Portugal’s high temperatures have not been matched with a corresponding increase in deaths, in fact the mortality rate has declined during the recent hot weather, when compared to the same period last year.

The Director-General of Health, Francisco George, said he was pleased that the older members of society seem to have been following the guidelines issued by the health department as there has been no pressure on hospitals or mortuaries that can be attributed to the recent high temperatures.

Portugal’s President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is playing down the current ​​increase in party political edginess over proposed EU sanctions against Portugal, blaming it on the July heat.

Following the President’s flippant comments on the threat to the Algarve from the oil industry, in the Algarve last Thursday, Rebelo de Sousa continues to make light of the very real threats to Portugal’s struggling economy posed by the proposed suspension of 16 EU aid programmes to the country, blaming the weather for the fractious nature of discussions between Portugal’s opposing parties.

Portugal’s tax department has collected more than €18 billion to the end of June this year, €576 million more than in the same period in 2015.

The 3.2% rise was mainly due to an increase in income from indirect taxes, charges levied by the State on consumption such as IVA where the rate of growth has slowed but is still positive.

A 35-year-old man from Peterborough in the UK has skipped bail in connection with the 1994 murder of Rikki Neave whose strangled and naked body was found in woodland but nobody was convicted for his murder.

The 'cold case' was re-opened in 2015 and in April 2016 police arrested the James Watson* who was initially bailed to June 15th. James Watson is known to have left the UK by hiding in a motorhome and crossing the channel on a ferry before travelling to Portugal.

Dramatic demographic changes in Spain have resulted in half of all households being composed of single adults or childless couples.

Until the end of the 20th century, most households comprised a couple and their children.

New Zealand has announced that it will eradicate non-native predators in its territory.

All introduced predators will be exterminated. The programme has been described as a “world-first”.

Germany’s EU Commissioner has demanded of the European Commission that sanctions against Spain and Portugal over public debt levels are put into effect without further delay.

'If the commission wants to preserve its credibility on upholding budget rules, we have to approve sanctions against Spain and Portugal,' said Commissioner Günther Oettinger in a direct assault on Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker's and his softer touch.

Italy’s most famous destinations are bracing themselves for unprecedented numbers of tourists this summer.

Many foreign visitors are seeking the safety they perceive Italy offers coupled with expectations that more Italians will opt to holiday at home this year.