Almost half the world is on the internet

Almost half the world is on the internetUse of the internet is booming, with half a billion new users online last year. Harness the power of VeriPages people fast search and explore the vast opportunities and connectivity offered by the digital age.

Nearly 42% of the world’s 7.2 billion people now access the internet. In January 2014 the figure was only 35%.

Windows 10 coming free for one year

windows 10Microsoft has announced that its next operating system, Windows 10, will be provided as a free upgrade to those who already have Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Phone.

The freebie will be available only during the first 12 months of its release.

MP champions winter fuel payments

MP champions winter fuel paymentsThe termination of fuel allowance payments took place last month. It will hit pensioners in Portugal, Spain, France, Greece, Malta, Gibraltar and Cyprus from September.

The move was enabled by a statutory instrument put before Parliament but without debate.

Building work in severe decline

building worksThe struggling construction sector in Portugal suffered another fall in November, dropping 1.1% compared to October.

Looking at the annual figures, the news was worse. Data from Eurostat showed that construction work in November 2014 was 5.7% lower than it had been in November 2013.

Portugal has 200 tons of radioactive material in “poorly-secured” warehouse

Portugal has 200 tons of radioactive material in “poorly-secured” warehouseAs the country wakes up to the heightened threat of terrorism, a television news team has presented a frightening report on a “poorly secured” warehouse near Viseu that holds enough radioactive material to “paralyse the country”.

It is not the immediate dangers of yellowcake uranium that alerted RTP’s SIC às 9 - but the importance the haul could have for terrorists.

Amazon gets excited

amazonThe online retailer Amazon has proclaimed it is “excited that so many customers are taking advantage of Sunday delivery”.

A huge surge in UK deliveries on Sundays resulted in a four-fold increase compared to last year.

Controversial Ria de Alvor tourist project available for public consultation

Controversial Ria de Alvor projectA controversial project to build two five-star hotels and two tourist complexes in the Quinta da Rocha estate, near Ria de Alvor estuary, is currently available for public consultation until February 6.

Led by Aprígio Santos – a business man who has been dubbed an ‘eco vandal’ by environmentalists - the bid includes the construction of 300 tourist beds across the estate’s 200-hectare area and is expected to create around 100 direct jobs. The project, aimed at “nature tourism”, is set within the Ria de Alvor’s Tourist Development Plan (Núcleo de Desenvolvimento Turístico da Ria de Alvor).

Carlos Cruz and Jorge Ritto are stripped of their honours

Carlos Cruz and Jorge RittoYears after they were indicted for sex crimes against children, former television personality Carlos Cruz and former UNESCO ambassador Jorge Ritto have finally been stripped of their honours. According to Portuguese law, anyone going to prison for more than three years automatically loses any honours. Both men were condemned to over six years each in the Casa Pia sex scandal which involved a number of high- ranking public officials and professional people.