Monday 1 Feb 2010 News
The streets of Lisbon were slowed to 15 km per hour by around 130 trucks driving in convoy around the centre on Sunday in protest to regulations regarding the licensing and inspection of entertainment equipment. The procession started at 1.30 pm in the Park of Nations (Parque das Nações) and continued down the Avenida Infante D. Henrique, Avenida da Índia, Alcântara, Algés and along the Avenida de Ceuta before making the same circuit again.
The president of the Association of Owners of Amusement Equipment said that he was considering making a formal complaint about the PSP police service using excessive force following a similar protest on Friday where it is alleged that police fired at the doors of trucks and beat up one man who was unarmed and required hospital attention. The slow speed of the carousel trucks led to traffic problems in the capital and there is a possibility of more protests today, possibly after 19.30.
Young people in Portugal are suffering from higher rates of depression in recent years. A study published yesterday found that depression was the leading cause of suicide in all ages but the Centre for the Study of Suicide in the Santa Maria Hospital, Lisbon reported a growing trend in self harm and depression among young people in Portugal.
The report suggested that while unexpected suicide is still rare, there are a growing number of adolescents displaying symptoms of depression which are often confused with the emotional instability of their age group. While it is usual for teenagers to spend time alone, prolonged periods of hopelessness and solitude are not always identified by parents and teachers. Official figures of suicides in Portugal have fallen but the study said that in many cases deaths are recorded as accidental when they may well have been deliberate such as a fall from a tall building or being killed on a railway line. The report also outlined the difficulty in quantifying cases of self-harm where many incidents are not recorded.
The President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva, opened celebrations for the centenary anniversary of the establishment of the Republic calling for a new a new spirit of citizenship inspired by the ideals of the early Republicans. The ceremony held in Porto on Sunday was attended by the Head of State and many other officials including the Prime Minster José Socrates.
The President explained that he wanted twenty first century Portugal to exhibit the spirit of the first Republicans who tried in vain to set up a Republic on 31 January 1891 displaying the ideals of love for the country and ethics in politics. The PM echoed the sentiment of the message and urged the Portuguese people to join the community project of the future. The ceremony was also attended by, among others, former Presidents of the Republic Mário Soares and Jorge Sampaio, the Mayor of Porto, Rui Rio, ministers, the judiciary and the military.
The Finance Minister Teixeira dos Santos, spoke to the press about the BPP banking crisis, while at the Republic celebrations in Porto. In answer to questions about the BPP he said that customers of the bank will begin to receive the money they have in their accounts from March. The Minister was under pressure from clients of the bank who mounted a protest at the official celebrations and demanded the return of their deposits as the President arrived. Customers have been told that deposits up to €250,000 will be returned by April and those accounts over that amount would have to go to court to recover their money.
Rural demographic changes predicted
By 2020, about one quarter of everyone living in the countryside in England will be over 65 years of age, according to the National Housing Federation.
The Federation represents England’s housing associations. Its study indicates that the number of individuals over 65 will reach 3.23 million by 2020 as opposed to the 2.32 million there were in 2008. Moreover, it estimates one in three older people in rural areas will live alone by 2020, compared with one in four in 2010. At present throughout the UK, 16 per cent of the total population is aged over 65 and this figure is expected to rise with increased longevity.
The implications for this growth impact on local health services and local authority budgets and services. The reasons for the demographic change includes the rising cost of houses in rural areas which are becoming increasingly unaffordable for younger people but which can be afforded by some who are retiring. But older people may find themselves more isolated than they imagined if younger couples and families can not afford to live in the countryside.
The Federation called for more affordable homes to be built for younger people in order to retain a more representative cross-section of age groups in rural areas which would assist in keeping schools and transport more viable.
More autos recalled in Europe
Peugeot Citroen is to recall some cars in Europe. The manufacturer is the second largest and has a joint-production arrangement with Toyota for some Peugeot and Citroen vehicles which are manufactured in the Czech Republic for the European market.
For Peugeot 107s and Citroen C1s, we are going to carry out an identical campaign as Toyota," a spokesman for the group said. Toyota has already had to recall millions of cars in the US, Europe and China owing to faulty pedals which could stick to the floor mats. This recall is expected to involved fewer than 100,000 cars and it is not yet known when it will begin.
Over the weekend, Toyota said it was unaware of any accident which may have been caused by the faulty parts, but the recall had been caused by the reporting of a limited number of incidents in Europe involving the accelerator pedals. At the same time Toyota’s rival, Honda, has also recalled 646,000 cars globally because of a switch defect that could cause a fire.
Media reporting suppressed
A leading agency, the International Federation of Journalists, has clamed that China has stepped up initiatives to block press reporting. Since the Beijing Olympics in 2008, hundreds of regulations have been put into force in order to prevent coverage of social unrest or scandals.
Journalists have been obliged to use only the Chinese official news agency during the 2008 tainted baby milk crisis and were later told they could not journey to report on the Sichuan earthquake. Some foreign journalists witnessed their equipment being destroyed. A particular target of the Chinese government has been online media and social congregation sites, especially where the latter could be used to organise public protest meetings.
The report notes that although much information about social unrest has been prevented from reaching outside the country, commentary is still getting through on some occasions.
Protestors on trial
Following the protests against the government in March, 16 people have gone on trial.
Five are charged with "waging war against God" and “being corrupt on earth”. The death penalty can be imposed for a guilty verdict on these crimes. Others are accused of public order and national security offences. Hundreds were arrested on 27 December when the protests reached fever pitch during the religious festival of Ashura. On Thursday, Iran reportedly executed two men arrested during the unrest which followed the June election marred by accusations of fraud.
Torrential rains affect thousands
Heavy flooding has continued in southern Peru, near the ancient Inca site of Macchu Picchu, affecting nearly 40,000 individuals and a death toll so far of 20 people.
The Cuzco area in the Andes has been hit the hardest by the torrential rains, with at least one village washed away and others hit by landslide mud. The floods are the worst in many years and many farms have lost their crops.
Nearly 4,000 visitors to Macchu Picchu have been airlifted successfully out of the region when they became stranded by floods and landslides. The challenge now will be to bring aid and support to the local residents who have been left without homes or possessions.
