Portugal opposition figures back deal on budget

Portugal-LISBON, Oct 19 - Two influential figures in Portugal's opposition Social Democrats (PSD) urged their party on Tuesday to allow passage of the government's 2011 budget bill, in a sign a deal to avert a fiscal crisis could be near.

The largest opposition party in parliament, the PSD has refused to say whether it will back an austerity budget that financial markets and Portugal's euro zone partners view as crucial to restoring confidence in the country's finances.

If the PSD votes against the budget bill, which foresees public sector wage cuts and a hike in value-added tax (VAT), it will not get through parliament, plunging Portugal into paralysis and likely sending its financing costs spiralling higher.

The PSD has said it will decide its stance at a late-night meeting on Tuesday, but ahead of that, an influential former finance minister in the party, Miguel Cadilhe, wrote in daily newspaper Publico that he would support passage of the bill if the government adjusted its VAT and spending plans.

Specifically, he called for making the government's planned two-point hike in VAT temporary -- for 2011 alone. He also said it should commit to additional spending cuts next year which were at least equal to the effect of the VAT hike.

"I would accept, albeit reluctantly, allowing the passage of the budget proposal" if these conditions were met, Cadilhe wrote.

Paulo Rangel, another senior PSD figure who sits on the party's top council, also called for the bill's passage "on patriotic grounds" to save Portugal from a more serious crisis, according to the Lusa news agency.

Manchester United sign unknown 20-year old Portuguese Bebe

Manchester United manager,

revealed that he went totally out of his way to sign the young striker from Portugal, Tiago Correia, better known as Bebe. The 20-year old is the 3^rd signing for Manchester United this season. He was signed for 7 million pounds. Manchester United made use of a release clause in his contract with Vitoria Guimaraes.

The transfer is no ordinary one, and is full of remarkable little stories.  Bebe spent a lot of time on the streets of Portugal and played for a team that was put together by CAIS, the organization that puts together the homeless team for Portugal.

He later signed with Vitoria and after just 5 weeks made his way to Manchester United. He was picked out by the Portugal based scout of Manchester United. He was also heavily recommended by the former right hand of Sir Alex Ferguson Carlo Queiroz, who is now the coach of the national team of Portugal.

No one knew anything about Bebe a year ago, when he played for the 3^rd division team in Portugal named Amadora.  Since then a number of top clubs in Europe including Real Madrid started to ask around about the young talent. Ferguson decided to act fast and despite having seen him play the United manager decided to take his former assistant’s word and signed the 20-year old.

Sir Alex Ferguson said that he has not seen him play, and he has never done this in the past.  He said that normally he gets to see numerous videos but he admitted that it was just his instinct to sign him and hopes that it pays off well. He said that his Portugal Scout was insistent that if we don’t sign him some other club will, so we had to act fast and Ferguson said that whatever he has heard till now is very impressive and he cannot wait to see him in action.

He said when we sign a player, it’s the pace talent and agility of the player that are observed. Ferguson said that for the first time that he has put his faith in word of mouth and hopes that he was right.

He said the he discussed it with the club’s CEO David Gill, and he decided to go to Portugal and make the deal final.

It is not sure when he will make his debut for the team, it is expected that Bebe would have to wait till the 3^rd round Carlin Cup match to put on the red of United for the senior team.

Considering Bebe’s biggest game so far has been a cup tie against Benfica, it certainly is a fairy tale story and all would be waiting to see how he performs for the Red Devils. Many have already started to make comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo as he also came to United when he was an unknown young player. He matured into world’s best player, but it is unfair to make such comparisons. That is what happened with Nani and although he has held his own, he has not been able to match his compatriot by a distance.

Bebe, when asked by reporters of what he can do, had a very simple and honest answer, he said he is fast, can kick the ball quiet well, and can also score goals. Well if he can live up to the simple promise it would be worth the 7 million spent by Ferguson.

(source:blogs.bettor.com/)

Moutinho gets Portugal nod for China friendly

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has added Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho to his squad for this week's international friendly against China.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who has made 25 appearances and scored one goal for Portugal, was named in the squad after Sporting beat FC Porto 3-0 in a league match late Sunday.

Queiroz had said he might increase his squad after the weekend matches. The squad now has 18 players.

Portugal meets China at Coimbra, in central Portugal, on Wednesday.

Portugal is drawn Group G for this year's World Cup, along with Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.


Source:usatoday.com/

Cameroon arrange Portugal and Slovakia World Cup warm-ups

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Cameroon will play friendly matches against fellow World Cup finalists Slovakia on May 29 and Portugal on June 1, the country's football federation said in a statement.

Cameroon will face Slovakia in Klagenfurt, Austria then head to Covilha in Portugal for their final warm-up match before travelling to South Africa for the World Cup.

Cameroon have been drawn in Group E alongside Netherlands, Denmark and Japan for the 2010 finals, which start on June 11.

Paul Le Guen's side, who reached the quarter-finals at the African Nations Cup in Angola in January, play World Cup holders Italy in Monaco on Wednesday.


Source:af.reuters.com/

A Land True To Its Past

Perched on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal stands out among its neighbors as one of the oldest and yet most traditional and conservative European civilizations. Visitors can view 22,000 year-old Paleolithic art on the rock faces of Vale do Côa, and human occupation of this region dates 500,000 years back in time! The Celts settled here around 750 B.C. and were followed by Romans, Visigoths, and Greeks among others. The Moors enjoyed their infamous occupation from the 8th to the 13th Century and left their culture and ornate, whitewashed architecture as an eclectic signature on the Iberian Peninsula.

Today, Portugal's homogenous culture and dedication to tradition is largely due to Salazar's oppressive rule during the mid-1900s. As a result, visitors can enjoy a more culturally authentic stay in Portugal than any other European nation.

The north-south axis of mainland Portugal creates regions of dynamic terrain and unique specialties. The popular Douro Valley stretches 125 miles along a winding river and is famous for the string of port wineries at its edges. Cruises are now offered along the entire length of the Valley, beginning in Porto. The resort town of Lagos in the southern Algarve region attracts sun-seekers and history buffs alike. Prepare to be swept away by this hidden gem encircled by 15th Century walls.

Travel Portugal in the Atlantic

Two groups of islands off the Atlantic Coastline belong to Portugal and are a perfect and serene escape from the mainland, offering centuries of Portuguese history all their own and a look into the region's natural beauty. The Azores Islands archipelago lies 907 miles from the coast and is a haven of turquoise lakes, rolling green hills and sandy beaches. Monasteries, cathedrals, forts and ruins dating back to the 15th Century, when Portuguese navigators encountered the outcropping, are sprinkled about the islands. To the South, the enticing subtropical climate of Madeira Island and the surrounding volcanic archipelago is a bastion for adventure-seekers, resort luxuries, Madeira wine and untouched 15th Century architecture standing dramatically on seaside cliffs. Both of these secluded retreats are easily accessible from major airports on mainland Portugal.

Tips to the Savvy Traveler

Nearly all of Portugal works on Siesta time and 97% of the country is Catholic, therefore also affecting commercial hours and holidays. Most shops, banks and pharmacies are closed between 1pm and 3pm (yes, even in major cities). Make special note that museums also close in the middle of the day between 12:30pm and 2pm. Almost everything except museums closes by 1pm on Saturdays, and plan on simply eating and resting on Sundays when nothing is open. To plan your trip wisely, check the hours of operation of attractions you'd like to see before planning your trip or booking your room!

Lastly, be aware when traveling by taxi. Fare is metered within urban limits, but once you leave these boundaries, you will be charged by the kilometer in addition to the price of the driver's return trip to the starting point. When taking a taxi after midnight, negotiate the price with the driver before getting in the car, especially if you've been indulging in Port!

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