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Euractiv
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euractiv
Hundreds take to the streets demanding affordable housing in Portugal
LISBON – Hundreds of people took to the streets of downtown Lisbon on Saturday in a demonstration for the right to housing, which mainly attracted young people. 'Portugal has the highest house prices in Europe. The OECD [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development] recently considered Portugal to be the country with the least access to housing, so it is very important that we are here on the streets to show that the options put forward by the government - PS, PSD and CDS - are not yet resolving the housing crisis,' said Diogo Machado, 24, one of the many young faces present at the Casa para Viver (Homes to Live In) demonstration in Lisbon. Speaking to the Lusa news agency at the end of the demonstration, which started at Largo de Camões and ended at Arco da Rua Augusta, passing through the tourist area of Baixa de Lisboa, the young man stressed that, with this PSD/CDS-PP government, 'houses rose in the first quarter of the year, more than they had in many years'. 'Housing only becomes accessible when prices decrease,' he added. Leonor Heitor, 21, who lives in Lisbon but studies in the Algarve, also asked: 'How is it sustainable to live in a country where rents equal the minimum wage?' For this young woman, landlords should lower rents, and policymakers should implement measures to regulate local accommodation. Meanwhile, urban planners should also address the broader urban plan by renovating 'so many empty buildings', which could house 'so many people seeking affordable places to live.' Protesters chanted slogans such as 'April (the month of the 1974 revolution) demands a home to live in, a home is for living, not for speculation', and 'lower rents, raise wages' during the demonstration. Hundreds of protesters asserted their right to housing, emphasising that they have to choose between paying the rent or eating. Among the protesters was former independent MP Helena Roseta, author of the first Basic Housing Law, passed in 2019, who participated as a citizen fighting for the right to housing, as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic. 'Portuguese authorities deny the right to housing to a huge percentage of young Portuguese people, and when an entire generation lacks housing rights, we compromise the future,' she told Lusa. 'The government must get this into its head; it needs to solve the problem.' Of course, it has done some positive things, but we need to go further.' Roseta said that the country must offer houses for sale and rent at affordable prices, and that rentals should always include a contract, a receipt, and the relevant papers. 'People win rights; they are not granted. We face a battle that extends beyond national borders and encompasses the transnational arena. […] Portuguese supply is limited, while transnational and multinational demand is vast, making balance challenging,' said Roseta, advocating, for example, a new housing rental code. At the end of the demonstration, near the Arco da Rua Augusta, André Escoval, one of the spokespeople for the Casa para Viver platform and a member of the Porta a Porta movement, highlighted the 'great strength' in mobilising people 'to defend one of the most important national issues, the right to housing', noting that, in addition to Lisbon, people organised protests in 11 other cities across the country. 'This is a fight that will continue. The hundreds of people who participated in this demonstration today sent a clear message to the government that they will return to the streets after the summer. The 2026 State Budget must include an unequivocal commitment to housing,' said Escoval, noting that lawmakers should adopt measures 'immediately,' such as rent regulation and longer contract terms. (edited by Maria de Deus Rodrigues)
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
A Ride Towards Tomorrow: Angola's Youth Reclaim the Road
This not only opens revenue-generating opportunities in urban areas but also has the potential to bridge the rural-urban divide, offering earning opportunities to youth from remote areas. The youth are unemployed, and formal job creation has lagged behind population growth. But in the alleys of Luanda and its highways, something is shifting. Young men like Alberto and women are plugging into e-hailing platforms, gaining access to a fragmented but formalised transport sector. Angola's economy has long struggled to absorb its young workforce. The numbers paint a stark reality. According to data consulted by Lusa in the Employment Survey Quick Information Sheet, in the first quarter, the fall in the unemployment rate was more significant in the younger population, between 15 and 24 years old, falling from 63.5% to 54.3%. From Hustle to Hope: The Youth Behind the Wheel With a smartphone in hand and a digital platform connecting him to customers, Alberto now drives professionally, generating income digitally. His journey from hustle to structure reflects a broader trend: Angola's youth are using digital tools to carve out new income streams and rewrite what economic opportunity looks like in the 21st century. A few years ago, Da Costa Armindo Alberto, 24, was ferrying passengers informally in a worn-out Toyota. 'We called it survival,' he says. 'Now, I call it work and I can make 25,000 Kwanzas a week.' The energy in Talatona feels different these days. From the airport's crowded car park to the city's outer ring roads, something is shifting. At this year's ANGOTIC forum, Angola's leading tech and innovation summit, I listened to software developers, transport regulators, ICT big players such as Google, regulators and startup founders converge around a shared belief: digital platforms can be engines of inclusion. Ride-hailing services, when localised and safely regulated, are emerging not as luxury conveniences but as launchpads for youth-led economic mobility. Where Digital Meets Development The country's newly launched Youth Employment and Opportunities Project 2025–2029, backed by $250 million in World Bank financing, aims to create half a million youth jobs. But beyond headline numbers, the shift lies in how these jobs are created. A vibrant digital economy is no longer optional; it is the cornerstone of a diversified Angola. What makes this moment potent is the dual nature of the opportunity. E-hailing services not only provide immediate income but it's a definite pathway towards formalisation. I met a young man who had just spoken with Carmen Mateia at ANGOTIC and João Victor from EducaEmpreende, an initiative empowering small businesses through practical training in financial management and leadership. In him, you could see how digital dialogue is shaping real-world development. Last night, Alberto shared the story of a fellow driver who had earned enough through e-hailing to register a second vehicle, this time in a friend's name. It wasn't just survival; it was a clear step toward compliant entrepreneurship and scalable income. His friend is now an employer, a part-owner, and a purpose-driven driver. This is what empowerment through technology truly looks like. From Side Hustle to System of Empowerment Carmen Marteois who works on projects with the World Bank, a familiar voice in Angola's youth empowerment circles, put it candidly: "When the majority of youth operate outside the formal system, you don't just need jobs, you need platforms that formalise work. Thus, my work focuses on improving youth choices on employability and entrepreneurship" stressed Ms Mateia. Her point is echoed by civic tech advocates and other activists who warn that unless women and rural youth are also integrated into these platforms, a digital divide will harden existing inequalities. It's crucial to ensure gender equality in the digital economy, providing equal opportunities for all youth. Transport as Infrastructure, Not Just Transit To understand the impact of e-hailing in Angola, one must stop thinking of it as a consumer tech story. It's infrastructure development! It's the safer way for young woman to arrive safely at Fabrica de sabao hub, to learn and empower themselves. It's how a food vendor restocks their fresh meat from Belas Business Park at dawn. These apps, often running on basic smartphones and 3G signals, plug gaps left by overburdened public transport systems. And with every ride, there's a nudge to the broader system. The demand for app coverage is accelerating telecom upgrades; the need for digital payments is pushing banks to improve mobile services. At ANGOTIC, Zamir Adam, Head of Lusophone Africa at Yango told me how they collaborate with fintech and insurance providers to enhance digital and financial inclusion for drivers, while maintaining alignment with local compliance practices. This is the organic ecosystem that is nurturing the boom in the e-hailing industry. Caution on the Road Ahead Could Angola's e-hailing sector now stand on the brink of a breakthrough? Until late 2023, these services proliferated in a largely unregulated space, highlighting their potential and the need for structure. Challenges like driver oversupply and safety concerns underscored the urgency for more intelligent systems. Encouragingly, past government messages signalled a shift toward progress, with plans to license platforms, vet drivers, and promote fairness. This moment presents a powerful opportunity: to build a thriving e-hailing ecosystem that is innovative, inclusive, safe, and tailored to the needs of Angolans. Some platforms have pre-emptively introduced security tools like panic buttons and identity verification. But the risks of digital exploitation, thin profit margins, algorithmic control, and lack of worker rights, remain pressing. If Angola is to avoid the darker sides of the global gig economy, it must craft laws that protect dignity alongside efficiency. From Digital Passengers to Co-Drivers of Progress Still, what struck me most was not the apps or the panels but the ambition in the air. Graduates from Luanda actively develop their own software solutions. They are not just users but future platform builders. These are deep aspiration: that youth are not passive consumers of technology but co-authors of Angola's modernisation. This is where the reader comes in, whether as policymakers, coders, international investors, funders, or passengers, we all have a role. Regulators must ensure fairness. Investors must look beyond extraction to empowerment. Users must demand safety and transparency. And those of us privileged to observe must remember: what looks like a simple car ride may be part of a far bigger journey. Our collective actions and decisions will shape the future of Angola's digital economy. As Angola marks 50 years of independence, its youth are charting the next route, through traffic, through inequality, through innovation. Not with slogans, but with action. And somewhere in that gridlocked cityscape, from the Airport car park to the Totalatona Convention Centre, there is a young Alberto, a driver in a sedan, who taps "online" and drives the country forward! * Ayanda Holo is GCIS Director of International Media Relations ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
Metro
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Map reveals cities affected by the power outages in Spain and Portugal
The effects of a major power cut across Spain, Portugal and beyond are still being felt a day after the lights went out. Traffic lights switched off, trains stopped, and airports went dark in several cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville in Spain and Lisbon, Santarém and Porto in Portugal, following the outage around midday Monday. Power cuts were also reported in Andorra and the Basque region of France. Our map shows some of the areas affected. Almost 100% of power has been restored across Spain, but areas in Portugal are still reeling from the outages. Portuguese grid operator Ren said the power outage was down to a 'rare atmospheric phenomenon' that affected the Spanish electricity grid. Power appears to have returned for some, including Barcelona and Lisbon airports, which both saw outages, while others are still waiting. Footage was shared of the moment the Madrid Open tennis tournament was cut off from power earlier this afternoon, and matches were suspended. Coco Gauff, the former US Open winner, was being interviewed about her match when the sound cut out of the microphone. Videos also showed cars jostling at junctions as no lights were working to control traffic. Some people were left without running water, causing panic buying at local shops. The government of Andalucia – the region in the south of Spain which includes cities like Seville – were among those which declared a state of emergency. They advised people against unnecessary travel in a post on social media. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Portugal's government previously said the incident appeared to stem from problems outside the country, an official told national news agency Lusa. A traveller at Lisbon airport told Sky News passengers have been asked to leave: 'It's horrendous… the airport has done nothing to help anyone and has now just put an announcement out to say all passengers must leave the airport and contact their airline provider.' Aena, which runs international airports across Spain, including Barajas in Madrid, the busiest airport in Spain, said in a statement: 'Due to the power outage, some incidents are occurring at the airports. 'Contingency generators are active. Please check with your airline, as there may be disruptions to access and ground transportation.' Air traffic was cut to Air traffic to 'half capacity' at many airports, with several flights cancelled. Spain's traffic authority DGT, meanwhile, warned people not to use their cars. One woman from West London, Maddie Sephton, was on the Madrid Metro when the power cut happened. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'We got on the train and everything was fine,' she told Sky News. 'But then everything went dark.' More Trending She said she and her fellow passengers werestuck on the train for 20 minutes until a staff member opened the doors manually. They then had to climb fifteen flights of stairs, which she said was obviously difficult for those with mobility issues. Ms Sephton said ATM systems weren't working, and she only had 15 Euros on her. Some hospitals cancelled surgeries for safety reasons Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Lights back on for almost 60,000,000 people after Spain and Portugal blackout MORE: What could cause a nationwide blackout in the UK after Spain and Portugal go dark MORE: Tennis star 'stuck in lift' during Madrid Open power outage with play cancelled
Leaders
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Massive Power Outage Plunges Spain and Portugal into Blackouts-The Guardian
A major power outage struck Spain and Portugal late Monday morning, cutting electricity to millions across both countries, including their capitals, and even affecting parts of southwest France, according to grid operators. The blackout disrupted daily life on a large scale—halting train and metro services, disabling phone lines, shutting down traffic lights, and rendering ATMs and electronic payment systems unusable. Additionally, the cause of the outage and the total number of people affected remain unclear. In response, the Spanish government convened an emergency meeting at the headquarters of the national electricity operator, Red Eléctrica. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and key ministers for finance, environment, and transport attended the session to address what the government described as 'the worst power outage in the country's recent history.' A government statement said authorities are 'working to determine the origin and impact of this incident and are dedicating all resources to resolve it as quickly as possible.' In Portugal In Portugal, the blackout affected the capital, Lisbon, as well as regions in the north and south. Government officials suggested the problem may have originated in Spain. 'It looks like it was a problem with the distribution network, apparently in Spain,' cabinet minister António Leitão Amaro told the national news agency Lusa. The outage caused significant disruptions in both capitals. In Lisbon, metro carriages were evacuated, and payment systems froze. In Madrid and other Spanish cities, traffic lights failed, leading to major congestion and forcing drivers to navigate intersections with extreme caution. The national road authority, DGT, urged citizens to avoid using the roads altogether. El País Moreover, Spanish newspaper El País published photos and videos of stranded metro passengers navigating dark tunnels and police manually directing traffic in Madrid. Some of the newspaper's own journalists were shown working by torchlight. Spain's health ministry said it was coordinating with regional authorities to assess the extent of the blackout, while assuring the public that hospitals were operating on backup systems. Data from the Spanish electricity network showed a dramatic drop in national power demand around 12:15 p.m., plunging from 27,500 megawatts to just under 15,000 megawatts. Finally, the European Commission confirmed it is in contact with authorities in both countries to investigate the cause of the outage. Related Topics : Saudia Halts London Flights Amid Heathrow Power Crisis ACWA Power reports increase in net profit for Q3 and first nine months of 2022 Saudi Arabia, Portugal Form New Business Council to Boost Trade Spain Cancels Purchase of Israeli Weapons after Internal Pressure Short link : Post Views: 6
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Large parts of Spain, Portugal struck by massive power outage
A massive power outage hit Spain and Portugal on Monday, knocking out traffic lights, ATMs and phone lines and forcing the evacuation of subway systems in both countries, reports said. A graph on Spain's electricity network website showing demand across the country indicated a steep drop around 12:15 p.m. local time from 27,500 megawatts to near 15,000, according to the Associated Press. "It looks like it was a problem with the distribution network, apparently in Spain. It's still being ascertained," Portugal Cabinet Minister Leitão Amaro told national news agency Lusa. The exact cause of the outage remains unclear. The Portuguese National Cybersecurity Center issued a statement saying there was no sign the outage was due to a cyberattack. Video that aired on Spanish television showed people evacuating metro stations in Madrid and empty stations with trains stopped in Barcelona. Spain's parliament also was left in the dark, public broadcaster RTVE reported. The ATP Tour said play at the Madrid Open tennis tournament was suspended due to the power outage. In Portugal, several Lisbon subway cars were evacuated, courts stopped work and ATMs and electronic payment systems were affected. Traffic lights in Lisbon also stopped working. Both the Portuguese and Spanish governments convened emergency cabinet meetings to address the situation, according to Reuters. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also visited grid operator Red Eléctrica to follow efforts at restoring power. Eduardo Prieto, head of operations at Red Eléctrica, told journalists it was unprecedented, calling the event "exceptional and extraordinary." "We're beginning to recover power in the north and south of the peninsula, which is key to gradually meeting the electricity supply," Red Eléctrica wrote on X. "This process involves the gradual energization of the transmission grid as the generating units are connected." "The causes are being analyzed, and all resources are being dedicated to addressing the issue," it added.
