The Islamic State terrorist organisation has a dedicated group that is planning attacks in the Al Andalus territory, specifically in Spain although Portugal is in the targeted area.
A statement posted on the Internet by the Islamic State in August 2015 showed the Iberian territory that the terrorist group wants to see occupied as a caliphate by 2020. (see below)
British expats in Spain have launched an appeal to the Spanish government for dual nationality.
A petition is asking for dual status for British expats who have lived in Spain for at least ten years.
Refugee numbers reaching Germany fell sharply in June, dipping below 5,000 for the entire month.
The total number arriving in Germany during the first six months of this year dwindled to 211,000. This was lower than the numbers reaching Germany during many months in 2015.
Networking, skills, investment, innovation and strategy were the key themes at the 'Tourism Opportunities in Low Density Areas’ seminar organised by Odiana, the lower Guadiana developemnt association, where nature tourism clearly was the answer.
The October to May period is the ideal time for many non-'sun and sand' holidays and the delegates discussed low density tourism strategies, the funds available and opportunities for nature tourism to fill in the winter and early spring gap left when beach holiday families depart after the summer season.
June’s tourism figures show the best year since well before recession, austerity and unemployment ravaged the tourism sector and left many businesses bankrupt, many hotels mothballed and the sector indebted and close to despair.
According to data released today by the Association of Hotels and Resorts in the Algarve (AHETA), the occupancy rate for the region’s registered businesses last month was 81.8%: the June 2001 figure was a shade higher at 82.1%, cause for celebration as the Algarve not only has proved itself a safe destination, it again has become hugely popular.
An official at Loulé court has been arrested for taking money in exchange for information about seized properties.
As part of the same Judicial Police investigation, a group of three men were arrested for financial crimes involving vehicle loans.
Portugal’s Mota-Engil construction company and its founder have been offered a deal, pay €6 million and the State will drop its charges of ‘qualified tax fraud.’
The offer does not mean that Mota-Engil is innocent of fraud, it is guilty and Operation Furaçao has proved it, but if the €6 million is paid over, fraud charges will be suspended and then dropped after two years.
Caixa Geral de Depósitos is the subject of a commission of inquiry which meets tomorrow, July 5, but in an early move to reduce costs, the Government and union leaders already have met and agreed that 2,500 workers will go.
The restructuring plan, under new Caixa Geral boss António Domingues, will see many overseas branches wound up and 2,500 staff retiring or taking early retirement and not being replaced.
