Court rejects case against former mayor of Olhão

olhaoFaro court has failed to conclude a court action against a former mayor of Olhão, Francisco Leal, as there are still grey areas.
 
Francisco Leal and the former head of the Urban Management, architect Ditza Reis, were accused by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the crime of malfeasance related to the licensing of the "Marina Village of Olhão" project, promoted by Construções Largaça.

Hotel price gouging was "marginal" during the 2017 Fátima celebrations

PopeinCrowdThe rector of the Sanctuary of Fátima, Carlos Cabecinhas, said today that "price speculation" in accommodation rates was "marginal" during the Pope’s 2017 visit, and highlighted the "very responsible attitude" of hoteliers.
 
"At the time of the Pope's visit, on May 12th and 13th, there was a lot of news about price speculation at various hotel.

Green energy - Portugal's 'Windfloat' project can go ahead

windfarmseaThe Council of Ministers today approved the extension of the pilot project for renewable energies at sea, to enable the completion of the Windfloat wind energy project off Viana do Castelo.
 
The project is part of the Industrial Strategy for Ocean Renewable Energies, coordinated by EDP, through EDP Renováveis.

Algarve employment - plenty of jobs but few workers

tivoliThe unemployment rate has fallen to the point where companies are having difficulty in finding staff for the burgeoning Algarve tourism industry.
 
With the season stretching either side of the peak summer period, many companies are recruiting staff from other countries, notably from Spain where unemployment remains high.

Portuguese marijuana to supply European market

 
marijuanaThe Canadian cannabis producer, Tilray, successfully has raised C$60 million from a group of global institutional investors.
 
The new finance will enable the company to press ahead with its production facility in Portugal and expand its distribution in Europe and North America - in those countries where medical cannabis is legal.

Hospital Particular commissions 'wellness' hotel in Alvor

liverThe Hospital Particular do Algarve group, the private hospital operator with services in Alvor, Gambelas and Portimão, is entering the accommodation market by building a luxury health and wellness hotel.
 
In addition to the 70 rooms, the hotel will have medical facilities and is to be run in partnership with Longevity Wellness Worldwide whose last involvement in the region was at the Longevity Wellness Resort in Monchique, now the Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa

Lisbon parish pays €31,000 to wife of Miguel Relvas

newspapersA company owned by the wife of the former minister, Miguel Relvas, was contracted by a Lisbon parish council to supply communication, media training and press advice.
 
Strategy, Lda, whose majority stakeholder is Marta Sousa Relvas, was hired in April 2015 for €31,686, one month after the business was created. 

Alentejo ranks lowest for cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy use

cannabisConsumption of cannabis in Portugal has increased over the last five years, with more tokers and more people indulging daily, according to the Drugs and Drug Addiction 2016 report, released today.
 
The report notes increasing consumption, between 2012 and 2016/7, in women and in the 25-34 and 35-44 age groups.