Belgian national charged with 2016 Messines slaying

messinesAerialA Belgian national of advancing years has been arrested and charged with shooting dead his octogenarian neighbour, after which he went home, burnt the clothes he was wearing and the next day, tried to make the incident look like someone has assaulted her.

The Public Prosecutor's Office last Wednesday ordered the arrest of the 73-year-old Belgian so he could formally be charged with a homicide that dates back to 2016.

Faro Island campsite dwellers to be evicted

farobridgeFaro Council is taking possession of the campsite on Faro Island to remodel it and re-launch the area as a campsite in 2020, but this time, under the direct management of the Council.

The current occupants have no place in the Council’s plans, "unless they pay, of course, like you or me," said the mayor.

PM subbed at Pedrógão Grande anniversary lunch

FireLeiriaSmallCarsThe Algarve’s fire service was kept on their toes this weekend, tackling blazes in Gião, near Moncarapacho, São Bartolomeu de Messines and Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo.

Two men, aged 65 and 74, were arrested on suspicion of arson at a fire in Franqueira, Silves after a GNR patrol were told by eye-witnesses who was responsible.

Airport bus service to tourist hotspots announced by Algarve mayors

FaroAirportFrontThe Algarve’s mayors’ group has approved the opening of a tender for the creation of a bus service between Faro Airport and the region’s main tourist centres.

The group, AMAL, has been managing the Algarve’s transport system since 2016 and only now has decided that facilitating the transport of tourists to where they actually are staying might be a sensible idea.

Castro Marim and Alcoutim municipalities at maximum fire risk

FireGoisThe Algarve municipalities of Castro Marim and Alcoutim officially are at maximum risk of fire, according to the Portuguese weather service.

The municipalities of Loulé, S. Brás de Alportel and Tavira, as well as the Alentejo municipalities of Almodôvar and Mértola, are at very high risk.

Tropical air arrives on Sunday - expect temperatures in the high 30s

sunnyTemperatures will rise to the high 30s on Sunday as a mass of hot air covers the country.

The air will reach Portugal this weekend, raising daytime temperatures to nearly 40°C in the interior of the Alentejo, and bringing tropical nights across the country.

Supply of medicinal cannabis legalised in Portugal

cannabisThe use of cannabis products for medical purposes was approved in parliament today, Friday 15th June, by all the parliamentary parties with the exception of the opposition CDS, which abstained.

The parliamentary committee on health had issued the final document for discussion by MPs, which reinforced the role of drugs regulator, Infarmed, but stopped short of recommending the drug could be grown at home for a bit of 'self-medication.'

'Citizen's card for foreign residents' launched

holdinghandsThe Portuguese government is launching a citizenship card for registered foreigners in Portugal.

The card, similar to the national ‘cartão de cidadão,’ groups together identification references for tax, social security and the national health system but does not make the holder a 'citizen.'