Volunteers sought for UK online voting pilot

Voting online pilotBritish expats could soon find that they can register to vote online in UK elections.

Some 3.5 million eligible expats around the world could be presented with an easier way to cast their ballot, but only those who have been abroad for less than 15 years.

Gay and Grey

Vive la difference!An expat in France is developing a retirement village for gay Brits who are over 50.

The village is to be the first of its kind in Europe and is situated near Narbonne in southern France.

Online password security should be tightened

Online security an issueOne in six people in the UK use their pet’s name as their password for their online accounts, leaving themselves more vulnerable to fraudsters.

A recent study also discovered that 49% of people use the same password for all their accounts, another risky practice.

Government rejected plan to create 50,000 jobs

Restaurants empty and many go bustPortugal’s hotel, restaurant and catering enterprises are being encouraged to hike their prices fully to reflect the 23% rate of VAT, part of which currently is being adsorbed by the businesses.

If the VAT rate stays at 23% in the 2014 budget, which it set to do, the full amount will be passed on to customers.

Portugal’s travel agencies in sales slump

Travel agencies sales fall againPortugal's Travel Agency sector is predicted to invoice at least 7% less this year as slackening demand and strong pressure on prices take their toll.


"The adverse economic situation in recent years has caused sharp falls in revenue for tour operators and travel agencies in Portugal" according to a D&B report released today.

Angola drops Portugal as trading partner

Georges ChikotiAngola has made it clear that closer trading cooperation between the two countries is will not happen.
In an interview on Public Television of Angola, the Angloan minister of foreign affairs mentioned South Africa, China and Brazil as alternative trading buddies.

"Angola will look for new horizons and will rethink its foreign policy with other priorities. We have other partners who are more important," said Georges Chikoti in a snub that will send shockwaves through Portugal’s corporate sector.

Earthquake felt across the western Algarve

Lisbon earthquake, devastatingAn earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale was recorded at 3pm today with an epicentre located about 190 kilometers south-southwest of Cape St. Vincent.

The tremor was reported by concerned citizens in Portimão, Quarteira and Loulé.

British housing market on the move again

Housing on the move againMortgage approvals jumped 40% in September, making it the highest monthly level since the critical slump in 2009.

By the end of the month, nearly 43,000 loans for house purchases were made, according to the British Bankers Association.