Thanks to Nuno Sá’s photograph, Portugal was represented in first place in the annual Underwater Photographer of the Year contest this year. His picture has the added bonus of highlighting both the Algarve’s Ria Formosa as a natural haven and the also dangers facing the seahorse worldwide.

The photograph, '50 Tons of Me' depicts a Ria Formosa seahorse from the pioneering project involving the University of the Algarve called 'Project Seahorse' which breeds the creatures in captivity for later release.

"A young man with a degree has the world at his feet," according to Portugal’s Finance Minister, Maria Luís Albuquerque.

The minister was speaking at the presentation ceremony of a new publication on Tras-os-Montes and EU funds written by the MEP, José Manuel Fernandes.

One area of government revenue collection that is way above budget is the income from traffic fines, up an impressive 96% this January compared to last.

The nation’s motorists selflessly contributed €11.7 million in the first month of the year compared to just €6 million a year ago.

Britain is falling in love with electric-powered bikes.

The e-bike is not new, but modernising design has given it extra appeal, with some 25,000 now being sold in the UK every year.

The tax and customs authority started 137 disciplinary proceedings last year - against its own employees who accessed the personal data of taxpayers without any good reason.

This all started when the Prime Minister’s tax records were mysteriously released to an eager press which then raised questions over his payment record and personal accounting standards.

The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has accused Portugal and Spain of leading a conspiracy to overthrow his government.

In a speech to members of his party, Tsipras accused the two countries of trying to torpedo the testy negotiations with the European Union which finally led to the extension of the Greek bailout programme for another four months.

Yesterday’s arrest of alleged computer hackers from the underground group Anonymous has sparked more hack attacks from remaining cyber warriors, this time on the websites of the Institute of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lisbon, and of the Attorney General’s office.

Early on Friday morning the Meo.Extreme and NyAnonymous groups attacked these two websites and claimed to have shut them down overnight, although both were running as normal this morning.

GNR patrols this week have made arrests in the Lagos and Albufeira districts for drug trafficking and possession of prohibited weapons.

Officers from Portimão GNR yesterday arrested two Portuguese citizens, aged 20 and 34, and have charged them with drug dealing and gun possession.