What’s behind Europe’s airport chaos // ‘Boom’ in Azulejo thefts as criminal groups traffic them overseas
Portuguese news in English on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
By the numbers
What’s behind Europe’s airport chaos
The cancelled flights, long lines and general confusion seen at Lisbon’s airport recently is being replicated across much of Europe, Público reports. Just in Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain, 7890 flights were cancelled in June, according to aviation specialist Cirium, almost triple the figure for the same period in 2019. The problem is essentially a lack of workers, with companies incapable of rehiring the countless workers they laid off during the worst days of the pandemic quickly enough to deal with a massive surge in demand. Plus, many workers are striking for wage rises to keep pace with inflation or the return of conditions stripped away during the pandemic. If you’re travelling further east, Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the associated airspace restrictions are clogging up the skies. Simply put, airlines such as Lufthansa, Easyjet and others have been responding to the lack of workers, including thanks to COVID-19 outbreaks, by cancelling flights, in a situation expected to last throughout summer. But at least the e-gates are working in Lisbon, which seems to have improved things.
‘Boom’ in Azulejo thefts as criminal groups traffic them overseas
Portugal’s beautiful azulejos have become a key factor bringing tourists to the country. Unfortunately, Público reports, the popularity of both the country as a tourist destination and its colourful building tiles, is leading to more and more people bringing them back home illegally. The newspaper reports a single azulejo can cost as much as €300–400 when stolen and sold on the blackmarket. They’re was a dip in thefts during the pandemic but they’re rising again: at the start of the year, 5000 tiles were taken from one private building being remodelled into a hotel and 1000 from another, police said. Once they’re overseas in the United States or the rest of Europe, the police are often powerless to act. It’s tricky to prove they were knowingly illegally obtained and even then, sometimes they’re cemented on buildings in a way that makes them impossible to remove without breaking. It’s a good reminder to never buy old azulejos unless you’re absolutely certain they’ve come through legal channels, and remind any friends who visit do the same. More info here at SOS Azulejo (in Portuguese).
Portugal’s big bet on offshore wind power
Portugal has big ambitions for offshore wind farms, promising the “biggest auction ever” next year and significant generation capability within eight years, Público reports. But there’s still a lot to do, with little known about how the generation bid will be run or how the country will achieve the goal Prime Minister António Costa set on the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference last week: 10GW of offshore renewable ocean energy by 2030, almost double the wind-based electricity generated on land today. In fact, it’s unclear even if those 10GW are expected to come just from offshore wind or if it will include wave-generated power. In the meantime, there’s no dock to mount the turbines, boats to transport them or cranes, says National Laboratory of Energy and Geology researcher Ana Estanqueiro, who warns an in-depth plan is needed. For the moment, even with the pioneering Windfloat Atlantic floating plant in Viana do Castelo lake, Portugal has little to show for its offshore wind ambitions beyond almost 1000km of coastline and lots of potential.
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In brief
'Promise-o-meter': In government's first 100 days in office, developments in one quarter of promises. Público is tracking 150 promises made for this mandate. To this point, 40 have made progress, two are at an impasse and 53 are already under way. None have yet been completed or failed. (Público)
Interactive: National school rankings released. How did the schools close to you perform? (Público)
New opposition leader wins overwhelming support for party's new direction. At the Social Democratic Party’s (PSD) national congress, Luis Montenegro shut down the idea of an alliance with far-right Chega (Enough) or Iniciativa Liberal (Liberal Initiative) and proposed tax cuts, health system reform, a “social emergency” to deal with inflation and plans to keep young people in Portugal. More than nine in 10 Social Democratic Party (PSD) delegates supported his motion including seven priorities. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
Dogs (most of them, anyway) love the beach. But unfortunately the main bathing season for humans brings with it a lot of restrictions for our four-legged friends. Dog owners will know many of the country’s most popular beaches are off limits for pets during summer but, Público reports, there are now roughly 90 beaches that allow animals in the hotter months. Most of them are beaches without businesses (like Praia da Ursa in Sintra) but a few “concessioned” beaches (such as Praia dos Pescadores in Oeiras and Praia de Brito in Vila Nova de Gaia) are also on the list. It’s worth noting that “concessioned” beaches require owners to keep their dogs on a leash and more restrictions for breeds considered “dangerous”, and fines for breaking the rules or going on the wrong beach are as high as €2500.
"Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine" WTF
America 100% were the architect and provokers of this war.
Do basic journalism or interview Aaron Maté, Glenn Greenwald, Max Blumenthal.
WTF RU talking about "Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine" LMAO!
What SHiLLS U R