SEF agents charged with Ukrainian citizen’s murder // Lisbon metro tunnel collapse blamed on ‘major error’
Portuguese news in English on September 30, 2020.
By the numbers
We’ve hit 25,000 active cases and 75,000 overall on the back of today’s big increase in new confirmed cases. Things had been looking relatively promising to start the week, with 425 and 688 new cases but today’s figure brings us back to where we were for most of last week. The latest transmission rate (roughly, how many people each patient infects) data was also updated today, revealing a national figure of 1.07 from September 21 to 25, unsurprising considering there was an average of 823 cases in that time. The epidemic was growing quickest in the Algarve (1.16) and shrinking in the Alentejo (0.9), Público reported.
Active, recovered, deaths, contacts under surveillance, confirmed, hospitalised, in ICU.
Portugal to build recovery plan without help of EU loans
The Portuguese government will fund its multibillion-dollar recovery and resilience plan with only European Union grants for now in an attempt to avoid racking up further debt, Diário de Notícias reports. The European Commission has put €12.9 billion worth of grants and €15.7 billion worth of low-interest loans on the table for Portugal as part of its bloc-wide coronavirus rescue package. But Prime Minister António Costa, welcoming EC President Ursula von der Leyen to Portugal on Tuesday, said the country wouldn’t be taking advantage of the loans until its financial situation permitted. “We have very high public debt and we have to get out of this crisis more solid from a financial point of view,” he said. The PM wants the plan approved by October 14, to be delivered to Brussels the following day.
SEF agents charged with Ukrainian citizen’s murder
Three Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) agents have been charged with the murder of a Ukranian citizen in Lisbon airport several months ago, Público reports. Ihor Homenyuk died on March 12 in SEF’s Lisbon Airport Temporary Installation Centre, where he was allegedly bound in handcuffs for 15 hours. A police investigation alleged the three agents beat the man, leaving his hands purple and his urine-soaked pants pulled down to his knees. The three men have been charged with qualified homicide, equivalent to first-degree murder, which carries a penalty of 12-25 years’ jail if proven. Prosecutors don’t plan to charge anyone else. Disciplinary processes have separately been launched against the director and deputy director of Fronteiras de Lisboa — who have both since resigned — as well as the coordinator.
Lisbon metro tunnel collapse blamed on ‘major error’
Lisbon mayor Fernando Medina has assured residents the city’s metro tunnels are safe after one collapsed at Praça de Espanha, leaving four passengers with minor injuries, Público reports. Cr Medina said the accident was the result of a “major error” caused by Lisbon City Council (Câmara Municipal de Lisboa) works being carried out in the area. There was no structural problem with the city’s metro tunnels, the council took full responsibility and ian nquiry had already been launched, he said. It was too early for an exact timeline but the blue line, where the accident occurred, should reopen by Friday morning, Metro de Lisboa board of directors chairman Vítor Domingues dos Santos.
In brief
Companies with a 75% reduction in turnover can reduce hours by up to 100%. Workers will still be guaranteed 88% of their wage, paid by Social Security, and complemented by a training package (Público)
Securities market regulator detects failures of auditors in suspicious operations of “Luanda Leaks”. Several cases where anti-money laundering practices weren’t followed were uncovered. Information will be sent to prosecutors to decide whether to lay charges (Público)
Lisbon councillor for education proposes free virus testing for teachers, students and assistants (Público)
DGS: Fátima will have pilgrims and national team games can have fans (Diário de Notícias)
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On a lighter note
How does a range of big discounts on hundreds of restaurants, accommodation and activities all around the country sound? It sounds pretty good, which I’m guessing is why Visit Portugal is offering the deals as part of a new campaign to get locals to “rediscover” the country. Current offers include tours, wine tasting, degustations, surf lessons and whale watching but the offering is meant to increase right through until the program ends on December 15. You can check out the deals here. The program has a €50 million budget, with the weight of the discounts to be shared equally between providers and the state.
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