Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 18^th May 2022

Good morning – Last week I was on holiday, or perhaps I should say a working holiday, in the Azores, which was most enjoyable and a welcome break. If you have not been there before, I highly recommend a visit. I say “working” as part of the time was spent visiting the Civil Protection, PSP and GNR, accompanied by Chris Noble British Honorary Consul, Azores.  We received an excellent and warm reception, learned a great deal, and established channels of communication for the future. I thank all the officials we met and will share these meeting on Facebook posts.

Whilst I was busy with this, my colleague Antonia Vignolo attended a 3 day Medical Response to Major Incidents Course at Portimão Arena. On the course she performed missions ranging from incident management, command and control and management of resources and communications.

This international postgraduate training has its main goal, to promote an integrated response to a serious accident or disaster situation, enhancing the interrogation of all civil protection agents, such as firefighters, professionals of health, doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, security forces and military forces as well as all the entities responsible for command and control management. A few days before my departure I attended an aircraft accident exercise at Faro airport, in which an accident was simulated with live response by the emergency services in the Ria Formosa just off the end of the runway. So you see a very busy time, but well spent further developing our own experience and knowledge.

However, the focus on this week’s introduction is on the weather and related civil protection and public safety issues.

Maximum temperatures will exceed 35 degrees Celsius in some regions of the continent on Friday and Saturday 20th and 21st May, with an increased risk of rural fires and some dust coming from North Africa, according to the IPMA. The forecast is that temperatures in the Alentejo may exceed 35C which is far above average for this time of the year.

In parallel with increasing temperatures, the fire risk will likely increase and it is therefore very important that we do everything to prevent fires. On the subject of risk, the ICNF have introduced changes to the fire risk chart published on the IPMA website each day. These are now more comprehensive and it is essential that all of us living in rural areas are familiar with the new rules. I must emphasise the importance of registering the burning of cut and piled debris, because if you fail to do this and it becomes out of control, this is considered an “intentional fire”. I recommend studying the rules which can be downloaded here. https://fogos.icnf.pt/SGIF2010/InformacaoPublicaDados/Restrictions_RuralFireRiskIndex.pdf

The next point concerning the increasing temperatures is beach safety. We have mentioned this many times before, but people still ignore warning signs.  On Monday our post of unstable cliffs on beaches was widely followed, as there is plenty of information and notices around, on which cliffs are unstable due to sea erosion for instance. The foot of many cliffs are dangerous and signs are in place accordingly. Unfortunately people have been injured or worse in landslips and rocks that have fallen. More about this, as well as a list of beaches in the Algarve where this poses a risk are here. https://apambiente.pt/prevencao-e-gestao-de-riscos/faixas-de-riscos-das-arribas?fbclid=IwAR0RCAyZ4Nag3nK9DMcU8-MLu9I3-vd4Zs6EExDkic-CkCYsZ2EIMDE_v7M

With the very hot weather take care when entering the sea, with rip currents possible in some areas. Not all beaches have lifeguards available at present so know how to spot these and what action to take if caught in one of these. Do not attempt to swim to the shore against the current, but instead swim parallel to the shore until no longer caught in the current and then turn and swim towards the shore.

Unfortunately one of the main causes of drownings are swimming pools, so please keep an eye on children. Do not leave toys in the pool when unattended as young children see these with obvious consequences.

If you are heading into rural areas this weekend please monitor the weather conditions closely and following the government warnings that maybe in place. We will as usual be updating the situation through our Facebook page.

With all that please have a safe weekend

Covid-19

Almost 34 thousand cases of covid-19 on Monday

It is the highest value since February 8 this year, when the country began to decline the explosion of cases seen in January.

Portugal recorded, last Monday, 33,939 new infections by SARS-CoV-2. It is the highest figure since February 8, when the country began to decline the explosion of cases seen in January – with a maximum of 65,907 on the 26th of that month – and which led to the imposition of a week of containment after the New Year. Right now, the daily average of seven-day cases is at 22,500, an increase of 58%.

The highest pace in the North region. According to data provided to JN by mathematician Óscar Felgueiras, last week the daily average of seven-day cases in the North increased by 85%, to 8123, thus accounting for 40% of new daily infections in that period.

Lisbon and Vale do Tejo (LVT) followed, with growth of 60%. In the same vein, the R, an indicator that measures the degree of transmissibility of the virus, has exceeded 1.3 in the northern region, being the highest value this year. With an increasing trend, the national R was, on May 11, at 1.24, the highest value since January 4 of this year. 

News

PSP inspected more than 24,000 drivers during the “Pilgrimage to Fátima 2022” operation

Lisbon, May 17, 2022 (Lusa) – The PSP carried out almost 700 road safety operations and inspected around 24,000 drivers as part of the “Pilgrimage to Fátima 2022” operation, which took place between May 4 and 15, the police said today.

In a statement sent to Lusa with the final results of the operation, the Public Security Police highlights “the absence of occurrences in urban areas involving pilgrims and their support vehicles”.

Within the scope of the “Peregrinação a Fátima 2022” operation, the PSP reinforced the police presence on urban roads with the aim of contributing to the increase of road safety and of pilgrims, with inspection focused on these roads essentially in the control of the speed of car traffic.

The PSP also held information sessions with pilgrims to explain the importance of the systematic and voluntary adoption of road safety behaviours, such as self-protection measures in the context of walking groups with or without the support of vehicles.

The PSP indicates that, between May 4th and 15th, it carried out 693 road safety operations, having inspected 24,073 drivers and controlled 97,754 vehicles by radar, 2,111 of which were speeding.

As part of the operation, this security force carried out 6,456 blood alcohol tests, with 444 motorists driving with excess alcohol, 200 of which at a rate that constitutes a crime.

The PSP also detected 228 drivers using their cell phones while driving and recorded 1,597 road accidents, which caused four deaths.

Commander of the GNR Intervention Unit asks for the creation of a training centre

Lisbon, May 16, 2022 (Lusa) – The commander of the GNR Intervention Unit today called for the creation of a training centre, better conditions for the staff, more vehicles and a reflection on the acquisition of armoured vehicles for the corporation.

“In a reflection on the principles and best strategies to make the most of resources, we have no doubt that we need to implement a centre of excellence in the unit with training infrastructures more suited to the mission to increase the training rate of the personnel of this unit without moving abroad. , saving time, increasing command and control and reducing the burden of using external infrastructure, such as firing ranges”, said Brigadier General Paulo Silvério, at the ceremony that marked the day of the Intervention Unit of the Republican National Guard.

The commander of this GNR unit also advanced with other logistical needs, considering that “it is appropriate to improve the habitability conditions of the unit, it is opportune to reflect on the re-equipment of the capacity of armoured vehicles and to equip, as soon as possible, the subunits with personal transport vehicles and off-road vehicles”.

The same official also said that “the fulfilment of the mission requires, in addition to differentiated equipment and materials, highly qualified human resources, with maximum effectiveness obtained after three years of placement in the unit”.

The Minister of Internal Administration, José Luís Carneiro, who presided over the ceremony, said that the Government is “at the moment working on a proposal for a programming law for infrastructure and equipment for security forces and services for the period 2022-2026 that will allow continue the effort to train and modernize the security forces”.

Portugal wins nine medals at the International Special Olympics Games Malta

Portugal concluded its participation in the Special Olympics Malta International Games, which end on Wednesday, with nine medals, three of which gold. Portugal participated in the athletics and swimming events by eight athletes.

In swimming, with a delegation of representatives, Portugal won two gold medals, two bronze and one silver.

Andreia Farinha scored twice on the podium, winning gold in the 25m and bronze in the 50m backstroke, as did João Carlos, who won gold in the 100m freestyle and silver in the 50m freestyle. Still in swimming, João Duarte won bronze in the 25 meters breaststroke.

In athletics, Rita Mascarenhas won gold in the long jump, a specialty in which João Sequeira won bronze. In the 200 meters, Rafael Dolores got the silver medal and André Ferreira got bronze in the shot put (level 2).

The Special Olympics movement’s mission is to provide conditions for the practice of physical activity and sport, in a continuous and varied way, with an impact on social inclusion, for children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Twenty-three delegations from across Europe and beyond gathered from 13 – 18 May for the Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games, the first international Special Olympics event in Europe since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

PORTUGAL SITUATION REPORT WEDNESDAY 4^TH MAY 2022

Yesterday evening I took part as an observer in a Civil Protection Exercise LIVEX 2021 (the year planning started). The exercise involved the collaboration of Faro Airport, the National Maritime Authority and the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority and was held between 1600 and 20.00 hrs.

This exercise was for first time located outside the airport perimeter simulating an aircraft accident in the surrounding area, namely the Ria Formosa, and with the airport in full operation. During this exercise the equipment acquired specifically to provide assistance and rescue in air accident situations that may occur in areas of swamp and difficult to access, was used.

These exercises are very important in testing the response to emergency situations and form part of a series of exercises that have been conducted this year involving major road accidents; a hotel fire, radiological incidents etc

Yesterday we posted a reminder concerning beach safety. We have lovely beaches in Portugal but it is important to be aware that most beaches do not have lifeguards at this time of the year until the beach season starts in early June. One of the reasons for this is the shortage of lifeguards. This is a matter we have taken up with Turismo do Algarve.

A reminder that Metropolitano de Lisboa stations are closed this morning until 0930 hrs due to the partial strike of workers, which at 6:35 am registered an adhesion of about 100%”, according to Anabela Carvalheira, from the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (Fectrans). Two further strikes are planned on 18^th and 27^th May so please take note of this if you are planning your journey on these days,

Aso a  reminder that the workers of CP – Comboios de Portugal have declared a full strike on 16^th May calling for a salary increases of 90 euros for all workers. The decision was taken in decentralized plenary sessions of workers that took place in Porto, Entroncamento and Lisbon and were promoted by the National Union of Railway Sector Workers (SNTSF), of the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (Fectrans). If you are planning to travel by train please be aware that this could impact on train scheduling the day before and day after as has happened on previous strikes. We suggest that people contact CP.PT with any enquiries concerning this.

Whilst on the subject of railways,  CP.PT have posted a warning on their website concerning the on-line sale of CP rale tickets through the on-line sites of “Rail Ninja” and “Kiwi”.  The notice reads “We inform that “Rail Ninja” and “Kiwi” are not authorised agents for CP tickets selling and there isn´t any contractual agreement between CP and those companies. CP declines any responsibility for the information disclosed by those entities or for any losses arising from ticket purchases made through them”. https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/Alerts/unauthorised-sale-tickets

Lastly a reminder that with temperatures increasing over the next few days forecast to reach 30C in some parts of the country do take extra care to avoid any action that may result in a rural fire. We will be posting more on this topic especially for those heading out into the rural areas. With that please have a safe day.

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 27^th April 2022 

Good morning – I start this morning with a thank you to my colleague Fernanda Gonçalves for her well researched coverage commemorating Freedom Day published on our Facebook page. The three posts provided three different aspects to the 25^th April. One of these was of Celeste Caeiro, a waitress at Franjinhas restaurant, who will always be remembered as the person responsible for making this day go down in history as the day of the “Carnation Revolution”. That particular post has been shared nearly 540 times and so far has reached around 65,000 people. Thank you Fernanda.

On Sunday I was on KissFm radio with a reminder for those living in rural areas that land cleaning should be completed by 30^th April. Inspections start, especially for those living in high fire risk priority areas, on 1^st May. For those burning debris, as part of land cleaning, this is forecast to be a good week as far as weather is concerned. Remember to register the burn beforehand and follow the safety advice. More on land cleaning here: https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/find-information/fire-prevention-and-protection/land-cleaning-protection/

A few days ago the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, inaugurated the “Quake” – Lisbon Earthquake Centre, a space with 1,800 square meters where it is possible to experience the earthquake of 1755 in an immersive way. This is described as, “an immersive journey that combines history, science and emotion”, using simulators, video mapping and other cutting-edge technologies to transport visitors up to 1 November 1755, when the earthquake destroyed the Portuguese capital, which at the time was the fourth largest city in the world. This is designed as an educational tool and will be used by persons of all ages to including many school groups that will visit this facility.

 Portugal is a high risk earthquake country and a great deal of work goes into education as far as preparedness and what action to take should an earthquake strike. From our post yesterday it appears that not everyone is aware of the risk of earthquakes here in Portugal, and more importantly being aware of action to take if a major earthquake occurs – not a question of “if” but “when”. Please study our page on this subject here: https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/find-information/environment-and-weather/earthquake-tsunami/

Of concern is the warning from the European Union (EU) yesterday of the danger of a new nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine due to the Russian offensive and called on Moscow to refrain from any action against Ukrainian nuclear facilities. Russian forces in Ukraine control the Zaporijia nuclear power plant, in the south of the country and the largest in Europe, which was the target of artillery fire at the beginning of the invasion of Moscow, which caused a fire and raised fears of a new nuclear catastrophe, 36 years after Chernobyl. In this plant, according to statements by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, an “abnormal” level of radioactivity was measured today. Ukraine has 15 nuclear reactors at four working power plants, as well as waste dumps, such as the Chernobyl plant, which was deactivated after the 1986 disaster. The situation is being closely monitored

On Monday it was reported that the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) website had been hacked into and the site went off line, but has now been reinstated. Last night Jornal Económico announced that it was the target of a computer attack, with the “sending of ‘phishing’ through ’email’ addresses similar to those used by the newspaper (with the extension @jornaleconomico.pt ”. “The ’emails’ in question contain ‘links’ to ‘websites’ or malicious files, which should not be opened”, the media said in a note published today on its website.

Of more concern is however, that the Garcia de Orta Hospital, in Almada, Setúbal was the target of a computer attack on Monday night. In a statement that reached the newsrooms, the hospital activated the security protocol, having contacted the National Cybersecurity Centre (CNCS), which is monitoring the situation. This has however, affected services and the hospital says that it is possible that some surgeries will be postponed throughout the day (Tuesday).

Computer attacks on critical infrastructure such as hospitals cannot be taken likely, and hopefully there are lessons learned that can help reduce the risk of more serious attacks. Unfortunately few organisations are willing to invest sufficiently in cyber security measures needed to prevent such attacks.

Please have a Safe Day

News

More than 90 detainees and 22,170 counterfeit articles seized by the PSP

More than 90 people were arrested and 22,170 items seized between the 18th and 24th as part of the Anti-Counterfeiting Week Operation carried out at fairs, markets, commercial establishments and warehouses.

In a statement, to mark World Intellectual Property Day, which is celebrated this Tuesday, the PSP said that the inspection operation aimed at safeguarding intellectual property rights and combating counterfeiting.

During the operation, 92 people were arrested , of which 40 for counterfeiting, imitation and illegal use of a trademark; 22,170 items were seized , including clothing, footwear and accessories (bags and bags), with an estimated value of more than 360 thousand euros; and three firearms .

In the operation, markets, fairs, commercial establishments, warehouses and other spaces where counterfeit goods and/or in violation of property rights could be produced, transported, stored or sold were inspected at a national level.

At the same time, the Escola Segura police officers developed awareness-raising actions aimed at young people on the mainland and archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores.

 

PCP and JCP targets of new cyberattack on websites

Hackers accuse the party of not deserving April 25 and of “intoxicating the population by promoting disinformation” about the war in Ukraine.

The pages of the Portuguese Communist Party and the Portuguese Communist Youth were again down on Monday, allegedly due to a new computer attack.

According to CNN Portugal, which received a manifesto from the “hacktivists”, the party was targeted in “Operation PCP” for rejecting that Ukraine was invaded.

“They betrayed your political legacy of fighting for freedom. They tore up the anti-fascism and anti-imperialism treaty. They betrayed all those who trusted you with their vote. Denying an invasion is not politics, it is insanity. This PCP does not deserve the 25th of April!”  argued the authors of the manifesto received by CNN Portugal.

The PCP had already been the target of a computer attack earlier this month due to statements considered controversial about the war in Ukraine.

“Without warning and when necessary we will neutralize PCP websites. We are everywhere, from Moscow to Quinta da Atalaia. Nothing and no one will protect you in cyberspace”, wrote the “hackers”.

To JN, a party source said he was unaware of the problem.

Road Safety Campaign – Travel without a Rush

The Republican National Guard, the National Road Safety Authority and the Public Safety Police today launched the Road Safety Campaign “Travel without a rush”.

The campaign, which runs between April 26 and May 2, 2022, aims to alert drivers to the risks of speeding.

Just a reminder that:

– “Speed is the main cause of one third of all fatal accidents”;

– “The faster we drive, the less time we have to respond, when something unexpected happens;”

– “In a 10 km journey, increasing the speed from 45 to 50 km/h allows you to gain only 1 minute and 20 seconds. Travel with no rush. “

Road accidents need not lead to fatalities and its more serious consequences can be avoided by adopting safe road behaviour.

Brussels gives the green light to the Iberian proposal on electricity prices

The governments of Portugal and Spain reached a political agreement with the European Commission for the establishment of a temporary mechanism that will make it possible to set the average price of gas at 50 euros per MWh

The European Commission this Tuesday gave the green light to Portugal and Spain’s proposal on electricity prices.

For 12 months, the average price of natural gas in the production of electricity will be set at 50 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) in the Iberian Peninsula and, as explained by the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, will start at 40 euros.

Duarte Cordeiro recalls that, in recent days, the value of electricity has been lower because gas has not set the price, but that from the moment this happens, high prices return. Therefore, the environment minister reinforces the importance of the agreement for the protection of consumers.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference with Minister Duarte Cordeiro and the Spanish Minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera.

The ministers of Portugal and Spain met this Monday with the vice-president of the European Commission and responsible for Competition.

At the end of March, the two countries delivered a document in Brussels to discuss an extraordinary mechanism in order to “avoid the contagion effect of rising gas prices on the electricity market”.

This would be a temporary measure. 

Two-thirds of respondents feel they have been targeted in a study on ‘body shaming’

Almost two-thirds (64%) of women surveyed in a study say they are or have been the target of derogatory comments or insults about their body, especially from friends, family and acquaintances.

The study’s main objectives were to understand “the percentage of Portuguese women who would have been the target of ‘body shaming’, what would be the consequences in behavioural terms and in terms of self-esteem of this behaviour”, psychologist Filipa Jardim da Silva told Lusa today. Silva.

The majority of women affected by ‘body shaming’ (68%), a form of aggression that involves criticizing or humiliating someone through negative and derogatory comments about their body or physical appearance, have a less youthful profile, aged between 35 and the 54 years.

According to the “Dove – Body Shaming” survey, which took place in January and involved a sample of 316 women over 18 years of age, 76% of the criticism or insults were practiced personally by acquaintances or friends, 56% by family members. Only 8% were practiced on social networks.

“These results take us to this generalization of how our body and our image have become a topic that often knows no borders, in which people have often lost the discernment of what is a comment that they have the legitimacy to make and a comment that has no legitimacy to make, because it enters the spectrum of the identity and individuality of the other”, underlined the psychologist.

He also highlighted the consequences that “a totally derogatory, harmful, toxic comment” can have and which are reflected in the behaviours adopted: 67% of the respondents hide their bodies through looser or darker clothes, 58% have adopted restrictive food plans and 47 % changed their cosmetic care routine.

Despite having a good side, said Filipa Jardim da Silva, “what we realize is that, deep down, the catalyst for this change comes from outside, it comes from wanting to please the other or not wanting to be the target of derogatory comments, the which turns out to be a not very healthy motivation”.

These behaviours create harmful effects in terms of self-esteem: 66% of respondents confirmed this effect and 34% assume that they have already ‘body shamed’ other women. 

Ukraine

European Union warns of danger of new nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine

The European Union (EU) today warned of the danger of a new nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine due to the Russian offensive and called on Moscow to refrain from any action against Ukrainian nuclear facilities.

“Russia’s illegal and unjustified aggression in Ukraine once again puts nuclear safety on our continent at risk,” said EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell and European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in a joint statement.

Russian forces in Ukraine control the Zaporijia nuclear power plant, in the south of the country and the largest in Europe, which was the target of artillery fire at the beginning of the invasion of Moscow, which caused a fire and raised fears of a new nuclear catastrophe, 36 years after Chernobyl.

In this plant, according to statements by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, an “abnormal” level of radioactivity was measured today.

 “The level of radioactivity is, I would say, abnormal”, declared Grossi, without giving any figures, guaranteeing that the agency monitors Chernobyl on a daily basis.

Ukraine has 15 nuclear reactors at four working power plants, as well as waste dumps, such as the Chernobyl plant, which was deactivated after the 1986 disaster.

A Chernobyl reactor exploded in 1986, contaminating much of Europe, but especially Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, which were part of the USSR. Known as an exclusion zone, the territory within a radius of 30 kilometres around the plant is still heavily contaminated and it is forbidden to live there permanently.

Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24 that has killed more than 2,000 civilians, according to United Nations (UN) data, which warns that the real number is likely to be much higher.

The war has caused more than 12 million people to flee, of which more than 5.16 million have left the country, according to the latest UN figures.

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 20^th April 2022

Introduction

With increasing numbers of tourists here at present and some changing weather conditions, our focus this week is on civil protection and public safety.

The first is a reminder of rip currents. Tragically a number of people drown each year due to these, either because swimmers do not recognize these before entering the water or do not know what to do upon encountering a rip current. We have prepared information on this subject so that people are aware and this is posted from time to time on Facebook. Details can be found on our website here; https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/find-information/for-tourists/water-and-beach-safety/

Related to this is the fact that at present there are no lifeguards on beaches. The bathing season starts on 1^st June and with this lifeguards are present, with some like Cascais being in place a week or so earlier. Recently the Association of Lifeguards has raised concern over this, especially at a time when there are many tourists. A few days ago a swimmer who got into difficulties in the water was assisted by bathers as no lifeguards were present. We at Safe Communities, whilst understanding that funding may be an issue, are also concerned about this and am raising with the tourism authorities.

The other reminder concerning beach safety is unstable cliffs in some places, along some our beautiful beaches. Where there are dangers, these are clearly marked signs both at the top of cliffs as well as at the base with the beach itself. We urge people to respect the signs and not to climb over barriers in order to take that perfect selfie! It may be your last!

Over the last few days the number of rural fires have increased slightly. Yesterday there were several municipalities at very high risk and more today. We advise people to monitor the daily risk in your municipality particularly if you are intending to burn debris. The rules concerning the burning of debris are published each day on our Facebook page, in particular the need to register such burns when the fire risk is Low to High and obtain prior authorisation if Very High or above. One of the reasons for the increase in fires is because the basic rules and safety measures have not been followed, in particular not to burn debris in windy conditions. You will be surprised how far burning embers and leaves can travel when the wind is high, leading to multiple ignitions.

Turning to a different subject that is Ukraine – a reminder that the formal welcome session for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will speak in the Portuguese parliament by videoconference, will now be tomorrow Thursday at 1700 hrs, rather than 1500 hrs (published earlier) following a request from the Embassy of Ukraine. This is likely to be covered live on television – a note for your diaries.

The last issue I would like to raise is the subject of impoliteness on Facebook. As many of you will be aware most Facebook groups have their own rules which people are asked to agree to before being allowed to be a member of that group. Nothing unusual in that. Such rules or “standards” often include condition such as: “being polite to others” and “being respectful in the type of comments” that are made. We are not a group, but an open page as we wish to allow as many people to benefit from our services as possible. However, we do expect the same standards of behaviour, as from experience over the last years, this is what people expect.

Our team of volunteers work from around 0700 hrs to sometimes after 2300 hrs daily answering the many questions we receive, and ensuring that we publish and promote information in the interests of public safety as well as news which maybe of general interest. We do not get paid for this service, which can be disruptive to our personal daily routines. We would ask people, therefore, to be polite in making comments. Condescending remarks and impoliteness as well as comments attempting to undermine or trivialise important public safety messages, (made by less than a handful of people) have no place on our page and in the interest of the majority, these type of remarks will be deleted. We have far more important things to do that constantly monitor this.

If there is something that you wish to raise with our admins regarding a particular post, simply do so through our inbox and we will promptly deal with. Thank you.

With that please have a Safe day.

Health

Acute hepatitis cases reported in children from four European Union countries

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported today that cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been reported in children in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, the only cases so far in the European Union (EU).

“Following reports of cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin from the UK Health Safety Agency, additional cases have been reported in children in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain,” the ECDC said in a statement released today.

According to the European Health Agency, outside the EU, “nine cases of acute hepatitis were reported in children between 1 and 6 years old in the state of Alabama, in the United States, who also had positive results in the adenovirus test”.

Explaining that investigations are ongoing in all countries that have reported cases, the ECDC points out that the “exact cause of hepatitis in these children remains unknown”.

“The team from the United Kingdom, where the majority of cases have occurred to date, considers that an infectious cause is most likely based on the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the cases under investigation”, he points out.

The European centre is therefore working with other health bodies in these countries, as well as with the World Health Organization and other partners to support ongoing research.

News

Pedrógão Grande: Former minister convinced it was impossible to fight the fires

Leiria, Apr 19, 2022 (Lusa) – Former Minister of Internal Administration Constança Urbano de Sousa said today, at the trial to determine possible criminal responsibilities in the Pedrógão Grande fires, that she was convinced that fighting was impossible, considering that those were “enormous exceptionality”.

“I am convinced that it was impossible to have fought this fire, regardless of the number of means”, said Constança Urbano de Sousa, who resigned on October 18, 2017, following the fires that year (June 2017) at the Judicial Court of Leiria, referring to the Pedrógão Grande fire and the October fires in the Centre region), which together resulted in more than a hundred deaths.

The former minister reiterated that “for that type of fire, the amount of resources was absolutely insufficient”.

Listed by the defence of the commander of the Volunteer Firefighters of Pedrógão Grande, Augusto Arnaut, one of the 11 defendants on trial, the witness began by saying that it was a fire of “enormous exceptionality”.

“I remember that at the time it was enough to look at satellite photographs to realize that the fire in Pedrógão Grande was not a normal fire”, she said.

Confronted, on several occasions, by lawyer Filomena Girão, representative of Augusto Arnaut, about the means available to fight fires, the witness pointed out that “for an event of these dimensions, they were always insufficient”.

On the other hand, the former minister maintained that “when a fire has a normal course, it is possible to anticipate and remove populations”.

“When it has an explosive behaviour, with the character of simultaneity, I think it would be practically impossible, even if there were many more [elements of the security forces]”, she declared.

About a thousand pilgrims on horseback expected on Saturday in Viana do Alentejo

About a thousand pilgrims from various parts of the country and Spain are expected on Saturday in Viana do Alentejo (Évora), at the arrival of the Pilgrimage on Horse, which departs from the Ribatejo village of Moita, on Wednesday.

The mayor of Viana do Alentejo, Luís Miguel Duarte, told the Lusa agency that the organization predicts that the arrival of the pilgrimage to the Alentejo village will involve “about a thousand pilgrims” and close to “500 horses”.

“There are pilgrims who start the pilgrimage at the start”, in the village of Moita, in the district of Setúbal, scheduled for this Wednesday, but then others join the initiative along the way, he said

According to the mayor, the departure of the pilgrimage should have “about 500 pilgrims and around 200 horses”.

After a two-year break, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the 20th Pilgrimage on Horseback between Moita and Viana do Alentejo, which was scheduled for April 2020, takes place this week to fulfil a century-old tradition. .

The pilgrims leave Moita at 09:00 on Wednesday and should arrive in Viana do Alentejo at 17:00 on Saturday, with entertainment in the town centre and ceremonies next to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora de Aires, until Sunday.

According to the mayor of Viana do Alentejo, pilgrims from “all over the country, from the North to the Algarve, and some from Spain as well” are expected to participate in the initiative.

“It is good to have an initiative of this magnitude again, after two years”, to “provide union between pilgrims and give people more courage in these troubled times”, underlined Luís Miguel Duarte.

On this trip, the participants, on horseback and by cart, cover the approximately 150 kilometres of the Estrada dos Espanhóis.

Privacy, cybercrime and ‘cyberbullying’ among Portuguese concerns on the internet – study

Lisbon, Apr 19, 2022 (Lusa) – Artificial intelligence, privacy and data security on the internet, cybercrime and ‘cyberbullying’ are among the main concerns of Portuguese people on the internet, according to a study released today by the PHC Foundation.

“Regarding the population’s main challenges regarding the theme “Digital Literacy”, 39% of Portuguese fear artificial intelligence and four out of 10 Portuguese feel insecure to share personal information ‘online’”, says the study carried out in partnership with OnStrategy and which had eight thousand valid responses.

“Additionally, 83% of Portuguese are concerned about cybercrime and 81% about ‘cyberbullying'” and “88% are concerned about privacy and data security ‘online'”, it adds.

The study states that around 82% of Portuguese people believe that technology is improving their quality of life. Likewise, around 25% say they “do not have the knowledge to use digital solutions”.

Among the respondents, there was also agreement with the lack of sufficient investment for digital literacy, with 81% agreeing with this statement.

Almost two-thirds (65%) do not consider that the Portuguese State has made “sufficient efforts to promote teaching and digital literacy”, with emphasis on the segment with less schooling (79%).

More than 56% of respondents said they feel socially excluded or discriminated against in their daily lives because they do not know how to use digital media.

As for use, 68% believe they are autonomous in their daily use of technology.

According to the study, women (60%) turn more to friends and family when they need technological support than men (38.5%), with the latter “looking more in ‘online’ tutorials such as Youtube, specialized ‘websites’ and resort more to professional experts”.

In the youth segment, “more than half” look for tutorials on the internet, “revealing a lot of autonomy in this matter”, differing from people over 55, “who depend almost exclusively on the help of family members”.

Programming is one of the parameters with the least knowledge among Portuguese users, with only 28% saying they have some knowledge – and among those surveyed with only basic education the percentage is 0%.

Half of the respondents want to learn to program and 82% want to see programming teaching in secondary school and 83% in higher education.

Tried to get on the plane with 4792 doses of cocaine hidden in the pillow

The PSP detained, at Humberto Delgado Airport, a 23-year-old man who was trying to board a flight with almost 4,800 doses of cocaine hidden in a pillow.

The passenger was detained on Saturday by agents of the Airport Security Division, after the security guard who was screening cabin luggage at Terminal 1, saw a suspicious image on the RX, requiring the bag to be searched.

Suspicions were reinforced when the passenger began to flee, but his interception was quickly possible. And the RX did not lie, because inside a pillow it was possible to seize 4792.15 individual doses of cocaine divided into 85 packages.

Heard in the first judicial interrogation, he was in preventive detention.