Hurricane Ophelia has passed by the Açores islands without damaging property or injuring anyone.
The Portuguese weather service has lifted warnings for the islands with the head of the regional Civil Protection service said today that there had been no serious consequences as Hurricane Ophelia passed by.
Pope Francis sent a message to the Sanctuary of Fátima on the 100th anniversary of the apparitions, recalling his visit to the shrine in May this year.
The Pope's message to the pilgrims was for them to pray for him, "I still have in my heart the memory of the Virgin," he said in a video played to the crowd of pilgrims before the closing ceremony and final procession.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority has proposed a reduction in electricity prices starting on January 1st, 2018.
The 0.2% reduction will be the first time prices have gone down in 18 years but the impact will be almost unnoticeable for domestic consumers - for example, an invoice of €45.70 will drop by just nine cents.
Portugal's renewable energy production's track record has been severely tarnished by the continuing and serious drought that has hit hydro-electric energy production.
The Renewable Energy Association, APREN, reports that in the first nine months of 2017, the decrease in the production of renewable electricity in mainland Portugal has forced up the price of electricity by 28% to €50.4 per MWh in contrast to a price at the same time last year of €39.4 per MWh.
The Civil Protection Authority for the Açores are keeping citizens abreast of the impending Hurricane Ophelia as she heads for Santa Maria.
The category 2 hurricane is southwest of the Açores and is moving steadily towards the archipelago.
Pet dogs soon will be allowed into participating restaurants after parliament approved a proposal, backed by three national parties.
The People-Animals-Nature party, the Left Bloc and The Greens thought it a good idea that pet animals should be allowed inside cafes and restaurants, as well as continuing to allowing guide dogs inside.
The Algarve region’s hotels had more guests this August than last and they spent more money.
The number of guests was up 1.9% from a year ago but the revenue was even more encouraging as an 11.7% rise meant that wallets were open, especially German ones.
"No, I will not ask for a resignation," said Portugal’s Minister of Home Affairs, Constança Urbano de Sousa, answering questions in parliament during a debate to discuss the conclusions of the report into the July fire at Pedrógão Grande.
The minister stood by the commander and senior National Civil Defence Authority managers who were criticised in the damning report submitted yesterday by Independent Technical Committee, chaired by João Guerreiro, the former rector of the University of the Algarve.
