Vila Real de Santo António and Loulé in the running for top tourism award

vrsaVila Real de Santo António and Loulé are in the running to win a top award in the Publituris Portugal Trade Awards 2014.

This is the second year running that Vila Real de Santo António has been short-listed in the Best Council Area for Tourism category. And alongside Loulé is up against stiff competition from Lisbon, Oporto, Braga, Sines, Loulé and Ourém.

Portimão council votes for dismissal of hospital boss

pedronunesPortimão Municipal Assembly has approved a motion that seeks the dismissal of regional health boss Pedro Nunes (pictured).

The council approved by a majority the motion put forward by the coalition 'Servir Portimão' (CDS-PP, PPM and MPT) which was seeking the dismissal of the chairman of the board of directors of the Hospitals of the Algarve, Dr Pedro Nunes.

IKEA goes to court over Loulé store

ikea2Swedish-owned retailer IKEA Portugal confirmed today that it has started an administrative action in the Court of Loulé to defend its ground over the retail centre and store project that it aimed to have completed sometime in 2015.

This Thursday, a spokesman for the Association of Entrepreneurs of Quarteira and Vilamoura said that it was mounting a class action against the proposers of the development.

Faro receives 'Smarter Cities Challenge' report from IBM

farocamaraFive consultants from IBM have submitted their report listing six recommendations for the Algarve's economy

The IBM president in Portugal, António Raposo de Lima presented the results from his team reporting that Faro needed to use its data more intelligently to improve the local economy. The research and reports are part of a prize won by Faro under IBM’s ‘Smarter Cities Challenge.’

Faro renovation plan for crumbling buildings

faro2Under the leadership of Faro mayor Rogério Bacalhau from the PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM coalition, the council has agreed an inspired plan to reverse the dereliction of much of the city centre, and now has the support of the PSD party which has praised the 'effort and commitment of the Faro authority in its plan to halt and reverse the physical decline of deserted buildings which has increased in recent decades in downtown Faro.'

The creation of Urban Renewal Areas in three key downtown zones will start breathing new life into many of the old buildings that lie unoccupied and unloved.

Continental cheese leaving Cheddar behind

wallaceandgrommitBritish shoppers are spurning the country’s own cheeses in favour of more exotic continental varieties.

Last year, sales of the old staple, Cheddar, remained almost the same, while continental cheeses increased by more than 8%.

Spanish border breached again

refugeesSpain’s North African enclave of Melilla has come under renewed assault, with more than 200 migrants successfully scaling the border fence.

They used some of the same tactics deployed in other recent attempts, including hurling stones, sticks and bottles at police, according to officials.

Brits needed to help New Zealand rebuild

earthquakenzNearly 3,000 construction workers from the UK have gone to New Zealand over the last three years to help rebuild Christchurch which is still recovering from earthquake damage.

The quake caused 185 deaths when it struck in February 2011.