Portugal

Portuguese struggling to survive austerity measures

al-Jazeera,

Portugal is preparing for a general strike, as trade unions try to rally opposition to the government's austerity measures.

The Portuguese economy is mired deep in recession, as many economists predict it will follow Greece and have to ask European partners for a second emergency bailout.

A group of activists have made a protest video, in which they say the government's austerity measures are threatening the social gains of the past 35 years.

Al Jazeera's Barnaby Phillips reports from Lisbon.

Portuguese services halted during strike

al-Jazeera,

A 24-hour union strike against austerity measures has brought public services to a stand-still in Portugal.

Thursday's strike, the second in four months, is in protest against the broad cost-cutting measures agreed to by Lisbon in return for an international bailout of the recession-hit economy.

Al Jazeera's Barnaby Phillips reports from Lisbon.