Clandestine beachside groundworks at Praia dos Tomates, Albufeira

BeachTomatoA reader of the Região Sul online news service has sent in a report of environmental vandalism at Praia dos Tomates, more correctly known as Praia da Rocha Baixinha-Oeste, between Vilamoura marina and Praia da Falésia.
 
On Friday, May 11th, a few days before the start of the new bathing season, an extensive excavation was being carried out, on land leading to the beach.
 

British woman hit by train near Lagos

trainA woman was hit by a train in the Meia-Praia area of Lagos and immediately was killed.
 
According to Correio da Manhã, the victim is a 60-year-old Britsh woman who was on holiday in the region and was hit by the westbound service. Later reports claimed that the woman was 73 and was out for a walk with a friend when the accident happened at a pedestrian crossing.

Tourist boat sinks at Praia da Marinha cave

CaveMarinhaFour people had to be rescued on Friday, May 11th, after their ‘trips to the caves’ boat sunk inside a grotto near Marinha beach, Lagoa.
 
The alert was received by the Portimão Maritime Police at 10:21 am, and a rescue boat that already was on the water, immediately was sent to the area.

Desidério Silva replaced as President of Algarve's tourist board

JoaoFernandesRTADesidério Silva has failed in his bid to be reappointed as the Algarve region’s tourism president.
 
João Fernandes (pictured) now leads the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) after five years of Silva’s stewardship.

Security failure at Portugal's Eurovision 2018

eurovision2018The UK Eurovision entry came third from bottom, despite singer SuRie having her microphone grabbed by a stage invader during her performance.  She later resumed her song and finished - to applause.

Portugal's entry from Cláudia Pascoal came last of 26 entries in the annual contest which was won by Israel.

MPs to investigate State's excessive support payments to EDP

parliamentPortugalNow that the vast subsidies, handed by taxpayers to Portugal electricity supplier, EDP, have been given a full airing in the media, parliament today approved the creation of a committee of inquiry to look into the matter most thoroughly.
 
Between 2009 and 2012, taxpayers paying these CMEC support payments were providing a sum equal to one third of EDP's profits. 

Petrol price rise - nine times in nine weeks

petrolpumpThe price of petrol and diesel is going up again on Monday - for petrol, this is nine price rises in nine weeks.
 
Fuel in Portugal will hit a new three year high due to the rise in the international oil price the continuing poor performance of the euro against the US dollar.

Finanças to be handed details of all €50,000+ bank accounts

financaslogoThe Government has decided to re-submit the diploma that allows the Tax Authority to access citizens' private bank accounts which have a balance of €50,000 or more. 
 
The Council of Ministers again approved the law that was vetoed by the president in September 2016.