---

Ogier fastest in Rally Portugal Shakedown

One of the stars of this year's Rally New Zealand, Sebastien Ogier, was the fastest driver at the pre-event shakedown for Vodafone Rally de Portugal earlier today, with former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg his closest rival.…   read more»

Ronaldo carries the weight of a nation

The Portuguese public want to know whether Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player, will translate his tremendous club form into performances for his national side at the World Cup.…   read more»

Cape Verde Islands shock Portugal

Portugal's World Cup build-up took a shocking turn on Monday night as a full-strength side failed to put a goal past the Cape Verde Islands. …   read more»

Portugal no-confidence vote fails, govt seen stable

LISBON, May 21 (Reuters) - Portugal's parliament rejected a no-confidence motion against the minority Socialist government on Friday, confirming the main opposition party's backing for the cabinet's austerity plan and defusing the risk of snap elections until 2011, analysts said. "This vote shows that political stability should prevail at least until March 2011, or through all of 2011," said political scientist Antonio Costa Pinto.…   read more»

Volcanic ash closes airports in Spain, Italy and Portugal

A plume of volcanic ash snaked its way through southern France, Switzerland and northern Italy on Sunday, shutting down airports and disrupting flights across Europe.…   read more»