Algarve hotel owner on corruption charges in Miami

RIUHotelThe Mallorca-based Chief Executive and co-owner of RIU Hotels SA, has been detained in Miami on corruption charges.
 
The Spanish group has two hotels in Portugal: the 500-room ClubHotel Riu Guarana at Praia da Falésia, Albufeira and the Riu Palace Madeira Hotel.

Socialists close to making their mind up over Alojamento Local short-term rental changes

alThe Socialist Party has identified its preferred route through the Alojamento Local morass, opting for a quota system to be policed  by local councils.
 
A source close to the subject, Luís Testa, hinted today that the quota system is a good way forward and sais that the Left Bloc’s proposal has "very interesting issues."

Environment Agency shuts factory polluting the Rio Almonda

sewagepipeThe Portuguese Environment Agency has been doing its job by closing down a factory that for years has been pumping toxic waste into a Portuguese river.
 
The factory is owned by Fabrióleo whose owners have allowed its output to pollute the Rio Almonda with oils and chemicals.

Portugal's railway network upgrade is a shambles

railwayclockAfter two years of expectancy, the government’s railway master-plan has yet to leave the station.
 
Ferrovia 2020 was presented in 2016 by the Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Pedro Marquês - by now 528 kilometres of railway should be under construction or being upgraded in a major boost to the nation's rail network.

Metropolitan Police applies for additional funds to find Madeleine

praiadaluzThe UK’s Home Office has confirmed that an application has been received from the Metropolitan Police for additional funds to keep Operation Grange going.
 
"The Home Office has provided funding to the Metropolitan Police for Operation Grange and the resources required are reviewed regularly with careful consideration given before any new funding is allocated."
 

Government delivering on pledge to give back British expats the right to vote

4801The UK government publishes its response to the consultation on the votes for life policy statement and commits to deliver a lifelong vote to British expats. 
 
The government will today (8 February) restate its commitment to ending the current 15 year time limit on British expats registering as overseas electors.

Prehistoric 'rock art' found beside the Guadiana

rockartSmallFive rock engravings that experts believe to be prehistoric have been discovered on the banks of the Guadiana River in Elvas after the water level dropped due to the continuing drought.
 
The discoveries will be analysed by the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Alentejo which already has planned for experts to travel to the various locations to study the engravings, found last week.

Benfica dishes out tickets to tax office, court and government staff

BenficaLogoBenfica football club has been inundated with requests for free tickets for matches, not from charities and indigent fans but from public servants from tax office staff, government officials and high court judges, according to leaked emails.
 
Júlio Loureiro, a court official, asked for a ticket for a game – also the Lisbon Finance Service and Rita Abreu Lima, the chief of staff of the former Minister of Internal Affairs, Miguel Macedo, emailed for free tickets.