Bank of Portugal's simplistic report supports a 'bad bank' to adsorb sector's debts

BoPCostaAsleepThe Bank of Portugal’s latest report on the banking sector comes to the conclusion that the accumulation of bad debt in Portuguese banks is a risk to the stability of the financial sector.

The Bank of Portugal’s report points to the need for banks to reduce their bad debt and other non-performing assets in their portfolios, otherwise their profits will go down and their capital levels will be adversely affected.

Spain awards British historian

4871British historian and academic Mary Beard has been honoured with one of Spain’s most prestigious award.

The Princess of Asturias award for social science recognised her “outstanding contribution to the study of the culture, politics and society of classical antiquity”.

Pestana to boost nature tourism with Nova Serra countryside project

odeloucaThe Pestana hotel group is working on a project to create a huge nature reserve bordering the Odelouca dam in Silves to offer customers using its coastal hotels the opportunity to the Algarve’s natural landscape, flora and fauna.

The plan is being developed with Silves and Monchique councils, the mayors from each being positive that this new style of natural tourism is timely and could help counter the current shift of people and activity away from rural areas.

“Aldi of air travel” expects to trounce German competitors

ryanair1Ryanair has crowed that it will see off its German rivals Air Berlin and Eurowings.

“Low costs are our philosophy. We’re the Aldi of air travel,” Michael O’Leary said. “I’m hoping for a price war.”

Portugal's mothballed courts to reopen

courthouseShe’s done it: Portugal’s Justice Minister Frances Van Dunem has decided that 20 courts, closed by her often 'tired and emotional' predecessor Paula Teixeira da Cruz, are to be staffed and reopened early next year with a further 27 formerly downgraded courts reopened for smaller cases.

The minister said she was in talks with the ministry of finance over staffing levels but a January 2017 start date is the target with an additional budget of €500,000 a year.

Banif's Açoreana Insurance sold to the Americans

statueoflibertyUsing the EU Merger Regulations, the European Commission finally has approved the acquisition of Açoreana Seguros by Apollo Global Management, of the US.

The American company is a private equity investor active in various industry sectors, has had to wait five months to get the green light and now can complete the Açoreana purchase.

German pilot reports near tangle with three airborne drones

lufthansaA Lufthansa pilot said he was obliged to dodge three drones while attempting to land his aircraft at Bilbao, northern Spain.

The incident happened on Saturday and the pilot reported it to air traffic control.

Portugal left out of leading guide book tips

venice2The travel guide Lonely Planet has issued its 2016 list of “best in Europe” locations.

Portugal does not feature among the top ten and the closest destination is Extremadura in Spain which ranked number seven.