Chance of second bailout for Portugal is 'low' according to Moody's

moodysWhile former-Prime Minister Pedro Passos continues to infect the media with his increasingly bizarre allegations about the socialist party and its intent to trigger a second bailout, ratings agency Moody today said that the risk of such a bailout is low.

The position of Moody's on the need for a second bailout comes after Finance Minister Mario Centeno assured investors and the European Commission that his "primary task" is to avoid a second rescue.

Goldman Sachs may regret Barroso appointment as allegations fly

barrosoFormer Portuguese Prime Minister, José Manuel Barroso, has complained to the European Commission of ‘discriminatory treatment’ in the current feud over his lucrative appointment at Goldman Sachs.

The former European Commission President said today that recent statements from the Commission are discriminatory, and that they affect himself and his new employer.

Meet the ancestors - Vila do Bispo's 'Prehistoric Kingdom of the Algarve' exhibition

aurochsAn astoundingly rare 24,000-year-old stone carving will be on display in Vila do Bispo at the council’s interpretation centre in the old municipal market.

"Origins of the Prehistoric Kingdom of the Algarve" is open to the public until October 28th as a retrospective of the archaeological knowledge of the Algarve region, resulting from nearly 150 years of research.

The Frosé trend marks the last of the summer wine

frozeeOne of the most popular drinks this summer in the UK was a concoction named frosé.

The news will likely tickle those who already swear by the delight of rosé wines and Portuguses exporters will benefit from the trend of turning rosé into an iced novelty drink.

Algarve's IKEA to open in the spring of 2017

ikea2The IKEA store at the vast MAR Shopping Algarve retail development at Valados near Loulé is scheduled to open in the spring of 2017

IKEA Portugal has stuck to its current focus on renewable energy - investing €1 million on a photovoltaic panel system to generate electricity - and that it soon will be recruiting in preparation for the opening next year.

Brazil kicks out another leading politician

braziljesusThe paroxysm engulfing recent Brazilian politics has not ended with the impeachment of the president, but has now extended to claim another influential politician.

The country’s lower house voted on Monday to expel its former speaker, Eduardo Cunha, for perjury, corruption and obstruction of justice. The decision was overwhelming – 450 votes in favour against 10 with nine abstentions.

EN125 roadworks halted - contractors quit over non-payment

roadworksThe summer is over, the EN125 roadworks were due to restart on September 1st, except they didn't as the sub-contractors have not been paid.

At best, residents now are looking at next summer before the western part of the EN125 roadwork project is finished after the various sub-contractors triggered termination clauses due to non-payment.

ZERO warns of water pollution in fire damaged areas

fire fronteiraEnvironmental association ZERO has called for some urgent action by the public authorities to prevent erosion, soil degradation and water pollution in those areas damaged by recent forest fires before the arrival of the first heavy rainfall of the autumn.

The next few days will see that start of the seasonal rains across most of mainland Portugal and ZERO says the authorities need to act in concert especially in areas where water is used to feed into the public supply.