Novo Banco boss leaving with no buyer in sight

stockdacunhaWith the sale of Novo Banco still not settled, its boss Eduardo Stock da Cunha (pictured) is to move back to London in September, leaving behind as much uncertainty and disruption as when he took over.

The loss-making Novo Banco must be sold by August, according to the government's own timetable, and “at no loss to the taxpayer”, according to Prime Minister António Costa.

Portuguese spymaster caught selling secrets to the Russians

spyA senior executive of the Security Information Service (SIS), Frederico Carvalhão Gil, has been arrested in Rome for selling secrets to the Russians. This marks the end of Operation Top Secret and the final chapter in a cat and mouse game that has been going on for decades.

Gil was caught red handed alongside a spy from the Russian secret service who also was arrested and hauled off by the Italian police for questioning.

Greek government gives go-ahead for tighter austerity

acropGreek citizens are facing a greater austerity push after the parliament approved further measures by a vote of 152 out of 153 deputies.

The move was in advance of a meeting of eurozone finance ministers this week and was approved only after a heated three-day debate in parliament.

An end to the taxman's right to sell off people's homes

financaslogoAs from Tuesday May 24th, those in Portugal owning money to the taxman can no longer have their homes seized by the State and auctioned off.

The new law passed as part of the Socialist/Left Bloc agenda, finally has been signed off by the president and is published in the Official Gazette.

Portugal has 1.5 million legal weapons

alentejoPortugal, a country of 10.5 million people, has 1.5 registered firearms with 5,000 new licenses issue last year.

According to data from the Department of Arms and Explosives which comes under the Public Security Police, the vast majority of these licensed weapons are of the types used for shooting animals.

Austria goes left instead of right

austriaParliamentAustria has elected a former leader of the Green Party to be its next president.

The race was too close to call with many pundits predicting that Freedom Party's Norbert Hofer would become the first elected head of state in the EU from the anti/immigrant far right.

Drug trial tragedy: both Biotrial and Bial were responsible "in many respects"

pillsThe death and disability resulting from drug trials in France, contracted by the Portuguese pharmaceutical company Bial, have been blamed on the testing centre and its client.

France’s health minister has agreed that the Rennes based test centre Biotrial, and the Portuguese drug company Bial were responsible for the tragedy, "in many respects."

Ryanair to drop its prices

ryanair12Ryanair has said that it will cut fares this year in order to fly its aircraft at full capacity.

The announcement raised the prospect of a price war among Europe’s airlines, which Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said confidently that his airline would win.