Portugal's general discussion (general events)

[Mike88]

A police raid at Altice Portugal, former Portugal Telecom, found out that the company's co-founder, Armando Pereira, and his business partner, Hernâni Vaz Antunes, both owned a Bugatti Centodieci, worth 8 million euros, in which just 10 models were made worldwide. With this discovery, it's now clear that 3 of those 10 highly exclusive cars, Cristiano Ronaldo also has one, are owned by Portuguese citizens.

Also, both Armando Pereira and Hernâni Vaz Antunes were arrested by the police for tax fraud and private corruption.

[Mike88]

The weird sect that is dominating headlines: The Kingdom of Peinal and the death of a baby, already being investigated by the police.

The Public Prosecutor received a complaint about the death of a baby in the Pineal Kingdom sect, near Coimbra.
Akbal Pinheiro, the child's father and also leader of the Pineal Kingdom sect, guarantees that he did everything to save the child, who was 14 months old. He reiterates that the community lives by its own rules. “We have a right to our self-determination, our spiritual practices and beliefs.”

Martin Junior Kenny was 36 years old when he decided to become Água Akbal Pinheiro. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, he emigrated to the UK in his 20s. There he studied and worked as a chef.

At the age of 25, while in England, he met Gabriela, with whom he had two children, Sebastian and Quintin, both boys.

He was living a normal life in Southampton when "he had a profound spiritual experience which he called his 'Pineal Spiritual Awakening'", reads the Pineal Kingdom website.

As to what this "awakening" consists of, the sect explains nothing, but asserts that Martin "changed his lifestyle by dedicating himself to the investigation of occult and esoteric knowledge, as well as to the adoption of various other spiritual practices".

"Água Akbal Pinheiro is a spiritual philosopher, esoteric researcher and social influencer", it can also be read.

Adept of conspiracy theories - as can be seen from the countless videos on Youtube - the man is the leader of the mysterious Kingdom of Pineal.

It was precisely on the internet that he spread his theories and gained followers until, in 2019, he left the UK, with his family, and immigrated to Portugal "with the aim of establishing an eco-community with a school of spiritual mysteries".

Also according to the website, he and his family acquired some land and began to lay the foundations for the community 'The Pineal Foundation'. On the other hand, in contradictory information, we know that the land where the sect is maintained belongs to Pione Sisto, a Danish international who plays for Midtjylland.

Gabriela Luna Pinheiro is the wife of Água Akbal Pinheiro and the mother of Samsara, the child who was born and died in this community.
(...)
Suspicions surrounding the Pineal Kingdom were first raised by the magazine Visão, which wrote about "The mysterious sect that has settled in the Interior and wants to form a sovereign State within Portugal".

In this report, the magazine reported that the sect - of which between 40 and 100 members now form part - is led by a former foreign 'chef' who intends to form there, as the title itself indicates, a sovereign kingdom.

[Mike88]

Monkeypox outbreak detected in the Lisbon metro area:

Since 19 June, 37 cases have been diagnosed, all in the region of Lisbon and the Tagus valley.

Since 19 June, 37 cases have been diagnosed, all in the region of Lisbon and the Tagus valley. According to the Directorate-General for Health, these are mostly men aged between 20 and 40 years.
The health authority recommends compliance with the guidelines already defined to interrupt transmission chains.

The most common symptoms of the infection are fever, severe headache, muscle pain and enlarged lymph nodes, with the progressive appearance of rashes that affect the skin and mucous membranes.

Since May last year, when the presence of the virus was detected in Portugal, close to a thousand cases have been registered.

[Mike88]

Reposition of border controls due the Pope's visit to the World Youth Days, has barred the entry of 65 people since Saturday:

65 people refused entry since border control reset

Documentary control at air, sea and land borders within the scope of WYD came into force on Saturday and is being carried out in a selective and targeted manner based on information and risk analysis.

According to the operational balance made this Monday, in a statement, by the Internal Security System, in the first two days, 13,461 people were controlled at land borders and 149,838 passengers at air borders.

As part of the operation, entry was refused to 65 people, of which 52 were trying to reach Portugal by land and 13 by air.

At air borders, the Foreigners and Borders Service controlled 885 flights, the overwhelming majority originating outside the Schengen Area, made two arrests for document fraud, and applied precautionary measures in 41 cases.

With 27 inspection actions throughout the day, involving a staff of 289 agents, the National Guard of the Republic (GNR) identified 25 offenses in land border control, two crimes, made three seizures and detained one person.
(...)
The reposition of documentary controls at the borders will remain active until 00:00 hours on 7 August and takes place "on an exceptional basis in order to safeguard against any threats to public order and internal security", according to a Government resolution.

Border control within the scope of WYD, an event that will take place in Lisbon between 1 and 6 August and will be attended by Pope Francis, is in charge of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), with the assistance of the Public Security Police (PSP) and GNR, in addition to the possible collaboration of authorities from other countries.

[Mike88]

Strikes, strikes, strikes: Wave of strikes "haunts" the World Youth Days in Lisbon.

Several strikes are expected to haunt the Pope's visit during the World Youth Days in Lisbon. This last week of July is being dominated by a 3-day doctors strike in hospitals across the country. Several Health Centers are closed and several surgeries are being postponed due to the 3-day strike. But other strikes will happen while the event is happening:

- Following the strike during this last week of July, Doctors are expected to go on strike again in the first two days of August;

- Nurses in the Lisbon metro area will strike between 1 and 4 August, after talks with the Government fell apart;

- Schools staffs are also on strike against the proposal for them to work extra-time to help handle the big number of young people that will stay in several schools across Lisbon city for the event;

- Trains are expected also to go on strike, again, especially ticket workers, with the strike lasting until 6 August;

- The handling workers in the country's airports will also go on strike during the last weekend of July, 30-31, and the first of August, 5-6. Here, the Government has decreed minimum services;

- Police forces will not go on strike, but are expeceted to protest in front of places where the Pope is visiting, against the Government's policies towards police forces;

The only strike cancelled was the Lisbon's urban waste workers strike, after they were able to reach an agreement with Mayor Carlos Moedas. This strike was expected to last between 1 and 6 August and would have a major impact in the city's image.

[Mike88]

Wildfire in the suburbs of Lisbon leaves 13 injured and two villages had to be evacuated:

The fire that broke out this Tuesday in Alcabideche, in the municipality of Cascais, was brought under control during the early hours of the morning. Two of those injured in the fire were discharged and six remain in hospital units, announced the Civil Protection, adding that the animals removed from kennels have already "returned to their places of origin".

Speaking to the media at the command post, at 11:00 am, the regional commander of Emergency and Civil Protection for Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, Elísio Oliveira, explained that five injured people are at the Cascais Hospital "under follow-up" and one is at Hospital de Santa Maria, in Lisbon, due to an eye injury.

There are still some people displaced from home "under evaluation" by the National Institute of Medical Emergency, due to age.

Circulation was reopened on the A5, between the Alvide and Cascais interchanges, but this morning there were still roads cut off. Civil Protection asks motorists not to circulate in areas where the fire raged.

According to the Cascais City Hall, in the district of Lisbon, around 800 animals were removed from the municipal kennel and the Associação São Francisco de Assis and transferred to another municipal pavilion.
(...)

[Mike88]

Artist unrolls a "carpet" depicting 500 euros notes in main stage of the Youth World Days in protest against the high cost of the event:

https://twitter.com/Publico/status/1684684631310782464

“Habemus Pasta”. Bordalo II invades the stage altar of the World Youth Day and unrolls a carpet with 500 euro notes

Artist recalled the difficulties that are affecting several Portuguese, leaving a criticism of the money spent on the event

Lisbon is preparing to host one of the biggest events in its history, with hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world traveling to the Portuguese capital to receive Pope Francis at World Youth Day (WYD).

An event that has long generated controversy, namely due to the high costs involved, from the multi-million stage that has already been installed near Parque das Nações to the various details that will flank the ceremonies.

Without forgetting the cost of the entire operation, and remembering the difficult times for Portuguese families, the urban artist Bordalo II made an installation precisely in the place that will be trampled by the Pope and the pilgrims.

Through his official Instagram page, the artist shared the installation of a rug with several 500 euro notes, mocking a “Habemus Pasta”, making a pun between Pope and one of the terms used for money.

“In a secular state, at a time when many people are struggling to keep their homes, their work and their dignity, millions of public funds have been invested to sponsor the tour of the Italian multinational”, can be read in the publication, where the message was also shared in English.

It is what Bordalo II calls the “Walk of Shame” or, in Portuguese, “Passeio da Vergonha”.

[Mike88]

Artist unrolls a "carpet" depicting 500 euros notes in main stage of the Youth World Days in protest against the high cost of the event:

This "incident" is creating a bit of controversy because of the lack of security the stage has. In theory, no one, other than workers of the company that is building the stage, has access to the area, but the artist who unrolled the 500 euros notes carpet, Bordalo II, said he was quite surprised by the lack of security in the area and only wore a yellow vest and passed like an ordinary worker, along with his crew which wasn't that small. The Secret Services blames the company that is constructing the stage for the lack of security and adds that they will only take control of the stage when it's completed, which should have happened several days ago. Oh well.

[Mike88]

2nd quarter economic numbers: GDP has "put the breaks" with a null growth compared with the 1st quarter.

Economy stagnated in the second quarter with negative contribution from exports. In year-on-year terms, GDP in the second quarter registered a variation of 2.3%.

A more negative evolution of exports of goods and services dictated, in the second quarter, the stagnation of the economy, indicates this Monday the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in a first quick estimate of the evolution of the national accounts in the months of April to June.

According to INE, in the second quarter, national GDP registered zero variation, in real terms, with the year-on-year variation standing at 2.3%.

The stagnation vis-à-vis the economy's results at the beginning of the year occurs after a chain growth of 1.6% in the first quarter (2.5% year-on-year), and is due to a greater penalty in sales of goods and services abroad, despite the fact that INE points out improvements in the evolution of internal demand.
(...)
INE points out that "the positive contribution of domestic demand to the year-on-year change in GDP increased, compared to that observed in the previous quarter, with a less pronounced reduction in investment, with private consumption registering a slight slowdown".

This month, and after better-than-expected results at the start of the year on the back of services exports, the Government reinforced expectations for annual growth, anticipating 2.7% expansion. The forecast is in line with that of the Bank of Portugal.

Among international institutions, the International Monetary Fund expects a 2.6% increase in GDP, the OECD expects 2.5% and the European Commission 2.4%.

Inflation fell 0.3% to 3.1% in July, while unemployment stood at 6.4%, the same as May 2023 but higher compared with June 2022.

[Mike88]

Outrage as little girl, just 3 years old, is murdered by her nanny because of a 400 euros 200 euros debt:

In a case that shocked the country, Court sentences the nanny and the little girl's mother to 25 years in jail:

https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1686335223523340288

The Setúbal Court sentenced, this Tuesday, four of the five defendants in the case of Jessica, the 3-year-old girl killed in June 2022, to 25 years in prison.

The four main defendants in the case of the murder of a 3-year-old girl in June 2022, in Setúbal, were sentenced this Tuesday to 25 years in prison by the Court of Setúbal.

In the final allegations of this trial, on July 13, the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) requested 25 years for Jessica's mother, Inês Sanches, and for the girl's supposed nanny, Ana Pinto, her husband, Justo Montes, and their daughter , Emerald Montes.

As for the son of the alleged nanny, Eduardo Montes, also accused in this case, the Public Prosecutor's Office dropped all the crimes contained in the indictment.

Child died from abuse

The case dates back to June 2022, when Jessica, aged 3, died due to the mistreatment inflicted on her during the several days she was in the care of an alleged nanny, Ana Pinto.

The Public Prosecution's order of indictment states that, during the five days that she stayed at Ana Pinto's house as a guarantee of payment of a debt owed by her mother, of 200 euros, for alleged practices of witchcraft, the girl was subject to several episodes of violent mistreatment and used as a drug courier.

Jessica was only returned to her mother around 10:00 on June 20, 2022, at a time when she was no longer reacting to any stimulus.

The obvious signs of her suffering were ignored for several hours by the mother herself, a fact that the investigation considered could also have contributed to the child's death, which occurred a few hours later at the São Bernardo Hospital, in Setúbal.

[Mike88]

The Catholic World Youth Days started this afternoon in Lisbon city. Around 200,000 people attended the opening mass at Edward VII Park in Lisbon:

https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1686516054967681024

World Youth Day has officially begun.
Around 200,000 people from all over the world attended the opening mass at the event that marked the official start.

Pope Francis is expected to arrive this Wednesday morning at Lisbon airport. The event ends on Sunday, 6 August.

[Mike88]

The Pope's visit due to the World Youth Days is dominating completely the headlines, but a few situations, related with the WYDs, are also making news:

- Around 200 people gave donations to put up 3 big billboards in Lisbon, Oeiras and Loures cities remembering the sexual abuse scandals in the Portuguese Church. The billboards were put up on the day the Pope arrived, but in Oeiras city, the mayor ordered the billboard to be removed. The City Hall explained that the billboard was "illegal publicity" and violated rules, but a controversy started with accusations of censorship against Oeiras city hall. The City Hall has, however, retracted its initial position and will now put the billboard back up. Pope Francis was able to meet with 13 victims of sexual abuse in the Portuguese Church;

- Police was called to intervene in a church in Lisbon city when a group of ultra-conservatives invaded a mass organized by LGBT Catholic groups. And earlier in the celebrations in Edward VII Park, in downtown Lisbon, a pilgrim who was holding a trans flag was confronted and criticized by other pilgrims who asked him to bring down the flag;

[Mike88]

In other news, someone raised the Russian flag and stole a Portuguese flag in Elvas city:

Elvas: Flag of Russia hoisted at the roundabout of the Amoreira Aqueduct

The situation was resolved in the early hours of the day and the symbol of the Portuguese Republic was hoisted again

During the early hours of this Friday, the national flag that was hoisted at the roundabout of the Amoreira Aqueduct, in Elvas, was stolen and exchanged for a Russian flag.

The complaint reached the editorial office of CNN Portugal through a reader and confirmed by Jornal Linhas de Elvas, which reports that it is not yet known what the motivation was or who the perpetrators of the crime are.

Another flag of the Portuguese Republic was hoisted again shortly after 8:15 am by workers from the municipality

In addition to the crime of theft, those responsible may also have to answer for the crime of "outrage against national and regional symbols", in accordance with Article 332 of the Penal Code: “Whoever publicly, by words, gestures or written or by any other means of communication with the public, outrages the Republic, the national flag or anthem, the weapons or emblems of Portuguese sovereignty, or lacks the respect due to them, is punished with imprisonment for up to 2 years or with fine of up to 240 days”.
(...)

[Mike88]

World Youth Days ends with the final vigil and mass in the north bank of the Tagus river, in Lisbon city. 1,5 million people attended the two events that had the presence of Pope Francis:

The next edition of the World Youth Days in 2027 will be in South Korea.

[Mike88]

After a weekend of rising temperatures, wildfires have spread across the country with the most complicated in Odemira, near the Algarve border, and Leiria in the center of the country:

https://twitter.com/apuntoratge/status/1688633864657223680

We can see the smoke from the fires in southern Portugal, and the gravity waves above the low clouds of the Atlantic.
The low-level vortex is also seen in southwestern Portugal

https://twitter.com/CopernicusEU/status/1688797516475551744

In Odemira, the fire that started on Sunday is still to be controlled and more than 1,400 people have been evacuated and there are 40 injured. In Leiria, the fire is now controlled but it passed near several villages and forced the closure of the main highway of the country for several hours. During the weekend, wildfires in the Castelo Branco region also created problems to authorities:

https://twitter.com/CopernicusEU/status/1688847291770081281

#Portugal has been affected by several fires

At the end of Sunday afternoon (6 August), the fire in Castelo Branco #IRCasteloBranco entered the resolution phase

Yesterday, the #Copernicus #Sentinel2 satellite captured this image of the “scar” from the fire

Unlike the rest of Europe and some parts of the World, the summer in Portugal had been quite mild with temperatures even a bit bellow average for the season. But, since the first days of August, temperatures have been surging culminating in the first heat wave in the country this summer. More than half of the land burned in the whole year was in the first days of August, 14,387 hectares out of 24,932. However, the numbers, so far, are miles away from the 110,000 hecters of 2022 and other years.

[Mike88]

Jobs report: Precarious jobs amount to almost 80% of the new jobs created in the last year.

https://twitter.com/SICNoticias/status/1689625361548492801

Of the 110,000 jobs created in a year, fixed-term contracts and unstable labor relations accounted for almost 80%. Find out which sectors are most affected.

Precarious employment contracts registered a record rise in Portugal. Restoration, accommodation and civil construction are the most affected sectors.

Data revealed by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) for the second quarter of 2023 shows that almost 18% of employees in Portugal had a precarious contract. A year ago it was 16%.

Of the 110,000 jobs created in a year, fixed-term contracts and unstable labor relations accounted for almost 80%. This happens, above all, in the sectors of catering, accommodation, industry and civil construction, numbers that help to increase the employed population.

Of the approximately five million workers in the country, one million and 600 thousand have a higher education.

But if there is an increase in employment at all levels of education, this does not happen in graduates. Portugal lost 128,000 workers with higher education in just one year. Those who study longer are, according to INE data, leaving the labor market in Portugal.

If a year ago they represented 36% of the employed population, now they are less than 33%.

A loss of skilled workers being compensated by unskilled workers, an increase of over 53,000 in one year.

There are also more people with part-time jobs or more than one job.

[Mike88]

5 small earthquakes in the last 24 hours felt in several areas across the country:

Earthquakes in Peniche and Portimão, after two in Montemor-o-Novo

Three low-intensity earthquakes were recorded in mainland Portugal in the early hours of Monday in Peniche, Melgaço and Portimão, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).

At 00.44 hours, an earthquake measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale was recorded near Peniche, in the district of Leiria, which again recorded new events at 00.56 and 2.20 hours, with an intensity of 0.9 and 1.4.

At 3.38 am it was the turn of Melgaço, in the district of Viana do Castelo, to register a shock of 1.1 on the Richter scale, while at 5.30 am another was recorded in Portimão with a magnitude of 2.2.
(...)
Hours earlier, the IPMA announced that two tremors, the first with a magnitude of 2.4 on the Richter scale and a second with a magnitude of 2.9, were recorded at 10:16 pm and 10:24 pm, respectively, on Sunday, near Montemor- o-Novo, district of Évora.

The earthquakes did not cause personal or material damage and were felt with maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli scale) in the Montemor-o-Novo region, said the institute.
(...)

[Mike88]

Lisbon is now the most expensive city in Europe to rent a house:

Housing: Lisbon beats Amsterdam's values and is already the most expensive city in Europe to rent a house. Price for a T1 can cost an average of 2,500 euros per month.

Lisbon is the most expensive European city to rent an apartment. The price for a T1, for example, can cost an average of 2,500 euros per month.

If in the last quarter prices were fixed at 2,158 euros, as of June, an apartment type 1 cost an average of 2,500 euros per month, 200 euros more than Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, which until now was the most expensive city.

The data are from the international index Housing Anywhere, which analyzed 64,000 properties in 23 European cities.

The price of rooms continues the trend with an increase of close to 30%, going from 425 euros to an average of 525 euros per month.

Lisbon is also the European city with the highest annual rise in the value of studios, which are now around 70 percent more expensive.

[Mike88]

Economy "crashed" during the World Youth Days:

Economy went down with the Pope's Days in Portugal
Less overnight stays in hotels, less consumption in restaurants, less purchases in stores (such as clothing and footwear). Entrepreneurs complain. An indicator from the Bank of Portugal shows that there was a soft landing until August 5, the penultimate day of the Pope in the country.

The World Youth Days (WYD) and the visit of Pope Francis to Portugal pushed for some public and private investment, but, in general, the evolution of economic activity suffered, having entered into negative territory between mid-July and the end of the first week of August, show data from the Bank of Portugal (BdP).

According to several business and official sources, there have been good things (some investment is made and can be profitable, some senior officials hope, such as the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Lisbon), but there are signs that show that there has been a retraction in usual tourism, to make way for the huge flow of "young pilgrims" who came to the Catholic event. Less overnight stays in hotels, less consumption in restaurants, less purchases in stores (such as clothing and footwear).
(...)
But the economy went down

The consumption of young pilgrims did not involve meals in good or more expensive restaurants, TVDE trips, going out at night, or alcohol. There also seems to have been no shopping spree for clothes, shoes, bottles of branded wine.

An employee at the HM on Rua do Ouro confirmed that yes: the store "was empty compared to what it usually is".

In contrast, many of the other so-called "normal" tourists, those who normally spend more in the capital, staying overnight in hotels and local accommodation, seem to have avoided coming on the eve of and during the week of WYD.

As mentioned, the daily indicator of the Bank of Portugal shows this smooth landing of the economy driven by tourism. From the 11th of July, economic activity (the evolution) entered clearly in negative territory, maintaining the trend during the week of the Pope, until the 5th of August. The Supreme Pontiff would leave for Rome the next day. From here, the BdP indicator revived. Not much, but it stopped being clearly negative.
(...)

[Mike88]

Meanwhile, wind doesn't like music in Lisbon city (all happened on the same day)

A giant screen fell, on Monday, during the performance of a tuna at the opening ceremony of the European University Rugby Championship 7s, at Lisbon University Stadium. According to the organization, the accident was caused by a "very strong gust of wind". Nobody suffered serious injuries.

A scenic panel on the main stage of the MEO Kalorama festival in Lisbon fell with the wind, found JN next to the festival's fountain. No one was hurt.

[Mike88]

Some other stories that are making headlines:

- A serial rapist was detained in Guimarães city, Braga district. A 33 year old man was arrested by the police for raping at least two women in Guimarães city and of attacking 8 other women, this just in the last few months. These attacks, according to the media, created social alarm in the city and the man will now wait trial in jail;

- The police is on the hunt for a man who was filmed kicking his wife's head on a street in Grândola, Setúbal district. The violent video shows the man kicking and slapping his wife's face in public on the street. The woman in question was sent to hospital and released shortly after. People in the village say that violence between this couple is frequent;

- A pregnant woman died in Guimarães city after being released from hospital the previous night. The women went to Guimarães hospital emergency room last Sunday complaining of difficulty in breathing but after some tests were made, nothing was found and she was released. The next day, the woman had a heart attack in her house and died. The Public Prosecutor is already investigating and the Health authorities are also investigating the hospital. In another case a week ago, a 93 year old man died in the emergency room of Loures hospital, Lisbon metro area, after waiting 6 hours without care;

- House rents are expected to increase almost 7% in 2024. The National Statisitcs Institute (INE) released their prediction for rent increases in 2024 and they forecast a 6.9% increase in 2024. The number was expected but it's unclear if the Government will limit rent increases like it did during 2023. House owners are against the idea of rent cost limits and warn that more houses could leave the market, while tenants are very worried about the situation. Portugal is currently facing a deep housing crisis;

[Mike88]

Portugal's largest car factory, Autoeuropa, to stop production because of floods in a supply factory in Slovenia:

Workers on lay-off. Autoeuropa will stop for two months

Autoeuropa's two-month production stoppage will lead to a lay-off. With the prospect of pay cuts, many workers are hoping for common sense at a time of inflation and high interest rates.
The company announced the lay-off from September 11 to November 12, which implies a one-third cut in salary.

At issue is the lack of essential parts for building engines due to the floods in Slovenia. The factory supplying the Volkswagen group was submerged, which is affecting the group's production in several countries.

There is still fear about the future of the company's precarious workers.

[Mike88]

Portugal's highest mountains painted white after a massive hailstorm in the middle of summer:

A hailstorm left Serra da Estrela painted white this Saturday. According to the website Meteoestar - Serra da Estrela, the storm started at around 2:00 pm and was felt in Covilhã and also in Valpaços.

The district of Castelo Branco is one of those under yellow warning due to the forecast of heavy showers and thunderstorms.
(...)

[Mike88]

3.9 and 3.7 magnitude earthquakes felt this morning in the Algarve:

https://twitter.com/LastQuake/status/1699005608697921559

An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 on the Richter scale was recorded this morning in the Algarve, hours after another earthquake occurred in the region, during the early hours of the morning, reported the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

The earthquake, recorded at 11:17 at the Continente Seismic Network stations, had its epicenter around 50 kilometers south of Olhão, in the district of Faro, the IPMA said in a statement.

"This earthquake, according to the information available to date, did not cause any personal or material damage and was felt with maximum intensity III/IV (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipalities of Faro, Loulé and Olhão", reads the note .

During the early hours of the morning, at 01:49, another earthquake occurred in the same area of the Algarve, with a magnitude of 3.9 on the Richter scale and an epicenter located 98 kilometers south-southwest of Faro.
(...)

[Mike88]

Portuguese Environment Agency gives final approval to new lithium mine in Northern Portugal:

https://twitter.com/JNegocios/status/1699730029859545162

According to Lusorecursos, construction work on the Romano mining project will begin in 2025 (and will last two years, with entry into operation scheduled for 2027.

The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has just given the "green light" to the reformulated lithium mine project that the company Lusorecursos wants to explore in Montalegre, which in addition to extracting this mineral also includes a refinery in the same location. Confirmation of this APA approval was given to Negócios by a source from Lusorecursos, and the company was notified of the decision this morning.

"APA made the exploration of lithium in the Romano Mine, in the municipality of Montalegre, environmentally viable, with the issuance of a favorable Environmental Impact Statement conditional on compliance with a broad set of conditions" APA confirmed in a statement, adding that "similarly From what has already been seen for similar projects, the assessment developed took into account the strategic interest of lithium".
(...)