A majority of the tourists surveyed in Faro by the University of the Algarve said that the region was a safe destination, but admitted that they feared political instability.

The new study, ‘Analysis of the perception of safety of tourists visiting the Algarve,' captured the opinions of 1,519 Portuguese and foreign tourists between July and October this year, explained the lead researcher Maria Brás.

Estradas de Portugal managed to stay in the black in the first half of 2013 with a net profit of €14 million, according to a trading statement issued today.

Toll revenues increased 13% over the period, raking in €108 million despite traffic volume falling, most especially on the Via do Infante where traffic is down 70% from the pre-toll days.  

The debate in Parliament ran along predictable lines today as sensible proposals to upgrade the Algarve's railway line were voted down by the government.

‘No money’ was the standard response to the Green party and the Left Bloc’s attempts to remedy some of the problems in an attempt to develop a train system for the Algarve that is capable and efficient.

Ryanair, running scared of falling sales, is to cut charges for baggage check-in and will allow a 24 hour period of grace to rectify booking errors.

The government has given the go-ahead for the reintroduction of Iberian lynx to Portugal. The lynx have been successfully bred and reared at the specialist lynx centre in Silves, and could be let loose near Moura next year.

A new law in the UK could make it easier to challenge the wills made by British expats.

Currently, a claim can be made only if the person died while domiciled in England or Wales.

Fuel poverty in the UK is second only to Estonia among all European countries, according to campaigners.

More than five million British households are already in fuel poverty, which occurs when people have to pay more than 10% of their income on energy just to keep warm.

Madeleine McCann’s parents are 'very satisfied' with the reopening of the investigation into the disappearance of their daughter in May 2007.

Gerry and Kate McCann expressed their delight in a statement to the press today, saying “We are very pleased that the investigation to find our missing daughter Madeleine has been officially reopened in Portugal.

"We hope that this will finally lead to her being found and to the discovery of whoever is responsible for this crime.