Portugal: Horse drug in burgers, meatballs

Burgers and meatballs sold in Portugal have been found to contain horsemeat with traces of an animal painkiller that is potentially harmful to humans, a consumer watchdog says.

• Iceland finds more beefless beef pies
• After meatballs, Ikea withdraws sausages
• Icelandic meat pies... have no meat

Horsemeat scandal: Allegations of cruelty

A new row over the treatment of horses farmed in the Americas has erupted as the fallout from Europe's horsemeat scandal spreads far outside the continent.

• Europe horsemeat scandal spreads to Asia
• France jumps into horsemeat scandal
• Horsemeat scandal hits Nestle

Europe hit by extreme weather

Extreme winter weather has swept across western Europe, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at London's Heathrow and claiming several lives in Spain, Portugal and France.

• Passengers camp out at Heathrow
• Snow brings Heathrow to a standstill

Eurozone is shaping up - study

The euro zone is turning into a more balanced and potentially more dynamic economy thanks to market pressure, a study shows.

• German business sentiment surprises
• Unemployment grips eurozone
• Eurozone business slump accelerates

Portuguese diva drowns out president

Portuguese opera singer Ana Maria Pinto has become a face of a protest movement raging in the country after she interrupted a speech by the president by bursting into song.

• Spain, Portugal brace for more protests
• Portuguese protest austerity measures
• Economic protests in Spain, Portugal

Austerity strikes grip Portugal, Spain

Thousands of Portuguese took to the streets to protest government policies, as thousands of Spaniards turned out for their own anti-austerity marches.

• Greeks rally against austerity plan
• Spain unveils austerity budget
• Spain heading for 'full-blown bailout'
• Spanish economy shrinks faster
• Britain sinks deeper into recession
• Spain deepens austerity measures

6 scientists win award for sight work

Six American scientists credited with advances in eyesight research and clinical care are sharing a €1 million (R10 799 400) prize from a Portuguese foundation.

• All eyes on writing device for disabled
• Violent video game boosts vision in some adults
• Too much math 'is tough for scientists'

Eurozone crisis: Crunch time for EU

European Union leaders are set to gather for a two-day summit that global powers say must signal an end to piecemeal efforts to solve the eurozone crisis.

• Greek Prime Minister to miss EU summit
• Hundreds of Spanish 'Indignants' protest
• Half of Britons want immediate EU vote

Portugal: No reason to re-open Maddie case

Portuguese authorities say they have no new evidence that will give them cause to re-open an inquiry into the 2007 disappearance of British youngster Madeleine McCann.

• UK police: Missing Madeleine may be alive
• Madeleine McCann parents demand 'review'
• Maddie: Parents tell of relentless media

G-Bissau junta closes air and sea borders

The new Guinea-Bissau junta has announced the closure of all air and sea borders, after former colonial power Portugal said it was sending navy ships and a plane for a possible evaluation of its nationals.

• Guinea-Bissau junta, opposition meet
• AU chair condemns Guinea-Bissau coup
• Guinea-Bissau unrest draws condemnation

Portugal slides towards bond pariah

Untrusting underwriters hiked the cost of insuring Lisbon’s bonds to new highs and insisted it be paid up front, pushing Portugal towards needing a second bailout like Greece.

• ECB raises rates, helps Portugal
• Portugal downgrade, China spook markets
• Portugal downgrade hits banks

Portugal president's pay cut gaffe

There is a huge outcry after the Portuguese president's gaffe over income, with a petition calling for him to quit.

• Portuguese believe worst is yet to come
• Portugal's new government under pressure
• Angola eyes Portuguese assets

Dutch killer whale Morgan gets new home

The Dutch orca called Morgan has arrived at its new home in a Spanish zoo after being flown from the Netherlands.

• Rescued killer whale will 'stay put'
• Orcas more than one species
• SeaWorld fights fine over orca death

Villa saves Spanish blushes

Spain's poor form in friendlies continued when the world and European champions could only snatch a late draw at lowly Costa Rica.

• England down world champions
• Rooney's appeal date set
• FA appeal Rooney's Euro ban

Global 'Day of Rage' mostly peaceful

The global "Day of Rage" against the world's financial system has won some limited sympathy from political and economic leaders after protests that were peaceful everywhere but Italy.

• 'Indignant protests' take root in SA
• US protesters target the rich
• Wall Street protesters: We won't go!

IMF releases loan to help Portugal

The International Monetary Fund says it is immediately releasing about €3.98bn to Portugal, part of a three-year rescue of the eurozone country.

• Portugal downgrade, China spook markets
• ECB raises rates, helps Portugal
• Moody's cuts Portugal rating to junk
• Moody's downgrades Portugal
• Portugal raises €1bn from market
• Europe fires back at credit rating agencies

Europe fires back at credit rating agencies

The European Union turned top guns against credit ratings agencies in a scathing attack on their credibility for warning about financial prospects in Portugal and Greece.

• Marcus: Don't discount EU banks crisis
• China offers EU a helping hand
• Greece eyes second €110bn bailout

Euro steady after Portugal rating slashed

The euro has recovered slightly against the dollar after sliding in the wake of a Moody's downgrade of Portugal to junk status.

Portugal's new government under pressure

Portugal's centre-right Social Democrats have had little time to savour their return to power as they start work on the enormous task of getting a ruinous debt burden under control.

• Greek debt fears fuel new aid talks
• Portugal's PM quits amid debt crisis
• Germany: No bailout pressure on Portugal

Italy confident despite downgrade

Italy seeks to allay fears it could join Greece and Portugal in the financial mire and is questioning Standard & Poor's downgrade of its forecast to negative.

• Italy PM Berlusconi in court for fraud
• Europe debates euro crisis fund boost
• Euro falls back on profit-taking

Greek debt fears fuel new aid talks

The EU has warned that Greece's already massive debt is growing much faster than forecast, putting pressure on the region's finance chiefs to come up with new support for the country.

• Calm urged in Greece after protest chaos
• News blackout as Greek journalists strike
• Strike brings Greece to grinding halt

Portugal now third eurozone bailout case

Portugal is now the third eurozone country to do a debt-rescue deal with the European Union and IMF, announcing a three-year package worth €78bn.

• Portugal aid could ease spreading crisis
• Europe polishes response debt crisis
• EU thrashes out Portugal bailout request
• EU's annus horribilis
• Portugal faces bond test
• Portugal not seeking debt help: minister

Eurosceptic parties make gains in Finland

Finnish voters have dealt a blow to Europe's plans to rescue Portugal and other debt-ridden economies by ousting the pro-bailout government.

• Finnish PM gets death threat
• Portuguese believe worst is yet to come
• Portugal's PM quits amid debt crisis

Portugal aid could ease spreading crisis

Portugal's decision to seek international aid removes a cloud over the eurozone and has a good chance of ending jitters over the spread of the region's debt crises.

• Portugal crisis to dominate EU summit
• Europe polishes response debt crisis
• Portugal faces bond test