Author Topic: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.  (Read 218682 times)

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Offline G-Unit

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #225 on: January 07, 2018, 11:44:36 PM »
But Portugal.  Portuagal is inclusive of the Algarve.

News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
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Offline ShiningInLuz

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #226 on: January 16, 2018, 01:15:18 PM »
80m dredger overturns near Olhão, injuring 4.

http://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/quatro-trabalhadores-feridos-na-barra-da-armona-em-olhao?ref=HP_Grupo1

Olhão is the largest port for fishing on the Algarve.  It is located a short distance to the east of Faro.

The islands off Olhão are normally considered to be part of the Rio Formosa natural park, which is why one hears tales of allegedly illegal buildings that are ordered to be demolished.

There are ferries which run regular services to two such islands, Armona being one of them.  One can get the early ferry to Armona, have a stroll around, eat lunch in the local restaurant, then get back to catch a ferry for the return trip to Olhão.

There are also water-taxis.  These are more costly than the ferry, but they operate much like land taxis.

There are a lot of sandbars in and around this location, so dredging is necessary to keep the channels deep enough for the ferries.

You can see locals going out at low tide to dig up shellfish from the sandbanks.  Olhão has a collection of small beach huts that look like the things you might see at seaside towns in the UK.  Here, it it is where these shell-fishermen keep the tackle they need to collect the molluscs.  Then as the tide comes back in, the men head back in to Olhão, carrying a pail with their catch of the day.

Olhão has quite a large fish market on the front, plus 2 or 3 places where you can buy whatever has just come out of the sea. One of our favourites is ameijoas (clams).  I am working on recreating the clam recipe we fell in love with when we first visited Olhão, but I have not managed it yet.

Of the 4 men rescued in the dredger incident, all had hypothermia and one has a spinal injury, but in relative terms, nothing serious.

The dredger had 12,000 litres of diesel oil on board, around 2,500 gallons, but this is not thought to be an environmental hazard.  The owners of the vessel have been given 48 hours to rectify the situation.

Here's a photo from CdM.

« Last Edit: April 21, 2018, 07:34:02 AM by ShiningInLuz »
What's up, old man?

Offline Admin

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #227 on: January 20, 2018, 03:36:32 PM »
Yesterdays warnings as to inappropriate posting appears to have been lost on some members so I have instructed moderators to apply maximum sanctions against any member who continues to flaunt the forum rules. There will be no appeal against these sanctions.  In the worst cases the appropriate account will be deleted permanently.

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Offline sadie

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #228 on: January 21, 2018, 12:05:36 AM »
80m dredger overturns near Olhão, injuring 4.

http://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/quatro-trabalhadores-feridos-na-barra-da-armona-em-olhao?ref=HP_Grupo1

Olhão is the largest port for fishing on the Algarve.  It is located a short distance to the east of Faro.

The islands off Olhão are normally considered to be part of the Rio Formosa natural park, which is why one hears tales of allegedly illegal buildings that are ordered to be demolished.

There are ferries which run regular services to two such islands, Armona being one of them.  One can get the early ferry to Armona, have a stroll around, eat lunch in the local restaurant, then get back to catch a ferry for the return trip to Olhão.

There are also water-taxis.  These are more costly than the ferry, but they operate much like land taxis.

There are a lot of sandbars in and around this location, so dredging is necessary to keep the channels deep enough for the ferries.

You can see locals going out at low tide to dig up shellfish from the sandbanks.  Olhão has a collection of small beach huts that look like the things you might see at seaside towns in the UK.  Here, it it is where these shell-fishermen keep the tackle they need to collect the molluscs.  Then as the tide comes back in, the men head back in to Olhão, carrying a pail with their catch of the day.

Olhão has quite a large fish market on the front, plus 2 or 3 places where you can buy whatever has just come out of the sea. One of our favourites is ameijoas (clams).  I am working on recreating the clam recipe we fell in love with when we first visited Olhão, but I have not managed it yet.

Of the 4 men rescued in the dredger incident, all had hypothermia and one has a spinal injury, but in relative terms, nothing serious.

The dredger had 12,000 litres of diesel oil on board, around 250 gallons, but this is not thought to be an environmental hazard.  The owners of the vessel have been given 48 hours to rectify the situation.

Here's a photo from CdM.

Olhão and the major islands off the coast there are also major ports in the narcotics trafficking into Portugal.  I highlighted this about 4 years ago with supporting information, which has now been whooshed from the internet

This article from 2012 supports the fact that Olhao was a major drug smuggling port.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2182734/Briton-wanted-smuggling-323million-drugs-


Amaral was very well positioned in his drug policing duties, cos he lived only about 4 miles away from Olhão in Quelfes.


The sea near there is more a big mud bank with inlets of water.  I should think that navigating there is a nightmare cos the inletes must widen and narrow with the tides, and new mud banks keep shifting with the tides too.  The area is quite a sight, especially when flying into Faro and looking down.

Any bird lovers reading would really enjoy a stay at The Faro Hotel because from the highest floors one can see right into several untidy storks nests with the eggs ... and chicks and fledglings being fed by busy parents ... and they are really close.
A birds eye view.

Offline ShiningInLuz

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #229 on: January 21, 2018, 02:24:55 PM »
Various bits and pieces.  I will get the links if anyone is really that desperate.

78 year old killed in a head on collision on the 'ring route' around Lagos.  Someone was going down a one-way lane in the wrong direction, not sure which driver that was.  One vehicle was flipped onto it's roof.  The other one was a Fiat, crushed beyond recognition.  The bombeiros arrived and one of them recognised that the dead driver was his father.

There is an automatic 50kph speed limit in towns.  People go faster on the ring route, but not by much.  I have no idea why the 2 drivers did not simply brake.

Separately, there have been two further accidents on the EN125 in the last week.  In both instances a motor-cyclist was killed.  I don't have the details of either.

Yesterday, there was a protest procession of a couple of dozen vehicles, on the EN125, from Portimão to Lagos, accompanied by a GNR escort.  The protesters had their cars emblazoned and brought placards asking when something would be done about the Estrada of Death - the EN125.

There was also a protest on the A22, against the toll charges that were introduced a few years back (post Madeleine era).

To round off this doom and gloom, there was an earthquake yesterday on the Algarve at Monchique.  At 3.3 on the Richter Scale, it was tiny compared to the recent one outside of Lisbon.  But for those who know their Madeleine McCann background, they will know that Monchique was a volcano which at some time spewed out enough magma for it to reach the sea at Luz and form Black Rock.

So it is not always paradise on the Algarve.  Mind you, it is currently warm and shining in Portelas.
What's up, old man?

Offline ShiningInLuz

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #230 on: January 29, 2018, 03:19:58 PM »
"Frantic search for 79-year-old British man missing from Silves home since Friday morning"

"With bitterly cold temperatures biting, the search for missing 79-year-old British man John Bainbridge - now in its fourth day - has been stepped up markedly.

Police have been drafted in from Monchique and Portimão to boost the local Silves force, while sniffer dogs from Lisbon and agents attached to the GNR's special rescue force, GIPS, are now in place on the ground."

Full story, in English, with photo at http://portugalresident.com/frantic-search-for-79-year-old-british-man-missing-from-silves-home-since-friday-morning

The weather in Silves is reported to be partly cloudy and 19C, but it drops into single figures overnight.

This is an example of a missing person response by Portuguese authorities.  Natasha Donn does not say if the photo in the article has been published locally.

We get news alerts from the Portugal Resident on a mobile phone.  I have no idea what system, if any, was in place in 2007.
What's up, old man?

Offline Brietta

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #231 on: March 11, 2018, 07:58:16 PM »
Maritime Authority warns of caravel-Portuguese dangers
Algarve
MARCH 11, 2018
12:22
DN / Lusa
The National Maritime Authority warned the population today to avoid contact with the Portuguese caravels that since Saturday have appeared on the coast of Algarve, with more incidence on the beaches between Monte Gordo and Manta Rota.

"In case of being sighted, contact with this organism by the scientific name 'Physalia physalis' and living on the surface of the sea should be avoided thanks to its cylindrical, blue-purplish, gas-filled float whose tentacles can reach 30 meters, its poison being very dangerous, "the AMN said in a statement.

That aquatic species similar to jellyfish appeared on the beaches of the Algarve's leeward, on Saturday, with greater expression between Monte Gordo and Manta Rota, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, in the district of Faro.

"In these cases they should be sent immediately to the emergency department of health units," said the AMN in the document.

The bite effects of these marine organisms result in "strong pain, burning sensation, irritation, redness, swelling and itching".

Care

AMN adds that if there is contact with the Portuguese caravel, people should avoid rubbing the affected area, do not use fresh water, alcohol or ammonia, wash with saline, remove the tentacles (if they have been clinging to the skin) using gloves or a plastic tweezers and applying vinegar, bandages or hot water, to relieve pain, and consult medical assistance as soon as possible.

https://www.dn.pt/portugal/interior/autoridade-maritima-alerta-para-perigos-de-caravela-portuguesa-em-praias-do-algarve-9178136.html?utm_source=Push&utm_medium=Web

"All I'm going to say is that we've conducted a very serious investigation and there's no indication that Madeleine McCann's parents are connected to her disappearance. On the other hand, we have a lot of evidence pointing out that Christian killed her," Wolter told the "Friday at 9"....

Offline slartibartfast

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #232 on: March 11, 2018, 08:33:08 PM »
Maritime Authority warns of caravel-Portuguese dangers
Algarve
MARCH 11, 2018
12:22
DN / Lusa
The National Maritime Authority warned the population today to avoid contact with the Portuguese caravels that since Saturday have appeared on the coast of Algarve, with more incidence on the beaches between Monte Gordo and Manta Rota.

"In case of being sighted, contact with this organism by the scientific name 'Physalia physalis' and living on the surface of the sea should be avoided thanks to its cylindrical, blue-purplish, gas-filled float whose tentacles can reach 30 meters, its poison being very dangerous, "the AMN said in a statement.

That aquatic species similar to jellyfish appeared on the beaches of the Algarve's leeward, on Saturday, with greater expression between Monte Gordo and Manta Rota, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, in the district of Faro.

"In these cases they should be sent immediately to the emergency department of health units," said the AMN in the document.

The bite effects of these marine organisms result in "strong pain, burning sensation, irritation, redness, swelling and itching".

Care

AMN adds that if there is contact with the Portuguese caravel, people should avoid rubbing the affected area, do not use fresh water, alcohol or ammonia, wash with saline, remove the tentacles (if they have been clinging to the skin) using gloves or a plastic tweezers and applying vinegar, bandages or hot water, to relieve pain, and consult medical assistance as soon as possible.

https://www.dn.pt/portugal/interior/autoridade-maritima-alerta-para-perigos-de-caravela-portuguesa-em-praias-do-algarve-9178136.html?utm_source=Push&utm_medium=Web

Portuguese Man O War
“Reasoning will never make a Man correct an ill Opinion, which by Reasoning he never acquired”.

Offline ShiningInLuz

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #233 on: April 17, 2018, 09:52:25 AM »
It seems the tourist season is underway on the Algarve.
+++

http://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/crianca-ferida-retirada-a-mae-alcoolizada?ref=HP_Grupo1

A seven-year-old child beaten up by an alcoholic mother inside a hotel in Albufeira was placed in an institution. The English woman was on vacation in the Algarve with her daughter and was identified by the GNR for evidence of the crime of domestic violence.

The case happened on Saturday night at 10:40 pm at the Hotel Mónica Isabel in Albufeira.

According to CM , the British woman, 45, violently assaulted her daughter in the head and neck. The assailant was drunk and only stopped the aggressions after the intervention of customers of the hotel unit. The child suffered bruises and bruises on the trunk and was transported by the firemen to the paediatric service of the Faro Hospital, accompanied by the GNR. The mother took a taxi and tried to invade the health unit, forcing the PSP call. The child was then transferred to a child care institution.

DETAILS

Child seen alone
The victim and the aggressor were both vacationing in Portugal. The child, which CM found out, was often seen alone, both in the hotel and on the street or on the beach, while her mother was drinking alcohol.

Victim underwent tests
The minor was initially hospitalized at Faro Hospital, where she underwent several examinations. She was then transferred to an institution for minors. A social worker was accompanying the child and the British consulate was alerted and also following up on the case.

+++

This type of story is likely to feature frequently over the coming months as tourists seek sun and alcohol.  It shows one facet of what the GNR, bombeiros, PSP and social care have to deal with.

It will be interesting to see how this story is reported in British media if it hits the press on the mother's return.
What's up, old man?

Offline Brietta

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #234 on: April 17, 2018, 10:23:38 AM »
It seems the tourist season is underway on the Algarve.
+++

http://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/crianca-ferida-retirada-a-mae-alcoolizada?ref=HP_Grupo1

A seven-year-old child beaten up by an alcoholic mother inside a hotel in Albufeira was placed in an institution. The English woman was on vacation in the Algarve with her daughter and was identified by the GNR for evidence of the crime of domestic violence.

The case happened on Saturday night at 10:40 pm at the Hotel Mónica Isabel in Albufeira.

According to CM , the British woman, 45, violently assaulted her daughter in the head and neck. The assailant was drunk and only stopped the aggressions after the intervention of customers of the hotel unit. The child suffered bruises and bruises on the trunk and was transported by the firemen to the paediatric service of the Faro Hospital, accompanied by the GNR. The mother took a taxi and tried to invade the health unit, forcing the PSP call. The child was then transferred to a child care institution.

DETAILS

Child seen alone
The victim and the aggressor were both vacationing in Portugal. The child, which CM found out, was often seen alone, both in the hotel and on the street or on the beach, while her mother was drinking alcohol.

Victim underwent tests
The minor was initially hospitalized at Faro Hospital, where she underwent several examinations. She was then transferred to an institution for minors. A social worker was accompanying the child and the British consulate was alerted and also following up on the case.

+++

This type of story is likely to feature frequently over the coming months as tourists seek sun and alcohol.  It shows one facet of what the GNR, bombeiros, PSP and social care have to deal with.

It will be interesting to see how this story is reported in British media if it hits the press on the mother's return.

Probably the right of the child to anonymity might indicate that this incidence of child abuse  won't make headlines in the press.
However one sincerely hopes the authorities in Portugal and Britain liaise to ensure that future outcomes for the little girl will be more positive than those to which she has been subjected ... and I think that without doubt will happen.

Snip
A social worker was accompanying the child and the British consulate was alerted and also following up on the case.
 
"All I'm going to say is that we've conducted a very serious investigation and there's no indication that Madeleine McCann's parents are connected to her disappearance. On the other hand, we have a lot of evidence pointing out that Christian killed her," Wolter told the "Friday at 9"....

Offline ShiningInLuz

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #235 on: April 21, 2018, 07:32:55 AM »
This should actually be in a general news thread, but I cannot find that.

+++

Evaristo Felgueiras, a tutor of mathematics and professor of karate, was convicted yesterday in the Viana do Castelo court to five years suspended for abusing 11 minors between the ages of 12 and 16. The defendant, 41, was charged with 82 counts of child sexual abuse and six counts of teen sex offenses. The events occurred between 2015 and 2017. One of the judges of the collective voted against the suspension.

Read more in: http://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/explicador-que-abusou-de-11-menores-tem-pena-suspensa?ref=HP_Grupo1

+++

I am posting this to provide confirmation that sentences up to 5 years can be, and are, suspended.

The maximum penalty for body occultation (illegally dealing with a dead body) is two years.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2018, 01:08:24 PM by ShiningInLuz »
What's up, old man?

Offline ShiningInLuz

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #236 on: May 07, 2018, 01:30:51 PM »
http://portugalresident.com/window-plunge-toddler-dies-of-injuries-in-faro-hospital

An 18 month old child of British parents died on Sunday after falling from a window of a second floor apartment in Lagos.

He fell on Saturday morning, allegedly when his mother was asleep.  It appears nothing was left under the window to climb on, and it has not been established if the window was open, or if the boy opened it himself.

Portugal celebrates Mother's Day on a different date to the UK, and Sunday was Mother's Day here.

We first found out about this death when the Colégio São Gonçalo in Luz sent out a text bulletin.  The boy who died attended Colégio São Gonçalo.  My two grandchildren attend this school, with the younger only some months older that the boy who died.  They attend this young because the staff talk to the children only in Portuguese, so my 7 year old grandson knows more about the Portuguese language than the rest of us put together.

The school had intended celebrating Mother's Day today, but the planned activities were cancelled when the news of the death came through.
What's up, old man?

Offline misty

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #237 on: May 30, 2018, 10:54:13 PM »
https://portugalresident.com/16-year-old-boy-falls-to-death-from-praia-da-luz-clifftop
Posted by portugalpress on May 30, 2018


A 16-year-old boy, believed to be Portuguese, fell 100 metres to his death yesterday evening from the cliffs over Rocha Negra - the signature black rock jutting out into the sea on the east side of Praia da Luz beach.

What led the boy to fall is now the subject of a police investigation.

Crime is not suspected.

The youngster was on the cliffs with a female friend who raised the alert at 7pm.

Due to access complications, emergency rescue in the form of maritime police, INEM, ISN (sea rescue) and local firefighters could only reach the body much later.

The recovery operation, coordinated by Lagos ports authority, was completed by 10pm with the use of Ferragudo’s ISN lifeboat.

The dead boy’s young companion has been questioned by authorities as she alone appears to have witnessed the tragedy.

For now, the victim’s identity has not be revealed.

natasha.donn@algarveresident.com

Offline misty

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #238 on: June 04, 2018, 10:28:25 PM »
http://portugalresident.com/lagoa-bank-manager-and-police-inspector-husband-accused-of-%E2%80%98siphoning-off%E2%80%99-over-%E2%82%AC300000-from-us

Posted by PORTUGALPRESS on June 04, 2018

A Lagoa bank manager, aged 45, has been accused - along with her PJ inspector husband - of siphoning off over €300,000 from the account of north American clients.

According to the Public Ministry, the couple - facing trial in Portimão - acquired a BMW with some of the money (over €60,000) to ‘launder’ part of the plundered funds.

The money was first transferred to the bank account of a relative in Setúbal, writes Correio da Manhã tabloid, and then “passed” to the account of the two defendants, “at a third bank”.

The woman bank manager, who has since been “fired from her job”, is also accused of having taken “a few more thousand euros from the Americans with the use of a multibanco card which she managed to obtain”.

The woman is facing various charges, money-laundering being one of them, along with abuse of confidence, falsification of a document (in a continued way), IT fraud and falsification.

Her husband, described as an inspector of the PJ aged 48, is accused of money-laundering, the paper adds.

The case refers to incidents during the years 2010-2015. Says CM, the Public Ministry has described it as “an absolute priority”.

Meantime, the paper stresses that there has been “no restitution” of any of the money allegedly falsely appropriated, although the BMW purchased by the defendants has been seized as a result of the proceedings,” as well as five properties acquired during the period investigated”.

The Lagoa bank where the woman used to work has reportedly presented an official complaint.

The trial continues.

natasha.donn@algarveresident.com

Offline Robittybob1

Re: News and current affairs from the Portuguese Algarve.
« Reply #239 on: June 13, 2018, 03:59:26 AM »
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/world/australian-couple-on-holiday-in-portugal-die-after-falling-off-a-cliff-while taking-a-selfie/ar-AAyyYi9?li=BBqdg4K&ocid=UP97DHP  I just hope this doesn't turn out to be a double homicide.
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