A start-up company in Spain has taken its first step to perking up the country’s property market.

Housers, based in Madrid, is the first such platform to buy an apartment entirely by crowdfunding.

The University of the Algarve’s rector opened an investigation into Wednesday’s freshers’ prank which ended up with a paralytic student being admitted to Faro hospital.
 
The Ministry of Education today stepped in to the public arena created by the affair, which students blame on an over zealous media, and has asked for 'clarification' from the rector António Branco.

The multitude of trade unions representing employees at Novo Banco agreed today that "the anxiety and fear levels increase from day to day, causing the a great strain on workers" and that a restructuring plan announced by management, after the bank failed to sell, may well lead to the departure of many employees.

"The restructuring plan, as the bank has not merged or been taken over by a third party, may jeopardise many jobs and seriously affect the family life of thousands of Portuguese," read a statement released today by the union.

Swiss prosecutors formally have opened a criminal investigation into the head of the football governing body FIFA.

Sepp Blatter is being investigated on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and the misappropriation of funds, according to the Swiss attorney general's office.

The EU has authorised the arrest people traffickers in international waters, with operatings taking effect from 7 October.

European warships will be used against traffickers if they are within international waters and do not go into Libyan territory, foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said.

The Court of Appeal in Lisbon has ruled that the continuing secrecy surrounding the charges and the evidence against former prime minister José Sócrates (pictured) is not justifiable and that his lawyers now may have access to the records and conclusions resulting from the long-running Operation Marquês.

The decision was taken by judges Rui Rangel and Francisco Caramel, "The court found that, at present, the secrecy of justice is no longer justifiable and the defence must have access to all records of the investigation."

Spain and Italy have won a legal battle on behalf of their citizens who speak just one language.

The case was a reaction to job adverts for EU positions which demanded English, French or German from candidates.

The reported loss at TAP of €109.6 million is a full €45 million more than last year’s first half performance and reflects the cost of the May pilots strike.

Between January and June this year 'the net result of TAP SA (the aviation business) is a loss of €109.6 million,'  reads the report. This figure is 70% worse than last year’s, which was bad enough but who cares, the taxpayer picks up the tab.