E-voting technology is quickly gaining in popularity in many countries all around the world, but the United Kingdom continues to lag behind. At least one British politician is aiming to change that. Commons Speaker John Bercow is making a major push toward updating the British electoral system to integrate more e-voting technology and innovations.

While some of his opponents worry that this would dramatically change the electoral process, Bercow says that the shift to e-voting as an option should not be seen as earth-shattering but rather as a natural step in moving the nation forward.

A few days ago at the consulate of Brazil in Faro, started the Council of Citizenship. It aims to help the Brazilian Foreign Ministry to support its citizens south of the Tagus, except in border towns to Lisbon.

Among other activities they will schedule a monthly lunch with some cultural venue, issue a newsletter and also organize continued education for adults who wish to complete their degrees.

Nobody knows quite how many Swedes live in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. There are some 550,000 Swedes, 1 in 16, living outside Sewden and 25% of these certainly are retired. The best estimate is that are about 4,000 Swedes in Portugal.

Most of them tell about our products and tourism to their friends who increasingly are buying homes here since the law changed to exempt them from IMI. Properties, such as villas and luxury flats are easily sold.

Queen's speech

   "After many months of discussion, debate, and careful thought, we now know the outcome of the Referendum, and it is a result that all of us throughout the United Kingdom will respect.

For many in Scotland and elsewhere today, there will be strong feelings and contrasting emotions – among family, friends and neighbours. That, of course, is the nature of the robust democratic tradition we enjoy in this country. But I have no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by an understanding of the feelings of others.

Mrs Kirsty Isobel Hayes has been appointed Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Portuguese Republic in succession to Mrs Jill Gillard, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mrs Hayes will take up her appointment during August 2014.

In coming issues we will publish a few chapters of this bilingual book, newly launched at the Confederação Empresarial de Portugal, presented by its President Antonio Saraiva, with foreword by the President of the Auditing Court of Portugal, Guilherme d’Oliveira Martins.
It was edited by Jack Soifer, with co-authors Francisco B. Weinholtz, John Wolf, Stefan de Vylder, Armindo Palma, Luis Silva, Henrique Neto and Viriato Soromenho-Marques.

The arrival in Lisbon of a new woman ambassador representing the United Kingdom is another indication that the gender gap in diplomatic circles is narrowing, but equality is still some way off.

Throughout most of history, ‘manliness’ was deemed an essential ingredient in the conduct of international politics. The English diplomat and politician Sir Harold Nicholson (1986-1968) once said, “women are prone to qualities of zeal, sympathy and intuition which, unless kept under the firmest control, are dangerous qualities in international affairs.”

In coming issues we will publish a few chapters of this bilingual book, newly launched at the Confederação Empresarial de Portugal, presented by its President Antonio Saraiva, with foreword by the President of the Auditing Court of Portugal, Guilherme d’Oliveira Martins.

It was edited by Jack Soifer, with co-authors Francisco B. Weinholtz, John Wolf, Stefan de Vylder, Armindo Palma, Luis Silva, Henrique Neto and Viriato Soromenho-Marques.