British expats see free health care curtailed

expatThe UK government is set to clamp down on free access for some expats to local health care.

As part of its cost-savings initiatives, the UK may end the facility which allows UK expats under the state retirement age and not in employment to obtain free treatment in a number of their European countries of residence.

Another GM crop likely for Europe

maizeThe EU is likely to approve a genetically modified maize variety for cultivation.

The approval will come after years have passed since its previous sanction of another type of maize, the only GM crop grown in the EU.

Spanish judge challenges China

tibetA judge in Spain is seeking the arrest of formers leaders of China over claims of genocide in Tibet.

High Court Judge Ismael Moreno has asked Interpol to order the arrest of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, former premier Li Peng and three other officials in order to be questioned on charges of genocide raised by Tibetan rights groups in Spain.

Faro mayor gets $400,000 help from IBM

farocamaraA team of experts chosen by IBM has arrived in Faro to study the city and recommend improvements to the surrounding maritime economy and to the quality of life for those living and working in the Algarve’s capital.

The study of the existing infrastructure in Faro will take place over the next three weeks.

Portugal borrows another €3 billion

eurozonePortugal issued more bonds today on the international market, raising €3 billion maturing in 2014. According to Reuters the demand saw an oversubscription to €9.5 billion.

The yield of this issue is currently at 4.98%, according to Bloomberg, having reached a maximum of 5.02% during the morning.

Alentejo coast - a new strategic plan for ‘sun and sea’ tourism

coastA new strategic plan for the Alentejo coast is being prepared by the Regional Tourism Authority, in partnership with local councils, to promote the 150 kilometres of coastline.

"We have an Atlantic coast that has huge potential from the tourism point of view and this needs to be thought out and structured, which has never happened before," according to the president of the Regional Tourism body for the Alentejo, António Ceia da Silva who said that a structure needs to be put in place to enable the promotion of a ‘sun and sea’ strategy.

TAP stock market listing may end the indecision

4811In January 2014 Portugal’s government instructed the advisors who are looking at privatisation scenarios for national airline TAP to look again at a stock market listing for the profitable company.

Ministers want to look at all possibilities before making a long-overdue final decision on the sale of the company and requested a financial update on the value of the company based on its good 2013 trading results.

Minister accused of ignoring Algarve healthcare fiasco

freitasMiguel Freitas was on top form as he submitted questions in Parliament to the Health Minister over the state of the Algarve’s healthcare service, particularly its management.

He wondered if the Minister of Health “considers the position of AMAL (the Algarve mayors’ association) as irrelevant, will the inspection requested by the Portuguese Medical Council  go ahead and, more importantly, does he remain confident in the Council of administration for the Hospitals of the Algarve? "