2013 - a further 120,000 Portuguese emigrate

airplane2La belle France remains the most popular destination for Portuguese émigrées, followed by Angola despite its despotic leadership with kleptomaniac tendencies.

In 2013 the emigration rate has been similar to the saddening outflow of the year before, with government estimated, bound to be on the low side, of between 100,000 and 120,000 Portuguese leaving their homeland.

Christmas Day transformed into online retail experience

johnlewisChristmas Day could attract millions of Brits online to grab a bargain in the sales.

In the way of prediction, Britons could spend an estimated £228million as stores either launch their sales early or slash their prices further.

Bold plans for Madrid’s future

madridThe shape and design of Madrid could fall into the hands of private developers.

Every 15 years, Spain’s capital reviews its urban plan with a view to guiding future development.

Portugal "is lousy at selling itself”

portugal"The big problem for Portugal is that people here do not know the value in what we have," said Ana Miranda, director of the Art Institute in New York, at the first annual meeting of the Council of the Portuguese Diaspora, held today in Cascais.

With 52 members, representing the Portuguese in 15 countries and four continents, the Council brought together 'influential Portuguese' living overseas to a networking event to help reinforce the reputation of Portugal and help in the development and prosperity of the country.

More bodies recovered in Praia do Meco student tragedy

seasThree more bodies were found today, almost certainly from the group of six young students that were swept from Meco beach.

The Navy continued to patrol the coastline in coordination with searches by the Maritime Authority and this morning spotted and revovered a body, followed by two more this afternoon.

The remains this morning were found one day after a second body was recovered about three kilometers from the site of the accident.

Bankers on the dole

banifWorkers laid off from the insurance and banking sectors in Portugal have increased by 13% in the past year as branches are closed and staff numbers trimmed.

Social Security branches have seen bank and insurance company workers signing on in increasing numbers, making the financial services sector the largest growth area within the overall number of unemployed.

Lawyers have assets seized due to clients' debts

judgeswigThe Confederation of Trade and Services, and the Bar Association, say they have received several complaints over the new system of seizing assets and freezing bank accounts, citing several cases of abuse or excess.

The new Code of Civil Procedure, which started in September, meant that enforcement agents could now contact banks directly to start seizure processed which has dramatically increased the number of cases.

Offensive Douro wine label rejected

troikaportlabelDouro wine producer Eurico Figueiredo submitted a wine label with the logo ‘Que se Lixa a Troika’ (Screw the Troika) which was refused by the Douro and Port Wine Institute, thus guranteeing worldwide publicity.

The label was rejected as it could damage the ‘prestigious designation of origin’ of the Douro wine region and was viewed by the institute as offensive, which would ensure a ban under the existing wine labelling rules.