Call for world leaders to stop secret companies

yachtAnti-corruption organisation Transparency International has called for immediate action by world leaders to stop secret companies used by individuals and public officials to hide their wealth, often illicitly gained.

Transparency International wants the international community to act immediately to adopt transparency laws to outlaw secret companies.

'Panama Papers' released - offshore secrecy blown worldwide

panamacanalThe Panama Papers have been released representing an unprecedented blow to those using offshore tax havens for their financial advantage while hoping to avoid scrutiny.

The huge database has revealed the offshore links of some of the world’s most prominent figures.

Bent solicitor diverted at least €2.5 million to her off-shore accounts

eurozoneA Lisbon solicitor, the exotically named Aurora Boaventura, has been covering up a dirty secret.

Far from acting for the State in collecting monies due and passing on funds from seized goods and properties, she has been altering paying-in details to her own financial benefit.

Portimão council's finances back on track with €130 million restructuring loan approved

portimaocamaraPortimão council’s application to the government’s Municipal Aid Fund finally has been approved by the fund’s committee which 'helps the financial recovery of councils in difficulties.?

No council in Portugal was faced with more difficulty than Portimão's which was left with debts of €130 million when previous mayor Manuel da Luz ended his term of office marked by cronyism, waste, lack of management ability and corruption.

State stands by as Silves city walls continue to collapse

silvestowerWith precisely nothing happening over the gradually collapsing city walls of Silves, an Algarve MP has asked the Ministry of Culture what it is proposing to do about the ‘urgent situation.’

Algarve MP Teresa Caeiro is aware of the Silves mayor’s concerns over the city wall which is at risk of collapse with some parts already sectioned off due to falling wall material.

Call for Roundup ban in Portugal due to cancer link

monsantoOrganisations of Portugal’s ‘Transgenics Out’ platform have registered their concern after a declaration from the International Cancer Agency that points to the possibility of the herbicide 'glyphosate'* causing cancer.

"The World Health Organisation, through the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), had stated that glyphosate, along with other organophosphate pesticides, is likely to cause cancer in humans” based on epidemiological studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies.

Duarte Lima's sentence reduced to six years in prison

duarte limaThe 'Tribunal da Relação de Lisboa' has reduced the sentence handed out to Duarte Lima from ten years to six.

The Court upheld Lima’s conviction for aggravated fraud and money laundering in the Homeland case while reducing his prison sentence.

Accident in France - driver and van owner charged with manslaughter

frenchaccidentMercVanRicardo Videira Pinheiro, the 19-year-old driver of the adapted Renault van that crashed in Montbeugny, central France, killing 12 of the occupants, was charged on Thursday with manslaughter and aggravated bodily harm.

Pinheiro’s uncle, 43-year-old Arménio Pinto Martins, is the registered owner of the vehicle which had been poorly and illegally adapted to carry passengers in its load space. Martins also has been accused of the same crimes, according to information published today in news service, La Montagne.