Damaging revelations shake Brazil further

braziljesusThe beleaguered government of Brazil has been hit by further strife and protest marches.

A secretly recorded phone conversation could suggest that President Dilma Rousseff offered her predecessor, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva, a ministerial government post in order for him to avoid prosecution on corruption charges.

PAN party wins VAT concession for vet bills

dogA major victory has been won by the People-Animals-Nature party with parliament agreeing that the VAT on veterinary bills in future will qualify towards a reduction in the owner’s income tax.

Parliament passed the vet bill amendment to the 2016 State Budget that had been proposed by PAN, but its proposal that there should be an end to VAT free bullfighting tickets was not approved.

Algarve aims to shine at Tourism Oscars

martinhalThe Algarve has been nominated for Best European Beach Destination in the 2016 World Travel Awards, known as the tourism Oscars.

The category was created in 2007, since which the Algarve has won the top spot three times and the regional tourist board hopes that a fourth win will help secure the Algarve as the holidaymaker-s choice.

Voting is open to the travel trade and to the public until July 17th. The Algarve of course faces competition from some of the most famous European holiday destinations such as Cannes, Corfu, Greece, Majorca and Marbella, Oludeniz and Sardinia all of which are vying for Best Beach Destination in Europe.

EDP boss gets €360,000 bonus for 'leadership qualities and strategic vision'

edpAs complaints against EDP reach record levels due to contrived incompetence over customers switching energy supplier, and with the regulator pushing home a multi-million euro fine for EDP’s refusal to deal fairly with customers on the ‘social tariff,’ the company’s chief executive António Mexia earned €2.1 million last year.
 
The businessman’s total wedge was made up of performance related pay going back to 2014 and a deferred salary payment from 2012 but even these generous sums were boosted by an extraordinary bonus, agreed by EDP’s remuneration committee, of €360,000 for "leadership qualities and strategic vision."

Monchique council's former vice-president in court for embezzling funds

euromillions2The former vice-president of Monchique council at last has been called to court facing charges of embezzlement and falsifying records between 2004 and 2009.

António Mira also appears to have failed in his duty to submit his annual earnings to the tax authority for at least 16 years.

French people pick up the expat habit

baguetteFrench citizens are reported to be on the move, with those becoming expats rising by 2% last year.

In total, 1.7 million French nationals are registered with foreign consulates, according to the country’s foreign affairs ministry, although the real number is estimated to be 2.5 million.

British shoppers savour packaged meat, large chocolate bars, and pod coffee

shoppingbasketWhatever their political opinions about the EU, British consumers are increasingly turning to Europe for taste.

The finding comes from this year’s update of the official basket of everyday goods which is used to calculate inflation in the UK. In addition to serving as an economic tool, it is also an interesting indicator of popular trends.

Faro airport baggage handlers to be sacked

baggagehandlersThe head of the Union of Aviation and Airport Workers said today that he is preparing for the collective dismissal of "several hundred" Portway workers at Lisbon, Oporto and Faro airports.
 
Union leader, Fernando Henriques said the decision has already been communicated informally by the company and the process will be "formally launched in the coming weeks" to accord with Portugal’s labour laws.