Inquerito

Acredita na inocênciados McCann?
· A - Sim

· B - Não

· C - Não existem dados suficientes para emitiropinião

-->Resultados

A Dog's Life In Japan

Updated 11:26, Wednesday August 29, 2007
Dogs are big business in Japan where owners lavish their pet pooches with spa treatments, fashion wear and even their own gyms and jacuzzis. Here a dog in a Halloween costume takes part in a parade in Tokyo's Harajuku Omotesando district.
1/15
Next

Courtesy from Sky News

GUANTANAMO INMATES 'UNDIE' INVESTIGATION

Two prisoners at Guantanamo have been found wearing contraband underwear - sparking a probe to determine if their lawyers are supplying them with more than legal briefs.
Both prisoners were caught wearing Under Armour briefs and one also had on a Speedo bathing suit.

These are items the US military said were not issued by Guantanamo personnel nor sent through the regular mail.
A Department of Defence letter, sent last month by the Navy Judge Advocate General to a lawyer for one of the prisoners, noted both detainees are represented by the British human rights group Reprieve.

The note suggested their lawyers may have "surreptitiously" provided the unauthorised undergarments.
"We are investigating this matter to determine the origins of the above contraband and ensure that parties who may have been
involved understand the seriousness of this transgression," the letter said.
One of the lawyers, Clive Stafford Smith, said the suggestion that he or the other attorney smuggled underwear to prisoners was "patently absurd".

McCanns May Face Hefty Legal Bill

Updated 16:08, Wednesday September 12, 2007
With his thick red hair and long face, this Sumatran orang-utan looks like a mighty King of the Jungle.
But in fact his species is under severe threat of being toppled - by human inteference.

1/9
Next

Courtesy by Sky News

McCanns 'Not Cracking Up' Under Strain

A friend of Gerry and Kate McCann has said the couple are not "cracking up" under the weight of allegations and public scrutiny over the disappearance of their daughter.


The friend's defence came as the McCanns met their lawyers.
The friend, who works with Mr McCann at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital, visited the consultant cardiologist and his wife, a GP, at their house in Rothley earlier his week.
He said he spoke for all his colleagues: "We all feel that they are facing an added burden [with the police investigation] which is barely credible.
"It's very tough. I am concerned that the press attention is intensifying.
"It's a lot of stress but they are coping very well. They are not cracking up but they are under pressure."
The couple's new lawyers are Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride, who work for London legal firm Kingsley Napley.
"Cleary the McCanns are bedding in for what they have to do to maintain their safety and to keep going, for the time being, the hunt for Madeleine."

The meeting comes amid another slew of reports in the British and Continental media about the case.
French newspaper France Soir claimed traces of sedatives had been found in hairs said to have belonged to Madeleine, which were found in the boot of the family's hire car.
The car has been at the centre of the Portuguese police forensic investigation.

Portuguese officers reportedly found blood and other body fluids in the vehicle, which was hired by the McCanns 25 days after Madeleine disappeared on May 3.
Madeleine's aunt said family members would be willing to sell their homes to pay any legal fees run up by the McCanns.
Mr McCann's sister, Philomena, told BBC Radio Scotland: "It's a possibility, yes.
"These things happen. Money and property is not as important as family and love, is it? Not to me anyway."
She also refused to discount reports that the couple are set to hire a new PR consultant, reported to be former News Of The World editor Phil Hall.

McCanns May Face Hefty Legal Bill

The parents of Madeleine McCann may have to sell their home to cover legal fees, if they are charged over the young girl’s disappearance, Sky’s Andrew Wilson reports from Portimao, Portugal.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

O tempo das cidades

Omundo está na «alvorada de um milénio urbano». Quem o afirma são os autores do relatório «Situação da população mundial em 2007 - libertar o potencial de crescimento urbano», recentemente publicado pelas Nações Unidas. Os argumentos são irrefutáveis em 2008, e pela primeira vez na sua história, mais de metade da população do globo, ou seja 3.300 milhões de habitantes, viverá em centros urbanos; em 2030 este valor rondará os 5 000 milhões, cerca de 81% dos habitantes do planeta. O crescimento urbano será particularmente intenso e rápido em África e na Ásia, onde, em apenas 30 anos, a população urbana duplicará, e relativamente mais lento na Europa e na América do Norte (menos de 10%).

Portugal acompanha de perto esta tendência. Nas últimas duas décadas, a população urbana portuguesa passou de 3 para 6 milhões de pessoas, devendo continuar a crescer até 2010 a um ritmo de 1,5% ao ano. Um valor que, no velho continente, só será superado pela Albânia e pela Irlanda, e que colocará o nosso país mais próximo da média europeia (65% contra 72%). Mas, claro está, os indicadores nacionais escondem realidades territoriais díspares. O crescimento da população urbana tem sido muito forte no Litoral, e em particular nas regiões metropolitanas do Porto e Lisboa, e relativamente fraco no Interior. A título de exemplo, refira-se que, em 2001, a população residente em localidades com mais de 2000 habitantes representava apenas 24 % da população total em Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, mas na Área Metropolitana do Porto já ultrapassava os 73%.

Todos estes números demonstram a urgência imperiosa do debate sobre o futuro do mundo rural e das cidades ou das cidades e do Interior, como o preferiu intitular um dos cronistas deste jornal. O fenómeno da urbanização parece inelutável. Não o podemos ignorar e duvido que o consigamos contrariar. Tanto mais que, na era industrial, nenhum país foi capaz de crescer economicamente sem urbanização. Mas podemos e devemos reflectir sobre as suas consequências e desafios, sobre os modelos de desenvolvimento, urbano e rural, que temos vindo a adoptar nas últimas décadas e sobre as visões ideológicas, os paradigmas teóricos, as políticas públicas e os programas de acção que os têm sustentado.

No que diz respeito ao Interior, a minha convicção é de que o seu futuro se joga nas suas vilas e cidades. Bem sei que esta afirmação é para muitos uma verdadeira heresia. Mas o estancamento da sangria demográfica depende, em grande medida, do seu dinamismo e da sua capacidade para atrair e fixar pessoas, actividades, recursos e energias. Ou seja, atingir a tão famigerada massa crítica que permita gerar iniciativas, alargar os factores de competitividade, racionalizar e tornar sustentáveis infra-estruturas, equipamentos e serviços públicos.

A aposta nas vilas e cidades do Interior deve, pois, privilegiar muito mais do que uma mera extensão dos processos de urbanização. Para além de evitar erros passados ou alheios (caos urbanístico, social e ambiental), o que está em causa é a reconstrução das suas bases económicas e produtivas, tornando-as menos dependentes das actividades tradicionais e dos serviços públicos. Promovendo e apoiando, por exemplo, a criação e a instalação de empresas que explorem recursos locais, vantagens competitivas e oportunidades de mercado. O desafio é imenso e o caminho a percorrer é longo e difícil. Mas não é impossível de vencer e percorrer. Desde que aprendamos com os bons exemplos e tenhamos coragem para agir.

"Tive um momento em que me perdi"

Luiz Felipe Scolari pediu ontem desculpa ao povo português, aos futebolistas lusos, à Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF) e à UEFA pela tentativa de agressão de anteontem à noite, no Estádio José de Alvalade, em Lisboa. Uma mudança radical de discurso se recordarmos as suas palavras logo a seguir ao encontro frente à Sérvia, quando argumentou que tudo o que acontecera fora "simples" e "normal". A limpeza de imagem começou às 18.30 horas (mais de 20 horas depois dos acontecimentos), em directo televisivo e radiofónico proveniente da sede da Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF). Depois, mais tarde, no programa "Grande Entrevista", a cargo da jornalista Judite de Sousa, continuou a defesa pessoal, garantindo que não vê razões para apresentar a demissão.

Nos dois momentos de grande impacto mediático, reconheceu que "foi uma noite infeliz para todos" e salientou igualmente estar preparado para sofrer as consequências do acto, agora à mercê da UEFA. O organismo europeu pronuncia-se sobre o assunto na quarta-feira. A moldura penal, segundo os regulamentos da UEFA, varia entre a simpels multa e a irradiação. No ano passado, a UEFA castigou com vários meses de suspensão jogadores do Inter de Milão e do Valência que se envolveram em pancadaria após o final de um jogo da Liga dos Campeões.

Relativamente à FPF, também lhe foi instaurado um processo. Realçou todavia que tem o apoio de Gilberto Madail. "Disse-me que continua do meu lado, mas alertou-me para o facto de ser necessário a instauração de um inquérito. Espero que este processo apure toda a verdade. Eu fui o agredido, nunca tive a intenção de agredir ninguém", sublinhou.

Apesar do arrependimento - na declaração monocórdica de breves minutos na sede, utilizou a palavra "desculpa" em cinco ocasiões - , voltou a apontar o dedo a Dragutinovic sem nunca referenciar o seu nome. "Entendo as palavras em espanhol dirigidas à minha família (sublinhe-se que o atleta sérvio fala castelhano visto actuar no Sevilha desde 2005). Tapa na minha mão, também sei o que dói. Mas, em determinado momento, mesmo uma pessoa racional, normal, que tenha em mente não errar, às vezes erra. Tive um momento em que me perdi", salientou.

Scolari disse depois o que se passou com exactidão. "Foi um erro ter-me envolvido. Sei que não é condizente com a posição ou com a liderança que ocupo. Naquele momento, ia determinado para que não houvesse um problema sério entre o Ricardo Quaresma e o adversário. Foi isso que iniciou tudo mas institivamente tive aquela atitude. Não me dei conta e houve aquele reflexo de punho fechado, uma reacção... Só fiz o raciocínio certo quando acordei de manhã e vi o que se estava a passar".

Acompanhado do staff, onde se destacou o fiel adjunto Flávio "Murtosa" e o assessor pessoal Acaz Fellegger, Scolari tentou recuperar a confiança dos adeptos. "Nunca pensei em demitir-se. Sei bem o valor do trabalho que realizei".

O sargentão disse também perceber o tom altamente negativo das críticas provenientes do Governo. "Entendo tudo e têm razão! As imagens têm passado no Mundo inteiro".

Jogadores solidários

Ao longo do dia, as reacções multiplicaram-se. Uma das mais significativas chegou dos próprios 23 elementos convocados por Scolari para os jogos com a Polónia e Sérvia, onde se inclui... Pepe. "No estrito interesse do país e dos jogadores da selecção e depois de agressões verbais por parte dos jogadores adversários e de tentativa de agressão a um dos nossos atletas, o seleccionador nacional saiu em defesa do jogador em causa e do grupo de forma emotiva, própria de quem vive o futebol com paixão. Não podemos deixar que a repercussão pública de uma história, que nunca tem só um lado, faça esquecer a forma como o seleccionador esteve sempre ao lado dos jogadores e do país, mesmo nas situações mais difíceis", pode ler-se.

Madail à margem do discurso de ontem de Scolari

Gilberto Madail recusou ontem comentar o episódio da tentativa de agressão de Scolari a Dragutinovic. Em conversa com o JN, admitiu, no entanto, que falou com o sargentão antes do seu pedido de desculpas. "É uma conversa que ficou apenas entre nós. Não a vou revelar", sublinhou. Ainda assim, o presidente da Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF) garante que não conhecia o conteúdo das palavras que viriam a ser proferidas por Scolari. "Asseguro que vi a sua declaração às 18.30 horas sem saber de nada! Não fazia ideia do que iria dizer". No seu entender, houve enorme independência de acção entre a direcção da FPF e o treinador, naquelas últimas horas. "Nós fizémos o que entendemos ser o melhor e ele fez o que entendeu ser também o melhor. A Federação abriu um processo de inquérito aos factos que envolveram o sr. Scolari, que incluem a recolha e análise das imagens do jogo, os depoimentos dos intervenientes e, claro, os relatórios da UEFA. Por seu lado, o sr. Scolari fez hoje (ontem) o que toda a gente viu e ouviu".

Scientists Solve Sticky Problem

Local councils look set to save millions of pounds if a non-stick chewing gum proves a hit with consumers.


Scientists say the gum they have created is easily removed from roads, pavements, hair and clothes.
The gum also degrades in water, meaning any of the sticky stuff which is left on pavements will disappear in the rain.
The scientists behind the product will become gumless within 24 hours.
That is good news for local authorities.
They spend more than £150m a year removing the sticky stuff from streets and pavements.

Clean Gum was developed by Revolymer, a spin-off company from the University of Bristol.
But it will be up to consumers to decide whether they like the low-tack gum, or leave it sticking to the supermarket shelves.
Revolymer chief scientific officer Professor Terence Cosgrove said: "The advantage of our Clean Gum is that it has a great taste, it is easy to remove and has the potential to be environmentally degradable."

Crash Victim Wakes Up Speaking English

A Czech motorcycle racer who was involved in a smash that saw another biker ride over his head came round and started speaking perfect English.
Speedway rider Matej Kus had only mastered a few basic phrases of the language at the time he was knocked off his bike during a race in the UK.

He had been competing for Berwick Bandits in an away match against the Glasgow Tigers - and had only flown into the country the day before.
After the smash he was unconscious for 45 minutes, then came round and amazed his team-mates by asking questions in perfect English - with no trace of an accent.
Unfortunately, his new-found language skills did not last.

After the bang on the head - which split his helmet open - he lost his memory for 48 hours.
But when it returned he forgot the English he had miraculously learned.
Now back in the Czech Republic, he said through an interpreter that he wanted to earn English properly.
"Hopefully I can pick some English up so I'll be able to speak it without someone having to hit me over the head," he explained.

Waiter! I Want The Hedgehog For Dinner

Roast hedgehog, nettle pudding and smokey stew, which can be traced back more than 8,000 years, are among the oldest British recipes, researchers have revealed.

They said the ancient culinary delights were first recorded in 6,000 BC.
Ruth Fairchild of the Food Science Department at the University Of Wales Institute in Cardiff spent two months finding the definitive list of the oldest recorded recipes.
Records show nettle pudding to be the oldest recipe, closely followed in chronological order by smokey stew, meat pudding, barley bread and roast hedgehog.
The research was commissioned by UKTV Food to celebrate the start of new series The Peoples Cookbook.

The series gives an insight into the tastes of the UK, thousands of years ago, and found that some of the dishes have been passed down through the generations, evolving into modern staples.
The research found the popular stuffed dates and elderberry patina was a familiar feature of Roman mealtimes.
The Romans also introduced beating eggs to make custards, cakes and fruit breads, with the added flavour of sweet fruits and nuts.
Dr Fairchild said: "Some of the recipes we found dated as far back as 6,000 BC, which is truly astonishing."

McCanns See Lawyers Amid Media Claims

Gerry and Kate McCann are meeting their lawyers to consider what steps to take next in the fight to prove they did not kill their daughter Madeleine.


The McCanns left their Rothley home this morning with their twins Sean and Amelie and a relative.
They are being represented by Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride, who work for London legal firm Kingsley Napley.
The firm acted on behalf of former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet.
"Cleary the McCanns are bedding in for what they have to do to maintain their safety and to keep going, for the time being, the hunt for Madeleine," said Sky News Correspondent Andrew Wilson.
The meeting comes amid another slew of reports in the British and Continental media about the case.
French newspaper France Soir claimed traces of sedatives had been found in hairs said to have belonged to Madeleine, which were found in the boot of the family's hire car.
The car has been at the centre of the Portuguese police forensic investigation.
Portuguese officers reportedly found blood and other body fluids in the vehicle, which was hired by the McCanns 25 days after Madeleine disappeared on May 3.
Meanwhile, Madeleine's aunt said family members would be willing to sell their homes to pay any legal fees run up by the McCanns.
Mr McCann's sister, Philomena, told BBC Radio Scotland: "It's a possibility, yes.
"These things happen. Money and property is not as important as family and love, is it? Not to me anyway."
She also refused to discount reports that the couple are set to hire a new PR consultant, reported to be former News Of The World editor Phil Hall.
She added: "If you look at how they had to travel back from Portugal and how their house, outside, is camped with media, you can't expect to live normal lives because of the constant scrutiny.
"Because of 24-hour news and the insatiable appetite that people have for news and what's going on, it's just become very difficult for them.
"More than anything, they want some normality for the children."

McCanns May Face Hefty Legal Bill

The parents of Madeleine McCann may have to sell their home to cover legal fees, if they are charged over the young girl’s disappearance, Sky’s Andrew Wilson reports from Portimao, Portugal.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

24-Carat Rubbish Bin Goes On Show

From beer bottles to food scraps, people throw away all kinds of rubbish.
But would you think twice about dumping such things in a bin made of gold?

pedal bin made from 24-carat gold will go on show at an interiors exhibition in Scotland next weekend.
But Britons wanting to purchase the made-to-order bin, produced by Danish design company Vipp, will have to hand over a whopping £2,000.
Other pieces in the Golden Vipp Collection include a toilet brush holder selling for £1,600.

Vipp spokesman Allan Soerensen said: "We are delighted to be presenting the Golden Vipp Collection to the world for the first time at the Homes & Interiors Scotland Exhibition.
"Despite the expensive price tag, we are already receiving orders for the golden products from stylish homeowners across the world."
Around 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the interiors show at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Kate McCann's Diary 'Is Leaked'

Portuguese newspapers are claiming to have seen Kate McCann's diary and have published what they say are extracts.

The notes talk about how all her energy is taken up by the children - especially Madeleine, who is very active.
The papers claim police saw the diary lying open in the villa the McCanns rented after Madeleine went missing.
They say there was no diary entry on May 3 when the four-year-old disappeared.
However, Sky News' crime correspondent Martin Brunt is sceptical about the authenticity of the excerpts.
"There has been lots of speculation in the Portuguese press and the fact there are no direct quotes in the story makes me a little suspicious," he said.
The claims also include reports of British sniffer dogs detecting the scent of a corpse on a route that led from the Ocean Club to the church in Praia da Luz. The scent was also picked up on Mrs McCann's shirt and jeans and on the Cuddle Cat toy, it is alleged.
Sky News has learned that Portuguese officials are asking British police to seize crucial items of evidence from the McCanns' family home.

It is understood detectives already have Mrs McCann's private diary.
Brunt said they will examine the diary to probe her "state of mind" in the weeks following Madeleine's disappearance in the Algarve.
It is thought they may also take Gerry McCann's laptop and Cuddle Cat - Madeleine's favourite toy - which has become an iconic image of the case.
A judge in Portugal has signed a warrant which will instruct British officers to go to the couple's four-bedroom house in Rothley, Leicestershire.
Officers may go to the house today. The two 39-year-old doctors are spending the day there with their twins.
Mr McCann's sister, Philomena McCann, said the possibility that police might seize the toy was a "disgrace".
Family spokesman David Hughes could not confirm the report, but said he believed Cuddle Cat had already undergone forensic testing.

Mr McCann took the laptop with him when the family flew home from Portugal on Sunday, and has used it to write his regular blog on the Find Madeleine website.
But Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said detectives will be more interested in his private email correspondence.
Their family's spokeswoman Justine McGuinness explained why the McCanns have remained silent over the past days - in stark contrast to their earlier publicity campaign.
She said: "Kate and Gerry can't talk to people at the moment because of their status, and they are trying to observe Portuguese law."
But when they arrived back in the UK on Sunday they categorically denied they had anything to do with their daughter's disappearance.
This week, detectives passed their 4,000-page dossier of evidence against the couple to Algarve-based public prosecutor Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses.
He immediately ordered that the 10 files should go before a judge.
Meanwhile, the McCanns have announced they will not use money raised for the fund to find Madeleine to pay for their legal defence.
They are facing the prospect of being charged over their daughter's disappearance after police named them as "arguidos", or formal suspects, during questioning last Friday.

Sky Man In Portugal
Sky News has learned that British police are preparing to help the Portuguese authorities gather evidence from Madeleine McCann's parents. It is understood prosecutors want to seize Kate McCann's diary, a laptop and correspondence. Martin Brunt reports.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

Who's The Daddy? It's This Big Bomb!

Russia has released pictures of what it says is a successful test of the world's most powerful non-nuclear bomb.


State television showed footage of the device exploding in an intense fireball combined with a devastating blast, causing a nuclear bomb-like mushroom cloud and a massive shockwave.
The Russian device has been nicknamed the "Father Of All Bombs" because it is said to be four times as powerful as the US-developed Massive Ordnance Air Blast, which was dubbed the Mother Of All Bombs.
Its explosion is equivalent to 44 tonnes of regular explosives, and the blast area covers an area of 300m, the report said.

"The tests have shown that the new air-delivered ordnance is comparable to a nuclear weapon in its efficiency and capability," said Colonel General Alexander Rukshin, a deputy chief of the Russian military's general staff.
Unlike a nuclear weapon, the bomb does not pose an environmental threat from the release of radiation, he added.
He said the new bomb would allow the military to "protect the nation's security and confront international terrorism in any situation and any region".

The test comes at a time of heightened tension between Russia and the West.
The US angered the Kremlin with plans to station nuclear weapons near its borders as part of a new missile defence system.
Russian leaders, who have been accused of bypassing the democratic process, are widely perceived to be trying to restore the country's military clout to levels not seen since the Cold War.
Last month, President Vladimir Putin ordered a resumption of regular patrol flights of strategic bombers that had been suspended after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union.

Russia Tests 'The Father Of All Bombs'

The most powerful non-nuclear bomb has been successfully tested, according to Russia. See the explosion cause a mushroom cloud and a massive shockwave. It has been dubbed "the father of all bombs".

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

Transplant Woman Meets Her Own Heart

A woman has spoken of her shock after coming face to face with the heart that almost killed her.


Transplant patient Jennifer Sutton visited the Wellcome Collection exhibition in London where the organ is being displayed.
The 23-year-old underwent an operation to replace her heart after developing the condition restrictive cardiomyopathy in her teens.
She said: "My initial reaction was 'Oh yuk!'
"But then I thought it was slightly surreal and amazing at the same time when I saw it in the flesh."
Ironically, the animal science graduate is used to dissecting hearts for her studies.
Examining the heart she was born with, she added: "The way the disease progresses, it should have been distended but it looked quite normal - if a little small."

Jennifer added: "I was really curious and excited to see it. But now I'm just concentrating on loving my new heart."
She said she plans to write to the family of the donor to thank them. "I'm indebted to them - I always will be."
The condition made her heart muscles stiffen, leaving her tired and making it difficult to breathe.
The disease eventually causes death and a transplant is the only cure.
The operation took place at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, which gave the organ to the Wellcome Collection to help increase public awareness about organ donation.
Looking to the future, Jennifer told how the operation had changed her life.
She said: "Before, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, but now the world is my oyster."

Police Bid To Seize Kate McCann's Diary

Prosecutors in the Madeleine McCann investigation have made an emergency application to seize her mother's private diary.


The judge in the case, Pedro Miguel dos Anjos Frias, has less than 24 hours to decide whether to grant the order.
Police sources believe Kate McCann's diary may hold clues to her daughter's disappearance.
The McCanns' spokesman David Hughes refused to comment on the development as he left the family house in Rothley, Leicestershire.
He faced the media circus waiting outside the couple's £600,000 four-bedroom home shortly after the family returned from a trip to a nearby park
When asked how the McCanns were, he replied: "They had a nice day out for a while. They seem fine."
He confirmed that the couple would return to Portugal if called in by police.
Earlier, it was reported the police wanted to confiscate Madeleine's toys, including her favourite Cuddle Cat.
Mr McCann's sister, Philomena McCann, said the possibility that police might seize the toy was a "disgrace".
"It would be extremely distressing for Kate because she has seen it as a symbol of her daughter since she went missing," she added.
She went on: "Why on earth do they ask for the toys now? Why didn't they think of this before?"
The judge is also sifting through a 4,000-page police dossier as Madeleine's parents face an agonising wait to learn if they will be charged over her disappearance.
He has 10 days to consider the contents - said to be stored in 10 lever arch files.

But a friend of the McCanns, who was quoting legal sources, believes it could take the judge weeks to go through the papers.
"Our understanding is there's no filtering process whatsoever - everything is in there," he said. "The judge has had the kitchen sink thrown at him."
It is not known if prosecutor Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses is recommending charging Kate and Gerry McCann over their daughter's disappearance.
Lawyers in Portugal say it is more likely he wants to carry out fresh searches, conduct more interviews, or impose stricter bail conditions.
Officers are planning new searches in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine went missing, including digging around the village church of Nossa Senhora da Luz, according to Portuguese newspapers.
Police spokesman Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa refused to confirm or deny the reports.
It is known Kate and Gerry McCann, both 39-year-old doctors, were given a key to the church so they could go and pray for their daughter any time they wanted.
There is no sign yet of any searches being carried out at the church, which still has yellow and green Madeleine ribbons on the pews and altar.
Sky News Online's Kate Sullivan, who flew back from Portugal with the McCanns, said: "It's a small, well-tended church just up from the beach.
"But around the back there's a fenced-off building site area. The ground's been dug up and workmen are laying foundations."
Mr and Mrs McCann were declared "arguidos", or formal suspects, in the case during police questioning in Portimao last Friday.
They flew out of the country to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, two days later.

McCanns Leave House
A spokesman for Gerry and Kate McCann has confirmed the couple will not be using cash, which was donated to help find their daughter, to cover legal fees. The couple could be charged over four-year-old Madeleine’s disappearance.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

Flight Delays Get My Goat

Airline officials in Nepal have sacrificed two goats in a bid to stop aircraft technical problems.

The animals were killed in front of a Boeing 757 plane at the international airport in Kathmandu after it developed an electrical fault.
They hoped the gift would please the Hindu sky God Akash Bhairab, and in return he would bless the plane, local media reported.
Nepal airlines, which has two Boeing aircraft, has had to suspend some services in recent weeks due to the problem.

Officials claimed the sacrifice - performed in accordance with Hindu traditions - worked and services are now back to normal.
"The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights" said airline official Raju KC.
The area is home to the Newa people, whose culture is rich in pageantry and rituals.
In one bizarre custom, menstruating girls are separated from boys and kept in a dark room for 12 days.
On the 12th day, the girl then pays homage to the sun.

Related Media

Clever Goats Invade Village 13/01/07
Clinton Offered 40 Goats 25/07/05
Goat Man Sentenced 15/03/02

Bodily Fluids - Not Blood - In McCann Car

Bodily fluids - not blood - matching Madeleine McCann's DNA have been found in the car hired by her parents, according to sources.

The sample was taken from the boot, where the spare tyre is kept.
It had an 88% match with the missing four-year-old's DNA, sources said.
Police searching the car also found so much of Madeleine's hair that it could not have been transferred from a blanket or clothes.
It must have come directly from her body, sources said.
The information came from senior sources in the investigation who briefed Portuguese journalists.
It follows last night's revelation by Sky News that detectives had found DNA evidence that Madeleine's body had been in the boot of the hire car.
Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: "The Portuguese press reports have been reasonably accurate in reflecting what's going on in the thoughts, and the direction, of detectives.
"It sounds like what we reported last night is being born out."

The news comes as Portuguese prosecutors received all of the files of evidence on the McCanns from police investigating the four-year-old's disappearance.
The prosecutors are now expected to review reports of three samples of Madeleine's DNA found by detectives.
They will then decide whether to charge the McCanns with an offence.
Sky sources said last night that a full DNA match to Madeleine was found in the boot of a car hired by Gerry and Kate McCann five weeks after their daughter went missing.
"Police say it is the most damning evidence that has been returned by the tests," said Brunt.
As prosecutors analyse the evidence, Mr and Mrs McCann are enduring the tense wait for news at their home in Rothley, Leicestershire.
Both have been named by police as suspects in their daughter's disappearance on May 3 in the Algarve.
Family spokesman Brian Kennedy, who is Madeleine's great uncle, said of the family: "They are holding up extremely well."

Sky Man On Latest Developments

Portuguese police claim to have found a full DNA match which links Madeleine McCann's body to a hire car rented by her parents five weeks after she went missing. Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt has the latest.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

PJ admite que regresso dos McCann a casa dificulta investigações

Ministério Público de Portimão recebe hoje o inquérito sobre o desaparecimento de Madeleine

O regresso a Inglaterra dos pais da criança inglesa desaparecida no Algarve, constituídos arguidos no processo, vai dificultar as investigações da Polícia Judiciária, admitiu hoje à Lusa o porta-voz da PJ para o caso.Olegário Sousa disse hoje que o regresso dos pais de Maddie McCann a Rothley, Inglaterra, "pode dificultar as investigações", nomeadamente quando houver "necessidade de novos interrogatórios" a Kate e Gerry McCann."Em caso de necessidade de novos interrogatórios, o facto de os pais terem ido para Inglaterra pode dificultar, porque obriga ao cumprimento de prazos legais", explicou o inspector-chefe à agência Lusa. Além disso, adiantou, as convocatórias para eventuais novas inquirições "terão de ser feitas através do advogado" do casal.Questionado sobre o facto de os pais poderem recusar deslocar-se a Portugal para serem interrogados, o porta-voz da PJ referiu que "a lei portuguesa tem mecanismos para os obrigar a depor". "A lei portuguesa tem mecanismos para fazer com que os arguidos compareçam para interrogatório mesmo que não o queiram", disse Olegário Sousa, dando como exemplo a possibilidade de emissão de um mandado internacional de captura. Porém, na opinião do porta-voz, a emissão do mandado "será a última coisa a acontecer", ressalvando a convicção de que "não há interesse da parte dos arguidos em dificultar mais a situação para o lado deles". O porta-voz referiu ainda que a PJ vai entregar hoje ao procurador do Ministério Público de Portimão o inquérito sobre o desaparecimento da criança de quatro anos, nomeadamente sobre os resultados laboratoriais e a inquirição aos pais que decorreu quinta e sexta-feira passadas. Relativamente à situação processual do primeiro arguido do processo, o luso-britânico Robert Murat, o porta-voz da PJ limitou-se a dizer que "é da responsabilidade do procurador titular do inquérito" tomar uma decisão de o manter ou não como arguido.

WORKMEN HID VIKING LONGSHIP UNDER PUB

Builders who uncovered the remains of a Viking ship in a pub cellar did what any self-respecting workmen would do - they hid it, just like their foreman told them.


Instead they told no one, knocked down the Railway Inn in Meols, rebuilt it further from the road and turned the old pub into a car park.
Fifty years on, one of the builders mentioned it to his son who drew a sketch and passed it on to the local university.
Now archaeologists believe their find was a 1,000-year-old Viking longship and could be one of Britain's most significant archaeological finds.
Viking expert Professor Stephen Harding, of the University of Nottingham, used ground-penetrating radar equipment to pinpoint the ship's whereabouts.
He is now seeking funds to pay for a major archaeological dig to excavate the site.
Prof Harding said: "Although we still don't know what sort of vessel it is, it's very old for sure and its Nordic clinker design, position and location suggests it may be a transport vessel from the Viking settlement period if, not long afterwards.

"It is speculation at the moment but at least we now know exactly where to look to find out. How it got there is also hard to say. It is some distance from the present coastline and probably the old one too. It might have got to its present position after flooding and sinking into an old marsh."

Meols, on Merseyside's Wirral peninsula, is known to have one of Britain's best preserved Viking settlements, buried deep beneath the village and nearby coastal defences.
The vessel is thought to lie beneath 6ft to 10ft (2m to 3m) of waterlogged clay - a natural preservative - under the Railway Inn and its car park.
Workers unearthed the vessel in 1938 but were told by the foreman to cover it over again - he knew that an archaeological dig would delay construction.
Prof Harding thinks there is a possibility of accessing the boat from the pub cellar, which could eventually allow members of the public to view it.


Viking Hoard Found 19/07/07
Lowdown On Treasure Discoveries 19/07/07
The Annual Viking Festival

PROSECUTOR TO CONSIDER MCCANN CHARGES

Papers outlining the evidence against Gerry and Kate McCann are expected to be passed to the Public Prosecutor in Portugal today.

With the couple back in their home in Rothley, Leicestershire, the prosecutor will consider any charges against them over daughter Madeleine's disappearance on May 3, Portuguese police spokesman Olegario Sousa added.
Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said the prosecutor has a number of options and may call for more evidence or advise on the investigation.
Family spokesman Brian Kennedy, who is Madeleine's great uncle, said of the family: "They are holding up extremely well."
The Portimao-based prosecutor, Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses, will look at the DNA evidence as well as the statements given by the McCanns to see if there is a case against the couple.
Sky News reporter Jason Farrell, who is in Praia da Luz, said: "We don't know as yet how strong the evidence is against the couple.

"It's quite possible the prosecutor will look at this and press charges - or equally that no charges will follow."
Chief Inspector Sousa said Portuguese police decided to pass the file on to the prosecutor despite not having all the results from forensic tests being carried out by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham.
The samples were taken from the McCanns' holiday apartment and hire car.
The McCanns have been told they could be called back to Portugal "at any time".
They are receiving legal advice from Michael Caplan QC, the lawyer who represented former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet.
Mr Caplan is an expert on extradition and acted for Pinochet when Spain tried to extradite him from the UK in 1999.

A family friend said he was advising the McCanns on "much more than just extradition" but would not elaborate further.
It is understood the McCanns could have to wait months before learning whether they will be charged or cleared.

Portuguese detectives appear to be working on the theory that Mrs McCann killed her daughter by accident and covered up the death by claiming she was abducted.
DNA test results received in recent weeks have apparently boosted this hypothesis.
According to reports in Portugal, police are to make new searches as part of the investigation.
Detectives with sniffer dogs are preparing to search the area near the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz where Madeleine vanished.
Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said he had scouted around the area, but there were no signs of police activity.
He added: "We do know that forensic tests are continuing. There's always the possibility they will throw up something interesting for detectives to consider."

'McCanns Holding Up Well'

Papers outlining evidence on Gerry and Kate McCann are expected to be passed to public prosecutors in the Portuguese town of Portimao. Madeleine's great uncle Brian Kennedy says the couple are coping well following the news.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

'HE'S UP THERE WITH THE DUMBEST'

A burglar has been hauled before the courts after leaving police a helpful clue at the crime scene - his name scrawled on a wall.


Peter Addison, 18, daubed "Peter Addison was here!" in black marker pen at a campsite for underprivileged children.
He and friend Mark Ridgeway, 18, had been on a drunken wrecking spree at the camp.
They had smashed crockery, let off fire extinguishers and used dinner plates as cricket balls.
When police arrested Addison, he was even wearing a T-shirt stolen from the site, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
To make matters worse, Addison, of Heaton Mersey, Stockport, had also written his gang's name on the wall - "The Adlington Massiv!".
The teenager also vandalised a Garden Birds of Britain poster by adding "R Gay".
He then left a final message to the campsite owners: "Thanks for the stay."

Officers soon tracked him down by running his name through their computer system.
Speaking after the pair were sentenced for burglary, Inspector Gareth Woods, of Cheshire Police, said: "This crime is up there with the dumbest of all in the criminal league table.
"There are some pretty stupid criminals around but to leave your own name at the scene of the crime takes the biscuit.
"The daftness of this lad certainly made our job a lot easier."
Both youths pleaded guilty to burglary when they appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates Court on August 31.
Addison's solicitor said he had been diagnosed with dyspraxia - "clumsy child syndrome".
He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £725 compensation and £20 costs.
Ridgeway, of Poynton, was sentenced to 60 hours of unpaid work, a 12-month community order and £20 costs.

Jailed Over Stag-Do Strip 08/06/07
Burglar's Brain Freeze 21/03/07
Set Ablaze By Idiot Squad 21/11/06

PARENTS FLY HOME WITHOUT MADELEINE

The parents of Madeleine McCann are flying home to Britain after being named as official suspects in the four-year-old's disappearance.
As the jet took off, they issued a statement saying they "played no part in the disappearance of their beloved daughter".

Gerry and Kate McCann said they were leaving with the "full agreement" of the Portuguese police.
The two doctors were comforted by British holidaymakers on the flight from Faro airport in Portugal.
The plane took off at 9.45 am bound for East Midlands Airport.
It is due to land on British soil at 12:20pm, and the McCanns are expected to return straight to their home in Rothley, Leicestershire.
They are returning 129 days after Madeleine vanished from their holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia Da Luz .
Sky News Online's Kate Sullivan, who is on flight 6552 with the family, said they were whisked through the VIP section and allowed on to the jet first.
Passengers offered words of comfort as they filed past them on the plane.
Sullivan said the McCanns sat with their twins Sean and Amelie in the front row of the plane. The second row has been kept empty to give them some privacy.

She said: "There was a huge media scrum at the airport, with reporters from all around the world.
"The plane is full. But one TV broadcaster was offering significant sums of cash to passengers to try and get on the flight."
Sky News presenter Kay Burley, at Faro airport, said it was a very sad day for the family.
She added: "They arrived as a family of five. They are going back as a family of four."
British passengers on the same flight as the McCanns told Sky News how sad it was for them to leave without Madeleine.
Diana Moran, the former Green Goddess on the BBC's Breakfast Time show, said: "Can you imagine being them? Their nightmare is getting worse and worse and worse.
"I'd love to go up to them and give them a hug."
Another passenger, who gave her name as Becky, said: "I think everyone's thinking just how terribly sad it is for them. It's a tragedy."

The McCanns have no bail conditions attached to their arguido, or formal suspect, status and retain their passports.
Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "It appears a deal has been struck - the authorities are satisfied that Kate and Gerry McCann will return to Portugal if required.
"The fact they are official suspects and haven't been charged suggests the case against them isn't as strong as the police have suggested."
Earlier, Madeleine's aunt said the couple had been worried that a return would make it look like they are running away.
Philomena McCann, who spoke to her brother Gerry after he was questioned by detectives, said: "(Gerry) doesn't want it to look as if they are running away, because that is nonsense."
Police changed the couple's status from witnesses to suspects after questioning them separately at Portimao police station.
Sources close to the family say detectives believe the two doctors may be responsible for the four-year-old's death - a suggestion rubbished by the McCanns' friends and family.
Meanwhile, a friend of the only other official suspect in the investigation, Robert Murat, has said he expected to be formally cleared soon.

McCanns Family Statement
The McCann family spokesperson gave this statement as the couple boarded their flight to the UK.

Watch full screen
Watch in video player page

'We Stand By Them Throughout'
The Long Journey Home