Unemployment rate at seven-year low in Portugal

Latest figures out have revealed that dole queues were at the shortest in seven years in June.

According to Portugal Statistics, unemployment last month fell to 11.2 percent, which is the lowest the figure has been since August 2009.

The drop of almost one percent in relation to June 2015 was immediately used by the government, who argued these numbers prove that economic recovery is well underway in Portugal.

Minister Augusto Santos Silva said the jobless rate is lower than the government had forecast and that it would therefore have a positive effect on the current state budget.

GNR police have seized more than two tons of the drug hashish in Tavira

IN NEWS

GNR police have seized more than two tons of the drug hashish from a boat and a van during the early hours of this morning in Cabanas de Tavira (eastern Algarve).

According to a spokesperson for the GNR’s coast patrol unit, the operation was launched yesterday evening and the Spanish-registered boat and van were intercepted at around 1am.

A 46-year-old Spanish citizen has been arrested in connection with the haul. Two or three other suspects managed to run off.

The airport at Funchal, Madeira has been renamed to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.

Welcome to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport'

IN NEWS 

The airport at Funchal, Madeira has been renamed after one of its most famous sons, and will from now on be known as the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport.

The decision to change the name of the airport on the island was taken by the Regional Government at a council meeting and was made to show Madeira’s appreciation to the Portuguese international footballer for raising the profile of the region.

London police make more arrests in murder of Portuguese man Quaresma

IN NEWS · 

British detectives investigating the murder of Portuguese national Bradley Quaresma in Stratford have made a third arrest.A man aged in is early 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday, 22 July, and is currently in custody at an east London police station, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement sent to The Portugal News.

Police were called at around 15:15 on Thursday, 21 July, to reports of a 21-year-old man stabbed at the West Ham Lane Recreation Ground.Officers and London's Air Ambulance attended the location, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.Formal identification has now taken place and the man has been named by detectives as Bradley Dos Reis Pais Quaresma, 20 of east London. He was a Portuguese national. Next of kin are aware of his death.

A post mortem examination held on Friday, 22 July, at East Ham mortuary gave cause of death as stab injuries.In a statement, Bradley’s family said: “Bradley was a very friendly person. He was always keen to help others and the happiest person we have ever met. A smart guy with a big heart.”Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes, who is leading the investigation, said: “Bradley had his whole life ahead of him, and his death was both tragic and violent."Whilst we have made a number of arrests we are still continuing to appeal for information.“We know that the park was very busy at the time with families and children playing and we are keen to hear from anyone who will be able to help us piece together what happened prior to Bradley being attacked.

“We continue to retain an open mind as regards any motive and it would not be prudent to speculate on that at this time.Anyone who can assist detectives is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8345 1570. To give information anonymously Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Two males, aged 16 and17 were arrested near the scene on suspicion of murder.They have been bailed to return, pending further enquiries.

Portugal police save 11 migrants trying to cross from Turkey to Kos,Greece.

Portugal police save 11 migrants trying to cross from Turkey to Kos

BY TPN/ LUSA,

The Portuguese militarised police rescued 11 migrants from the Aegean Sea on Tuesday as part of the European Frontex operation in Greece.

A communiqué issued on Wednesday said that the coastal patrol detected and rescued the men on the early hours of Tuesday morning from a rubber dinghy close to the Greek island of Kos.

"The Portuguese officers found the men using thermal imaging at a time when they were all in the water". "The migrants were all saved and are uninjured", the police added.

The dinghy was trying to cross from Turkey to the island of Kos to reach Europe.

Some 32 Portuguese GNR police officers have been participating in the Frontex mission in Greece to protect the European external borders since 1 April.

The operation’s main purpose is to prevent and detect illegal immigration, human trafficking and drugs trafficking and to help to save human lives at sea.

The Portuguese have already saved or rescued 495 migrants.

Baggage handlers arrested at Lisbon airport for theft

BY TPN/ LUSA,

Several baggage handling employees at Lisbon airport were arrested on Friday by the police for theft from luggage in aircraft holds.

The Lisbon police force said that the operation, which began on Thursday, netted several airport workers and two others who did not work in the airport.

The police said the suspects “repeatedly and discretely stole objects that were easily accessible in the luggage in the planes’ holds and that could be hidden before being removed from the restricted areas of the airport.

The police said the favour items that were stolen were electronic equipment, jewellery, watches, glasses and cash.

Portugal in top ten cheapest places in Europe to buy a house

Portugal in top ten cheapest places in Europe to buy a property

BY TPN/ LUSA, 

Portugal is among the ten cheapest countries in Europe to buy a house, with an average price per square metre of 1,963 euros in 2015 for top-end real estate.

According to a study by the Portuguese association of real estate agents, the most expensive place to buy a European home is Monaco at just under 45,000 euros a square metre and the United Kingdom at 25,575 euros.

The study is based on the average price per square metre of properties measuring around 120 square metres, located in the centre of main European cities and capitals of each country.