Wednesday, April 12, 2023

WEDNESDAY BRIEFING


Behind this week’s headlines

 

Portugal and Ireland

The Portuguese foreign ministry will be expressing firm support for the efforts of President Joe Biden, the European Commission and the British Government to consolidate Northern Ireland’s 25-year-old Good Friday Agreement and restore the power sharing assembly long interrupted by DUP ‘loyalist’ politicians.   

AIr pollution

Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in Lisbon’s Avenida da Liberdade have  this year remained above the limits determined by European legislation, reports Luca News. Today is marked as Portugal’s National Day of Clean Air. The United Nations International Clean Air Day will be observed around the world on September 7.

Energy dependence

The development of hydrogen and offshore wind power will allow Portugal’s energy dependence to be lowered, the minister for the environment and climate action said with confidence today, Wednesday. The renewable energy association (APREN) released data today that showed that 74% of electricity generated in Portugal in March came from renewables.

Growth and inflation

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday upgraded its forecast for growth in Portugal’s gross domestic product this year to 1.o%, but was more pessimistic about the rate of inflation, which it expects to average 5.8%. The IMF is usually more pessimistic than reality required, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said today, Wednesday. The finance minister has said he expects a significant decrease in the rate of consumer price inflation from next month.

The rich and poor

Almost 60,000 families in Portugal declared a yearly income of €100,000 or more in 2021, 14% higher than in 2020.  Those earning less than €10,000 fell by 10.7% over the same period, according to the income tax authority. Minimum wages increased to €887 a month in the first quarter of 2023.

   

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