Another corruption scandal rocks Spain's ruling party

spanishpmSpain’s ruling Popular Party has hit the headlines again for all the wrong reasons.

The leader of its Madrid sector has resigned after police raided the PP’s office last Thursday as part of yet another corruption investigation concerning alleged illegal financing, bribery and money laundering.

Ethnic Germans continue to arrive in Germany

europemapIn addition to the number of migrants reaching Germany, the country is also accepting back ethnic Germans who had been living in Russia and other former Soviet Republics.

During the course of 2015 the number reached some 6,000 ethnic Germans who returned. This was several hundred more than in 2014.

Minister re-announces Algarve railway improvements

trainThe remaining non-electric sections of the Algarve’s railway line are to be electrified to reduce railway running costs.

The Tunes to Lagos section, and the Faro to Real-de Santo António section will be converted at a cost of €31.6 million, according to a re-announcement from the Minister of Planning and Infrastructure.

Thai paddle boarders rescued off Lagos

supThe Captain of Lagos port and the local Maritime Police Commander coordinated an early afternoon rescue on Saturday, February 13, as two stand up paddle boarders were unable to get back to shore without help.

The paddlers were about two miles from Batata beach near Lagos, were picked up by the Ferragudo lifeboat and taken back to Lagos.

Five day Faro film festival focuses on oil, pollution and ocean life

oceanOil exploration and extraction, and the negative impact these processed have on commercial fishing, are under the spotlight in the first edition of Scianema, a film festival on oceans and pollution starting on Thursday.

The event is a partnership between the University of the Algarve, the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, the Film Society of Faro, the Portuguese Environment Agency, PALP and the Social Network.

Portimão bridge down to a single lane for a month

roadworksThe middle of the three bridges over the Arade between Lagoa and Portimão will turn into a single lane road controlled by traffic lights as from Monday 15th February.

According to the contractor, the Arade River Bridge’s expansion joints need replacing and this will take at least a month.

Portugal's poor finances under international scrutiny

eumapThe German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said on Friday that Portugal "has to do everything in its power to counteract the uncertainties in the financial markets," referring to the rise in interest rates on Portugal’s bonds and the lack of international glee at its 2016 State Budget.

Schäuble said that European ministers are concerned at the increases in interest rates on Portuguese debt in the financial markets.

Spanish employee enjoys six years' salary for no work

water2A Spanish civil servant managed to take a six year break from work on full pay without anyone noticing.

His absence was finally spotted when he became eligible for an award for 20 years of service.