New migrant case numbers in Germany in steep drop

immigrantsboatThe number of new asylum requests in Germany fell by a dramatic 66% in March to about 20,000, according to the interior ministry.

"In December 2015, it was 120,000 people, in January 90,000, in February 60,000 and in March 20,000," Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said.

Anticipation high for 2015 Bordeaux

wineWine lovers are waiting anxiously for their first taste of Bordeaux 2015 after experts hailed the vintage.

Wine makers have been optimistic about the ideal growing conditions for the year and that view has been confirmed by experts at the region’s annual future tastings.

Referendum leaflet - why the Government believes the UK should remain in the EU

4801The British Government is providing every household in the UK with a leaflet that sets out why it believes that voting to remain in the EU is the best decision for the UK. It does not offer a balanced view as the Government wants the UK to stay int he Union.

The leaflet, at a cost to the taxpayer of £9.3 million, will be delivered to households in England from 11-13 April, ahead of their local election period and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland throughout the week commencing 9 May to avoid disruption ahead of their local elections.

BEWARE - Bogus door-to-door Madrugada collections

BEWARE - Bogus door-to-door Madrugada collectionsMadrugada have received reports about a 'scruffy looking' man collecting door-to-door on behalf of Madrugada.

He is in posession of a BOGUS letter from Madrugada, authorising his collection. Madrugada has NOT authorised a door-to-door collection.

Last sighting; Palm Bay Apartments, Rua Direita, Luz.

Bank of Portugal governor under increasingly heavy fire in Banif inquiry

baniflogo2The inquiry into the refinancing of Banif and its eventual sale to Santander continues with bank of Portugal governor Carlos Costa under pressure, especially from the Left Bloc’s secret weapon, MP Mariana Mortágua.

In late 2012 and early 2013, when Carlos Costa convinced the government to inject €1,100 million into the ailing Banif, arguing that the bank was viable based on the restructuring plan that was on the table, Costa knew also that the restructuring plan would not be accepted by the European authorities.

High Court hearing over expat exclusion from Brexit vote

shindler3The High Court in London has agreed to hear arguments in the legal challenge against the UK Government over its decision to exclude up to 2 million British people living in the European Union from the right to vote in June’s EU Referendum.

A ‘rolled up’ hearing will take place later this month at which both the permission to apply for a judicial review will be held, and if successful and permission is granted, a substantive hearing will follow immediately after.

Paying for sex is now a crime in France

stockingsA new law in France has made it illegal to buy sex.

Anyone caught paying for an act from a sex worker will be fined €1,500 for a first offence and €3,750 for a repeated offence.

Additionally, the offender will have a criminal record and be obliged to attend classes on the harms of prostitution.

No more Doctors for the Algarve under current healthcare funding plans

stethascopeCristóvão Norte, a PSD Member of Parliament, has spotted that cuts in the regional healthcare budget will make it unlikely that any more Doctors can be hired for the Algarve’s understaffed hospitals and clinics.

The Algarve MP intervened during a parliamentary debate involving the Minister of Health, arguing that "the attention and priority that the minister has devoted to the Algarve, although well received, have no budgetary translation, which makes it impossible for such measures to be achieves unless the Government undertake budgetary changes that undo the cuts that the National Health Service has suffered this year in the Algarve."