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Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Portugal considers sweetening incentives for Golden Visa program
Live Events Less than two months after Spain scrapped its golden visa due to concerns about its effect on the housing market, Portugal is considering whether to sweeten its golden visa program and make a special tax regime for expatriates even more of the Presidency Antonio Leitao Amaro said in an interview that the measures being discussed would aim to bolster foreign investment and lure global talent to Portugal's declining to provide specifics, he said the goal was to burnish Portugal's image as an 'investment destination.'(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)Portugal's golden visa, among the most popular in Europe, offers non-Europeans a fast-track to residency through options including a minimum €500,000 ($572,780) investment in eligible funds. New Portuguese residents may also be eligible for a 20% flat tax on local income and a ten year exemption on most foreign to the golden visa and tax programs, Amaro said that the government is looking into organizing them in 'a more effective and economically efficient way' while ensuring that any changes are 'economically and socially fair.'Portugal's approach stands in contrast to not only Spain, which scrapped its golden visa program in April over complaints that it was driving up housing prices, but also to other European nations. Malta, Ireland, the Netherlands and Greece have all either ended or tightened the rules around their golden visa or equivalent programs in recent has risen for Portugal's golden visa, which only requires participants to spend about a week per year in the country. Golden visa approvals also rose 72% last year to a record 4,987 from the previous year, according to the country's immigration agency AIMA. Since the program launched in 2012, Americans have been among the top three recipients of golden visas along with Chinese and Brazilian whose center-right government won a second mandate in an early election last month, said there were no plans to scrap or 'demonize' the golden visa. That's a reversal from the previous socialist government, which removed real estate investment as a basis for golden visa eligibility in 2023 as a way to fight speculation in the housing market, where prices have surged to record highs. It previously threatened to scrap the program entirely.'There's no plan to end it. It's not on the table,' said Amaro. He said AIMA is working on clearing a backlog of almost 45,000 golden visas applications currently awaiting review.'We expect that by the end of the year this process will be largely taken care of,' he added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Portugal considers sweetening incentives for Golden Visa program
Less than two months after Spain scrapped its golden visa due to concerns about its effect on the housing market, Portugal is considering whether to sweeten its golden visa program and make a special tax regime for expatriates even more attractive. Minister of the Presidency Antonio Leitao Amaro said in an interview that the measures being discussed would aim to bolster foreign investment and lure global talent to Portugal's economy. ALSO READ: Portugal speeds up Golden Visa processing after long delays by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Honor a Forgotten Father Today HelpAge India Donate Now Undo While declining to provide specifics, he said the goal was to burnish Portugal's image as an 'investment destination.' (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Portugal's golden visa, among the most popular in Europe, offers non-Europeans a fast-track to residency through options including a minimum €500,000 ($572,780) investment in eligible funds. New Portuguese residents may also be eligible for a 20% flat tax on local income and a ten year exemption on most foreign income. Live Events ALSO READ: Portugal is done being one of Europe's most welcoming destinations for foreigners Referring to the golden visa and tax programs, Amaro said that the government is looking into organizing them in 'a more effective and economically efficient way' while ensuring that any changes are 'economically and socially fair.' Portugal's approach stands in contrast to not only Spain, which scrapped its golden visa program in April over complaints that it was driving up housing prices, but also to other European nations. Malta, Ireland, the Netherlands and Greece have all either ended or tightened the rules around their golden visa or equivalent programs in recent years. ALSO READ: Portugal tightens migrant labour laws: End of work permits for these workers Demand has risen for Portugal's golden visa, which only requires participants to spend about a week per year in the country. Golden visa approvals also rose 72% last year to a record 4,987 from the previous year, according to the country's immigration agency AIMA. Since the program launched in 2012, Americans have been among the top three recipients of golden visas along with Chinese and Brazilian nationals. Amaro, whose center-right government won a second mandate in an early election last month, said there were no plans to scrap or 'demonize' the golden visa. That's a reversal from the previous socialist government, which removed real estate investment as a basis for golden visa eligibility in 2023 as a way to fight speculation in the housing market, where prices have surged to record highs. It previously threatened to scrap the program entirely. 'There's no plan to end it. It's not on the table,' said Amaro. He said AIMA is working on clearing a backlog of almost 45,000 golden visas applications currently awaiting review. 'We expect that by the end of the year this process will be largely taken care of,' he added.
National Geographic
16-05-2025
- National Geographic
How to spend 48 hours in Tofino, the bohemian bolthole on Vancouver Island
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Set on Vancouver Island's wild western shore, Tofino is a town surrounded by windswept beaches and coastal rainforest. It has a hippy air and is home to year-round surfers, Indigenous artists and an increasing number of chefs, drawn to the natural riches of the Pacific coast. Come for ocean waves, stay for the fish tacos and star-spangled evenings. Day 1 8am: Breakfast at the beach Start the day at Cox Bay, a mile-long stretch of sand just south of Tofino. The Beach Shack Cafe, at Pacific Sands Beach Resort, has hearty 'brekko wraps' (double sausage, bacon, eggs and tater tots) or 'surf bowls' (granola, berries and yoghurt), plus all manner of drinks. 9am: Stretch your legs Follow part of apsčiik tašii, a 16-mile pathway between Tofino and the neighbouring town of Ucluelet. It leads into Pacific Rim National Park through rainforest and a rich intertidal zone. Look out for megafauna like black bears and grey whales. 12pm: Snack & shop Ariana's Sandwich Shop in Tofino serves house-made focaccia like the 'Calabrese' (spicy salami). Nearby, in a cedarwood coastal longhouse, Roy Henry Vickers Gallery sells prints and paintings blending traditional Indigenous and contemporary styles. 1pm: Enjoy a seaweed spa Clayoquot Sound is a 60-mile-wide stretch of water home to Tofino's islands and inlets. Here, Moon Jelly Spa offers six-hour, self-led spa sessions. A 15-minute boat ride from Tofino takes you to a private floating pontoon with a saltwater seaweed hot tub, an ocean-swimming jetty, a freshwater shower and a gazebo with day beds. 7pm: Unwind with cocktails Back in Tofino, Ombré has a thorough cocktail menu to please even the most ardent devotee — don't miss the Collins, made with a secret Amaro blend. Alternatively, order a glass of Chardonnay from Meyer Family Vineyards in British Columbia's Okanagan Falls. 8pm: Take Shelter Overlooking the yachts of Tofino Inlet, this buzzy bistro has a briny menu. Chef Matty Kane's handmade fettuccine with fresh mussels and prawns is a perennial favourite. Day 2 8am: Start the day with a Roar Part of retro, surfer-cool Hotel Zed, Roar cafe serves the likes of locally made Rhino coffee and breakfast poutine (charcoal spuds, cheese curds and scrambled eggs) in a rainforest-shaded terrace garden. Or order a breakfast wrap to go — it's the perfect snack to eat while exploring Tofino Inlet, a sanctuary for birds just a few steps away. 11am: Hit the waves Billed as the world's largest female-run surf school, Surf Sister began in 1999 with a mission to empower women in surfing. It's since been teaching people of all genders, ages and abilities. Daily, two-hour group lessons at Cox Bay and nearby Chesterman Beach are suitable for competent swimmers aged 12 and over. Private sessions cater to youngsters. 1pm: Snack & shop Just south east of town, visitors can sample a fish taco or 'super vegan' burrito with tempura yam at Tacofino, Tofino's original food truck, serving hungry surfers since 2009. Next door, Chocolate Tofino has house-made gelato flavours including caramel with Vancouver Island sea salt, while Den Refillery sells eco-friendly candles, and bath and skincare products made with local seaweed, cedar, sage and more. 3pm: Go foraging Learn to identify edible mushrooms, plants, berries, seaweeds and shellfish as you forage from forest floor to ocean shore around Tofino and Ucluelet. During two-hour guided tours with Brite Collective, you'll pick the likes of goose barnacles, sea asparagus and spruce tips, and get tips on how to eat them. 6pm: Sundowner & dinner Hit the deck at The Ivanhoe, a waterfront, fine-dining spot at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, for a sunset cocktail like the van-quadra negroni with West Coast Sheringham Seaside Gin. Inside, picture windows frame the Bedwell River and Clayoquot Sound, and dishes celebrate single ingredients. Try grilled sablefish produced in partnership with the Kyuquot/Cheklesahht First Nation, or slow-cooked Canadian Rangeland bison shoulder. 9pm: Kayak Clayoquot Sound Paddle under the cover of night into Clayoquot Sound, where low light pollution makes the canopy of stars, meteor showers and bioluminescent plankton shine bright. Want to stay overnight? Paddle West offers multi-day camp-and-kayak tours into the wilds of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, with the chance to soak in thermal waters at Hot Springs Cove. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
News18
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Cheers to World Cocktail Day: Celebrate with 11 Stunning Summer Serves
Last Updated: From reinvented classics to regionally inspired creations, there's something here for every palate. Every year on May 13, cocktail lovers around the world raise a glass to celebrate World Cocktail Day, marking the birth of the first-ever definition of a cocktail published in 1806. This year, toast in style with a collection of 11 exquisite cocktail recipes—each crafted to reflect the diverse flavours, cultural twists, and seasonal freshness that make a perfect summer sip. From reinvented classics to regionally inspired creations, there's something here for every palate. Let the mixing begin! Paper Plane A bittersweet, zesty modern classic with a smooth malt depth. Ingredients: 25 ml The Glenlivet 12 Year Old 25 ml Aperol 25 ml Amaro 25 ml Fresh Lemon Juice Method: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake well and double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a twist of orange zest. Horse's Neck Highball A 19th-century classic revived with Chivas Regal XV. Ingredients: 50 ml Chivas Regal XV 100 ml Soda Build in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently and garnish with a long lemon twist. JGL (Jameson, Ginger & Lime) A globally loved signature serve that's zesty and refreshing. Ingredients: 45 ml Jameson Irish Whiskey Ginger ale (top up) Lime wedge Method: Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour Jameson, top with ginger ale, and squeeze in a lime wedge. The Pinklet A vibrant strawberry-forward cocktail, perfect for sunlit afternoons. Ingredients: 50 ml Beefeater Pink Strawberry 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice 10 ml Sugar Syrup Shake all ingredients with ice and strain straight. Garnish with a strawberry. The Cobbler Ingredients 40ml The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old 10ml Lemon juice 20ml Freshly pressed apple juice 5ml Elderflower cordial Garnish: Fruit slices and a mint sprig Method Add all ingredients to an ice-filled shaker Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with crushed ice Top with soda water and garnish with fruit slices and a mint sprig Amalfi Settantacinque A zesty champagne cocktail with a Mediterranean touch. Ingredients: 25 ml Malfy Con Limone 20 ml Clementine Juice 15 ml Simple Syrup 20 ml Lemon Juice 75 ml Perrier-Jouët NV Brut Method: Shake the first four ingredients with ice, double strain into a champagne flute, and top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist and star anise. Discarded Highball An elegant rum highball with sustainable spirit. Ingredients: 60 ml Camikara 3-Year-Old Rum 120 ml Discarded Soda Orange coin & mint sprig for garnish Method: Build in a highball glass with ice. Stir gently and garnish with orange coin and mint. Cranberry Punch A vibrant, fruity cooler with a hint of herbaceous rosemary. Ingredients: 25 ml Absolut Vodka 25 ml Lillet Rosé 25 ml Lime Juice 25 ml Simple Syrup 1 cup Cranberries (for infusion) Soda water Rosemary sprig for garnish Method: Blend cranberries with vodka, strain, and combine with remaining ingredients over ice in a rocks glass. Top with soda and garnish with rosemary. Appletini A crisp, festive drink with a tropical rum twist. Ingredients: 45 ml Khukri White Rum 15 ml Green Apple Syrup 15 ml Triple Sec 15 ml Lemon Juice 20 ml Apple Juice Apple slice for garnish Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an apple slice. Ballantine's Whisky Flip A creamy, indulgent after-dinner drink with a classic flair. Ingredients: 35 ml Ballantine's 7 American Barrel 15 ml Amaretto 20 ml Double Cream 1 Whole Egg Ice Nutmeg for garnish Method: Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and dust with nutmeg. Camikara's Summer Mule A tropical mule with an Indian twist of mango and khus. Ingredients: 50 ml Camikara 3-Year-Old Rum 30 ml Mango and Khus Cordial Ginger Ale (top up) Edible flower for garnish Mule mug for serving Method: Shake rum and cordial with ice. Strain into a mule mug and top with ginger ale. Garnish with an edible flower. Longitude77 Ratnagiri Alphonso Mango Smash A rich Indian whisky cocktail with creamy aamras and mint. Ingredients: 60 ml Longitude77 Indian Single Malt 20 ml Alphonso Mango Juice 15 ml Lime Juice 20 ml Mint Syrup 30 ml Cow Milk Garnish: A slice of Ratnagiri Alphonso or mango leather (aam papad) top videos View all Method: Shake all ingredients except milk with ice. Strain, then add milk and allow it to settle. Filter through a coffee filter before serving. Watch CNN-News18 here. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : cnn-news18 cocktail cocktail drugs Cocktail Recipes cocktails gin cocktails latest news lifestyle news18 Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 12, 2025, 20:59 IST News lifestyle Cheers to World Cocktail Day: Celebrate with 11 Stunning Summer Serves
Saudi Gazette
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Portugal to expel some 18,000 illegal migrants ahead of snap national election
LISBON — Portugal's caretaker government announced plans on Saturday to expel about 18,000 foreigners living in the country without legal permits or authorization. António Leitão Amaro, Minister of the Presidency, said the center-right government will issue approximately 18,000 notifications to illegal migrants asking them to leave. According to Amaro, officials will begin next week by asking some 4,500 undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily within 20 days. The announcement comes in the build-up to the country's early general election, scheduled to be held on 18 May. Last week, Amaro was quoted in the local press as saying that 'Portugal needs to review its deportation system, which doesn't work." "It is important to realize that Portugal is one of the three countries in Europe that executes the fewest deportations of people who ordered to leave for violating the rules, including for security reasons,' he month's snap ballot was called in March by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro after his minority government, led by his conservative Social Democratic Party, lost a confidence vote in Parliament and stood who took power less than a year ago, was accused of a potential conflict of interest regarding a family law firm was alleged to have received payments from a company with a major gambling concession granted by the 'dispel uncertainty,' Montenegro called for snap elections. Instead, opposition parties teamed up to topple government, a two-party alliance, was in power for less than a year and had just 80 seats in the current 230-seat overwhelming majority of opposition lawmakers, led by the center-left Socialists and Chega, which together hold 128 seats, vowed to vote against it and followed upcoming poll pitches the country of 10.6 million people into months of political uncertainty, just as it is in the process of investing more than €22 billion in EU development funds to retool its analysts have also noted with concern the rising European tide of populism in the country, with the far-right Chega party surging into third place in last year's transitioning to democracy in the wake of the 1974 Carnation Revolution, which ended a four-decade dictatorship, Portugal has not experienced political turmoil as it is seeing demise of the minority government in March marks the worst spell of political instability in 50 years of the country's democracy. — Euronews
