Nearly one million people acquired citizenship of an EU country in 2013.

This was an increase of 20% over the previous year, representing about 163,000 individuals.

Consumers in Britain have gained more confidence about the economy, pushing the rate in June to its highest since January 2000.

People are benefitting from increased employment, low inflation rates and wage increases. Official data showed average weekly pay growth of nearly 3% in the three months to April. This was the fastest rate of growth since December 2008.

The former Minister of Internal Affairs, Miguel Macedo, the one who resigned over the Golden Visa affair and went back to being an MP, heard today that his parliamentary immunity has been lifted and he can be heard as a defendant in the ongoing case.

The parliamentary committee for ethics decided in a special meeting that Macedo’s parliamentary immunity should be lifted even though he resigned, has not yet been sought as an arguido, and claims to have had nothing to do with the Golden Visa scandal which saw the arrest of 11 suspects.

British finance companies say their difficulty in recruiting more staff is due to a serious shortage of skills.

The view is shared by 98% of companies which reported that their quest to hire more personnel is a challenge because of the problem of finding suitable staff.

The west coast of the Algarve and Alentejo is now an official candidate for inclusion in UNESCO’s ‘Natural Heritage’ section.

Four municipalities in the Alentejo and the Algarve have applied due to the area’s "unparalleled natural and geological value and its recognised interest worldwide."

A meeting of the Municipal Assembly last night was held at the Bombeiros building to accommodate over 300 Vila Real de Santo António residents concerned at proposed parking regulations that they say will stifle trade.

The council last night said it had reached an agreement with the company it has engaged to manage the new and existing paid for parking zones in the city centre and has reduced the proposed metered area by about one third.

The Greek government today submitted a proposal to creditors that includes a new two-year aid programme which provides for a restructuring of Greek debt.

The news from Reuters cities a statement from the office of the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras.

The Chinese group Fosun and the private equity fund Apollo both have delivered binding offers for the purchase of Novo Banco.

The Spanish bank Santander and venture fund Cerebus decided not to continue in the process.