Headlines March 6

Belgium to impose more stringent luggage restrictions
The Belgian customs authorities are going to increase its security checks on luggage that comes from areas that are perceived as high risk for bird flu. READ ON

Crack down on 'black money' property deals
The Spanish Government is tightening up laws to help stamp out the practise of using dinero negro, or black money, in property transactions. To reduce tax liabilities, a seller will often ask a buyer to declare that they are buying at a price which is much less than the original price advertised, and then pay them the difference in cash. READ ON

A common drivers license for the EU
European Union transport ministers are close to substituting a new EU driving licence for more than 80 different types of driving licence used across the 25-nation union. The new credit-card sized plastic licence would be harder to forge because its photograph and other details would have to be updated every 10 years. It could also contain electronic information about the driver. Brussels has long seen a common licence as essential to guarantee the principle of the free movement of people across the EU. READ ON