Madeira News Blog

Today’s photo – Many thanks to Elaine (West) … municipal gardens, Funchal

"Sunway are delighted to introduce the breathtaking island of Madeira. This wonderful island has so much to offer from many historical monuments, squares and streets in the capital of Funchal to enchanting gardens, picturesque villages and amazing landscapes". MADEIRA HOLIDAYS FROM IRELAND

Apparently this website is also showing the Funchal 2010 fireworks live on the internet tonight, but it may well be linked back to the website link that I gave you a couple of days ago NEW YEAR 2010 FIREWORKS MADEIRA

Lets hope the weather stays good for tonight’s celebrations, and that a new firework world record is secured for Madeira.

Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :

39 farmers have already signed up. Many more are expected to follow. On the first day after the Government announced financial assistance for storm damage, 39 farmers have registered. There is no time limit for applying, or limit to the amount of funds applied for. 18 farmers were from Funchal, 11 from São Vicente, 5 from Santana, 3 from Ponta do Sol and 2 from Calheta. Teams of experts are to survey the damage and monitor risk areas; Sao Vicente Council has already set one up.

Sea damages areas at Praia Formosa. The promenade between Praia Formosa and Doca do Cavacas has been closed due to bad weather. Bars have been partially destroyed, small pebbles washed onto the promenade, and the swimming pools at Barreirinha, Doca do Cavacas and Lido lashed by 3.5 – 4.5 metre waves. The bar Barra Azul has had further damage, the Docas Cafe was also badly affected and the Yacht Bar has lost its rock staircase. The administrator of the Frente Mar Funchal says losses are huge and will estimate the cost after the end of the year, when he expects an improvement in the weather.

Danger in the Tres Paus. Part of the Caminho dos Tres Paus in Santo Antonio collapsed last weekend. Funchal Council erected security barriers but the residents continue to use the road. They want a protective wall constructed, especially after two men died last year after a car skidded in that area.

Large rock hits a home and threatens others. A large rock fell onto a residence located at Travessa do Ribeira Canavial in São Roque. It was part of a landslide which occurred at 23.30 last Monday. Officials have surveyed the damage but the Council say they are not responsible for clearing the escarpment and will notify the owner of the land to undertake this work.

Court of Auditors censures IHM construction in Figueirinhas.  The Court says the IHM (Housing Investment of Madeira – social housing) should respect the Code of Public Contracts. 50 residential units were built in Figueirinhas in Funchal through a contract between the IHM and the company Soconstroi. The contract was for 2.838.179,34 Euros but the final cost was 3.215.022,09 Euros. The units were completed in 1998 but the contract was not sent for approval until 2000. After an additional contract, which caused the increase in the cost, the work was finally approved six years after the expiration of the five year guarantee.

Fewer ships, more tourists. Table of the number of cruise ships and passengers visiting for the New Year’s Eve fireworks display, since 1962 (shown below).  In 2007, there were the most cruise ship passengers (13,156 from 12 ships). There might be problems ferrying more than 3,000 passengers from the two ships berthed offshore this year, due to forecasts of bad weather. The Queen Victoria has a 24-hour delay and hopes to anchor offshore at 7 am tomorrow. For the third day running, the ferry could not sail for Porto Santo.

TOP 10 of the Port of Funchal on 31 December
Year – Ships – Tourists
1962 – 10-5440
1964 – 10-5800
1968 – 13-6892
1969 – 12-6400
1974 – 9-5077
2001 – 9-7935
2002 – 10-9539
2005 – 11-8670
2007 – 12 – 13.156
2008 – 8 – 7.200

* Many fail to buy tickets until the last minute – Getting ready for New Year’s Eve. From the Jornal da Madeira. On the eve of another End-of-the-Year night, there are many offerings for the night of reveillon, shown by the various advertisements that already appear in the pages of newspapers. Prices vary depending on the economic possibilities of each and depending on what they want. In general, there are already many tickets sold for the festival of the passing of the year. However, the contacts we made told us that most people leave it until the last minute to buy the entrance tickets. A fact that, as we mentioned, not only has to do with "the habit of doing things at the last minute" but above all due to indecision. Because as we explained, "as a couple it is easier to decide", which is not true of groups. Although again, as we mentioned, there are also groups that prefer to buy the tickets on time to avoid some of the members being left out. As for the animation, there is also a bit of everything and for all tastes. From dance music with renowned DJs, to live music through performances by musical groups. In general and in relation to the hotels, we found attempts to present a special program for guests, but also for the many Madeirans who choose to enter the New Year in hotels. But the party is not only in hotels, clubs or other places that usually open the doors to mark New Year’s Eve. For the last night of this year, there is also a show provided by the Association of the Light Orchestra of Madeira, which will take place between 21.00 and 04.00 in the Municipal Garden of Funchal. Before the fireworks, in downtown Funchal between 10.00 and 20.00, there will be performances by brass bands and folklore groups. In the Central Square next to the Cathedral of Funchal, the Children’s Choir of the Office of the Coordinator of Arts Education will perform between 18.30 and 19.20. Also in the area of Avenida Arriaga, but in the garden situated to the north of the Palacio de Sao Lourenco, the Ensemble of Accordions of the Office of the Coordinator of Arts Education is also expected to perform between 11.00 and 11.50. I saw in last nights Diário that the Casino has a special do with dinner tonight. For a bargain €180 a head one can feast and then frolic … how the other half lives eh! Der

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

What changed and what awaits us – 56 pages. Looks like the good people from the Diário have produced a bumper year end supplement with today’s newspaper. If I see an online edition I will provide a link to it, but no sign of it yet.

Danger of collapse in the valley [of the Nuns] – Bad weather caused openings in the road and lands. There are fear of a landslide in Curral das Freiras, into the river, after significant cracks appeared in the road (ER 107) and nearby land. The cracks have been getting bigger since the beginning of the week. MORE PHOTOS The danger area is between the centre of Curral das Freiras and sítio do Colmeal. Residents are very concerned that the rockfall could be considerable. The first cracks appeared on Monday in the tarmac, soon after the tunnel exit, and are growing in size. Cracks in the nearby land, just below the road, have also appeared, in land belonging to the Levada Commission. Huge quantities of earth have been deposited there over the years with the story being that there would be cultivation and forest planting. The president of the Câmara Municipal of Câmara de Lobos, Arlindo Gomes, says that the earth deposited actually supports what is above, and that from what he knows "the situation is under control". With your track record in misleading the public Sr. Gomes, I think I would be off from there like a shot if I was unfortunate enough to live in the area at risk!

Today’s main news headline : Jorge Romeira calls-off the work plan of Humberto – The sea front zone of São Vicente, that was one of the flagship projects of ex-president Humberto Vasconcelos, doesn’t have conditions to move forward, according to the new council president Jorge Romeira, who will also do in his own style administrative restructuring. The project goes to the ‘Greek calendar’ [indefinitely], with no possibility of starting in the next few years. Romeira also intends to do some ‘housekeeping’ to organise his empire in his own style. The sea front redevelopment has now been dropped from the council programme, due to lack of funding, even more so now due to the damage caused by the abnormal rain fall in recent weeks, and the resulting need for priority expenditure. Don’t councils have insurance policies here? That will come as a bit of a shock to the locals I would imagine, as that was a much needed project for trade and to generally improve the visual aspect of the area. I wonder if that was mentioned in the small print of the PSD Social Democrat Party election manifesto a  few months back? 

100 police in the streets to guarantee safety later tonight – ‘Operation Fim do Ano’ [year end] runs on the night when 39 firework posts will light the night sky. Here you can see a list of the ideal places to watch the fireworks.

ARTICLE & MAP OF THE TOP FIREWORK VIEWPOINTS

The most profitable in the world expected today on Madeira. With a portrait photo of a thoughtful looking Cristiano Ronaldo, who may of lost the title of the world best footballer, but has now taken David Beckham’s crown as top money-spinner in the game. The Madeiran revealed yesterday in an interview with a Spanish sports newspaper his desire to "regain the Golden Ball" and his ambition to be "the best player in history." "Thank God I have already won the trophy once for best player in the world, but I hope to win it back again. This year or next I will come back to win the Golden Ball," said Ronaldo, who fills the front page of the Marca newspaper. In a revealing interview he confessed his admiration for the Spanish actress Penélope Cruz, and his ignorance of the main places of night time entertainment in Madrid. He doesn’t like bullfighting either. The newspaper said that Ronaldo, now 24, could generate up to €80 million a year in advertising revenue, dethroning David Beckham as the adverting idiot icon in the world of football.  

If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated. 

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a photo or video, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and photos / videos.

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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

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Today’s Photo : Thanks to Vic … a Caniço sunset

"Funchal on the Portuguese Island of Madeira is the site for Vitor Sa vs Kiatchai Singwancha January 14 with the TWBA super middleweight title at stake. This could be the first ever professional boxing match there". BOXING NEWS You heard it here first! Funny name that, Vitor Sa, as that is the same name as the Madeira rally driver and son of Jorge Sã, owner of the Hiper Sã supermarket chain here.

Don’s website has a new video showing Funchal at Christmas. It’s about 10 minutes long. XMAS ON MADEIRA Lets hope it gets us a few extra tourists for the festive season, as  I think we need them.

Tour operator Holiday Options has shut down after entering administration. The company, which specialised in holidays to destinations such as Croatia, Corsica, Sicily, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores, shut down on Tuesday after 16 years in operation. A spokesman for the company said no passengers had been left stranded and all forward bookings, thought to been around 1,100, would be taken over by Cambridge-based Light Blue Travel.

Many thanks to Elaine for this huge contribution from yesterday’s news :

Return of Marcelino Andrade shakes HCF. More turmoil at the hospital between the staff and the managers of the health service (SESARAM). This time it is related to the return of Marcelino Andrade to the hospital. For five years he was the president of Santo António, after a friendly invitation by president Jardim. In the recent elections, the PSD selected another president and he is free to return to the health service. The turmoil is due to the rumour among staff that he is to be employed on the Board of Directors of SESARAM. Some Directors of Services would resign if that happened and there was to be a protest mass resignation which was cancelled by SMS last night. The opposition is based on credibility and technical issues. Andrade explained that he wishes to return to working in the orthopaedic services. SESARAM said they will keep the present Board of Directors and such rumours are designed to destabilize the services.

Bio Madeira week in the Largo da Restauração. In the region, 5% of agricultural land is devoted to organic farming and is increasing. The week is to "sensitize the community to the economic, social and environmental aspects of organic farming." Bio Week runs from the 23 – 29 November. Initiatives will also occur around the island. In 2008, there were 240 tons produced and an additional 130 tons of bananas. The theme of the week this year is ‘Growing Sustainably’. There have already been training initiatives held in people’s homes, schools, town halls and hotels involving about 9,000 people spread between farmers, students, teachers, parents and the general public. The activities next week will include an organic food fair, culinary demonstrations by hotel chefs, presentation of books for children and adults about the various perspectives of organic agriculture, and theatrical and musical competitions for children, promoted by the schools. On the 29th at Jardim da Serra, endemic species will be planted to offset carbon dioxide emissions. Full program on the website: www.sra.pt

Presidency rejects blame for the transfer requests by the police officers. The Government rejected accusations that Jardim’s comments are the cause of the requests for transfers out of the region. The statement clarifies that the people responsible for what happened are the current command and not the officers and agents. The statement also refers to the Madeiran police officers on the continent who have been unsuccessful with transfer requests to the region.

Exercise in Rabaçal involves more than one hundred people and various media. Exercise ‘Missing 09′ begins early tomorrow morning. The training exercise in Rabaçal will be coordinated by the Regional Service for Civil Protection and involve the armed forces. Two different scenarios; the disappearance of a group of 15 tourists in the area and an accident involving a passenger bus in the section towards the Casa do Rabaçal. There will be observers from the National Authority for Civil Protection, National Institute of Emergency Medicine and observers from the Azores and the Canary Islands.

Waiting 13 years for an asphalt road in Santa Cruz. ‘Impassable’ is the adjective used to describe Caminho da Fonte which is used every day by 30 people. This road is about a kilometre long and is in the rural ‘zonas altas’ of Santa Cruz. The area is believed by many to belong to the ‘Madeira Velha’, even though it is a five minute road journey into the centre of Santa Cruz. The road was originally only a short path then 13 years ago, it was widened to facilitate access to houses and agricultural land. For the past 13 years, every mayor has promised to asphalt it. There is a beautiful view over the bay and city of Santa Cruz. As the road is not asphalted, the land is purchased at a price lower than the normal market value, so in recent years there have been several new houses built there. They are licensed and have water and electricity services connected. A petition was delivered to the council in 2005 and another with 300 signatures three years later. The poor state of the road causes damage to vehicles and prevents access to agricultural land, as lamented by a 73 year old man who cultivates sweet potato, onions, beans and some fruit trees such as papaya and tangerine. The municipality said they would make it "passable in the meantime" while searching for an inexpensive solution.

Câmara de Lobos unable to close cow farm. The farm in Vereda da Ribeira da Caixa remains active as sanitary rules have been met, despite previous pollution into a stream and the Praia do Vigário. There are now a few dozen cows and bulls in poor living conditions in a shed with a corrugated iron roof. The people living locally complain about the smell and noise at night. There have been disputes with the farmer and staff which involved the police at one stage. The local mayor admits that the situation is not pleasing to the neighbourhood but he has no power to license or cease operations.

Court annuls trial. The Court of Appeal in Lisbon annulled the judgement of the Court in Funchal which sentenced a 31 year old mother to 16 years in prison for murdering her daughter with poisoned biscuits and juice when institutionalized at the Cecilia Zino Foundation. It was alleged to be ‘an act of selfishness’, ‘cold and ruthless’ and not ‘true love’ although the defence argued it was due to mental incapacity. The original trial was in November 2007, and in response to new evidence about the defendant’s liability, the Court of Appeal in November 2008 requested a new trial. The woman was interned at the Casa da Saúde Câmara Pestana but failed to abide by the rules so was sent to prison, where she is at present. The two psychiatrists are arguing that she suffers from a mental illness caused by previous relationship problems, preventing her from discerning good from evil and that you cannot fake a mental illness when you only try to kill your children when mentally disturbed. Their evidence is "strong and credible enough to raise serious doubts about the liability of the defendant."

Banana growers versus GESBA. Another allegation and counter-allegation saga, this time the banana producers versus the management board GESBA. The growers have a petition challenging the action of the management, but GESBA give an assurance that the sector is "calm". The management said that in October there occurred an exceptional situation due to climatic conditions, when the production levels were equivalent to those in August, when the production is higher. This, coupled with the fact that it rained some days, meant that there was some delay in cutting the banana. When it was dry enough to use the machinery, they normalized the situation. The management explained that of the 2,800 producers, only a relatively few had complaints. They say their essential role is to manage the collection and distribution of the larger quantity of fruit produced in the summer and the lower amounts during winter months.

Tivoli Madeira celebrates 10 years. Jardim highlighted the good quality Tivoli hotels, the excellence of service, particularly with regard to the five-star hotel in Funchal which yesterday marked 10 years of activity. There was a cocktail event for travel agents, tour operators and local hotel managers. —-Thought you’d enjoy the photo, has Jardim any liver left?

Praia Formosa without sand and Toco waits. Both projects suspended. The document first presented to the public in 2004, for the period 2007/2011 stated, ‘Improvement of the entire seafront of Praia Formosa and leisure areas, contracting a study for the installation of an artificial beach and its construction, if technically and financially possible.’ Another project in the ‘banho-maria’ is Toco. The Government and the CMF are considering pursuing a public-private partnership to overcome legal impediments encountered. If this is legally possible, then interested private parties will have to be found.

‘Caso da mala’. ‘Case of the suitcase’. The defendants in this trial in Lisbon are António Preto, Jorge Silverio and Sobral de Sousa. António Preto is a PSD member suspended from the Assembly of the Republic, accused of tax evasion. Silverio and Sobral de Sousa were on the Board of the property firm Serbro. Sebro attempted to avoid paying 347,000 Euros IRC claiming wrong address. Instead of ‘Rua do Castanheiro nos 1 a 3, 8 – Funchal ‘ the tax offices used the address ‘Rua do Castanheiro nos 1 a 38′ and the claim is that the postman attempted to deliver a registered letter to the wrong address. The Court of Funchal have not yet decided on this case but if they decide to cancel the debt, it will weaken the prosecution’s ‘caso da mala’. António Preto was a lawyer to companies of Virgilio Sobral de Sousa. Sobral de Sousa was a PS councillor in Amadora. He was a partner of a firm accused of fraud in the issue of driving licences, selling ‘packages’ to candidates in Madeira who went to the continent, with accommodation, for a guaranteed licence, for 4,000 Euros. During the investigation, telephone conversations were recorded between Preto and the leader of the PSD-Lisbon, detailing delivery of 39,956 Euros packed in suitcases to pay for his campaign. During this investigation in 2002, Preto was caught receiving a suitcase containing 25,000 Euros. This opened a second criminal proceedings and in 2005, Preto was accused of tax fraud and document forgery with suspicions of corruption. During a famous eavesdropping phone call, Preto was heard to say to Sobral de Sousa, "I’m here to receive money, pal, as I have never seen in my life." Corrupt lawyers … whatever next … you’ll be telling me next Elaine that there are corrupt politicians as well … well I’ll be darned Preto is both … why bother with a trial! Der

Air disaster occurred 32 years ago on the 19 November 1977. The Diário has a video interview with one of the survivors of the disaster when the flight TP425, a Boeing 727-200, plunged into the sea at Santa Catarina Airport with 164 people on board. The biggest disaster in the history of TAP caused 131 deaths. There were 33 survivors.

Madeira classified as a destination of excellence. The World Tourism Organization has an institute, the CED, which has distinguished Madeira in 13 of the 15 parameters under evaluation for classification as a tourism destination of excellence. In all 15 parameters, the performance was above average. Six had a level of excellence, 6 a level of high performance and 3 had reached average.

Police rescued a Madeiran trader kidnapped in Caracas for a week.  The 41 year old was riding a motorcycle in Caracas when he was forced into a vehicle by armed men and kept in captivity for a ransom of about 160,000 Euros. The ransom demand was made to his wife. On rescuing him, three men were killed who the police claimed were the kidnappers but in a radio program, a woman claimed one of them was her son. The suspects are thought to have been involved in 28 kidnapping cases.

Man attempts to rob a man leaving a pharmacy. In Nazaré yesterday morning, a man was leaving a pharmacy after collecting prescribed medications. A thief attempted to grab the bag of drugs but because he was ill, he just went away with the handles of the bag in his hand. There is a climate of insecurity in the area.

From today’s Diário newspaper front page :

Members of the Madeira government put relatives at the top of the vaccine waiting list – In the Health Centre of Santo António they say that the orders come from above. It was through this that at least vice president Cunha e Silva and his family were there for their vaccinations. Also there are doctors putting their children and friends at the front of the queue before they set off for holidays abroad. That’s today’s main news headline, but why? Did anyone really expect any different in the race for a limited supply of Gripe A swine flu medication. And this story is just the cases that have been discovered. The story already has 7 readers comments, and nothing very complementary I can assure you. Clear guidelines have been issued as to who the ‘at risk’ groups are and the priorities for administering the vaccine, but who would ever stop to think that by jumping the queue because you know somebody important, that a real ‘at risk’ person will be leapfrogged and maybe have to go without. Just human nature I suppose. No doubt Uncle Bertie has issued secret order for foreigners like me to be left until last, which of course would be totally expected, and I am certainly not complaining, as I still have adequate supplies of © Toranja Poncha ©.

Portugal may be top-of-the list – FIFA updates it’s rankings today and  decides the ‘pots’ on day 2. So having scraped through with a string of close but favourable results, the desire is now that Portuguese football team gets seeded and avoids any particularly difficult games in the group stages of the actual 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

Santos Costa had a construction company when he was already regional secretary – The leader was a partner, with relatives, of a company of construction consultancy. But he says he has already left the company. The company offered services in the areas that Costa himself works, particularly in construction, promotion and marketing of real estate, tourism, hotel hospitality, and consultancy. Costa himself and his wife both held 40% of the shares, and the two children 10% each. The firm was created in April 2007, with a starting capital of just €5,000. In December 2008, company assets were stated as being around €300,000. Politicians in construction consultancy … stinks of a conflict of interest, especially for one that holds the very senior post of Regional Secretary responsible for ‘social assets’. But it is not illegal! It seems that now the company belongs just to the wife and two sons, which makes me feel so much better. It’s only just after midday as I write this, and the article already has 13 readers responses on the Diário website., and I have read them all and found nothing but scorn and contempt for Costa. 

Why is it I feel guilty hogging all the top stories of the day? … I will leave these other two in case someone else wants a go …

Traffic continues in chaos around the schools – One of the reasons is the fact that only one quarter of the children take the bus to school. The winner is pollution.

Theatre celebrates 20 years of inclusive art.

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a photo or video, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. 

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and photos / videos.

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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

(more…)

(3rd July). Today’s main news headline : ‘Rats And Cockroaches Invade Formosa – The thicket in the zone near to the beach contributes to the plague that intimidates users and traders’. With the hot weather only just starting, the rats and cockroaches are already displaying a worrying level of activity in the area. Traders, bathers, and those who frequent the area, tell of appearances of the two creatures around restaurants, rubbish bins and even on the beach pebbles, and they fear the situation will worsen significantly with improving Summer breeding conditions. Part of the problem area is the old Shell installation, abandoned in 2007, and now overgrown. A rat extermination programme that covered public spaces finished 3 months ago in Funchal, but will be restarted soon to include the Praia Formosa zone.

The main photograph today shows jazz singer Vânia Fernandes at the opening night of the Funchal Jazz Festival : ‘Jazz Sells More – After the filling of the opening night, Funchal Jazz today hosts a musical legend’. The headline is referring to the ‘legend’ contrabassist Ron Carter, who performs tonight at 9.30 in the park of Santa Catarina in Funchal. Aside from being overflowing last night, ticket sales have been "pretty good", with three day passes tripling in sales compared to last year.

‘Eight Thousand Teachers Contest 295 Vacancies’. The internal application deadline is midnight tonight, and external applicants are able to apply from next week. They are competing for teaching posts through the regional Department for Education. This exercise happens every year, and I assume these are permanent full time positions, that are of interest to existing teaching staff that have lesser status or working hours.

‘The First Step Is Taken – Bernardo Trindade is confident that the agreement to resolve matters at Colombo’s Resort is going to work out’. The first stage in rescuing the incomplete and paralysed tourist complex on Porto Santo has now been taken, with the new partners signing an agreement in Lisbon yesterday. Trindade said he expects it to move forward, regardless of the election results in October, even though it is no more at this stage than a gentleman’s agreement. Work stopped on the construction some time ago when the original project ran out of money. It is interesting to also learn that the €5 million pledge by Porto Santo Council, is not in fact a pledge, but an exemption from municipal taxes. I know they are allowed to do this, but that might raise an eyebrow or two with other hotel owners past, present and future.

‘Ministry of health Announces Three More Cases – Two women and a child infected with gripe A virus’. That takes the total now to 23, and there were just a handful a week or so ago. One of the women has just returned from Spain, and is now being kept in Lisbon in the hospital called Curry Cabral (Goat Curry?). The other woman, in the Azores, came from Canada. The child is an eight month old baby, coming from Majorca. All 23 cases are confirmed as having H1N1 swine flu. I have seen no update on the two that came into Madeira Airport yet. I wrote that last night, this morning on the TV news it says there are now 27 cases.

‘Madeirans have the highest global rate of deficiency in the chromosome 14 gene – Researchers publish results of a study in an international scientific journal’. The study, managed by the Laboratory of Human Genetics in the University of Madeira (LGHUMa), will be published soon by the British scientific journal ‘Respiratory Medicine’. The deficiency exists in 4.1% of the population, and relates to the presence of glycoprotein, that functions to protect the lungs against dust, air pollution, and tobacco smoke. The deficiency can lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema), or diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver. It has been well known for years that respiratory problems are a frequent problem for Madeirans, and a genetic problem was often mentioned. Perhaps now that the exact cause has been pinpointed an exact and effective remedy can be developed.

‘World Press Photo On Exhibition – The best photographs in the world of news are on display to the public until 23rd July’. I had mentioned it some weeks ago, but the exhibition starts today in the Salão Nobre of the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias (Funchal Theatre). The photos from 2008 will be displayed here, in a custom now in its fourth successive year. The entry fee is €1, but if you prefer you can send me the €1 and see the photos here (go to ‘Winners 2009′): WORLD PRESS PHOTO

‘Disgusted drivers leave TEAM MARÍTIMO – The walk out has already taken place in the rally club’. The drivers are fed up with internal politics in the club, and a broken promise of the club president over free inscriptions for the Coral Championship.

‘Nacional awaits €1.5 million from FC Porto for Paulo Assunção’. The ‘bonus’ will come as a result of the transfer of the ex-Nacional player from Porto to Athletico Madrid for €3 million, of which Nacional has the right of 50% under terms previously agreed with Porto.

(2nd July). And a few snippets left over from yesterday …

‘Hospital Already Performed Eight Operations by GPS – Computer assisted operations since May’. Funchal Central Hospital performed between 60 and 70 knee rebuilding operations per year over the last 10 years or so, to deal with wear and tear and other medical conditions, but a new procedure introduced in May using a computer navigation system is proving successful. The equipment used does not yet exist in other hospitals in Portugal. The eight patients so far are recuperating very well, and indicating an encouraging start for the new procedure, which can also be used for hip replacement operations.

Madeira baby Rodrigo, who received a bone marrow transplant a month ago as a result of being diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 6 weeks, remains in hospital in Lisbon, but is doing well after liver and kidney complications were resolved after 15 days in intensive care. He will stay in hospital longer than was originally hoped, and will now have to spend his first birthday there on 7th July.

Discussions are underway in Gauteng in South Africa, where there is a Madeiran community, for a twinning relationship with Madeira.

Serra de Água has its first multibanco machine (ATM / Cash point) after years of asking. The population wanted it in a location where it could be accessed 24 hours a day, but eventually had to settle for it being located in the ‘Tasquinha da Poncha’ (Poncha Bar). What a dream excuse for a quick bevy … just popping out to the cash point dear … won’t be long!