Madeira News Blog

(1st August). Today’s main news headline : ‘Accounts Reveal More Performance And More Bad Debts – The accounts for Madeira for 2008 register, in times of crisis, an unexpected record in the rate of performance, as much in the receipts as in the investment plan. But the regional government left around €100 million unpaid’. To be honest, I have little idea of what some of this is about, being full of financial and accounting terms, and abbreviations that I don’t know what they stand for. It says that investment expenditure by the government was up by €133 million on the previous years, to €505.9 million. Capital expenditure was up 31% from 2007, with big increases in the sectors of transport and communication (+162.7%), security and public order (+116.5%), housing and associated services (+25%), agriculture (+14.8%), and education (+7.3%). Meanwhile public investment in the health and tourism / transport sectors were down (-7.9% & -25.7%). Receipts achieved 93% of that budgeted, achieving €298.3 million against an expectation of €317.5 million. Indirect taxes (purchases /IVA /VAT) underachieved by €6 million, being mainly income from alcohol, tobacco, petrol, car tax etc. However, the government did fail to pay around €100 million owed for services and to suppliers.

Aside from the photo of the fire in Gaula, the main front page photo showed the King of Spain being presented with the Gold Medal of the City by the president of Funchal Council : ‘Juan Carlos Condemns Terrorism – The King of Spain made a space yesterday in his visit to Madeira, in a speech in Paços do Concelho of Funchal, to condemn the "savage attacks" in Burgos and in Majorca’. The "despicable" terrorism overshadowed the visit of friends. The king sent a message of support and sympathy to the families of two dead policemen, and stressed the importance of collaboration between Portugal and Spain in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. The president of the Republic of Portugal, on the visit to The Madeira Wine Institute, said that "everyone says that the wine of Porto is the greatest ambassador for Portugal", and having realised his blunder he managed to correct himself and pay homage to Madeira Wine instead. Quite an interesting article actually, with lots of little entertaining snippets. What the newspapers didn’t know of course is that Juanny and Sofe popped over to Rib. Bra. late last night for a few beers with me and a bowl of my homemade ‘paella real’. I can’t reveal much about the conversation for security reasons, but my guests said they preferred Super Bock beer, made in Portugal, to our local Coral beer, and that in just two days they were a little shocked at the prices they were charged for the traditional ‘Balão’ whilst supping in Funchal. On the more important topic of who was the true king of Spain, Juanny admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo probably earned more than him, and maybe even ranked alongside in popularity, but according to the constitution, there could only be one official king and at the moment that was him. However when pushed on the fact that he was not in Spain at the present, he reluctantly admitted that until get he gets home CR737 was unofficially standing in, and in the meantime had free access to the royal wardrobes, a fact that concerned the couple a little. 

The headline from the Madeira Wine Rally, after day two :‘Basso Commands The Pace At The front – The Italian won 8 of the 12 ‘specials’ yesterday. Alex Camacho goes into the final day in 3rd place in the Rali Vinho Madeira’. Today, the places to be are in Ponta do Pargo, Lameiros, Chão da Lagoa, and ‘Paul’. Updates & reports in English :
YAHOO SPORTS
AUTOSPORT

‘Gripe A Necessitates Careful Feeding – Faculty of science for nutrition had produced an ebook on the subject’. In the event of a swine flue epidemic it will be recommended that persons infected remain in their homes, and the Faculty of Nutrition and Food at the University of Porto has produced an ebook (www.dgs.pt) to help us stock and and eat healthily during the time of the infection. The main rules is for simple food, eaten regularly in small quantities, and to keep well hydrated. Stock up with pre-made meals and long life canned food. Drinks with a lot of sugar and alcohol are not recommended. In the pantry you should have bottled and packaged items, canned food, dry foods (a mix of those that can be eaten uncooked, or need to be cooked), and fresh foods that keep well at room temperature. In the fridge / freezer keep meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruit, pre-made meals, bread, and dairy products.

(31st July). This was in the Jornal da Madeira, and although it was headlined in the Diário I couldn’t find the story at the time : ‘Diário de Notícias Dismisses 13 Workers – The process has started but the Union of Journalists protests’. The newspaper started the process of dismissal yesterday of the 13 staff, mostly journalists (10). The news shocked those affected badly, especially those that had decades of service at the newspaper. The journalist’s union believe that the proper protocol has not been followed and legal requirements have not been met for an action of ‘collective redundancy’, including starting discussions with those losing their jobs without the trade union representative being informed. In a press release the EDN, that owns the company, said the action was necessary because "the world economy is experiencing a major crisis, crossing all sectors, with particular impact on those in financial, real estate, automotive and media". It goes on to say that EDN have implemented a series of cost cutting measures, but if these turn out to be insufficient to achieve the objectives, then other additional measures will be taken as necessary. A bit worrying to say the least. How a newspaper like the Diário could ever make ends meet was always a mystery to me, but to lose 13 staff, mostly reporters, what are we going to be left with … another Diário da Cidade, full of ads and features, but very light on news?

(28th July). ‘Madeira Washes Its Face To Receive The Kings Of Spain – The arrangements are visible at Cabo Girão and The Institute of Wine. The visit starts on Thursday’. So now we know two of the secret locations on the schedule of the king and queen, accompanied by Portugal’s president, all kept quiet until now for security reasons. Some alterations are still being done, but the full programme should be divulged today. The royal couple arrive late on Thursday afternoon, and D. Juan Carlos and D. Sofia will dine with the President of the republic and the first lady. The following day will be full of activities, starting with a meeting with President Jardim at Reid’s Hotel. The king will also be a guest at Funchal Council, where his majesty will be honoured with the Gold Medal of the City. Then it is off to the Institute of Wine, Embroidery and Crafts of Madeira to be shown an exhibition, followed by lunch. Then they visit Monte, including a visit to the tomb of Emperor Carlos of Austria. Over in Cabo Girão, one of Madeira’s most visited tourist locations, walls are being repaired and painted, gardens being tended, and flowers being arranged. The royal couple are also expected to visit the Art Museum and Sé Cathedral. The last port of call may be Porto Santo Island before the return trip to Spain.

‘Government Alerts Emigrants To The Risks Of Gripe A – Airport also prepares a plan’. In holiday time and the time of visiting Madeira for many emigrants, many in countries with a high incidence of H1N1 swine flu infection, such as the UK, increase the likelihood of increased cases of Gripe A on Madeira. The health authority IASAÚDE is using its contacts to portray this scenario to Madeiran communities worldwide, to discourage travel. Maurício Melim, president of the Institute of Management of Health and Social Affairs (IASAÚDE) calls to people showing symptoms of flu to stay in their countries. "Cure the flu and then travel. Like this no one is put at risk" he says. "We have talked, and we have asked to transmit this information to Madeiran communities, but we still don’t know if it will have the effect we want it to have" he added. He also talked about measures being taken on incoming planes, namely a passenger questionnaire, but stresses that these measures are still being worked on and it may be another two weeks before implementation. Portugal now has 239 confirmed Gripe A cases. CLICK THE MAP FOR A LARGER VIEW. Why has Canada got that really massive black blob? Is it on the verge of extinction, or is the text just misaligned with the blob? Just thinking about the recent article on liability for infection if someone knows they have Gripe A, or some symptoms at least, but travels anyway. If one person did infect others and were held liable for negligence, they could go to prison, but presumably could also be sued by victims. There must be some clauses in travel insurance policies that limits the liability where this could happen.

‘More Works In The Hospital’. Several works to improve Funchal Central Hospital are scheduled to start in the final 3 months of this year. The external consultation unit of clinical pathology is due to be reorganised and refurbished, with the project already out to tender. Also expected to be underway soon and finished by the year end is the construction of a waste water treatment plant. A new bigger employee canteen is also planned, with a buffet service system. Also there are roof works needed, and a list other works in different departments that I am having trouble translating not being much of an expert in medical terminology.

The main photo today is of this rally car loaded onto a trailer : ‘The Rally Started – Many people went to Funchal, but the unloading of the cars took place in Caniçal’. Clearly these people are not blog readers, as I did say Caniçal and not Funchal, although a lot of people did turn up at the correct location. There are some issue with the safety car, number ’0′, which due to damage repairs did not make the ferry on time, and to fly the car over here was just too expensive. For anyone in Funchal Thursday night (10pm to 11.30pm), Avenida do Mar and surrounding streets will be closed to traffic whilst the first event of the rally takes place.

Continuing with sports headlines : ‘Chapeau da Esperança Joins Nacional And Marítimo on 8th August, in Machico’. The Chapeau da Esperança, or Hat of Hope, is a annual charity event to raise money for social causes, particularly helping children. The two teams will be playing each other to raise funds for the cause, at least that is what I assume as I am yet to find the full story.

’38 Works Embargoed By Funchal Council – The management of the union for civil construction says that the numbers show the constraints imposed by the council’. CMF have rejected the numbers claimed. The claim applies to new constructions and the repair of buildings, and the union man claims that the council has been careless and that the embargoes are affecting contractors, with probably over 100 workers unable to continue. CMF admits that there are more than 20 cases, but some of them have already been resolved and it is just a case of updating the files.

‘There Are 300,000 Bisbis On Madeira’. The number is an estimate resulting from a census developed by the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA). The project was supported by ‘Birdlife International’, part of the RSPB, the society for the protection of birds in the UK, and is the first reliable study on the population and conservation. A spokesperson for SPEA says the numbers are good news. The Bisbis, or Madeira Firecrests, are an endemic bird of Madeira, very small in size, and easily identifiable by its crown stripe, yellow in the females, and orange-coloured in the males. It also has a dark eye-stripe with a white stripe, that mainly distinguishes the Madeiran species from its European relatives. It measures around 8cm in length. They prefer to hang around at altitudes of between 400 and 800 metres.

The Yacht Bar in Lido, Funchal, was broken into and robbed early yesterday morning. Thieves got away with €6,000. They broke a window to enter, found the key and opened the safe, and took the takings for the weekend. I wouldn’t fancy explaining that one to the insurance company.