Faro - major investment suspended as government tighten grip

faro2The government has blocked an investment of €3.5 million planned by Faro council to improve roads, green spaces, schools and public buildings.

Some of the money had been carried over from last year and the council had received a spending go-ahead last summer from the Secretary of State for Local Government.

Endangered sea bass stock to brought into line

fishingNorthSeaThe European Commission has proposed a severe crack down on commercial fishing for sea bass in the Atlantic.

Stocks are being depleted so rapidly that the proposed move would cut allowed catches from 570 tonnes a year to zero.

Eurozone economy shows measured growth

euThe French economy was found to have been lagging in the third quarter of 2016 while Spain managed to forge ahead, albeit at a slightly lower pace.

French growth of 0.2%, below expectations, was held back by continued hesitancy in consumer spending and low investment in business.

Monte Gordo €200 million redevelopment to be funded by VRSA council

MonteGordoPlanMonte Gordo is to change for ever. The tender for the eastern Algarve city’s redevelopment will be issued in November in a €200 million project that aims to propel the resort from a largely unplanned mixture of beach installations, hotels, camping facilities and bars into a wonder to behold, if the publicity can be believed.

The new plan will be tied together by a two kilometre long boardwalk with lighting, green spaces, shops and restaurants, but this is just the starting point for “dozens of interventions that will be carried out during 2017, including construction of a luxurious high-end properties and the creation of new leisure and restaurant facilities," according to Vila Real de Santo António mayor, Luís Gomes.

Faro airport management welcomes passenger number 7 million

faroAirport7millionPassengerFaro Airport management welcomed 2016's 7 millionth passenger on Wednesday as an unsuspecting traveller from Amsterdam was given the red carpet treatment on arrival in the Algarve.

The passenger's profile was a gift to the airport management company ANA and to the tourist board as she professed an enduring interest in outdoor activities, nature and sport.

Olhão building inspectors to face trial for extortion

olhaoTwo building inspectors in Olhão formally have been accused of demanding €4,000 from a property owner in return for looking the other way over irregularities.

The Faro prosecutor has now filed charges against the two council employees for accepting bribes and extortion and the pair are to face trial.

This year proves deadlier for migrants

refugeeraftThe death toll amongst migrants trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea is the highest so far on record.

“We can confirm that at least 3,800 people have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean Sea so far this year, making the death toll in 2016 the highest ever recorded,” UN refugee agency spokesman William Spindler said.

2.6 million EU residence permits granted last year

europemapA record number of first residence permits for EU countries were issued last year to people originating from outside the EU.

The number rose to 2.6 million in 2015, the highest since Eurostat began compiling data in 2008 and a rise of 12% over 2014.