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?

It wouldn’t take a genius to have predicted today’s headlines … royal visit and Madeira Wine Rally of course. I will do the headline for the rally, but as it is covered in English on Eurosport and with plenty of reports on the internet, I will just do the headline.

(31st July). Today’s main news headline : ‘Maximum Security On The Royal Visit – Not even at the arrival were there the traditional statements to the press. Juan Carlos, Sofia, and Cavaco Silva are already on Madeira, but what one saw most was the presence of the police’. The front page picture shows the king with the president of Portugal just arrived at the airport, surrounded by military police or army troops on inspection. All the cars parked in the VIP zone at the airport were searched regardless who drove them, with everything being opened, and scanned with an explosives detector. The visit that lasts until tomorrow started on a low note for the Diário, seemingly a little upset that the royal arrival was swamped by the police presence, and with the visitors not even making a statement to the waiting press. The article is a blow by blow account of every little detail form landing to dinner to bedtime at Reid’s and the Royal Savoy. The second headline ‘The entourage goes today to the chamber of The Wine Institute, to Monte, and to Cabo Girão’, I didn’t look into.

Madeira Wine Rally : The main picture shows a British Peugeot steaming through Funchal : ‘Meeke Confirms Status -  Leader of IRC wins in Avenida do Mar. Bruno Magalhães was the best Portuguese. Alexandre Camacho the quickest amongst the Madeirans. Today the contestants undertaken 12 special tests’. Many thanks to Tobi for the photos. MORE

‘Specialists Propose Mosquito Vigilance – A team of entomologists working on Madeira say that the possibility of dengue is strong and it is being studied’. The experts from the Medical Entomology Unit of the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), have been here for two weeks doing their research on the mosquito Aedes Aegypti, and return home tomorrow. One of the team members said "It is extremely necessary to have a monitoring system, preferably linked to health, with trained specialist teams". 15 people were involved in the study, much of which was fieldwork. Some of the study was focused on the insecticides used to control the mosquito, and that process will have to continue with care, as it is possible the mosquito may develop a resistance after continuous applications. Lots of detail, but this probably says it all "… This is a job that has to be sustained and continued for years, decades or even centuries".

‘DRAC Publish Lost Book – The 16th Century Work Was Discovered By Aurelio Vargas’. The regional directorate of cultural affairs wants to publish this year a lost and rediscovered book ‘Argonáutica Cavalaria’ by a Madeiran author, Tristão Gomes de Castro. The book was rediscovered in Torre do Tombo in Lisbon. The issue is of particular significance and interest, at a national and even international level, as it is an old romance of chivalry of the ‘King Arthur and grail legends’ type. Aurelio Vargas is now back on Madeira, and a thanks to a grant from DRAC, for over a month has been "searching and doing some research on the biography of Tristão Gomes de Castro, who was a major character on the island of Madeira". He was born around 1539 – 1544, and died in 1611.

‘CMF Could Resolve The Problem Of The Minas Gerais Building Through Administrative Possession – The câmara wants the problem resolved by the end of 2009′. Building work was stopped some months ago near the Rotunda do Infante, because the developer built more floors than he had a permit for. But now Funchal council may consider taking ownership, still hoping that such an intervention will not be necessary. "I think the situation will be resolved with the project developer able to restart work, with the project properly licensed and the alterations duly authorized" said a spokesperson at CMF. 

‘Firefighters control fire in the Serrado das Ameixoeiras – Fire consumed barns and threatened some homes’. Santa Cruz fire brigade, with the aid of their colleagues in Machico, managed to control a fire that started about 1pm yesterday, on a steep inclination littered with ‘combustible material’ in Santa da Serra. The houses were protected by the firefighters, but it burned down two barns and an empty annex. Altogether 20 firemen fought the blaze with 7 vehicles involved. A later report at 9.30 last night said that the fire was still active.

Two more villains nabbed for drug trafficking, and 4,010 fixes seized in the process. The traffickers were just 18 and 20 years old. A good week for Madeira’s drug squad!

The Jornal da Madeira yesterday did a feature, prompted by the visit of the King and Queen of Spain, on royal and celebrity visitors, noting that these days the ‘famous’ are not such frequent visitors. In the 19th century there were more famous visitors, because it was believed that the air here had therapeutic value, especially for tuberculosis victims. Here is a quick rundown of the top names : Empress Leopoldina of Austria (1817), Empress Elizabeth, better known as Sissi, of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1860′s), Queen Adelaide of England (1847), a few Mexicans and more Austrians, The last emperor of Austria, Carlos (1922), D. Carlos and Queen Dona Maria Amelia in 1901, D. Carlos and Queen Dona Maria Amelia in 1901, British prime minister Winston Churchill (1950′s), Mrs Franco (the Spanish dictators wife) 1958, Charles Gustav XVI and Queen Silvia of Sweden (1986), prince of Saudi Arabia (1980′s), Pope John Paul II on 12 May 1991, all the presidents of Portugal, opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa in 2000, ex PM of Britain Margaret Thatcher 2001, Queen Silvia of Sweden 2002, Der the blogger 2003, and author / writer John le Carré 2009. Reid’s Hotel claims to have a list of 78 famous guests that have stayed there.

I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised to find today that there is little ‘normal’ front page news today, just the Spanish royal visit and the Madeira Wine Rally, with the royal couple getting the lion’s share.

(30th July). Main headline today : ‘Filipe Works Out Of The Royal Visit – The visit of the king and queen of Spain starting today on Madeira doesn’t include The Palace of São Lourenço, nor the Forts at Pico and São Tiago, works with a ‘Filipe touch’. Just the old Palace Espiscopal, today the Museum of Sacramental Art, make up the visit. The passing through Madeira is considered historic by the Spanish ambassador in Lisbon, but not so much for the historians. Together with various restrictions caused by the rally, the royal visit is expecting the closure of roads and parking along various parts of the course’. The visit today is seen as important for the exposure of Madeira, but what many might not realise that King Juan Carlos actually lived in Portugal (Cascais), he loves Portugal, speaks fluent Portuguese, and even when in Spain is a frequent visitor to a Portuguese restaurants(s). I am not really clear on the ‘Filipe’ issue, though the monuments mentioned were built in a period of Spanish influence around the time of Filipe II of Spain, something a little sensitive in Spanish-Portuguese history perhaps?

‘Emotion At The End Of The Afternoon – Vinho Madeira gets going at 7h30, with the technical inspections, but the emotion only comes with the super-special on the Avenida do Mar, that starts at 19h30′.  A small timetable then shows that roads in the vicinity are closed from 3pm until 21h45, and gives tomorrow’s route times and road closures. The article then discusses cars and drivers, so not much I can add here in terms of a summary of the article.

Then the Diário did save a small corner for three actual news headlines, one of which is in politics :

‘Electric Cars In 2012 – Inside of 3 years, Madeira will have charging posts for electric vehicles’. Nissan-Renault have already presented the first prototype of an electric car that is to be built in Portugal, but of course it is not much good without ‘juice’. Galp petrol stations and major shopping centres in Funchal will be the first equipped to refuel electric cars, with the buildings of Dolce Vita, Modelo, and Pingo Doce named, along with Galp filling stations. A protocol has been agreed with all parties, which includes 21 regions / cities of Portugal in phase one (until 2010), which includes Funchal but it outside of the timescale of the rest. The initiative will be extended after that. I may be a bit behind with technology, but pulling into a Galp petrol station to refill seems to me something to avoid at all costs. Petrol etc. takes a matter of minutes, but with recharging batteries it is a much longer process, so does one take a sleeping bag or portable hammock? What will the queues be like?

‘Abortions Increase – From 82 in the first 6 months of last year, the number rose to 130 this year, until June. An increase of 58%’. That’s according to data provided to the Diário by the Administrative Office of Health and Social Affairs (IASAÚDE). Likewise the number of consultations about pregnancy terminations was also up from 109 to 159  over the same periods, up 46%. The president of IASAÚDE explains that this could have several meanings. He says that women have more knowledge and confidence on the subject, and are now prepared to turn to the hospital for help, but also admits that there may be other reasons, "which are due to various causes such as economic or social condition of families and women". The abortion law has only been in place less than 2 years, so it is impossible to draw any conclusions. A hospital spokesman said that abortions are now a medical procedure like any other, and are part of the hospital routine in terms of both the consultation and the termination itself.

In other local news:

‘Airport Arrivals To Be Monitored For Gripe A – New arrivals will be checked with a body temperature measuring device’. The regional secretary for Tourism and Transport, Conceição Estudante, explained that the device will permit measurement of the body temperature of passengers landing at Madeira Airport, saying that since the cases for H1N1 swine flu to date were imported "if we identify the situations at the entrance door we reduce the risks and their impact". No start date has been announced, but she said that they are taking the steps for rapid acquisition and installation of the equipment needed.

‘Vinho Madeira With Financial Support From The Republic – The Secretary of State for Tourism makes €100 thousand available for the promotion of the competition’. The idea is to ensure Madeira receives the maximum exposure of the Madeira Wine Rally internationally with TV coverage in over 50 countries. Good idea from Secretary Bernardo Trinidade, who just happens to be Madeiran … strange that it is announced just hours before the event starts though, especially after all that fuss about changing the law to allow tobacco advertising to make up a funding shortfall.

‘More Than 800 Policemen On Duty For The Royal Visit And Madeira Wine Rally – Operation obliges extra controls over traffic movements and parking’. The visit of the King of Spain, added to the requirements to police the rally, is going to stretch the police force here, and the police commissioner has appealed to Madeirans to collaborate, particularly in the areas of Largo do Colégio, Sé, and Rua dos Ferreiros in Funchal.

‘Police Identify Stash Of Cannabis Plants In São Vicente – The investigation led to the arrest of two men’. The two men have been arrested for drug trafficking. Once the police had identified the site where the cannabis was being grown, they staked out the location until they identified the two men. 6 plants were seized with a height of around 70cm. The plants will be analysed in a laboratory and then destroyed. In these hard times perhaps they were just growing them for the hemp to make clothes?

’12 Firemen Extinguish Three Bush Fires -The three fires were in Madalena, Quinta Grande, and Lombo dos Aguiares’. The causes are unknown, but they started yesterday morning. The fire in Lombo destroyed a "vast" area of land, but in all cases no residences were affected.