WEDNESDAY BRIEFING

Behind this week’s headlines

 

Portugal and China

The Vice President of China, Han Zheng, will visit Lisbon between Sunday May 7 and Wednesday 10. It will follow his attendance representing Beijing at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III in London. His visit here will be viewed as a strong indication of the keenness of China to remain on good terms with Portugal and the European Union as a whole.

Ministers on the move

Portugal’s minister of foreign affairs arrived in Angola yesterday at the start of a week-long visit to Africa, which will include visits to Rwanda and Ethiopia. The Prime Minister is scheduled to pay a visit to the Angolan capital, Luanda, in June. At home the prime minister is facing calls for another reshuffle of his government.  

Ukraine and the EU

The speaker of Ukraine’s parliament said yesterday he had discussions with his Portuguese counterpart about Ukraine’s accession to the EU and had welcomed the Portuguese government’s support.

Weather warnings

In just the first week of May, serious warnings associated with ever-warming weather are already being issued by Portugal’s national meteorological institute. Heightening temperatures, lack of rainfall and very high risks of wildfires are some of the predictions we all need to be aware of. Meanwhile, there is much pollen in the air, especially on breezy days.

Lisbon traffic restrictions

A three-month trial period has started in Lisbon restricting and even banning motorised traffic passing through the inner city. The argument behind these changes is that the authorities are going to use the summer to implement some major infrastructural works, such as the construction of two new Metro stations. Although a time limit has been given, officials are vague about whether this is set in stone, calling the plan “dynamic” instead and hinting that it might signal a new reality to come for the Portuguese capital. In a way, the trial period might be more about getting drivers and residents to feel the change and adopt it through necessity and patience.

Food Bank volunteers

As many volunteers as possible are asked to take part in a special campaign organised by the Algarve Food Bank at 103 stores across the region this Friday and Saturday. Volunteers willing to help distribute bags and receive food donations should register on the Banco Alimentar do Algarve’s website https://registo.bacfalgarve.pt/.

The Foof Bank is also appealing to companies in the food sector, such as producers and distributors, to deliver their surplus to the institution. All donations will be distributed among the thousands of families on the verge of poverty.

Dead fish washed up

A shocking example of what seems like marine pollution has occurred  on a beach near Porto in the northwest of the country. Hundreds of dead fish were washed up yesterday. The marine authorities are still investigating the cause.

Missing Madeleine

This week marks the 16^th anniversary of the disappearance of Mdeleine McCann from Praia da Luz. There seems little prospect of a proper legal solution to the case any time soon, if ever. The so-called “prime suspect” Christian B, and the young Polish woman who thought she might be Madeline, have been totally ruled out as having had any involvement. The London Metropolitan Police’s Operation Grange investigation, which has cost £13 million, has so far been futile.  

McCann backer’s new deal

Multi-millionaire Brian Kennedy, one of Britain’s riches men who has worked closely with Gerry and Kate McCann since Madeleine’s  disappearance, has snapped up a £37 million stake in the Manchester-headquartered retail and software giant THG , according to the Manchester Evening News. The THG group includes such brands as Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic and Myprotein.