One in five Portuguese who use social networks stopped using at least one last year.

A “lack of interest” was the main reason, according to a study by Marktest which reported that 21% of users abandoned a social network in 2016.

The collapsed Portuguese bank, Banif, given away to Santander in December 2015, has managed to generate a million euros a month in profit for the Spanish group last year. 

Santander acquired Banif's banking activity at the end of 2015 as the Bank of Portugal yet again was panicked into a deal that saw shareholder value wiped out and future losses underwritten.

After the cold, we now have rain and high winds to look forward to across the Algarve.

The Faro district, and 11districts across Portugal, have been placed on the weatherman’s 'yellow alert' as strong winds are set to bring torrential rain on Thursday.

The Portuguese Air Force has spotted an oil slick in the ocean between northern Portugal and Spain, almost certainly caused by an oil tanker skipper ordering that his ship's tanks be washed out at sea. 

The pollution was logged as "covering the same area as 126 soccer pitches" and was detected to the northwest of Portugal, although it is located mainly in Spanish territorial waters.

The CDS/PP party has written to the finance minister questioning him about the potential impacts of the new commissions charge on card payments.

The party fears a resulting increase in cash payments and a ‘greater insecurity for traders and consumers who will be carrying more cash around.

The government’s main opposition, the Social Democrat party (PSD), has spotted that the ruling Socialists have been adept in recent week at sending emissaries south to bring good news to the Algarve in the run up to this autumn’s local council elections.

The PSD–Algarve has stated that the recent investment announcements made by a government minister simply is blatant pre-election nonsense and that the infrastructure developments described in such glowing terms may come to nothing at all, or will be ages late.

The information service at the Social Security office in Faro is only offering its advice and expertise if you have made an appointment.

Starting this week, anyone that wants help or needs to untangle the muddle that Social Security seems adept at causing, needs to book in advance.

Hardy Portuguese undergraduates have been included in an international group of scientist setting off to carry out research in Antartica. The scientists leave on Thursday as part of the Portuguese Polar Programme which encompasses seven key research projects, mainly relating to  global warming.

Director of the Portuguese Polar Programme (Propolar),Teresa Cabrita, said the Portuguese projects "are very renowned internationally  because they focus on interesting areas of global warming and climate change."