Portugal Alive

Inside AdSense: Right from the resource

2007-11-04T19:35:00.000Z

The next day…

2006-07-06T17:32:00.000+01:00

Today many Portuguese woke up to the sad reality that Portugal will not be playing in the finals after last night’s loss against France. Although the dream of becoming World Champions was harshly stolen from them there is still a little room for redemption, third place.

While third place isn’t all that's cracked up to be, Portugal still hopes to give its fans one final World Cup celebration Saturday in its match against Germany. Last time Portugal fought for this spot it was in 1966 when Eusebio's team beat the Soviet Union to capture third place, representing Portugal’s best finish up to date.

"We're proud and happy to be in the best four of the 32 teams that started this tournament," Scolari said. "It's an historic achievement."

Although third place isn’t has clamorous as the finals it is always better than fourth.

Tags: Portugal, Germany, World, Cup, Scolari

Portugal’s dream is over

2006-07-05T22:37:00.000+01:00

The World Cup dream is over. Thousands of Portuguese fans were left distressed today after their golden boys 1-0 loss to France in the semi-final. Portugal played very well but at the end it wasn’t enough to beat the French.

Many crowds had gathered all around Portugal to watch their Team play but this time instead of cheers and excitement only tears and sadness were felt by the many fans.

Despite the loss Portugal will make one more appearance when they travel to Stuttgart to face Germany on Saturday for the third-place World Cup playoff.

Tags: Portugal, France, World, Cup

Portugal beats England

2006-07-02T22:49:00.000+01:00

It won't be this time that England beats Portugal, it has been this way for some 40 years. After England lost David Beckham to an injury and Wayne Rooney to a red card, Portugal won a shootout 3-1 following 120 minutes of scoreless soccer.
Ricardo, Portugal's goalkeeper, was definitely the one responsible for the victory when he spectacularly saved three out the four penalty kicks. Portugal will now progress into the semi-finals to face France on Wednesday in Munich.

Tags: Portugal, Ricardo, Rooney, Semifinals, Semi-finals, France, Munich, Soccer

Victory to Portugal

2006-07-01T19:24:00.000+01:00

Portugal is victorious once again. We are proud to say that Portugal won against England. Today's game represents the first time Portugal makes it to the semi-finals in over 40 years. Both teams put on a good show but in the end Ricardo brought the victory to Portugal by defending three penalty kicks. Very well do to Portugal.

Figo prepered for England

2006-06-30T10:59:00.000+01:00

Luis Figo told reporters that they have been studying English players by watching videos of them in action and that they knew pretty well what Sven-Goran Eriksson's boys could do. He also added that his team was prepared for the game and for whatever the English side had to offer.

"We will treat them with respect. We know the English team well, we know the players one on one, we know the way they play and we are prepared for the game," told Figo.

The fact that Portugal put England out of Euro 2004 and that England hasn't between Portugal in a major competition for some 40 years is only contributing to make this an explosive game.

England only managed to beat Portugal 2-1 in the semifinals on its way to its only World Cup triumph in 1966. Since then, in all major competitions Portugal has always prevailed against England, winning 1-0 at the 1986 World Cup, 3-2 at the 2000 European Championship and the 6-5 on penalties in the 2004 European Championship quarter-finals.

Tags: Portugal, English, European, Championship, quarter-finals, World Cup, Portuguese, English

English press “ Portuguese team is insubordinate and violent"”

2006-06-29T21:46:00.000+01:00

With only a few days until the much anticipated quarter-final match between Portugal and England things have already started heating up with some English press attacking Portugal's Players branding them the hooligans of the World Cup. Without the slightest remorse English press have taken up arms in a crusade against the Portuguese branding them the rough crowd of the tournament. Lively news headings like “Rooney ready for Portugal rough stuff” have been popping up regularly in what looks like an attempt to warn referees that Portugal is on its way. Portugal's players have been calm and chose not to respond to provocations choosing rather to wait for Saturday's match to show what they are worth.

Tags: Portugal, England, English, press, World, Cup, Rooney

Image BBC sport

FIFA Deco will not play

2006-06-28T11:11:00.000+01:00

Deco Portuguese Midfielder will miss the quarter-final match against England after FIFA rejected the appeal made by coache Luiz Felipe Scolari. The teams coach asked Portugal's Football Federation to appeal against Deco's dismissal but FIFA communications director Markus Siegler promptly rejected this possibility.

Tags: Portugal, England, Deco, Quarter, Final, Game, Luiz, Felipe, Scolari, FIFA

Portugal moves on after brutal game against the Netherlands

2006-06-25T23:26:00.000+01:00

Today's game between Portugal and the Netherlands is sure to make it to the history books. The action pack 90 minutes offered non stop soccer entertainment which included an amazing 4 red and 19 yellow cards. The match between Portugal and the Netherlands got of to a violent start when in the first two minutes Mark van Bommel was booked for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo. The game ended with Portugal winning 1-0 after midfielder Maniche scored the only goal in the 23rd minute.

The Russian Referee Ivanov sent off Portugal's Costinha and Deco and Dutchmen Khlaid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, while eight other players were booked with yellow cards.

Portugal moves on to the Quarter finals to face England in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday.

Tags: Portugal, Netherlands, England, Quarter, Finals, Russian

Portugal to face the Dutch

2006-06-22T16:32:00.000+01:00

Portugal

beat Mexico 2-1 last night in an exiting game earning them the top stop of Group D.

Argentina

grabbed first place in Group C after last nights brutal match against the Dutch. This means that Argentina will take on Mexico on Saturday in Leipzig whilst Portugal will face the Dutch the following night in Nuremberg.

Tags: Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, Group D, Group C, Nuremberg, Dutch

Portugal top of group D

2006-06-21T18:56:00.000+01:00

Portugal managed to take the top spot in Group D today by beating Mexico 2-1 marking the team’s 10th successive victory. Portugal were already sure of a place in the second round while Mexico claimed second spot after Angola tied with Iran1-1. Portugal will play the runners-up in Group C, either Netherlands or Argentina, in Nuremberg on Sunday. Mexico must face the winners of that group in Leipiz on Saturday.

Tags: Portugal, Iran, Angola, Mexico, Argentina, Netherlands

Portugal through for first time in 40 years

2006-06-17T23:07:00.000+01:00

For more than an hour Iran offered tuff resistance but in the second half Portugal’s midfielder Deco managed to score the first goal with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty kick 10 minutes from the end. This historic win guarantees Portugal's progress from Group D which last got so far in 1966.

Tags: Portugal, Iran, Deco, Group D

Reuters Photo

Portugal failed to impress once again

2006-06-11T23:17:00.000+01:00

Pauleta, scored his 47th goal for Portugal in the fourth minute, after captain Luis Figo sliced through the Angolan defence and drew out the goalkeeper. This was the only goal of the match and excitement died out shortly after. Portugal failed to impress through out the game limiting itself to some less than skilful attempts at scoring. Many fans were cheering the Angolans in the last minutes and protesting against Portugal’s lack of interest in the game. At least it won its World Cup opener, breaking their famous break downs in first games at major tournaments by hanging on against newcomer Angola for a 1-0 victory.

Tags: Portugal, World Cup, Angola

Angola vs Portugal

2006-06-10T20:17:00.000+01:00

Undoubtedly tomorrows Group D game between Angola and

Portugal

will be an exiting one. The last time the two teams met in Lisbon for a Friendly tensions rouse and game was halted with four Angolan players being sent off and Portugal leading 5-1.

"The players have spoken about that match amongst themselves, it's always there, but what happened then isn't an issue now," said Angola football federation official Helio Russo.

The game promises to be an exiting one both for Portugal that doesn’t want to see a repeat of what happen to France embarrassed when beaten by former colony Senegal in 2002 and Angola that strives to start the tournament thrashing their former colonial rulers.

Tags: Portugal, Angola, World, Cup

2006 FIFA World Cup kicks off today

2006-06-09T10:57:00.000+01:00

The much anticipated 2006 FIFA World Cup will kick off today with Germany taking on

Costa Rica

. In Portugal the game will be broadcasted live at 16:00 (Lisbon time) on channel Sic. Portuguese soccer lovers will have to wait until Sunday to see their team perform. The match Angola VS Portugal will be broadcasted also on Sic at 20:00.

Tags: 2006 FIFA World, Germany, Costa Rica, Portugal, Portuguese, Angola

Portugal’s 2006 FIFA World Cup kit

2006-06-08T10:47:00.001+01:00

There have been some minor improvements to Portugal’s 2006 FIFA World Cup kit although the Away Kit does not contain any of the traditional Portuguese colours which is a shame.

Tags: Portugal, 2006, FIFA, World, kit, 2006 FIFA World

Teachers asked to resign in protest

2006-06-06T20:00:00.000+01:00

The National Federation for Education and Investigation (Fenei) has asked all teachers from the administrate council to resigned in protest against the Education Ministers resent attacks to education professionals.

“There has never been in the history of Portugal similar attacks of incompetence, denigration, manipulation and impartialness like the one manifested by the Minister of education” communicated the Fenei.

According to the Federation the Education Minister is trying to manipulate public opinion against teachers resulting in further confrontations with parents and students.

Tags: Portugal, education, students

Portugal wins against Luxenburg 3-0

2006-06-04T13:24:00.000+01:00

After failing to score in the first half, Portugal surprised everyone in the second half with a 3-0 friendly victory over Luxembourg in Metz, France on Saturday evening.

Benfica forward Simão Sabrosa scored the first goal just moments after beginning the second half, and again in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot after Luis Figo went down in the area. Luis Figo scored the third goal just six minutes to the end of game.

Tags: Portugal, Luxembourg, Metz, France, Benfica, Forward, Simão, Sabrosa

Portugal refuses to put military police under Australian command

2006-06-03T08:48:00.000+01:00

Portuguese Foreign Minister Diogo Freitas de Amaral refused to put its contingent of 120 military police under the command of Australian peacekeepers in East Timor.

The minister says it’s a matter of principal that the Republican National Guard will never be subordinate to the operational command of a foreign country. Meanwhile there has been no reaction from the Australians regarding the announcement from Lisbon.

Tags: Portuguese, Foreign, Minister, Republican, National, Guard, Australian

Portuguese paramilitary officers depart to East Timor

2006-06-02T11:30:00.000+01:00

The 120 paramilitary officers (GNR) will be departing this morning to East Timor in an attempt to help restore the order in that country. Instead of leaving on Thursday night the convoy was delayed due to operational reasons regarding the airport in Dili.

At the present moment some 2250 troops from Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia have already been deployed to East Timor. Undoubtedly the generous offer of 120 paramilitary officers is more than needed in spite of the already presence well trained peace keeping forces from other countries.

Tags: Portugal, East Timor, Malaysia, New Zealand, Autralia

Portuguese Foreign Minister attacks Australian counterpart

2006-05-27T09:26:00.000+01:00

Portuguese Foreign Minister Diogo Freitas de Amaral has abruptly lashed out at is Australian counterpart John Howard for criticising the authorities in East Timor.

Mr Howard said that East Timor has a "significant governance problem" and that "If things get out of control, and they clearly have and outside help is needed, then those who provide the outside help are entitled to ask those who they are helping, 'Will you make sure that you run the country in future in a way that doesn't allow this to happen?”.

Diogo Freitas de Amaral who is known for his less than appropriate interventions in situations that do not call for the Ministers participation stated “We consider this interference in the internal affairs of East Timor and ... we disagree with this kind of statement by foreign countries”.

Tags: Portuguese, Foreign, Minister, Australian, East Timor

Illegal immigrates in Portugal

2006-05-23T10:29:00.000+01:00

Brazil

has overtaken Eastern Europe and Africa to become the major source of illegal immigrates to Portugal, statement from the (SEF) Borders and Foreigners Service. According to the SEF the number of illegal immigrants from Eastern European countries like Moldova and Ukraine has fallen dramatically recently. The situation has reached alarming proportions not only because of the shear number of illegal immigrants present in Portugal but also by the lack of action taken by the Government in preventing it.

Tags: Portugal, brazil, Moldova, Ukraine

World Cup Groups

2006-05-22T20:18:00.000+01:00

World Cup Groups -- Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

World Cup Groups -- Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden

World Cup Groups -- Group C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands

World Cup Groups -- Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

World Cup Groups -- Group E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Replublic

World Cup Groups -- Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

World Cup Groups -- Group G
France
Switzerland
Korea Republic
Togo

World Cup Groups -- Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Tags: Portugal, FIFA, World, Cup, Germany, England, USA, Group, Sweden, Brazil, Spain, Poland, Australia, Japan, China, Korea, Iran, Mexico, France, Italy, Croatia

FIFA World Cup

2006-05-21T18:43:00.000+01:00

The FIFA world Cup is nearly upon us and needless to say that emotions are running pretty wild. I personally can’t wait to see my team “Portugal” in action. That’s why I would like to invite everyone to participate and leave some comments on their views, expectations and thoughts on anything about the FIFA World Cup in Germany. You can also take a look at the FIFA World Ranking for May 2006.

Tags: FIFA world Cup, FIFA, Portugal, Ranking, May, 2006

Portuguese women form human national flag

2006-05-21T10:53:00.000+01:00

A stunning display was put on yesterday by thousands of women that gathered at the Estadio Nacional in Jamor to form a human national flag in support of Portugal's national football team. The event took place Saturday and was organized by the Portuguese Football Association and the Portuguese Espirito Santo Bank (BES).

Tags: Portugal, Fifa, World Cup, nacional, women

Kids TV series causes rash

2006-05-19T10:02:00.000+01:00

A mysterious illness is sweeping Portuguese schools as children complain of symptoms similar to those suffered by characters in a teenage television show.

Hundreds of children have complained of symptoms including rashes, breathing difficulties and dizziness at 14 schools across Portugal. The National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM) has already been called by five schools in the Northern region of Portugal to investigate the mysterious virus but were unable to find any “rational” explanation to the rashes.

Doctors have named it the "Strawberries with Sugar Virus" as the outbreak came a few days after the popular television show of that name aired an episode about a life-threatening virus descending on a school.

Tags: Morangos, Açucar, Morangos com Açucar, Doctors, Portugal, teenage, television, show

FIFA World Rankings May 2006

2006-05-17T20:53:00.000+01:00

FIFA World Rankings May 2006

1 Brazil
2 Czech Republic
3 The Netherlands
4 Mexico
5 USA
5 Spain
7 Portugal
8 France
9 Argentina
10 England

11 Nigeria
12 Denmark
13 Italy
14 Turkey
15 Cameroon
16 Sweden
17 Egypt
18 Japan
19 Germany
20 Greece

21 Tunisia
22 Uruguay
23 Iran
23 Croatia
25 Romania
26 Costa Rica
27 Colombia
28 Senegal
29 Poland
29 Korea Republic

31 Republic of Ireland
32 Côte d'Ivoire
33 Paraguay
34 Saudi Arabia
35 Switzerland
36 Morocco
37 Russia
37 Bulgaria
39 Ecuador
40 Norway

41 Slovakia
42 Honduras
42 Australia
44 Serbia and Montenegro
45 Ukraine
46 Jamaica
47 Trinidad and Tobago
48 Ghana
49 Finland
49 Israel

51 Guinea
52 Iraq
53 South Africa
54 Bahrain
55 Zimbabwe
56 Belgium
57 Angola
57 Zambia
59 Scotland
60 Uzbekistan

I am very pleased to see Portugal well placed on this list, we certainly deserve it. I think this is the year that I’ll see Portugal became world champion…

Tags: Portugal, fifa, Spain, USA, IRAN, Brazil, Germany, Czech Republic

Portugal’s team for the 2006 world Cup in Germany

2006-05-15T22:07:00.000+01:00

Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari unveiled the team that will be playing for Portugal in the 2006 world Cup in Germany.

Portugal World Cup squad

Goalkeepers:
Quim (Benfica)
Ricardo (Sporting )
Bruno Vale (Estrela da Amadora)

Defenders:
Caneira (Sporting )
Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)
Ricardo Costa (FC Porto)
Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea)
Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart)
Miguel (Valencia)
Nuno Valente (Everton)

Midfielders:
Boa Morte (Fulham)
Costinha (No team)
Deco (FC Barcelona)
Figo (Internazionale)
Maniche (Chelsea)
Petit (Benfica)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Simão (Benfica)
Tiago (Olympique de Lyon)
Hugo Viana (Valencia)

Forwards:
Nuno Gomes (Benfica)
Pauleta (Paris Saint Germain)
Hélder Postiga (Saint-Etienne)

F.C. Porto vence a Taça de Portugal

2006-05-14T21:07:00.000+01:00

O Futebol. Clube do Porto conquistou hoje mais uma Taça de Portugal “13ª vez”, ao derrotar o Vitória de Setúbal. Pronto!!! Acho que não há mais nada a dizer???

Fines for beachgoers who disobey warnings

2006-05-12T10:22:00.000+01:00

Beachgoers in Portugal who ignore instructions from lifeguards or fail to heed flags warning of dangerous seas may be fined anything from 55 to 1.000 euros. The idea behind the new law announced by the government Thursday is aimed ate cracking down on beach accidents and drowning deaths during the official bathing season, which runs from June 1 to Sept. 30. According to statistics last year authorities recorded 21 drowning deaths at Portuguese beaches, four more than the previous year.

So please if you do visit Portugal remember Red flags raised by lifeguards forbid anyone from entering the sea, while a yellow flag warns bathers not to stray out of their depth. Colour blind tourist may not use Portuguese beaches.

Tags: Portugal, beach, tourist, Euros

Bem vindo ao Portugal Alive

2006-05-10T12:06:00.000+01:00

Bem vindo ao Portugal Alive um blog sobre Portugal que contem artigos em Inglês e Português.

We’re back

2006-05-10T11:39:00.000+01:00

We are proud to present to you the new and improved Portugal Alive. After a few weeks of down time Portugal Alive is back on track. There will be some minor changes in the nature of content that will be introduced. These changes relate to the languages that content will be published in. Articles from now on will be written in either English or Portuguese to try and cater for everyone’s needs. We hope that these little improvements will make this blog a more enjoyable experience for all our readers.

Book on China-Portugal relations published

2006-03-23T11:35:00.000Z

The book published by Huangshan Publishing House, a well known Chinese publishing house that specializes in academic research books, is the first book covering the historic relations between China and Portugal.

The director of the Institute of Modern History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Bu Ping, said that the author Huang Qinghua, who is now also a researcher with the institute, spent ten years writing the book.

The book cites historical documents between China and Portugal and collects facts from relevant archives and files from other countries. "Therefore, the book is the first-hand and all-round reference for China-Portugal relations over the past 500 years," Bu commented.

The book is distributed in three volumes covering mainly two time periods, from 1513 to 1840 and 1840 to1999. (Story from xinhuanet)

Tags: Portugal, china, chinese, book, Modern, History, Academy, Social, Sciences

Brazilian illegal immigrates apprehended

2006-03-21T20:51:00.000Z

A Brazilian megaparty in the Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa came to a quick halt after a surprise visit from the Police (PSP), immigration Services (SEF) and the Inspection of Cultural Activities (IGAC). In the restaurant were present some 500 people, the majority of Brazilian nationality that latter were escorted to the SEF for confirmation of there legal status in the country. After conducting the investigation 236 immigrates were found to be an illegal situation and given the maximum of 20 days to leave the country.

According to Immigration Services, 12 of the illegal immigrates apprehended had previously been notified to leave the country but failed to do so, for this reason they will remain is custody.

Tags: Brazil, police, Lisbon, illegal, Immigration, Services, Brazilian

Chinese tomatoes worry Portuguese producers

2006-03-19T21:49:00.000Z

Portuguese tomato farmers are expressing great concern towards the invasion of Chinese tomato in the European market. China produces and exports much cheaper and not only to Europe but to other continents as well. The major concern to tomato growers is that the arrival of Chinese exported tomatoes to the European Market will threaten the stability of prices.

China is currently the world’s third largest producer with 2.8 million MT after the US and Italy. The Portuguese production is of around 1.2 million MT and has not seen any significant increase for years.

According to the secretary of Tomato Producers Association of Portugal what is needed is more investment in processed produce to sustain the production, to keep the prices at a good level and to be able to compete in the market. Other strategies would have to include the development of new products and the search for new markets, like Japan.

The Portuguese market currently consumes only 5% of the processed tomato produced in the country. The export goes mainly to the North European countries.

Tags: China, Portugal, export, European, Chinese, country

Pt will continue with Namibian bid

2006-03-18T22:28:00.000Z

Portugal Telecom spokesman told the newspaper Diario Economico that they will continue with the bid for a 34 pct share in Namibia's mobile operator and also proceed with the launch of a service in Congo, although it has officially dropped out of the bidding for 35 percent in the Tunisian Telecom. This despite still facing a takeover bid from SonaeCom.

The spokesman told the business daily that the company would go ahead with the Namibian offer because it had materialised before SonaeCom launched its offer for the group.

The winner for the bid is expected to be known at the end of March, Diario Economico said, adding that MTN, South Africa's biggest listed mobile phone network, is also in the running.

Tags: Namibia, portugal, Telecom, Congo, South Africa, MTN

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Portuguese textile exports drop 6.7%

2006-03-16T10:52:00.000Z

CENESTAP Textile Observatory reported that the Portuguese Textile and clothing sector registered exports worth 4.1 billion euros in 2005 representing a decrease of 6.7 percent compared to 2004. The clothing sector was the most penalised with a decrease of 9.8 percent.

Contradicting the negative tendencies were the synthetic and artificial segment of the textile industry which recorded an increase of 27 percent. Special and tufted cloth also saw orders increased 20.6 percent and impregnated cloth rose 8.6 percent.

Tags: Portuguese, Textile, clothing, sector

Portugal's wave machine

2006-03-15T13:17:00.000Z

A commercial wave power machine is preparing to leave the Western Isles for Portugal. The new machine manufactured in Scotland is being shipped to Portugal to integrate the world’s first commercial wave farm.

The Edinburgh based company Ocean Power Delivery (OPD) was commissioned by a Portuguese consortium to build the initial phase of the scheme, which will generate renewable electricity from ocean waves.

The first of three 750-kilowatt Pelamis wave energy converters are being transported by ship from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis to the port of Peniche, off the northern coast of Portugal. If successful a further 28 will be ordered before the end of the year.

When finished, the 2.25-megawatt, 11 million euro project is expected to produce in average enough energy to supply some 1,500 Portuguese households with electricity.

(image from http://www.edie.net )

Tags: Portugal, wave machine, Edinburgh, Ocean Power Delivery, renewable, electricity, ocean, waves

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More flights to Brazil

2006-03-15T11:48:00.000Z

Portuguese airline TAP plans to launch seven new weekly flights to Brazil as of May, increasing the total number of weekly flights to the country to 21, Portuguese financial daily Jornal de Negócios reported Tuesday.

Brazilian authorities have already authorized three new weekly flights between Porto and Rio de Janeiro and a further three to Sao Paulo. Another weekly flight between Lisbon and Sao Paulo will also be added.

Currently TAP has 14 flights per week to Brazil, seven to Sao Paulo and another seven to Rio de Janeiro.

TAP is currently awaiting the delivery of three new airplanes for use on these routes. The A-330 aircrafts are expected to be delivered by the end of April.

Tags: Portuguese, Brazil, Sao Paulo, Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, TAP, aircrafts

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Two men suspected of homicide captured

2006-03-15T11:18:00.000Z

Lisbon Police (PJ) have captured two men that are suspected of homicide. One of the suspects, a 25 year old, was detained on Sunday after a violent fight in which he allegedly punched and kicked the his to death.

According to the PJ the victim was a 38 year old male that resided in the Lisbon area.

The other suspect, a male of 48, was capture and is accused of assassinating a 28 year old man with a knife after the two men had an argument.

The two suspects have been presented to court and are awaiting trial in custody.

Tags: Suspected, homicide, Lisbon, Police, assassinating

More flights to Angola and Mozambique

2006-03-13T12:49:00.000Z

Portugal is actively negotiating with the Angolan and Mozambican governments the increase of flights to these countries, Portuguese Minister for Public Works, Transport and Communications Mario Lino said.

In an interview to the Portuguese daily newspaper, Público, Lino added that the issue had been discussed during his recent visit to Angola and said he hoped that within a month approval would be given. The aim is to increase flights between Lisbon and Luanda from the current three times to four a week.

The Portuguese government hopes to increase TAP’s flights to seven times a week. Negotiations are also underway with the Mozambican authorities, but complete details are still not available.

Tags: Portugal, Works, Transport, Communications, Angola, Mozambique

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Vodafone Portugal launches 1.8Mbps 3G Broadband

2006-03-12T23:38:00.001Z

Vodafone Portugal has launched HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) capability for its 3G network although at this stage technology is only available to a selected group of individual and business customers in Lisbon, Cascais, Funchal, Ponta Delgada and the principal urban areas of the Algarve.

Vodafone Portugal plans to extend its 3G Broadband services progressively to include other cities like Aveiro, Braga, Coimbra, Leiria and Porto until June and regions of mainland Portugal and the islands towards the end of the year.

Clients interested will have to purchase the Vodafone 3G Broadband Mobile Connect Card that can be used when this technology becames commercially available. The product will be available in two options, 1GB 3G Broadband and the other of 4GB 3G Broadband.

The Chairman of Vodafone Portugal António Carrapatoso also took the opportunity to mention that "once again, Vodafone is demonstrating its leadership in non-voice services by deploying 3G Broadband at speeds of up to 1.8Mbps. 3G Broadband represents an important step in the history of mobile communications in Portugal, maintaining the country's position in the European vanguard of the development of mobile Broadband data services."

Tags: Vodafone, Portugal, Vodafone Portugal, 3G Broadband, 3G, network, mobile, communications

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South African Telkom prepares bid for PT

2006-03-11T20:24:00.000Z

South African Telkom is thought to be preparing a counter bid for Portugal Telecom, in response to Sonae's 10.7 billion euro offer, Newspaper Publico reported.

PT currently holds several operations in African countries which include Morocco, Guiné Bissau, Cabo Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Kenya and São Tomé e Príncipe.

Tags: Morocco, Guiné Bissau, Cabo Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Kenya, São Tomé e Príncipe, South African, Telkom

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Visabeira invest 30 million euros in Angola

2006-03-10T23:07:00.001Z

Portuguese group Visabeira, in partnership with state telecommunications operator Angola Telecom, is to invest 30 million euros in Angola and Africa’s first digital cable television network, the company said Wednesday.

Cable TV Company, TV Cabo Angola, which began last October with test broadcasts, currently has 1,000 active customers, 60 percent of which are digital Internet subscriber.

The official launch of the new network, which will combine television, Internet and multimedia services, will be on Friday.

The project, which began two years ago with construction of the cable network, is planned to cover 100,000 homes in the next year, covering the entire city of Luanda.

By the end of this year, and according to Visabeira’s forecasts, the service will cover 64,000 homes.

The network will provide a total of 100 television channels, focusing on providing a public service, Portuguese-language channels and themed channels covering areas such as music, cinema, fashion, sport and children's programming.

The Visabeira group, which is responsible for managing TV Cabo Angola, is also a shareholder of TV Cabo Moçambique, a network currently covering the cities of Maputo and Matola.

The company is present in 12 countries including, Mozambique, Angola, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, South Africa, France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Morocco and Mexico. (news from macauhub)

Tags: cable, television, Angola, Spain, South Africa, Belgium, Brazil, Morroco, Mexico, Visabeira

Cavaco Silva sworn into office

2006-03-09T16:35:00.000Z

Today Anibal Cavaco Silva has been sworn into office as Portugal's president, taking over from Jorge Sampaio. Parliament members and nine hundred guests attended the ceremony in the Assembly of the Republic.

Guests present at the ceremony included South African leader Thabo Mbeki, Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and former US president George Bush.

Tags: Cavaco Silva, South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, George Bush, Parliamente, Republic

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Benfica wins!!!

2006-03-08T23:48:00.000Z

Benfica beat Liverpool 2-0 today in a surprising win and advance to the quarter-finals of the champions League. Simao Sabrosa scored a goal in the first-half and Fabrizio Miccoli latter finished of the win with another one in the second-half.

Tags: Benfica, Liverpool, Simao Saborsa, goal, Fabrizio Miccoli

EDP profits Tripled

2006-03-08T10:35:00.000Z

Portuguese energy company Energias de Portugal (EDP) said Tuesday its net profit more than tripled last year to a record 1.07 billion euros from a former 272 million euros in 2004. This represents a record for a listed Portuguese Company.

Tags: Portugal, Portuguese, million, profit

No birld flu yet

2006-03-07T20:47:00.000Z

The dead chicks found Saturday in the town of Sever do Vouga are not contaminated with the deadly bird flu virus H5n1 informed Maria Inácia Correia de Sá director of Portugal’s National Laboratory for Veterinarian Investigation (LNIV) in a statement released this afternoon.

Agrela Pinheiro Veterinarian director, informed that the LNIV has conducted some 1600 test since the beginning of 2006 and none tested positive for H5N1.

Maria de Sá also informed that the LNIV was overwhelmed with the amount of work being submitted and asked for “good sense” in the choice of what birds to send in for examination.

Tags: Portugal, bird, flu, bird flu, H5N1

Portugal Telecom's "counter Attack"

2006-03-06T10:13:00.000Z

Portugal Telecom will present today a ‘counter attack’ to the 10.7 billion euro takeover bid launched by the Portuguese conglomerate Sonae SGPS.

According to the newspaper Diário Económico the ‘counter attack’ plan resides mainly in convincing shareholders that the nearly 11 billion euros offered by Sonae is to low to purchase Portugal’s largest Telecommunications operator.

PT will also anticipate the release of financial results for 2005 by presenting them tomorrow.

Tags: Portugal, Telecom, Finatial, Operator, Billion, Euro

Dead chickens in Portugal

2006-03-05T21:46:00.000Z

Saturday Portuguese authorities discovered roughly 400 dead chickens in a town, but there was no indication that they died from bird flu, officials said Sunday. The chickens apparently were stuff in “feed” bags and latter discarded on a cliff in the town of Sever do Vouga. It is speculated that a local farmer may have disposed of them and that residents then alerted authorities because a horrible stench in the area.

A veterinarian was immediately called to investigate and conduct test on the dead chickens. Portugal has not yet reported any cases of the H5N1 bird flu.

Tags: Portugal, Bird Flu, Chickens, Dead

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Government to keep share in PT

2006-03-04T22:22:00.000Z

The Portuguese government will keep its “massive” share in Portugal Telecom which gives it the power to veto strategic policy decisions.

"This is the only way we can defend well the interests of the Portuguese people. We are going to keep the 'massive' share in Portugal Telecom," José Socrates told weekly newspaper Expresso.

"The state needs to have a part of these firms which allows it to protect the public interest," he added.

Portuguese conglomerate Sonae launched a 10.7 billion euro bid last month to acquire the telecom and strongly opposes the government’s decision.

Tags: Portugal, Portuguese, Government, Billion, Sonae, Public, interest, Telecom

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Minister wants to double medicine exports

2006-03-03T19:30:00.000Z

Portugal’s Minister of Health wants to double the countries medicine exports in three years.

Talking in the annual Infarmed conference, the Minister of Health Correia de Campos reminded that current pharmaceutical exports are superior then that of the famous Porte Wine. The Minister hopes to double Portugal’s medicine exports in just three years with the help of Multinational pharmaceutical companies. Correia de Campos also took the opportunity to highlight the Government’s commitment in creating conditions for investigate work making especial reference of the 5 million euros spent on an Investigation Fund and another project that will be created in cooperation with Apifarm, Portugal’s Association of pharmaceutical Industries.

Tags: Conference, Medicine, Multinationa, l pharmaceutical

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Mega wind power project in Portugal

2006-03-02T18:45:00.000Z

Portugal is expected to build one of Europe's biggest wind power projects that represents a quarter of all wind farms installed last year in the EU and will generate 1,500 megawatts enough to supply 750,000 homes with electricity. The deadline for submission of bids ended yesterday and now the Portuguese Government is expected to announce the successful tender in July.

According to an economy ministry spokeswoman, a total of four consortiums have officially presented their bids to the Portuguese government in response to an international tender.

The Portuguese government has made great investments in renewable energy, especially wind power to overturn the countries high dependency on oil imports and to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This year it has already approved the building of the world's largest solar plant. Portugal currently imports 86% of all its energy needs.

Tags: Portugal, Wind, Farm, EU, Electricity, Europe, International, Power

EasyJet flies from Luton to Lisbon

2006-03-02T17:18:00.000Z

EasyJet has expanded its European destination Network by adding flights to Lisbon from Luton. The new root that started operating yesterday is by the airline to carry over 91,000 passengers during the first twelve months. Daily flights will be available and return tickets start from £56.98 inclusive of taxes and charges.

Tags: Lisbon, Luton, Easyjet, European, Network

EU creates Globalization Adjustment Fund

2006-03-01T20:55:00.000Z

The EU is going to make available €500 million per year for a new European Globalization Adjustment Fund (GAF) that is aimed to support workers in regions and sectors hit by major changes in world trade patterns. The Fund that was proposed today by the Commission, will provide one-off, time limited individual support for tailor-made services to help. Examples of this would be to give workers affected by globalisation an individual wage allowances, re-training or special assistance to find new jobs.

The GAF will provide up to 10 thousand euros with duration of 18 months to a maximum of 50.000 workers per year that have been dispensed because of the effects of globalization.

Tags: EU, Commision, GAF, Fund, Globelization, Jobs

Sonae wants all of PT

2006-02-28T16:59:00.000Z

SonaeCom SGPS said it wants to control all of Portugal Telecom’s international operations if Sonae group's 10.7 billion euro bid for the telecom is successful.

"The internationalization strategy set forward by Sonae SGPS will consist primarily in controlling all international participations where the company is present" SonaeCom said in a statement to CMVM.

Sonaecom intends to analyze the possibilities of obtaining control of all the current PT international investments, mainly in Brazil where PT detains its biggest international business in a 50-50 partnership with Telefonica Moviles SA which owns Vivo, Brazil's largest mobile telephone network. If such control is not possible Sonaecom will reorganize the resources involved in these operations towards the acquisition of other GSM/3G operators, with special emphasis in African countries and South-eastern Europe.

SonaeCom also alleged that “projects will be intended to ensure that the total resources allocated by Sonaecom/PT to international expansion will not decreased”

Tags: Sonaecom, portugal, Partnership, African, Brasil, Europe

Portuguese cartoonist in Iranian contest

2006-02-27T22:09:00.000Z

The renowned Portuguese cartoonist Augusto Cid will be taking part in the controversial Iranian contest, cartoons of the Holocaust, which was launched on Monday. The competition is a response over caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed that have angered Muslims worldwide, with the selected cartoons being posted on a Website run in association with Iran's biggest selling newspaper Hamshahri.

Cid stated that the contest had inspired him but he was "not sure his drawing adhered to the spirit of the contest launched by Hamshahri" as "it will test Iran's own freedom of expression", O Independente said.

The drawing depicts Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, who claims that the Holocaust is a myth, explaining on a visit to Auschwitz that the deaths recorded there were caused by bird flu. The newsppper Hamshahri, which is published by Tehran's conservative municipality, says that the competition will explore the limits on freedom of expression in the West following the recent publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in mainly European countries.

Tags: Portugal,Iranian,Portuguese,website,Prophet,Mohammed,Muslim,Hamshahri

Portugal opens "Door" to new EU workers

2006-02-26T20:35:00.000Z

Lisbon, the government has announced that from 1 May 2006, the citizens of the EU new member states will be free to take up jobs in Portugal. The decision to lift the restrictions on the movement of workers from the EU 8 countries was announced by Secretary of State for European Affairs Fernando Neves.

Portugal now joins countries like Finland and Spain in opening its borders to migrant workers from new member states.

Tags: Portugal, Spain, Finland, Lisbon, Citizens, Workers

Bird flu

2006-02-24T23:23:00.000Z

The Portuguese government has asked the public to remain alert against any possible bird flu outbreak in the country in coming months. Portugal is on the Spring migration routes of birds which can carry the deadly virus, Health Minister Antonio Correia de Campos said.

The Health Ministry will work with the Education Ministry to teach children about bird flu, he said. School students have been warned not to touch dead birds, and advised to wash their hands immediately if they do so inadvertently.

Portugal's National Veterinary Research Laboratory said it had examined 1,121 birds found dead in the country and none had been found infected with bird flu. Several European countries have registered cases of bird deaths from the H5N1 virus which can spread to humans. (Xinhuanet)

Tags: Portugal, research, laboratory, countries, country

Portugal and MIT sign technology accord

2006-02-24T23:22:00.000Z

Portugal and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) signed an accord on Saturday that could lead to technology partnerships in the Iberian nation.

The agreement is part of the Socialist government's programme to boost stagnant economic growth in western Europe's poorest country through technology spending.

"We want to include Portugal in the knowledge economy on the global level," Prime Minister Jose Socrates said at the signing ceremony.

Under the agreement, MIT will evaluate Portugal's scientific and technology system over a period of five months for possible future partnerships.(Reuters)

Tags: Portugal, MIT, government, future, iberian, technology Powered by Qumana

Privatizations approved

2006-02-22T10:10:00.000Z

The privatization program set forward by the Portuguese Government for 2006/2007 was approved, this Thursday, by an overwhelming majority. Finance Minister, Teixeira dos Santos, explained after the reunion, that the Government intends on selling all its shares that it detains in Portucel Tejo, Portucel and Inapa. It will also sell part of what it detains in Galp Energia, EDP - Energias de Portugal, REN - Rede Eléctrica Nacional and TAP. The various privatizations are expected to profit around 2,4 billion euros of which the sale of Galp Energia represents 50 percent of the total amount.

Galp to unveil new gas heater

Tags: Portugal, portuguese, Portucel, sale, billion, percent, government Powered by Qumana

Portuguese privatizations

2006-02-22T09:58:00.000Z

Finance Minister Teixeira Dos Santos, disclosed this Monday in the city of Porto that the Government is preparing to announce a privatization program.
According to the Minister, the privatizations program for 2006-2007 has already been prepared and will be evaluated by Cabinet of Ministers in the near future. Teixeira Dos Santos did not disclose which state owned businesses would be involved, limiting to confirm that the areas where the privatizations will take place are the ones that had already been designated in the State Budget for 2006.

Tags: Portugal, Santos, Monday, business, state, Budget, privatizations

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Government wants to recoup 350 million euros

2006-02-22T09:55:00.000Z

The Government intends to recoup about 350 million euros in debts to the social security. This will be possible through the integrated system of current account, which will disable the possibility of escaping payments to the social security. There are already some 160 thousand contributors identified that owe about three billion euros. The success ratio expected by the Government is of around 10% as stated by the Minister of Labor. For 2006 it is expected a recovery of 350 million euros, which represents an increase of 50 million euros.

Tags: Portugal, million, payments, euros, government, system

Tourism increases 13,4%

2006-02-22T09:51:00.000Z

According to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in December of 2005, the number of hotel “sleepovers” ascended to 1,8 million, more 6.3% of that in the same period of 2004 representing an increase of around 13,4%.
"For this increase contributed national residents mainly (16,8%), since non resident also presented an positive evolution, but of minor significance (0,2%)", explained the INE.
The Northern region of Portugal was where the number of customers obtained the largest increased (18.4%), while the Autonomous Region of Açores was the only one to present a decrease (15.5%). In 2005 the industry registered around 35,6 million clients that represents an increase of 4,3% compared with the previous year.

Tags: Portugal, hotel, sleepovers, increase, Tourism

Portugal employment worseness

2006-02-20T10:19:00.000Z

An increasing number of Portuguese businesses are choosing to employ workers under temporary contracts. Numbers set forward by the INE, Institute of National Statistics, demonstrates that 71 percent of all new jobs created in Portugal between 2004 and 2005 where under temporary basis. The article also states that more than 40% of all workers contracted will end up being dismissed . In 2005 the unemployment in Portugal reached 7,5 percent of the active population.

Tags: Portugal, dispensed, percent, contracts Powered by Qumana

TMN and AXE launch first publicity film via MMS

2006-02-19T23:36:00.000Z

The mobile phone operator TMN and AXE have joined forces to launch the first publicity video for mobile phones in portugal. Using its X-messages database TMN will send 10 000 clients the video, AXE CLICK, that presents its new fragrance with actor Ben Affleck. By trying to take maximum advantage of mobile phone technologies the two companies hope to create a new and innovating way to publicize products.

Tags: Portugal, mobile, phone, Axe, video, Ben, Affleck, technologies Powered by Qumana

Vodafone Portugal launches mobile TV service

Record Drug bust in Portugal

2006-02-17T22:36:00.000Z

The biggest ever apprehension of cocaine in Portugal took place this morning in the Algarve and Alenteja region, leading to the capture of 336 bags each weighing 23 to 25 Kilograms totalizing around 8 Tons, informed that Policia Judiciaria.
The National Police Director, Santos Cabral, went personally to Portimão to announce the results of the operation, stating that it represented one of the biggest drug apprehensions ever realized in Europe
The operation that started Thursday ended with the imprisonment of seven people, six men and one woman, of Spanish nationality all from the Galicia region.

Tags: Portugal, drugs, Policia, men, woman, Algarve, cocaine Powered by Qumana

Portugal apprehends 20% of EU cocaine

Police apprehended two tons of cocaine

Organized crime

Citizenship law approved

2006-02-16T23:19:00.000Z

The government has approved a new law that entitles the grandchildren of Portuguese immigrants that where born in a foreign country to obtain citizenship. With this new law in place it will be possible to attribute Portuguese citizenship to any third generation immigrant as long as one of the parents where born in Portugal.

Tags: Portugal, Law, Portuguese, government, citizenship Powered by Qumana

Iran’s ambassador praises Freitas de Amaral

2006-02-15T11:04:00.000Z

Iran’s ambassador in Portugal praised yesterday the attitude showed by the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Freitas do Amaral, concerning the caricatures of Muhammad.

In declarations to the Radio Station Antena 1, Mohammed Taheri, considered positive the Minister attitude classifying them as “ very good and very logic”

Last week the Minister of Foreign Affairs criticised the publication of the cartoons stating that freedom of expression had “limits”. In an interview to the news channel SIC Noticias, freitas de Amaral said that he did not defend press censorship but that there is a need for “common sense”. The ambassador of Iran added that Portuguese newspapers showed a positive attitude by only reporting the news and not publishing the cartoons.

Tags: Portugal, Iran, Freitas, Amarla, caricatures, Muhammad, Minister, Foreign Powered by Qumana

Military presence in Afghanistan

2006-02-15T10:14:00.000Z

Portugal will extend its military presence in Afghanistan until February 2007, the country's Superior Council for National Defence said on Tuesday. The decision to extend the mission was made months after Defence Minister Luis Amado pledged last November to keep Portuguese troops in Afghanistan beyond the August 2006 deadline.
Portugal has 196 troops deployed in Afghanistan whose mission was originally scheduled to expire in August 2006. The number of troops will be reduced to 157 after undergoing the current rotation, the council said.
According to Portuguese military officials, Portugal currently has a total of 894 soldiers taking part in peace-keeping missions in seven countries headed by the United Nations, NATO and the European Union.

Source: Xinhua

Tags: Portugal, soldiers, Afghanistan, Defence, Minister, United Nations Powered by Qumana

Portuguese counterfeit apprehension record

2006-02-14T13:20:00.000Z

Portuguese authorities informed that they had seized a record amount of counterfeit CDs and DVDs in 2005 after stepping up operations against music and movie piracy.
In 2005, the police carried out 1,041 raids of outdoor markets and other places where counterfeit music and films are sold, a 14 percent increase over the previous year. As a result 450 people were charged with crimes related to the sale and distribution of counterfeit CDs and DVDs. The police seized 155,941 pirated CDs and DVDs in 2005, a 50 percent increase over the previous year, stated the Culture Ministry's Inspectorate General for Cultural Activities in a report. Together with the pirated material five cars and various copying equipment was also seized from counterfeiters, worth 3.1 million euros. News source IHT.

Tags: Portuguese, report, police, markets, counterfeiters Powered by Qumana

New center for illegal immigrants

2006-02-13T23:12:00.000Z

The Minister of Internal Affairs, António Costa, presented today in the city of Porto the new installation for illegal emigrates that are awaiting extradition. The center has a total of 36 beds, 18 men and 18 women and is ready to receive the immigrants that are sent from immigration services. Still this year the Government intends on creating another center in Lisbon.

Tags: Lisbon, government, center, immigrants, beds, porto, illegal Powered by Qumana

(image by SIC)

Terrorist caught in Portugal

2006-02-13T19:08:00.000Z

Portuguese Police said they have detained an Islamic terrorist suspect who is one of the most-wanted men in the Netherlands. The unidentified man was one of three detained in Portugal over the past week with links to a shooting late last year at a Rotterdam nightclub which killed three people and seriously injured another three. The suspect is also thought to have taken part in a terrorist training camp in Yemen and maintain contacts with the alleged terrorist network known as the "Hofstad" group, said the police.

Tags: Portugaal, portuguese, terrorist, Yemen, Islamic, Police, caught, rotterdam, most, wanted
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Portugal’s artificial island

2006-02-13T11:16:00.000Z

A Dutch businessman wants to build Europe's first holiday resort on an artificial island off Portugal, in a project that would cost 1.5 billion euros and include a casino and underwater hotel. Story from REUTERS NEWS SERVICE.

The project would comprise of a 100 hectare island built about 300 meters off the coast of the Vale de Lobo Resort in the Algarve tourist area and be connected to the mainland by means of an underwater tunnel, businessman Sander van Gelder said. The island would also have an 18-hole golf course, beach, harbor, heliport and between 700 and 1,000 holiday homes.

"This exciting project would be one of the most innovative to be undertaken in the world," van Gelder told Reuters.

Van Gelder, who is chairman of the Vale de Lobo Group of Companies, said the project could actually be good for the environment by blocking erosion of the beaches and cliffs along the mainland's coast. He is already planning to restore the beaches along the resort with 400,000 cubic meters of sand in March because of erosion. The island would be built on an underwater plateau and based on similar examples of artificial islands in the Middle East, Australia and the Caribbean. An island in front of the beaches could be a permanent solution to end erosion.

The next step will be to present the plan to the government. "The models will show the action of the waves and tides and how the island will protect the coastline from erosion," stated Van Gelder.

Tags: Portugal, project, Reuters, Australia, Caribbean, Artificial, Island, erosion, Algarve, Van, Gelder Powered by Qumana

Portuguese loose quality of life

2006-02-11T15:35:00.000Z

Numbers released from a study conducted by the insurance firm AXA classified the Portuguese as “a population not motivated about work ".
The study reveals that 50 percent of the people that are now retired stopped working before the age established by law and more than two thirds did this ate their own will. The same study confirmed that the population still active expects to retire at the age 58. In comparison to the12 countries also included in this study, the Portuguese are the ones that less prepare for their retirement and consequently also the ones that receive the lowest pensions. For this reason after leaving work the majority of Portuguese loses quality of life and end up regretting having retired before the age of 65 years.

Tags: Portugal, study, portuguese, working, people, quality, AXA, life

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Social Security Scam

2006-02-10T23:39:00.000Z

An investigating is being conducted regarding alleged fraud in the District Center of Social Security (CDSSS) of Leiria. The scheme of hundreds of thousand of euros, concerning money from the Social Insertion Income (RSI), the old minimum guarantied income, involved processes of people already deceased that allowed the emission of post office checks for payment of their RSI.
Allegedly an administrative employee of the CDSSS of Leiria sent these checks by post to her address, latter depositing them in a banking account. An inspector of the same institution was also put to the racket, because he detected the scam but failed to denounce it. Apparently the investigation conducted on only the one case detected a diversion of public monies that exceeded 100 thousand euros. The total dimension of the fraud is far from being calculated because there are still more processes known to exist.

Tags: Leiria, portugal, euros, fraud, inspector, post, office, wage, income

Portuguese petrol in German hands

2006-02-09T11:10:00.000Z

The Minister of foreign affairs, Freitas do Amaral has sighed in Berlim an agreement that hands over Portugal’s petrol reserves to be stored in German territory.
This agreement will give over a significant portion of Portugal’s petrol reserves, that it is obligated to main according to EU regulations, to be stored in Germany. For the stability of the energetic market there is a minimum of reserves that each country is required to maintain according to directives from the European Union and the International Energy Agency. The main reason for this accord was the fact that Portugal does not possess storage capabilities for it to maintain the reserves in national territory.

Tags: Portugal, European, Germany, country, petrol, store, Berlim

Portuguese go online

2006-02-08T11:20:00.000Z

The Portuguese surfed more during 2005 compared to that in the previous year. According to the study Netpanel from Marktest, the amount of time that the Portuguese dedicated to go online increased 24,5 percent. The Data was gathered by Netpanel from 2002 to 2005 and showed little variation in the number of Portuguese Internet users that during the year connected to the Internet from home, although there was a small decrease of 0,4 percent in 2005 compared to the previous year. In 2005 the number of pages visited by Portuguese “web surfers” increased 34 percent compared to 2004. The time spent online registered a growth of 88 percent in comparison to 2002.

Tags: Internet, Portugal, online, registered, percent, 2005, market

Portugal apprehends 20% of EU cocaine

2006-02-07T19:43:00.000Z

In 2005 there was an increase of 75 per cent in the apprehension of drugs in Portugal, compared to the previous year, according to news revealed by the national director of the Judiciary Police “Polícia Judiciária”, José Braz.

"Portugal apprehended 20% of all cocaine in the European Union ", said Jose Braz, pointing out that in 2004 it had been responsible for the apprehension of only 10% of that Drug. The only drug that saw the number of apprehensions decreased in 2005 compared to 2004 was hashish.

Tags: Drugs, Portugal, national, global

Police apprehended two tons of cocaine

2006-02-06T22:04:00.000Z

Portugal’s police apprehended more than two tons of cocaine aboard a commercial ship in their second major drug bust in four days. Police units supported by the Navy and Air Force intercepted the Panamanian registered “Luna del Mar” in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, a police statement said.
Detectives boarded the freighter and found more than 100 bags of cocaine and the crew was taken into custody. Last Thursday, police seized nearly three tons of cocaine in a raid on a house in the Minho region, northern Portugal.

Tags: Portugal, police, cacaine, luna, Mar, ocean, navy

37 new hotels in Lisbon

2006-02-05T12:48:00.000Z

Lisbon will have 37 new hotels by 2010, the majority of which will be four and five stars according to news from the Correio da Manhã.
The new hotels will represent a potential investment of 562 million euros. On the list of foreseen hotels, five will be located in the Park das Nações (Park of nations), three in the Avenida Almirante Reis and two in Avenida 5 of Outubror. This year between five and eight new Hotels will be inaugurated, of which one belongs to the chain Heritage (Heritage Av. of the Freedom) and another one of Altis group (Altis Marquis).

Tags: Hotels, Lisbon, million, park, nations, freedom, investment

Study reveals potential in Portuguese productivity

2006-02-05T12:02:00.000Z

Productivity of the Portuguese economy is the weakest in the European Union, but according to a study disclosed by the Bank of France, it has a good deal of potential. In global terms the productivity of the Portuguese industry is far lower than that of the European Union (15), being about half of the next European country, Greece, and almost one third compared to Spain. Portugal gains favorable points in areas such has infrastructures, access capital and integration in international trade, having national results next to the best in the world. The five factors that contribute for the calculation of the industrial productivity are capital, infrastructures, human resources, integration in international trade and residual efficiency.

Tags: Portugal, spain, greece, trade, industry, European, union, study

Euromillions 61,191 million go to Portugal

2006-02-04T12:50:00.000Z

The first prize winners, two Frenchman and one Portuguese will be awarded exactly 61 191 026 euros each. There are 46 second prize winners of which 17 are Portuguese, earning around 224,419 thousand euros each. In third place came 67 winners being that 20 where Portuguese and the value of the prize is of 43,725 thousand euros. This week the Portuguese spent a total of 53,8 million euros in bets for the Euromilhôes.

Tags: Portugal, prize, euromilhoes, Portugues, million, first, frenchman

Commerce between Portugal and Brazil grows

2006-02-04T12:19:00.000Z

The commerce between Brazil and Portugal in January totaled 124 million euros, an increase of 62,6 percent in relation to the same period of 2005, informed the Lusa a source of in Brazilian government.
Sales of Brazilian products to Portugal had already reached a value of 105,8 million euros, 70,7 percent more than in same period of last year. On the other side of the Atlantic Brazilian purchases of Portuguese products increased to 18,3 million euros, confirming an increase of 27,4 percent compared with January of 2004.
Products bought from Portugal included olive oil, wines, codfish (bacalhau), acrylic wires and ore minerals. The Brazilian product of bigger importance in the commerce with Portugal was crude oil that represented 67 percent of total exportations.
In 2005, the commerce between the two countries totaled 1,029 million euros representing an increase of 7,8 percent compared to 2004.

Tags: Portugal, Brazil, wines, atlantic, commerce, codefish, minerals

CGD quits the net buiz

2006-02-03T22:42:00.000Z

The Portuguese State owned Bank Caixa Geral De Depósitos (CGD) is going to dissolve its Internet based holding that was created in 2000 integrating seven portals. According to the newspaper Publico, during the lost three yeas the holding has accumulated a loss of 6.9 million euros. The Bank CGD will now look fore the best options available for each holding taking in account their financial condition.

Tags: Portugal, Portuguese, State, Bank, Caixa, Internet, Euros, million, Portals

Organized crime

2006-02-03T19:03:00.000Z

Portuguese police “policia judiciária”(PJ) announced Friday the dismantlement of a large international crime organization that operated from the city of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. In a statement released by the PJ, the operation code named "Metamorfose" was a result of constant surveillance in the Galicia and Minho region, that led to the sizing of 4 tons of cocaine.
A 30 year old British national was apprehended in a large property from which the criminal organization conducted their activities in Portugal. On location were also found 114 bags of cocaine with a total weight of 2.860 Kg. According to specialist, the drug was of very high “purity” and probably transported via sea latter to be dropped of on the Portuguese cost. The final destination of the Drug was most probably Spain, United Kingdom and other European countries.

Tags: Portugal, spain, galicia, drugs, cocaine, european, contries, United Kingdom, criminal

Protest in Lisbon

2006-02-03T11:54:00.000Z

Around 10.000 Government workers are expected to protest today in Lisbon. The demonstrators want to protest against the pay rise of 1.5% and the stagnation of careers.

The demonstration is scheduled to start at 15h00 in the Alto Parque Eduardo VII, after which the demonstrators will walk towards the Praça Marques de Pombal finally ending ate São Bento were Union representatives will present speeches contesting the Government and its policy towards workers.

According to labor Unions, the new measures imposed by the Socialist Government go against the workers and their rights.

Tags: Lisbon, workers, socialist, government, pombal

Gay wedding in portugal

2006-02-02T13:59:00.000Z

Two women are waiting to find out whether they will be able to get married in Portugal. Taking advantage of a divergence in the law, Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao have become the first homosexual couple to try and register their marriage in Portugal. The Two women tried to register their marriage on Wednesday in an attempt to capture attention to the need for marriage equality but expected to be turned away.

"Our desire to get married is just as strong as heterosexual couples," Stated Teresa Pires to reporters outside the registration office.

The couple said that a newly introduced article in the constitution which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation permitted them to get married. But justice minister Alberto Costa disagrees, stating that Portugal's civil code, which bans same sex marriages, prevails.

Tags: Portugal, gay, sex, heterosexual, descrimination, teresa, marrige, woman

Crude deposits in Algarve

2006-02-02T11:09:00.000Z

A resent study revealed de existence of large crude deposits between Sagres and Cádis, Algarve. The Spanish oil and gas exploration company Repsol as the rights of exploration for the next fifty years. The only question still remaing is if the exploration is economically viable. News from Correio da Manha.

Tags: Spamish, Algarve, Correio, Manha, exploration, crude, deposits

Portugal and Microsoft create Partnership

2006-02-01T19:30:00.000Z

The Portuguese Government and Microsoft have agreed to carry out a total of 18 technology projects as a way to boost the nation's stagnating economy. The project is aimed at improving the nation’s technological Education by training students, workers and police. Some examples of what will be included in the protocol are, fighting cybercrime, apprenticeships, software development centers and creation of programs for Portuguese speaking nations in Africa.

Tags: microsoft, africa, education. programs, microsoft, cybercrime, nations, economy, Bill, gates

SAPO news search

2006-02-01T18:29:00.000Z

SAPO the Portuguese internet Portal own by Portugal Telecom will be launching a news service, similar to Google news, called Pesquisa de Notícias. According to Portugal Telecom’s site, the SAPO Pesquisa de Notícias will use over one hundred national and regional sources of information to gather the most relevant results for its users, assuring in this way the position of largest news aggregator in number of Portuguese sources.

Pesquisa de Notícias is the first of a set of new functions that are scheduled to be presented in 2006, resulting from the acquisition of crawling technology which in return permitted the strengthening SAPO’ search capabilities.

The service can be consulted on the SAPO homepage, http://www.sapo.pt/, or directly at http://noticias.sapo.pt/

Tags: Portugal, sapo, search, google, news, noticias, pesquisa

Bill Gates awarded "Order of Infante Dom Henrique"

2006-01-31T22:07:00.000Z

Portugal’s President Jorge Sampaio awarded Bill Gates with the Order of Infante Dom Henrique in a ceremony held at the presidential palace.
"It’s a great honor to receive this award. I’m committed to continue the work that this recognizes,” declared Gates after receiving the award.
The Gates Foundation has donated more than 23.7 billion euros making it the world's biggest charity, saving at least 700,000 lives in poor countries by investing in vaccination programs, computers donations and Internet access to 11,000 libraries.
The Order of Infante Dom Henrique is named after the 15th century Portuguese prince who launched Portugal on its worldwide voyages of discovery.

Tags: Portugal, Bill, Gates, President, Sampaio, Foundation

Microsoft to teach 1 million Portuguese

2006-01-31T16:43:00.000Z

Microsoft has signed a partnership with the Portuguese government with the goal of teaching IT skills to some one million people by 2010. This project was unveiled by Jean-Phillipe Cortois in the opening ceremony of the Government Leaders Forum, in Lisbon. The partnership was announced in sequence to Microsoft’s plan to help create 20 million new jobs around the world. Bill Gates also reminded the significance in developing a relationship between the public and the private sector. Some of Microsoft’s partners in this initiative include Cisco and Randstad.

Tags: Portugal, Lisbon, Microsoft, Cisco, teach, million, Bill, Gates

Mourinho wants Portugal Team in 12 to 15 years time

2006-01-31T12:56:00.000Z

Mourinho announced that he is not interested in the England job and will only be interested in managing the Portuguese National side in 12 to 15 years time.

Speaking at the Portuguese Embassy, after collecting a National award
José Mourinho said “I am happy with my day to day life. Daily training, regular matches and sometimes wanting more matches per week, 3 perhaps”
This confirms Chief Executive Peter Kenyon's public announcement stating that Mourinho wasn’t going anywhere and that the FA should not bother Chelsea with an approach.

Tags: Jose, Mourinho, Englande, Portugal, managing, team

Microsoft to help PJ fight cibercrime

2006-01-31T10:22:00.000Z

Microsoft will be providing the Police Force (Polícia Judiciária) with IT equipment to aid in the fight against cibercrime, story published in todays issue of Correiro Da Manhã(CM).

The newspaper CM stated that the protocol will be celebrated due to Microsoft’s president Bill Gates visit to Portugal in attendance of the Government Leaders Forum that takes place today in Lisbon. This protocol will comprise of Hardware and software dedicated to fighting cibercrime, which will also include Technical assistance during a period of four years.

Tags: Portugal, Lisbon, Microsoft, cibercrime, fight, Technical, assistance, Bill, Gates, Forum

Petroleum more expensive

2006-01-30T20:49:00.000Z

The Associação Portuguesa de Empresas Petrolíferas (APETRO) stated in its monthly newsletter that the price for importing petroleum rose from an average of 30,07 euros per barrel in 2004 to 41,92 euros per barrel in 2005, which represented a inflation of 11,85 euros in prices. Portugal imported around 13 million tons in 2005 that led to an increase in expenditure of 1.200 billion euros in comparison to 2004.
Between 1994 and 2005 Portuguese consumption of gasoline decreased 3% but of Diesel increased 90%. Last year according to the APETRO Diesel sold 200 per cent more than gasoline. In 2005 the price for the 95 octane unleaded was of 1,148 euros per litter of which 62,8% corresponded to Tax.

Tags: Portugal, million, barrel, importing, Diesel, 2005, gasoline

Galp to unveil new gas heater

2006-01-30T19:52:00.000Z

Galp Energia announced that it has invested 500 thousand euros to create a new gas heater that will be unveiled this week in Portugal. The new heater named Hot Spot was developed exclusively by Portuguese partners and will be produced by J.F.Queirós e Filhos with a capacity to manufacture 20.000 units per year.

The new Hot Spot will be available in four models that distinguish themselves from the competition due to their small size, efficiency and design that was the responsibility of Brandia. In its initial stages the new gas heater will be produced exclusively for the Portuguese and Spanish markets.

Tags: Portugal, Spanish, Galp, Brandia, Energia, euros, hot, spot

Temperatures to go up

2006-01-30T13:21:00.000Z

Temperatures bellow zero where recorded last nigh in Braga, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Portalegre and Beja.
The temperatures where: Guarda -4, Braga -3, Bragança -3, Castelo Branco -2, Portalegre -2 and in Beja -1.
After heavy snow fall in several regions on Sunday, including Lisbon, today the sky will remain clear with some cloud cover but rain is not expected.

Tags: Portugal, Beja, zero, snow, Lisbon, Braga, Portalegre

Port Wine

2006-01-30T11:33:00.000Z

The Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP) will spend 1.6 million to promote the Port wine in 12 countries. The elected markets are Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Denmark, UK, Finland, Norway and Switzerland, Brazil, Canada the USA.

Tags: Port, Wine, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, million, Canada, USA, Norway

Snow storm in Portugal !!!!

2006-01-29T19:17:00.000Z

Today has bean a some what funny day here in Portugal. As most people would know it’s not very often that it snows here, especially in cities like Évora. If you would like to see a video please click here.