French cuisine dumbs down

mcdonaldsDespite their global reputation for haute cuisine, people in France are swopping traditional fare in favour pizzas and burgers.

The popularity of foreign fast food shows no sign of letting up, according to a new study by food consultancy company Gira Conseil.

Portugal's Post Office launches BancoCTT in selected branches

cttcounterPortugal’s Post Office network is launching its own banking service in over 50 branches on March 18th. Correios de Portugal announced that BancoCTT will open for business within existing CTT outlets.

"To mark its launch, BancoCTT will open to the public simultaneously in 51 outlets spread across 18 districts in Portugal, nine of which are in the cities of Lisbon and Oporto, and with a strong presence in digital channels, through the provision of  the 'BancoCTT’ app available for iOS and Android phones and online home banking.

Refugees land in Lisbon - more expected for Thursday

airplaneThe 64 refugees, mostly from Syria and Iraq, that were expected early this morning, all have arrived safely and will be distributed as soon as possible to reception facilities in 15 locations up and down the country, including in Faro and Olhão in the Algarve.

Deputy Minister, Eduardo Cabrita spoke to journalists after the 64-person group touched down at the Figo Maduro military airport in Lisbon. Cabrita said that 24 children were among the passengers and that the expected number of 68 was short of four people as one family did not travel due to illness.

Algarve elected "Most Trusted Brand" in 2016 Reader's Digest survey

markofconfidenceThe Algarve has been selected by readers of Reader's Digest as a 'Trusted Brand' in the category for Regional Tourism.

The category was introduced for the first time this year and the Algarve beat Portugal’s other regions.

Mexico rejects Donald Trump’s wall

thedonaldMexico’s president has stood up to US presidential hopeful Donald Trump by saying that Mexico will not pay for a wall along the US – Mexico border and criticised Trump’s “strident rhetoric”.

President Enrique Pena Nieto’s comments were among the most critical comments of Mr Trump by any foreign leader to date.

Paddle boarder rescued by Maritime Police

supThe Vila Real de Santo António Maritime Police rescued a 34-year-old Spanish ‘stand-up paddle boarder’ off Praia Verde beach on Saturday.

A distress alert that a woman was in trouble was received by the local Maritime Police, via the Maritime Operations Centre, on Saturday at 17:00 and officers set off by boat to rescue her.

Golden Visa suspect demands charges are dropped

courthouseThe former president of the Institute of Registrars and Notaries, António Figueiredo, has asked the judge in Operation Labyrinth to drop the investigation into his behaviour claiming that he has not been informed of many of the charges included in his indictment.

Judge Carlos Alexandre starts the instruction process for the case on Tuesday, March 8th and is to begin by questioning António Figueiredo about the dozen crimes of which he is accused which include corruption, diverting public funds and money laundering.

Spanish exodus carries on unabated

easyjetIncreasing numbers of Spaniards continue to leave their country despite recent improvements in the nation’s economy.

In the first half of 2015, the National Statistics Institute registered 50,844 Spaniards who relocated abroad. This was a 30% increase over the same period in 2014.