GNR officer who choked Finanças customer faces charges

FinancasChokeHoldThe off-duty GNR officer that attacked a customer in the Finanças office in Montijo, Setúbal has been made formal a suspect, or ‘arguido’, accused of abuse of power.

The attack, filmed by the victim and posted live on his Facebook page, shocked social media viewers yesterday as the soft-spoken Brazilian was choked until he passed out.

Gold and copper exploration to start in Alcoutim

goldnuggetThis latest stage of a prospecting project that has being going on for three years is part of a contract that allows Bolt Resources to drill for gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, tungsten, antimony and any other metals it might come across between 3 and 5.6 kilometres in depth.

Alcoutim Mayor, Osvaldo Gonçalves, said "We have been informed that these are five drillings to be carried out in parishes in Alcoutim, namely along the Foupana river and in the Palmeira area."

Lagoa's red painted streets cause local outrage

lagoaREDThe idiocy of local government again is to the fore as Lagoa council attempts to justify its decision to tarmac its streets and paint them red.

Thankfully, this childish activity has been limited to the area around the historic market square that has been subject to a long-running ‘intervention’ to make it more pedestrian friendly.

Why is Friday, May 12th, a public holiday?

popefrancisPortugal's government decided to give public sector employees the day off on Friday, May 12th to mark the Pope’s arrival in the country in preparation for Saturday and Sunday’s celebrations in Fátima. The visit marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917, witnessed by three children.

The controversial extra day’s holiday has not gone down well with some, pointing out that the celebrations are on Saturday and question why there should be a day off on the preceding Friday.

Pope's visit - tight border controls bag Chinese money-launderers

gnrstopGNR officers at a border post, this afternoon arrested two Chinese men found to be in possession of €480,000 in banknotes.

Operation ‘Fronteira Branca’ has seen unprecedented inspection levels at Portugal’s land, air and sea entry points before and during the Pope’s visit to Fátima.

The two Chinese men were arrested for money laundering at the border at Caia, Elvas, in the Portalegre district.

European ruling may derail Portugal's new legislation for Uber

ubertaxiA European categorisation of Uber may conflict with Portugal’s plans to treat the service provider differently to taxi drivers.

A non-binding legal opinion - but which may affect the decision of the highest judicial body in the European Union - considers that Uber should be regulated as a transport company and not, as the company claims, to be regarded purely as an electronic reservation platform for transport.

Reports of 'pet crimes' down on last year

dogillThe Public Security Police has logged almost 400 reports of crimes against pet animals to the end of April this year.

The Animal Defence Project saw 373 complaints registered in the first four months of the year for the "mistreatment" or the "abandonment of animals."

'Air in the pipes' brings Lisbon airport to its knees

ryanair13The fuel system used to fill up aeroplanes at Lisbon airport failed on Wednesday, leaving aircraft tanks empty and up to 50,000 passengers stranded as flight could not take off.

The fuel system is the responsibility of Grupo Operacional de Combustíveis, run by Petrogal. The equipment malfunctioned at noon on Wednesday and was only corrected during the early hours of Thursday morning.