Booming tourism leaves few long-term lets for locals

oportoThe possibility of finding long-term rental property in certain areas of Lisbon has all but evaporated with drops of over 90% in availability  in the Olivais and Estrela parishes.

Between 2013 and May 2016, the number of homes available for long-term rental in Lisbon fell 75%, according to Casa Sapo and Remax.

Epidemic of Nigerian migrants forced into sexual slavery

sextrade2The trafficking of Nigerian women to Italy is at “crisis” levels, according to the UN’s migration office.

The women are being smuggled in by boats from Libya. Migrant reception centres act as virtual holding pens for them whence they eventually go “missing”, having been collected and then forced into prostitution.

Italy cracks down on antisocial towel behaviour

6199Claiming your own beach territory with a towel or umbrella is now punishable by a fine of €200 in Italy.

The Italian coastguard has mounted Operation Safe Sea on public beaches from north to south of the nation.

End proposed to property tax (IMI) exemption due to Tax Authority lethargy

financaslogoDue the government’s inability correctly to identify certain exempt categories of property owners who should not be paying annual property tax (IMI), next year’s State Budget is likely to do away with exemptions altogether affecting over a million owners.

Properties with a valor patrimonial of €66,500 or under, whose owners declare an annual gross income of €15,295 or less, currently are exempt from paying IMI.

Portugal’s Sports Minister robbed at Rio Olympics

braziljesusThe Portuguese education and sports minister has been robbed at knife-point by the Olympic lake in Rio de Janeiro, where rowing events have been taking place during the games. The minister was unharmed, according to Portuguese authorities.

Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, Portugal’s education and sports minister, had been returning to his hotel from the Olympic cycling road race accompanied by his aide, when he was approached by two men, who threatened him with a knife and forced him to hand over cash and a mobile phone.

Forensic investigation over as Met search for Madeleine McCann nears its end

mccanns2The scaled down British Metropolitan Police team involved in Operation Grange, the search for Madeleine McCann who disappeared nine years ago from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, have ended its forensic investigation.

The announcement that the forensic work from the operation has ended was made after scientific tests carried out three months ago "didn't take the police forward."  

Paulo Portas joins Mexican gas company as a director

portas4A Spanish subsidiary of Pemex, Mexico’s largest company, has given former Deputy Prime Minister, Paulo Portas, a directorship.

Portas has joined Mex Gas Enterprises, based in Madrid, which is involved in the marketing of natural gas worldwide.

Sellers of fake goods arrested in Praia da Rocha, Portimão

counterfeitThe Public Security Police have arrested seven people selling fake goods in Portimão and seized over 600 articles of clothing and accessories.

The PSP said that those arrested, aged in their 20s, could not provide documentation showing where the goods had been bought from.