Mid-week headline news
– July 12
Sweden joining NATO
Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa was in the Lithuanian capital on Friday
night before the start of the NATO summit yesterday and heard the welcome news that
Turkey had withdrawn its opposition to Sweden joining the Atlantic alliance.
This is a further landmark step in the strengthening of European security as
Russia’s war in Ukraine shows no sign of abating. Sweden will now be NATO’s
32nd member state following Finland’s accession in April this year. Ukraine
wants to join the alliance, but admission is unlikely while the war continues.
NATO to focus more on Africa?
During yesterday’s NATO
discussions, Portugal’s prime minister said that the alliance had agreed to
announce conclusions on Portugal’s request that more attention be paid to its
southern flank, the continent of Africa.
EasyJet cancellations
EasyJet has so far
cancelled 350 flights to Portugal between 21-25 July due to a new strike
planned by cabin crews. The union representing the cabin crews said on Monday
that 69% of flights from Faro, Lisbon and Porto would be cancelled.
Help for the Roma people
Portuguese Romanies want
the government to establish an agency or commission to deal with the issues
specific to their communities across the country. An estimated 30,000 to 50,000
Romanies, also known in Portugal as ciganos (gypsies), have long been regarded
by many indigenous Portuguese in a negative or insulting way.
Robot designed to disinfect
The University of Aveiro
has developed an autonomous robot to disinfect public spaces with ultraviolet
radiation and harmless chemical solutions, Luca
News reported on Monday.
Keep Golden Visas: Madeira
The leader of the local
government in Madeira is insisting on an extension of the Golden Visa scheme
for the autonomous regions. He has described the mainland government’s decision
to scrap the scheme for the entire country as “scandalous”.
Classic cars this weekend in Algarve
The 30th annual Algarve Classic Car Event will take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The best place to see a great many classic cars this Friday will be next to the marina in Vilamoura. On Saturday they will set off on a rally, stopping for a while at Tavira and São Brás de Alportel. On Sunday they will visit Albufeira and Armacao de Pera.
Tourist boats must avoid orcas
The Portuguese Institute
for the Conservation of Nature and Forests has banned tourist boats from
approaching groups of killer whales (ocas). As tempting as it is to get as
close as possible for the pleasure of tourists, orcas have shown a strong
tendency to attack propellers and rudders and occasionally sink boats off the
coasts of Portugal and Spain.
Rare wildlife for ecotourists
Genevieve Fox writing in
Sunday’s Observer newspaper waxed
lyrical about the wildlife in northern Portugal’s Greater Coa Valley. It was in
this 120,000 hectare nature corridor that she spent hours watching a rare breed
of wild horses. The area’s rich biodiversity includes Iberian wolves, lynxes,
eagles and vultures.
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