Latest news with #Praia
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The tip-off that gives Maddie McCann police their last chance to keep Brueckner behind bars - as German FBI bring in radar to scour trenches and fields looking for the missing Brit girl
Land near the former home of the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is to be searched by police this week. Last night roads were closed and tents set up between the resort in Portugal where the three-year-old vanished 18 years ago, and a house nearby where Christian Brueckner once lived. Prime suspect Brueckner, 48, is in prison in Germany serving seven years for rape and the request for yet another search was made by German police. At least 30 agents from Germany's FBI, the BKA, acted on a tip-off and arrived at the idyllic Portuguese resort. An investigating source told the Sun: 'Following Brueckner's trial last year someone contacted them with theories on where anyone who took Madeleine might've dumped her. 'They told cops about trenches that were dug in Praia at the time Madeleine disappeared, and the house where Brueckner had lived on the edge of the village. 'Of course, all of these places have been searched over and over again, but now they have a new weapon in their ground-scanning radar. It means they don't need to dig for the sake of it. But as soon as they spot anything of interest they are ready to excavate and check it.' They are equipped with ground-penetrating radar technology that can scan up to 15ft below the surface of the ground. A well-placed Portuguese source said: 'The search will take place on 21 privately owned pieces of land which in some cases are not fenced off. 'Wells, ruins and water storage tanks will be searched.' The operation on property between Praia da Luz and a rented cottage on the outskirts of the resort town where Brueckner lived for several years before 2007 is expected to continue until Friday – unless new evidence about Madeleine's disappearance is unearthed. German forensic officers will be accompanying the latest investigation, which will look into wells, ruins and water storage tanks in the area. Portugal's Policia Judiciaria, which has led the hunt for Madeleine, confirmed that the request to search the area was made by German authorities. A source added: 'The search warrant was issued by the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor's Office, which is conducting preliminary proceedings against a German citizen suspected of the murder of British citizen Madeleine Beth McCann, who disappeared from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. 'All the evidence seized by the PJ will… be handed over to the agents of the German Federal Criminal Police Service.' It will be the first search in Portugal for more than two years, following a week-long operation involving Portuguese and German officers at a remote dam a 40-minute-drive from Praia da Luz. The searches in May 2023 at Arade Dam – a spot that Brueckner reportedly called his 'little paradise' – came to nothing. That followed a June 2014 operation when British police were given permission to carry out digs in Praia da Luz. Those digs were linked to a UK police theory that Madeleine died during a break-in and burglars hid her body nearby. Despite the use of sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies and ground-penetrating radar, it also failed to produce any evidence pointing to the youngster's whereabouts. In a smaller operation in July 2020 Portuguese police and firefighters searched three wells for Madeleine's body but failed to find any trace of her. Brueckner is under investigation on suspicion of abduction and murder in the Madeleine case but has denied any involvement. While German investigators made the unusual move of naming him as a suspect in the case, he has not been charged. Brueckner's prison term is set to end with his release this September – much earlier than prosecutors had hoped for after he was acquitted of unrelated sexual offences last October. He is no longer being held in solitary confinement as he nears the end of his sentence. 'The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free,' a source told The Sun. A spokesman for Scotland Yard said that it was aware of the searches but it was not taking part in them.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The tip-off that gives Maddie McCann police their last chance to keep Brueckner behind bars – as German FBI bring in radar to scour trenches and fields looking for the missing Brit girl
Land near the former home of the main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is to be searched by police this week. Last night roads were closed and tents set up between the resort in Portugal where the three-year-old vanished 18 years ago, and a house nearby where Christian Brueckner once lived. Prime suspect Brueckner, 48, is in prison in Germany serving seven years for rape and the request for yet another search was made by German police. At least 30 agents from Germany's FBI, the BKA, acted on a tip-off and arrived at the idyllic Portuguese resort. An investigating source told the Sun: 'Following Brueckner's trial last year someone contacted them with theories on where anyone who took Madeleine might've dumped her. 'They told cops about trenches that were dug in Praia at the time Madeleine disappeared, and the house where Brueckner had lived on the edge of the village. 'Of course, all of these places have been searched over and over again, but now they have a new weapon in their ground-scanning radar. It means they don't need to dig for the sake of it. But as soon as they spot anything of interest they are ready to excavate and check it.' They are equipped with ground-penetrating radar technology that can scan up to 15ft below the surface of the ground. A well-placed Portuguese source said: 'The search will take place on 21 privately owned pieces of land which in some cases are not fenced off. 'Wells, ruins and water storage tanks will be searched.' The operation on property between Praia da Luz and a rented cottage on the outskirts of the resort town where Brueckner lived for several years before 2007 is expected to continue until Friday – unless new evidence about Madeleine's disappearance is unearthed. German forensic officers will be accompanying the latest investigation, which will look into wells, ruins and water storage tanks in the area. Portugal's Policia Judiciaria, which has led the hunt for Madeleine, confirmed that the request to search the area was made by German authorities. A source added: 'The search warrant was issued by the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor's Office, which is conducting preliminary proceedings against a German citizen suspected of the murder of British citizen Madeleine Beth McCann, who disappeared from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. 'All the evidence seized by the PJ will… be handed over to the agents of the German Federal Criminal Police Service.' It will be the first search in Portugal for more than two years, following a week-long operation involving Portuguese and German officers at a remote dam a 40-minute-drive from Praia da Luz. The searches in May 2023 at Arade Dam – a spot that Brueckner reportedly called his 'little paradise' – came to nothing. That followed a June 2014 operation when British police were given permission to carry out digs in Praia da Luz. Those digs were linked to a UK police theory that Madeleine died during a break-in and burglars hid her body nearby. Despite the use of sniffer dogs trained in detecting bodies and ground-penetrating radar, it also failed to produce any evidence pointing to the youngster's whereabouts. In a smaller operation in July 2020 Portuguese police and firefighters searched three wells for Madeleine's body but failed to find any trace of her. Brueckner is under investigation on suspicion of abduction and murder in the Madeleine case but has denied any involvement. While German investigators made the unusual move of naming him as a suspect in the case, he has not been charged. Brueckner's prison term is set to end with his release this September – much earlier than prosecutors had hoped for after he was acquitted of unrelated sexual offences last October. He is no longer being held in solitary confinement as he nears the end of his sentence. 'The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free,' a source told The Sun. A spokesman for Scotland Yard said that it was aware of the searches but it was not taking part in them.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
How to find the perfect African Caribbean island for your holiday - as we reveal the best ones for beautiful beaches, hiking and volcanic adventures
The Republic of Cabo Verde (as it's officially known) comprises 10 islands, of which nine are occupied. But which is right for you? To a passing spaceship, this engaging country of the west coast of Africa must look like a scattering of crumbs. Each island is golden brown, with jagged volcanic edges rimmed by surf. Yet zoom in and differences appear. The eastern islands are biscuit-flat and sifted with sand, while further west they become mountainous and greenery appears. But wherever you go, a friendly welcome awaits. It seldom rains, and the sun always shines. All you need to do is choose the right island. Here's our lowdown... Step into history To understand the archipelago's story, start in Santiago, the rugged and fertile largest island - the first to be settled (by Portugal) in 1462. In fact, Cidade Velha lays claim to being the oldest European city in the tropics. The more recent 18th century capital, Praia, was built on a pedestal of basalt out of reach of pirates. It's an intriguing, charming place with churches, fortifications, cobbled streets, bandstands and fruit-coloured mansions. There's even the odd museum. At the Praia Archaeology Museum, objects found in shipwrecks are displayed. Meanwhile, the House Museum Amilcar Cabral tells the tale of West Africa's Che Guevara, whose umbrella, beanie and Czechoslovakian combat jacket are among the exhibits. Elsewhere, fruit still goes to market balanced on heads. And you can still buy Praia's traditional cloth, panu di tera - so fine it was once used as a currency. Pause at the Café Sofia and enjoy a pastel de nata. Santiago, it seems, is not quite Africa and not quite Portugal but somewhere in between. Beautiful beaches Head to Sal or Boa Vista for beaches that stretch to the horizon, glowing silver and turquoise. Although it may appear that you have them almost to yourself, huge hotels lurk up in the dunes, cunningly designed to blend into the landscape, with some looking like Berber forts. Expect lakesized pools and tropical gardens - they're a fly-and-floppers' heaven. Two hotels is Sal deserve mention. The Morabeza, which opened in the 1960s, is charmingly retro, and comes with a library and two gargantuan billiard tables. The Hilton Cabo Verde Sol resort is more contemporary, bringing a little urban chic to the dunes, with grounds so lush and calm they're home to egrets. Sal's seaside town, Santa Maria, is a more acquired taste: great if you seek a surfboard, tattoo or boozy night out. Hiker's delight Santiago and Fogo are both good for hiking, but the best trails are on Santo Antao. It tops out at 6,493ft (1,979m), with sheer slopes rising dramatically. Yet, somehow, a cobbled road threads upwards through the craters and gorges although you'll need a head for heights; in places the roadside drops terrifyingly away around 3,280ft (1,000m). Most visitors head for the Vale do Paul, which looks like a huge crack in the planet. But there are farms clinging to the sides of this gigantic ravine, and tiny terraces of sugar cane and maize. The sudden greenness of everything is almost blinding. A good place to stop is Cabo da Ribeira. Here the road ends and the donkeys take over. It's the sounds you remember most; the trickle of water; voices singing; a blacksmith's hammer. Life is simple here. The walking is spectacular. While paths are steep - most of the mountains plunge vertically into the ocean - they're often cobbled. The Aldea Panoramica Hotel makes a good base. Musical treats Sao Vicente may seem like an odd spot for a carnival. Until the Age of Steam, it was largely uninhabited but then the British built a coaling station. Now, however, all that's left are the mansions, a Victorian fort, a few yachts and the music. Mindelo, the capital, is often described as 'the prettiest town in West Africa'. One of the world's greatest singers, Cesaria Evora was born here and there are plenty of bars where they belt out her soulful songs. Try Jazzy Bird, La Pergola, Casa Café Mindelo or - my favourite - Le Metalo. The island's annual Carnival begins each Shrove Tuesday; the stunning sound of 100 drums is utterly exhilarating. Volcanic Adventure Of all the islands, Fogo (or 'Fire') is the wildest, tallest and strangest. It's an active volcano and has erupted 27 times during the past 500 years. There have been no fatalities since 1847, and the islanders shrug off the danger. Most of them live out on the slopes of old lava flows. Take a ride up to the volcano's crater. It's five-and-a-half miles across, beautifully black and silent. From here, it's a four-hour trek up the biggest cone, Pico, at 9,281ft (2,829m). Extraordinarily, there are 600 people living inside the crater. During a 2014 eruption, both their villages were destroyed. A few buildings have been excavated since, and there's a scorched-looking bar, while the old hotel still lies under 20ft (6m) of lava. Otherwise, it's business as usual. But Fogo isn't just about lava. The main town, Sao Filipe, looks colourfully Cuban and is being lavishly restored. Stay out on the cliffs at the four-star Bamboo Xaguate Hotel and try some volcanic rosé on the town square. Sao Filipe even has its own beach (with sand as black as midnight).
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Cabo Verde's Digital Transformation in full expansion with African Development Bank Support
Technology Park positioned to make Cabo Verde a global digital hub with world-class facilities AfDB President honored with Cabo Verde's highest public service award for a decade of transformative leadership Cabo Verde marked a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey on Monday, 5 May, with the official inauguration of TechPark CV ( a strategic infrastructure project backed by the African Development Bank Group ( The island nation's Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and African Development Bank Group head Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, led the inauguration of the facility at a ceremony attended by hundreds of government officials, international partners, entrepreneurs, and academia. The celebration, held at TechPark CV's main campus in Praia, continued in Mindelo on Tuesday. The EUR 51.85 million project, developed in two phases with EUR 45.5 million in African Development Bank financing, has rapidly evolved from concept to a thriving technology center since operations began in November 2023. Within just 18 months, the park now hosts 23 companies from 7 countries, employs 311 young professionals, and has reached full occupancy of its 52 office spaces. Prime Minister Correia e Silva emphasized the park's world-class facilities: "The tech park is a good environment to connect startups and more mature companies. I have visited many tech parks around the world, and this one is not behind any of them. In fact, it is one of the best. With 311 professionals employed here across 23 companies serving international markets, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, this speaks directly to our vision of turning Cabo Verde into a Digital Island for the globe." He outlined two main objectives – the first, to position Cabo Verde as a digital hub for Africa and the rest of the world, exporting quality digital services, and the second, to create quality jobs and attract diaspora talents. He highlighted the fact of Cabo Verde's strong diaspora, which cannot be ignored, and the government's role in leveraging its skills to build and reinforce capabilities at the Tech Park. The Prime Minister added, "We also know that the state is an important economic agent. We can either facilitate or complicate it. So, we choose to facilitate, not complicate it. We would like to build a very solid foundation to sustain this digital ecosystem, reinforcing education and strengthening our informal economy with digital commerce and skills because we know that Digital is transversal." Dr. Adesina, who led a delegation from the African Development Bank Group to the event, highlighted the strategic importance of the technology park. "This is a great day for Cabo Verde, to celebrate the success of your vision to transform the country into a 'Cyber Island,' a digital hub, a digital gateway to West Africa -- an important digital hub to attract tech businesses from around the world. The future is very bright for innovative young entrepreneurs in Africa. This is driven by the rapid expansion of the digital economy, which will add $180 billion to Africa's GDP by 2025 and $712 billion by 2050," he said. "You had doubters, with some questioning the rationale of a small country like Cabo Verde having a technology park. Some even said this was going to be a white elephant project. But you were undaunted. You stayed true to your vision. Well, time has proven you right! The white elephant is running, full steam,' he added. The TechPark CV includes fully equipped facilities such as a Data Centre, Disaster Recovery Site, Business Center, Incubation Center, Civic Event Center, and Training and Qualification Center across its Praia and Mindelo campuses. Operating as a special economic zone, it offers tax exemptions on technology imports and income tax to attract companies. The park has expanded its training programs from 6 in 2023 to 50 in the first quarter of 2025, upskilling 2,769 people in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development. Since opening, the park's operational revenue has grown by more than 4,300%. The African Development Bank is the largest development partner in ICT in Cabo Verde through the Praia Technology Park, for which it has provided $57 million for Phases 1 and 2 project. The Bank's investment in Cabo Verde's Technology Park aligns with its Digital Transformation Action Plan, focusing on scaling inclusive digital infrastructure, investing in digital entrepreneurship and skills, and driving sectoral adoption of digitalization. During the ceremony Adesina was awarded Cabo Verde's highest public service medal in recognition of his decade of transformative leadership at the African Development Bank and his unwavering support for Cabo Verde's development initiatives. The three-day program will include panel discussions on digital transformation, workshops on emerging technologies, and a startup pitch competition, showcasing Cabo Verde's pioneering role in Africa's digital landscape. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Images : Contact: Natalie Nkembuh Communication and External Relations Department media@ About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
