Portugal out of state of emergency By Daisy Sampson, in COVID-19 · 30-04-2021 01:00:00 · 0 Comments
The President of the Republic has announced the end of the state of emergency in Portugal but has warned that this does not mean that the country is out of the woods when it comes to Covid-19.
In an address to the nation, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said that he would not be proposing the renewal of the state of emergency which officially comes to an end on 30 April at 11.59pm.
“After hearing the experts (…) the Government, all seen and considered, decided not to renew the state of emergency”, declared Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
European Super League in tatters By Daisy Sampson, in Sport, Football · 23-04-2021 01:00:00 · 0 Comments
Within days of the announcement of the new Super League, the entire project has been left in tatters as politicians, fans and governing bodies denounce the scheme.
At the time of going to press, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan has become the latest two teams to pull out of the tournament, joining the six English clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool, who abandoned the project on 20 April.
Earlier in the week, Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa hit out at the creation of the European Super League, saying that it should be “rejected without hesitation”, considering that there are principles and values that “cannot be for sale”.
Fight against corruption to “defend democracy”
High profile cases involving former and current political figures have highlighted corruption in Portugal.
The PCP’s secretary general, Jerónimo de Sousa, has warned that the fight against corruption is a fight to defend democracy and has criticised those who “cynically take advantage” of recent developments in justice cases.
“When some people cynically take advantage of recent developments in court cases, it must be said that the fight against corruption and economic-financial crime is a fight to be fought in defence of the democratic regime and for the deepening of democracy”, said the communist leader, while alluding to Operation Marquis, which involves former Prime Minister José Sócrates.
Over 60’s to be vaccinated by first week of June By Daisy Sampson, in News · 16-04-2021 01:00:00 · 0 Comments
The rolling out of an ambitious vaccination plan in Portugal includes the vaccination of the over 60’s by June and for all those over 30 by August.
Those over the age of 60 years of age are to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the beginning of June, according to the task force coordinator of the vaccination plan Henrique Gouveia e Melo.
“When we vaccinate the entire population over 60, in reality, we will - according to the death related data - be protecting 96.4 percent of the people who died as a result of this pandemic. We will reach this value between the last week of May and the first week of June,” said the official at the Infarmed meeting in Lisbon, which brings together experts, members o
New Lisbon airport plan blocked – for now
A negative decision for the National Civil Aviation Authority, rejection from local councils and protests from environmental groups may still not be enough to stop the opening of the new airport in Montijo as the government looks to change the law in its favour.
On 2 March, the aviation regulator refused to evaluate a plan to build a controversial new airport planned for Montijo on the southern bank of the Tagus River, essentially leaving the project dead in the water however, the government is not leaving it there.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) said it had rejected the evaluation request submitted by airport authority ANA as not all municipalities in and around the new airport were happy with the plans, with some citing environmental concerns.