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.

Portugal's national water company awash with corruption

aguasThe Court of Auditors has looked into Águas de Portugal’s accounts for the period between 2012 and the first half of 2014 and concluded that "85% of the directly awarded contracts examined have irregularities and insufficiencies."

The audit report has only just been published despite the closing period being nearly three years ago. The Court of Auditors indicated that "following a request from the Parliament," 81 direct procurement procedures issued by 23 companies in the Águas de Portugal group were examined, corresponding to €9.7 million."

Taxpayer choked to unconsciousness in Finanças office by off-duty GNR officer

financaslogoThe GNR has announced an immediate internal inquiry after a taxpayer was rendered unconscious at a Finanças office.

The incident happened in Montijo just south of Lisbon when a Brazilian is alleged to have been offensive to tax officials, something he denies.

Pope's visit triggers full document check at all Portugal's entry points

guadianaIf you are planning to cross the border using the Guadiana International Bridge, or by taking the ferry from Vila Real de Santo António, you will need identification documents, or risk being turned back.
 
Full document checks at all designated border crossings are in place from Wednesday until midnight on Sunday, May 14th, due to the visit of the Pope. Unofficial and little used border crossings also will be under observation.

Odeleite's Blue Dragon River to have a beach installed

odeleiteCastro Marim ratepayers will be chipping in 70% towards the total cost of creating a beach at the Odeleite reservoir.

The balance of the total spend of €320,000, will come from European Funds under CRESC 2020.

Acid attack in Alvor - TUI travel rep has severe burns to arms, stomach and legs

EleanorAcidAttackEleanor Chessell, the TUI travel rep attacked with upto two litres of acid on the main road between Portimão and Alvor, has serious burns to her arms, stomach and legs, with only a tiny amount hitting her face.

Chessell, 28, was attacked on the evening of Saturday, May 6th and suffered second and third degree burns over 60% of her body after a man came up behind her, threw acid from a plastic bottle and ran away.