News in Brief
Updated: 14-Sep-2001
1,000 dead on roads: Up to now, more than 1,000 people have died on Portuguese roads in 2001, the result of 136,000 road accidents. Approximately 40,000 people have been injured, of which 4,382 were serious.
Lower alcohol limit from October: The government has announced a new alcohol limit (0.5gm per litre) for drivers which will make Portugal the least tolerant country for driving under the influence. The lowest fine for violating the new limit is expected to be 20,000 escudos.
Gun accident kills two-year old: A 20-year old shot and killed his two-year old nephew while handling a 6.35mm handgun for which he did not have a permit. The accident took place near Paredes in Porto. Recent statistics show that every year 400 children die of gunshot wounds, mainly due to accidents.
Child caught in crossfire: A four-year old girl was hit in the stomach by a stray bullet while eating an ice cream with her parents in the Lisbon suburb of Laranjeira, Almada. Two cars had sped through the street in what locals called “yet another gang fight”, but nobody thought bullets would be involved. As the little girl ran from the ice-cream parlour where she had been with her aunt, to the coffee shop just a few metres away to her parents, shots rang out and the child screamed. Her parents thought she was frightened by the noise, but she had been hit by a bullet and was taken to hospital. After emergency surgery, she was said to be stable.
Around the Algarve
Armação burglar caught: In a trap set by the GNR, a 30-year old male was detained, accused of breaking in and robbing seven villas in the Armação de Pêra and Pêra village area and three in Albufeira. Some of the articles stolen included home appliances that were sold to a Quarteira restaurant and fenced by drug traffickers.
Head on collision kills in Lagoa: A morning collision caused the death of a van driver in Lagoa. Disregard for traffic lights was deemed the cause of the accident which also involved a passenger vehicle.
Egyptian culture in Silves: A display of Egyptian art and handicraft can be visited at Silves Castle all week. Egyptian films will be shown at the local cinema. The initiative is backed by the Egyptian Embassy, Silves Câmara and the Centre for Portuguese-Arab Studies in Silves.
Lagos Zoo welcomes new residents: A male Common gibbon, a female Siamang gibbon and a white-nosed male monkey called Chico are the new residents at Lagos Zoo. Chico will join the female White-nose, Mickie. They are all joined by a 1.5 metre green iguana donated by a private owner.
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