Lisbon - Spain and Portugal agreed Monday to make a joint bid to host the 2018 football World Cup.

A deal was reached in Lisbon by Spanish football federation president Angel Maria Villar and Portuguese counterpart Gilberto Madail, Portugal's news agency Lusa reported.

Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup and the European Championship in 1964, while Portugal were hosts of the 2004 European Championships, beating a bid from Spain.

Lisbon - Controversy raged in Portugal on Thursday over statements by a leading Catholic clergyman who warned against marriages between Christians and Muslims.

Bishops sided with Lisbon patriarch Jose Policarpo, while human rights activists and people living in mixed marriages slammed him for intolerance.

Cardinal Policarpo advised young Portuguese Catholic women to "be careful" and to "think twice" before marrying Muslims.

Lisbon/Zurich - Even the Prime Minster was moved as Portugal on Tuesday celebrated Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 World Footballer honour.

Monday's announcement by the ruling body FIFA at a gala in Zurich delighted his home nation and England as well as the Manchester United winger Ronaldo is the first Premier League-based player to win the prestigious award.

Portuguese broadcasters devoted hours of live-coverage to the 23-year-old Ronaldo who is the nation's second World Footballer, following Luis Figo in 2001.

Lisbon  - The world's oldest person, Maria de Jesus, died Friday at the age of 115 in a hospital in the Portuguese community of Corujo near the city of Tomar.

She held the Guinness world record for just a month after the death of American Edna Parker.

De Jesus, born September 10, 1983, had never left the small town where she was born and completely avoided both alcohol and coffee, relatives told local media.

Her husband, Jose, died 58 years ago, when she was 57 years old. She had six children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Lisbon- Guinea Bissau security forces have detained five soldiers suspected of attacking the residence of President Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira, including their leader, Portuguese media quoted a police spokesman as saying Monday.

The government earlier described the attack as a coup attempt which was defeated by the army.