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Smoke from Silves fire detectable for 50 kilometres

fireA wildfire that started yesterday afternoon in an area of scrubland and euclayptus at 14.40 at Sítio dos Fitos, Silves, finally was put out by teams of local Bombeiros at 04.20 on Sunday morning.

The fire had spread rapidly across the countryside and at its height was tackled by over 200 firemen supported by 67 vehicles.

Motorway toll SMS scam sweeps the country

motorwayFake messages sent by SMS asking people to pay up for motorway tolls are being sent to mobile phones across the country.

Brisa said today that "in no case should people reply to anonymous messages that ask for the payment of money ​​relating to toll fees."

‘Win an Audi’ - anonymity not guaranteed

audia6Taxpayers have had no qualms in entering the Fatura da Sorte, or ‘Win an Audi,’ sweepstake but now must inform the tax department if they want to remain anonymous.

Up until now the winners have remained unknown unless they particularly want their relatives and friends to know they have just won a brand new Audi worth up to €51,000.

Portugal's taxpayers cover for weak government

financaslogoPortugal’s citizens never have paid so much tax with the latest government estimate showing a record haul of €37 billion for the year.

The amended, amended, amended 2014 budget has just been delivered to parliament and includes tax increases of €1.2 billion, mostly from record VAT receipts of €974 million, which almost brought a smile to the stony face of our tax collector general, Maria Luís Albuquerque.

Inflation hits five-year low

euromillions2Eurozone inflation dropped to its lowest level since November 2009 this August.

Prices grew by only 0.3% in the year to August, down 0.1 percentage point from July, according to a preliminary estimate from statistics agency Eurostat.

Grave taunts

funeralFrom his grave, a dead musician in Spain has taunted the country’s finance minister.

Jose Maria Bejarano Martin challenged the minister thus: “Montoro, cabron, ahora ven y cobras” (Montoro, you bastard, now come and get your money).

One in three of Portugal's young has no work

unemployedPortugal’s unemployment rate crept lower between June and July, from 14.1% to 14% according to Eurostat figures.

Compared to the position last year, the drop from 16.3% in July 2013 to the current 14% is the largest year-on-year decline in the EU alongside Hungary.

Millennium BCP - directors' sentences confirmed

millenniumFines and sentences issued by the Bank of Portugal have been confirmed in court, those that controlled Millennium BPC have to pay €3.47 million but inevitably will appeal.

The Tribunal de Pequena Instância in Lisbon has ruled and confirmed the convictions and fines for the six former directors of Millennium BCP. The bank itself had been fined for irregularities in the management of its offshore operations.