Lisbon airport closed after TAP aircraft malfunctions

LisbonAirportAn orange alert closed Lisbon airport today after a TAP flight that had left for Bologna had to return due to a ‘technical malfunction.’

The flight, with 154 passengers on board, was forced to return to Lisbon and forced the temporary closure of airspace.

Road deaths increase despite safety work

accident125Accidents on Portugal’s roads have caused 83 deaths in the first two months of the year, one more than in the same period of 2018, said the National Highway Safety Authority.

According to the ANSR, which collects data from the road police, the number of accidents has increased this year, with 20,322 crashes, 185 more than in the same period last year.

Portugal's PM defends Chinese investment in Europe

china2Portugal's Prime Minister, António Costa, has mounted a stiff verbal assault on Germany and France in his defence of Chinese investment in the EU.

Costa has insisted that EU member states should not misuse new security measures applying to Chinese business by creating trade barriers across Europe.

Brexit signifies European crisis, says French president, Macron

brexitLen"Brexit is a lesson for all of us: it’s time for renewal," stated the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, who continued:

Citizens of Europe, if I am taking the liberty of addressing you directly, it is not only in the name of the history and values that unite us, but because time is of the essence. A few weeks from now the European elections will be decisive for the future of our continent.

Fatal stabbing in Praia da Rocha

barlaventohospitalThe victim of a knife attack in Praia da Rocha, Portimao, died of his injuries in the Barlavento hospital (pictured) on Saturday morning.

Brálio Tomé was stabbed in the neck after refusing to hand over a cigarette.

Maritime Police seize illegally harvested Ria Formosa shellfish

riaFormosaNighttimeAnother 700 kilos of illegally harvested Ria Formosa shellfish has been seized by the Maritime Police as part of a welcome series of surveillance operations.

The Police has been on the case in detecting the illegal harvesting of bivalves and seahorses whose dried bodies are sold for the Chinese medicine market.

Portugal's food and drink exports hit new record high

pinenutsPortuguese food and drink exports hit the €5 billion mark in 2018, a 3.1% year-on-year increase and a new record.

Food and beverage sales accounted for 8.66% of Portuguese exports last year, according to data published by the food industry Federation.

Lagarde: Portugal's tourist market will be 'hit hard' if the UK crashes out of the EU

imfA messy Brexit could have “significant consequences” and is the biggest short-term risk to the British economy, Christine Lagarde said to Portugal’s state council, the Portuguese president’s highest consultative body.

“All likely Brexit outcomes will involve net costs for the UK economy. But the higher the impediments that arise in the new relationship with Europe, the higher the cost,” added the IMF chief.