe and periphery economies.

But with all the problems in Europe since the crash in 2008, UK manufacturers have been focussing more on new export markets. Sales of goods to emerging economies in Asia and South America have increased as a result.

Ministerial silence over cancelled Algarve roadworks

roadworksPaulo Sá questioned the new Minister of the Economy, António Pires de Lima, over the " abandonment " of the roadworks and redevelopment of the EN125, but got the same old answer, silence.

During detailed discussions on the 2014 State Budget the MP demanded to know the date of resumption of work on the EN125, how long work would take and whether the government intends to renegotiate the contract with Algarve Coastline for the work.

Algarve wins more awards as a premier golf destination

golfThe Algarve has been voted the ‘European Golf Destination of the Year 2014,’ the main award of the golf tourism industry and was awarded by more than 500 members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

The award was presented in Tarragona, Spain at a ceremony of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the largest trade show dedicated to the world of golf travel industry which handles about 50 million players per year.

Dublin, Gran Canaria, the Scottish Highlands, the French Riviera and Provence, and the Lisbon ‘Golf Coast’ were other European destinations nominated by IAGTO in the category .

The long arm of the law

vrsa2A 31 year old man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder.

A 48 year old male died of a stab wound in Vila Real de Santo Antonio in 2010 and a spokesman from the Judicial Police reported today that the suspect has no criminal record and has been sent to Faro where he is being held.

Recession over- "I think today is a good day for the Portuguese economy"

portugalrestaurantThe Economy Minister, Pires de Lima, is now quite satisfied with Portugal’s departure from a technical recession, citing figures from the Office of National Statistics which revealed today that the country's economy grew 0.2% in the third quarter of 2013, compared with the previous quarter.

Pires de Lima said, "there are clear stabilizing elements for the Portuguese economy powered by two important variables: the balance of exports and imports, and the stabilization of domestic demand especially of private consumption."

Portuguese businessman arrested in Cape Verde on suspicion of murder

handcuffsA Portuguese businessman suspected of having committed a murder in Portugal back in 2008 has been arrested in Praia, Cape Verde.

The arrest comes after an international arrest warrant was issued by the Portuguese authorities.