<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Portugal Today News - Daily Top News of Portugal for Expats</title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news</link> <description>PortugalToday.news: Your daily source for the latest Portuguese news in English. Stay informed about politics, economy, culture, and current events shaping Portugal. Timely, accurate, and easy to understand coverage for expats, travelers, and Portugal enthusiasts worldwide.</description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 22:17:54 GMT</lastBuildDate> <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs> <generator>https://github.com/jpmonette/feed</generator> <language>en</language> <image> <title>Portugal Today News - Daily Top News of Portugal for Expats</title> <url>https://www.portugaltoday.news/images/logo-512.png</url> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news</link> </image> <copyright>All rights reserved 2024, PortugalToday.news</copyright> <category>Bitcoin News</category> <item> <title><![CDATA[AirOtic Soirée Returns to Lisbon: A Seductive Winter Spectacle of Aerial Acrobatics and Cocktails]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/airotic-soiree-returns-to-lisbon-a-seductive-winter-spectacle-of-aerial-acrobatics-and-cocktails</link> <guid>airotic-soiree-returns-to-lisbon-a-seductive-winter-spectacle-of-aerial-acrobatics-and-cocktails</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 18:00:22 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Photos by © Manoli Figetakis Photography* Forget boring dinners and the usual plans for this winter. If you want to enjoy a night that really stays in your memory, **you have to go see the AirOtic Soirée show**. **This show**, which already passed through Lisbon last year, but also through cities like New York and Miami, returns to our city and promises to revolutionize **your weekend nights** (Fridays and Saturdays). We're not talking about just any circus show; **the AirOtic Soirée is a "burlesque circus" with seduction... and much more!** Get ready for an experience that **mixes world-class circus art with provocative and seductive choreography.**  ## Destreza, talento e muita magia **The AirOtic Soirée is a show for all the senses!** Imagine yourself in a dark and mysterious environment, **at Espaço Laboratório**, which is where all the magic happens. **Created by Stephane Haffner** (from Les Farfadais) and by **gymnastics champion Kyle Kier**, the AirOtic Naughty Noël is a **show of pure skill and talent.** You will witness **aerial acrobatics that will take your breath away**, starring incredible artists **in extravagant costumes**, in a passionate plot that tells **a story of love, passion, sensuality, and eroticism.**  ## Before and after the show The nights start with a party **and end even more fun**, with the possibility of **socializing with these artists** before and after each session. As soon as you arrive at the show's location, you'll be greeted by **a selection of cocktails** to warm up the atmosphere. And after? As soon as the show ends, you'll have the **opportunity to meet all the artists at an exclusive after party**, with DJ and drinks, to continue the fun throughout the night.  ### The various ticket options Since there are no assigned seats, the rule is simple: **whoever arrives first, chooses their seat**, with the exception of the **VIP TABLE seats**, which are right next to the stage where all the action happens. These tickets, which guarantee you a seat right in front, also include **the right to two cocktails per person or a bottle of champagne** for every two tickets. **Then you have the FRONT ROW tickets**, which also give you access to a seat with good visibility of the stage, **including a mega-cocktail from the house, or a glass of wine, water, or soda.** Finally, you have the **SECOND ROW seats**, with seating at the back of the room and no consumption included. It's also worth noting that this is an **exclusive show for those over 18 years old** and has an **approximate duration of two hours.**]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>airoticsoiree</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>entertainment</category> <category>aerialacrobatics</category> <category>winterevents</category> <enclosure url="https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/lisboasecreta.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/21121234/espetaculo-de-acrobacias-aereas-airotic-soiree-_6.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Shocking Accident on Lisbon Metro Green Line: 24-Year-Old Loses Both Legs After Falling onto Tracks]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/shocking-accident-on-lisbon-metro-green-line-24-year-old-loses-both-legs-after-falling-onto-tracks</link> <guid>shocking-accident-on-lisbon-metro-green-line-24-year-old-loses-both-legs-after-falling-onto-tracks</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 07:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Service Disruption on Lisbon Metro Green Line **Circulation on the Green Line of the Lisbon Metro was interrupted this Wednesday** due to an incident involving a passenger. According to information obtained by CM from the PSP, a **24-year-old young man fell onto the tracks** and lost both legs in the accident. Due to his injuries, he was transported to a hospital unit. The **Green Line was interrupted for at least between 4:30 PM and 5:15 PM**. The Lisbon Metro stated that "it is not possible to predict the duration of the interruption." Originally published on October 22, 2025, at 5:13 PM Updated on October 22, 2025, at 11:46 PM]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbonmetro</category> <category>greenline</category> <category>accident</category> <category>publictransport</category> <category>lisbon</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2024-12/img_1280x721uu2024-12-06-08-16-10-2181311.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[One of UK's Most Wanted Criminals Captured in Algarve After Two-Year Manhunt]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/one-of-uks-most-wanted-criminals-captured-in-algarve-after-two-year-manhunt</link> <guid>one-of-uks-most-wanted-criminals-captured-in-algarve-after-two-year-manhunt</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:00:24 GMT</pubDate> <description><]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>crime</category> <category>arrest</category> <category>drugtrafficking</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>uk</category> <enclosure url="https://static-storage.dnoticias.pt/www-assets.dnoticias.pt/images/configuration/fb-9/shutterstock_1082713646.JPEG" length="0" type="image/JPEG"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Algarve Tourism Crisis: Unprecedented August Discounts Signal Deeper Problems in Portuguese Tourism Strategy]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/algarve-tourism-crisis-unprecedented-august-discounts-signal-deeper-problems-in-portuguese-tourism-strategy</link> <guid>algarve-tourism-crisis-unprecedented-august-discounts-signal-deeper-problems-in-portuguese-tourism-strategy</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## EC Travel Founder's Critical Assessment of Portuguese Tourism **Eliseu Correia**, founder of EC Travel, provides a critical analysis of Portugal's tourism landscape in 2025 while marking his company's 15th anniversary. The entrepreneur describes this year as a "**copy-paste of the previous one**," criticizes hotel pricing strategies, and warns about the **Algarve's declining competitiveness** compared to destinations like Huelva, Spain. ### The Copy-Paste Year: No Significant Changes "I think this year was very much a copy-paste of the previous one. There were no major changes," Correia states. "If we look at the big picture, we continue with a serious problem at Faro Airport, which constrains us. Regarding the Algarve, we continue to lose a significant portion of our clients to Huelva." Despite increased visitor numbers to Portugal overall, Correia questions the quality of tourism: "We have more people, yes, but I don't know if we have the clients we would like or just the possible clients." ### Pricing Strategy Failure: "Something is Very Wrong" The tourism veteran reveals a shocking development: "**I have thirty-something years in this business and never, ever in my life had I seen discounts for the Algarve in August**. This year, at the end of July, we received special offers of 15% and, in some groups, even 50% discount. It doesn't make sense." Correia explains the flawed pricing approach: "For two or three years, the reference price for summer has been defined based on the highest price charged the previous year. If a hotel closed the previous August selling at 300 euros, it launches the same price for the following summer. This puts us out of competition and out of market price." ### EC Travel's Performance and Growth Despite market challenges, EC Travel expects **slight growth of about 10% in revenue** this year, reaching approximately 34 million euros. The company has maintained impressive consistency, "faturámos acima dos 30 milhões praticamente há 10 anos consecutivos" (we've been billing above 30 million for almost 10 consecutive years). ### The COVID-19 Turning Point The pandemic period represented the most difficult moment in Correia's career as a manager. However, it forced strategic adaptation: "It forced me to reinvent myself and turn to the national and Spanish client. And it wasn't just an emergency solution—it transformed into a long-term strategy." This shift proved transformative: "Five years have passed and the national and Spanish markets are now dominant at EC Travel. Unlike the past, when the UK and Germany were the main markets, today the combination of these two (Portugal and Spain) is the strongest we have at home." ### Critical Views on Tourism Strategy Regarding Turismo de Portugal's focus on attracting higher-spending tourists, Correia offers a nuanced perspective: "In general, I agree with the idea. It makes sense to try to attract increasingly more clients with purchasing power. However, we have to understand what 'the other' is." He warns against abandoning mass tourism: "We created infrastructure in the Algarve for mass tourism. If we lose volume, we will have a serious problem. If we start segmenting to the point where we cannot bring enough numbers to fill all the houses that live from tourism—which is not the top-end but the middle or lower-middle class—we will have a problem." ### Future Outlook and Adaptation For 2026, Correia remains "**moderadamente otimista**" (moderately optimistic) but expresses concern about persistent pricing strategy issues: "I don't feel there will be any change in the strategy of those who set prices on the street. Despite the beating they took once again, I don't feel any kind of change—and that saddens me." The company continues to adapt, announcing they will have their own stand at BTL for the first time in their history, focusing on strengthening presence in Lisbon and Porto. EC Travel will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a gala on February 21, 2026, featuring musical guests and surprises, though details remain under wraps.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>tourism</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>pricing</category> <category>competitiveness</category> <category>travel</category> <enclosure url="https://tnews.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_0059.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Irene Rolo Foundation Launches 'Live Your Difference' Tour in Algarve to Champion Inclusion and Diversity]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/irene-rolo-foundation-launches-live-your-difference-tour-in-algarve-to-champion-inclusion-and-diversity</link> <guid>irene-rolo-foundation-launches-live-your-difference-tour-in-algarve-to-champion-inclusion-and-diversity</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:00:23 GMT</pubDate> <description>< The first stop of the tour took place at the **Casa do Povo do Concelho de Olhão – Moncarapacho**, where the foundation's team was warmly welcomed by users and professionals of the institution. This initial meeting marked the official start of a collective journey that invites each participating entity to leave its mark through the **itinerant backpack 'Live Your Difference'**—a symbol of unity that will carry small objects with emotional significance, created by people with disabilities from each organization, from north to south of Portugal. ### Tour Phases and Schedule The first phase of the **'Live Your Difference'** tour is set in the **Algarve**, running from **October to December 2025**, and involves Algarve entities that participated in the homonymous festival held in Tavira in April of this year. After this regional stage, the initiative will proceed on a **national tour**, passing through all districts of the country until **August 2026**, culminating in a symbolic closing ceremony with a national official reference entity. ### Activities and Impact During its stay at each institution, the itinerant backpack will serve as a starting point for moments of **sharing**, **artistic expression**, and **reflection** on the importance of **diversity**. This reinforces the role of the **social sector** in building a more **inclusive**, **supportive**, and **aware society**. ### Social Media Engagement Participating institutions are encouraged to share their experiences on social media and the initiative's Facebook page using the hashtags **#roteirodeinclusão**, **#viveatuadiferença**, **#inclusão**, and **#diversidade**, helping to amplify the message of valuing differences that gives the initiative its name.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>inclusion</category> <category>diversity</category> <category>socialinitiative</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>disability</category> <enclosure url="https://maisalgarve.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Roteiro-Irene-Rolo.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Portuguese Nationality Law Debate Postponed for Third Time Amid Political Negotiations]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/portuguese-nationality-law-debate-postponed-for-third-time-amid-political-negotiations</link> <guid>portuguese-nationality-law-debate-postponed-for-third-time-amid-political-negotiations</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 22:00:28 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### New Schedule and Previous Delays The discussion is now expected to occur on **Friday at 9:00 AM**. This marks the **third postponement** of the proposal's debate. The **second delay** had allowed the **Initiative Liberal** and **Livre** parties to present their own proposals. ### Party Positions and Proposed Changes **Initiative Liberal** advocates for a **general rule of ten years** for obtaining Portuguese nationality, with a **reduced period of seven years** for applicants meeting more demanding criteria. Meanwhile, **Livre** is pushing for **greater protection for refugees** and children of those in refugee status, highlighting the humanitarian aspects of nationality legislation.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>politics</category> <category>nationality</category> <category>immigration</category> <category>psd</category> <category>parliament</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/4c/4c20e8ca9791ce6a313248193aa5cb17?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,1499,822&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/4c/4c20e8ca9791ce6a313248193aa5cb17"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[PM Montenegro Honors Pinto Balsemão's Democratic Legacy: Visionary Leader Who Shaped Modern Portugal]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/pm-montenegro-honors-pinto-balsemos-democratic-legacy-visionary-leader-who-shaped-modern-portugal</link> <guid>pm-montenegro-honors-pinto-balsemos-democratic-legacy-visionary-leader-who-shaped-modern-portugal</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:52 GMT</pubDate> <description>< According to the Prime Minister, **Balsemão's leadership anticipated one of Portugal's most prosperous decades**, which later unfolded under Cavaco Silva's governance. Montenegro asserted that Balsemão deserves recognition for helping build the **"foundations" of the current political regime**. The Prime Minister and the President of the Republic arrived together at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon on Wednesday evening to attend Balsemão's wake, which was open to the public. A mass is scheduled for Thursday at 13:00 at the monastery, followed by a private funeral reserved for family members.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>politics</category> <category>montenegro</category> <category>pintobalsemão</category> <category>democracy</category> <category>psd</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/74/74e9c41ba665c33bca228bff398916d4?w=860&q=90&rect=0,107,3839,2105&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/74/74e9c41ba665c33bca228bff398916d4"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Firefighters Protest in Lisbon Demanding Better Working Conditions and Equipment]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/volunteer-firefighters-protest-in-lisbon-demanding-better-working-conditions-and-equipment</link> <guid>volunteer-firefighters-protest-in-lisbon-demanding-better-working-conditions-and-equipment</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Volunteer Firefighters Rally for Change **Volunteer firefighters from across Portugal gathered in front of the parliament in Lisbon this Wednesday** to demand improved working conditions. They emphasized that **"without firefighters, there is no rescue,"** yet many are still working with **"worn-out boots"** and inadequate gear. This protest highlights the ongoing struggles faced by these essential first responders, who play a critical role in public safety but often lack the necessary support and resources. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for better equipment, fair treatment, and enhanced labor rights to ensure they can continue their lifesaving work effectively.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>firefighters</category> <category>protest</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>labor</category> <category>volunteers</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2012-03/img_1280x722uu2012-03-24-12-04-00-289198.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Francisco Pinto Balsemão, Founder of SIC and Expresso, Dies at 88: A Legacy of Freedom and Journalism]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/francisco-pinto-balsemo-founder-of-sic-and-expresso-dies-at-88-a-legacy-of-freedom-and-journalism</link> <guid>francisco-pinto-balsemo-founder-of-sic-and-expresso-dies-at-88-a-legacy-of-freedom-and-journalism</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description>< On September 1, 2025, his 88th birthday, Pinto Balsemão was **decorated by the President of the Republic** with the **Grã-Cruz da Ordem de Camões**. This was the latest in an **extensive list of awards and distinctions** he received throughout his life. ## In the Genesis of Freedom His democratic legacy began even before the April 25 Revolution, in the **Ala Liberal**. After the Revolution, he **founded the PPD** (now PSD) alongside Francisco Sá Carneiro and Joaquim Magalhães Mota. In 1980, he took on the role of **Minister of State and Assistant to the Prime Minister**. Following the tragic death of Sá Carneiro, Francisco Pinto Balsemão **led the VII and VIII Constitutional Governments from 1981 to 1983**. His terms were marked by the crucial role he played in preparing Portugal's entry into the EEC, especially through the **1982 constitutional revision**. ## From Print to Screen, at the Forefront of Journalism In journalism, after a notable and innovative stint at **Diário Popular**, he founded **Expresso**, a weekly that quickly became a symbol of press freedom in Portugal. In the early 1990s, he pioneered the opening of television to the private sector, **founding SIC** in October 1992. His commitment to cutting-edge journalism deepened in 2001 with the **launch of SIC Notícias**, the first thematic news channel in Portugal. Francisco Pinto Balsemão's legacy will remain **inscribed in the History of Portugal**, spanning decades of political, social, and media transformation. Between his **dedication to journalism** and his **passion for freedom**, he cultivated a sense of mission based on rigor and the **"right to inform and be informed"**. A protagonist of a journey made of **discreet gestures and firm choices**, he will echo as an example of **democratic commitment** and **fidelity to the word**. In the attentive gaze he cast over the country, the eternal mark remains of someone who **never gave up thinking about Portugal** and challenging it to be greater.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>franciscopintobalsemão</category> <category>sic</category> <category>expresso</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>journalism</category> <enclosure url="https://images.impresa.pt/sicnot/2025-10-21-fbp.png-88d66dea-3/1.91x1?wm=true&outputFormat=jpeg" length="0" type="image/91x1"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Explosive Police Testimony: Agent Admits Fatal Shooting Was Uncontrollable Force]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/explosive-police-testimony-agent-admits-fatal-shooting-was-uncontrollable-force</link> <guid>explosive-police-testimony-agent-admits-fatal-shooting-was-uncontrollable-force</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Agent's Emotional Courtroom Testimony Police officer Bruno Pinto took the stand in a highly charged courtroom, visibly thinner and wearing his formal PSP uniform. **With a choked voice, he began by apologizing to the family and friends of Odair Moniz**, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation for everyone involved. He immediately stated his disagreement with the prosecution's facts and began recounting his version of the events that led to the fatal shooting. ## The Night of the Incident Bruno Pinto described starting his patrol at 8:30 PM with colleague Rui Machado. Around 5:30 AM on Avenida that borders Cova da Moura, they observed a vehicle with "suspicious behavior" attempting to enter Rua 25 de Abril. **The vehicle's maneuvers raised concerns**, leading the officers to follow it back into Cova da Moura. According to Pinto, the situation escalated quickly: "There were people in the street who had to move aside, otherwise they would have been run over." Odair Moniz's vehicle reportedly touched "four or five" cars before crashing into a parked vehicle. **Pinto expressed initial concern that Moniz might need medical assistance** given the impact speed. ## The Confrontation Escalates Pinto testified that he activated intermittent warning lights before entering Cova da Moura. His colleague Rui Machado exited first with a firearm, ordering Odair to get out of his vehicle. When Pinto exited and peered through the open door, he realized Moniz had emerged unharmed from the crash. "My colleague started shouting when everything seemed fine, saying 'stop, on the ground'," Pinto recalled. **Moniz exited with what Pinto described as a defiant attitude**, repeatedly stating "I'm sick" while showing a bandaged hand. Pinto noted Moniz slowly moved upward, presumably trying to escape while repeating "I'm sick," "no gun," and "no baton." ## The Moment of Violence **The situation turned explosive when Pinto attempted to handcuff Moniz**. "I took out the handcuffs very quickly and tried to put them on Odair, but couldn't. He turned and punched me in the face. From there it was an explosive moment and neither of us controlled the forces, we were very breathless," the agent testified. Pinto claimed he saw Moniz brandish what he believed to be a knife with an "upward hand movement to hit me" during the handcuffing attempt. When pressed by Judge Ana Sequeira about whether he actually saw a knife, Pinto first reiterated his claim but then admitted: "I cannot say 100%. I saw him raise what I believed to be a knife." ## The Fatal Shots **Pinto described making two rapid shots** in what he characterized as a dark, high-stress environment. "When I see his movement, the aggressiveness, that cunning and passive-aggressive attitude, I understood he wanted to get out of there at any cost. When I see him making the movement of going with his hand to the waist area, I see him with the knife in his hand and raising his hand. I immediately stepped back and shot at the lower zone, the leg area." He explained the second shot: "When I looked at his face, I didn't see a reaction to the first shot, he kept his eyes open. At the second shot I saw his eyes close and fall." When questioned why he fired the second shot, Pinto responded: "It led me to believe it was a threat." ## Critical Judicial Questions Judge Carlos Camacho posed crucial questions: Would Pinto act the same way again? "No." Did he foresee the outcome? "No." Was he resigned to the result? "No" - while wiping his eyes. **The prosecution's case hinges on the autopsy revelation** that the first shot was fired from approximately 50 centimeters - practically "point-blank." Prosecutor Pedro Lopes Pereira emphasized this detail, while Pinto maintained he believed the first shot was aimed at the legs. ## Police Training and Equipment Questions Judge Ana Sequeira questioned Pinto about his training and equipment decisions: "You had baton and pepper spray. How do you decide to use one or the other? Where did you learn, what training did you have that taught you what to do?" Pinto explained: "We learn the escalation of coercive means. Our objective is to restrain the suspect. My colleague could have used pepper spray, but the conditions weren't favorable, it was cold. The firearm is the last resource when the baton isn't being effective. It serves to give warning shots." He defended his decision not to use the baton, stating that given the resistance offered by Moniz, "it seemed like it would tickle him." Pinto added that people who consume narcotics have greater pain resistance and that Moniz appeared to have martial arts knowledge. ## Evidence Presented in Court The court viewed video evidence from the Police Scientific Laboratory and surveillance cameras showing the sequence of events. Judge Camacho described seeing "a shot in the air, and then a flash" before questioning where the first shot against Moniz struck, suggesting it might have been "very point-blank." ## Context and Legal Proceedings The trial collective is presided over by Judge Ana Sequeira, with Judges Carlos Camacho and Tânia Vidal completing the panel. Prosecutor Pedro Lopes Pereira is overseeing the case. **The prosecution alleges that Pinto, despite his two years of experience, knew shots to vital body areas could cause death** and nevertheless "wanted to inflict and inflicted shots," charging him with homicide. Earlier in the proceedings, José Semedo Fernandes, lawyer for Odair Moniz's family, referenced the case of 14-year-old Elson Sanches (Kuku), also killed by PSP gunfire, where the officer was acquitted - noting the key difference being the availability of surveillance footage in Moniz's case.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>policeshooting</category> <category>courttestimony</category> <category>homicidecase</category> <category>useofforce</category> <category>criminaljustice</category> <enclosure url="https://imagens.publico.pt/imagens.aspx/2039479?tp=UH&db=IMAGENS&type=JPG&share=1&o=BarraFacebook_Publico.png" length="0" type="image/aspx/2039479"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Piquet Realty Portugal Expands Luxury Real Estate Empire to the Algarve with Ambitious Growth Plan]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/piquet-realty-portugal-expands-luxury-real-estate-empire-to-the-algarve-with-ambitious-growth-plan</link> <guid>piquet-realty-portugal-expands-luxury-real-estate-empire-to-the-algarve-with-ambitious-growth-plan</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[### Piquet Realty Portugal's Strategic Expansion Piquet Realty Portugal, a **luxury real estate brokerage** representing the international brand Piquet Realty, has announced a new phase of national growth focused on the **Algarve**. CEO Marlos Gonçalves stated, "We are starting a new chapter in our journey. After consolidating our presence in Lisbon and Cascais, it's time to expand to the **Algarve**." ### Growth Strategy and Goals The regional consolidation plan includes opening a new office and building a local team of qualified professionals to meet the rising demand for exclusive properties in the Algarve. The company aims to exceed **100 million euros in sales** by the end of 2026, expand its team, and become the leader in the **luxury segment** in the Algarve within three to five years. ### Background and Partnerships Piquet Realty Portugal represents Piquet Realty, founded 20 years ago by Brazilian entrepreneur Cristiano Piquet, with a strong presence in cities like Miami, Orlando, and New York. In Portugal, it has six years of history and, in the first half of 2025, joined the Porta da Frente Group to strengthen its position in strategic areas. ### Leadership Insights Cristiano Piquet, president and founder of Piquet Realty, emphasized, "Piquet Realty Portugal has all the requirements to become a benchmark in the Portuguese high-end market. The team's professionalism, the dynamic Algarve market, and the quality of our portfolio reinforce our confidence that this strategic expansion will solidly achieve all set goals. We want to be the natural bridge for clients seeking properties aligned with their aspirations and lifestyles, offering a unique and integrated service." Marlos Gonçalves added, "We are beginning a new stage in our trajectory. To achieve this, we rely on the strategic partnership with Porta da Frente Christie’s International Real Estate, the support of Piquet Realty, and a clear vision for our future: to capture a significant share of the **luxury market** in the region."]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>luxuryrealestate</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>businessexpansion</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>realestate</category> <enclosure url="https://st3.idealista.pt/news/arquivos/styles/open_graph/public/2025-10/images/valedolobo.jpg?VersionId=k2J735G41PHhd0zfnkNL.Zi3KvtCif_e&itok=nM9RvJHo" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[French Tourist Stabbed in the Back in Lisbon: Brave Witness Prevents Suspect's Escape]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/french-tourist-stabbed-in-the-back-in-lisbon-brave-witness-prevents-suspects-escape</link> <guid>french-tourist-stabbed-in-the-back-in-lisbon-brave-witness-prevents-suspects-escape</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 01:00:23 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Incident Overview A **French tourist** was stabbed in the back on Tuesday in **Largo do Carmo, Lisbon**. The 24-year-old victim sustained injuries but was transported to **Hospital de São José** and is reported to be in **stable condition with minor wounds**. ## Key Details of the Attack Following the stabbing, the **25-year-old suspect**, identified as **Brazilian**, attempted to steal the victim's backpack. However, a **witness at the scene intervened**, preventing the suspect from fleeing and alerting authorities. ## Police Response and Arrest The incident occurred near a **GNR barracks**, prompting **military personnel** to provide **first aid** to the victim. They intercepted the suspect and held him at a GNR post until **PSP officers arrived** to make the arrest. The alert was raised around **7:00 PM**. ## Broader Implications This event highlights ongoing safety concerns in tourist areas of Lisbon and the crucial role of **public vigilance** in preventing crime escalation.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>crime</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>tourist</category> <category>stabbing</category> <category>arrest</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2018-01/img_1280x721uu2018-01-09-16-52-00-699481.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas Fires Carris Administration Following Gloria Elevator Tragedy Report]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbon-mayor-carlos-moedas-fires-carris-administration-following-gloria-elevator-tragedy-report</link> <guid>lisbon-mayor-carlos-moedas-fires-carris-administration-following-gloria-elevator-tragedy-report</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 02:00:24 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Photo: Reuters* The decision was confirmed to RTP by sources within the municipal executive and has already been implemented by **Carlos Moedas**, who holds oversight responsibility for the company as President of Lisbon City Council. ### Report Reveals Critical Failures This dramatic move comes just one day after the release of an investigative report that identified **serious failures** leading to the Gloria elevator accident. The report from the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents with Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF) specifically highlighted multiple deficiencies in Carris's processes for **cable acquisition, acceptance, and installation**. ### Political Pressure Mounts On Tuesday, **Socialist councilors at Lisbon City Council demanded the resignation** of Carris's administration, calling the report's conclusions "very serious." The current Carris administration, led by President **Pedro Bogas**, took office in 2022 and was scheduled to complete its term this year. ### Company Response and Internal Changes In response to the preliminary report, Carris stated it is still **determining responsibilities** and revealed that the **Director of Electric Mode Maintenance had already been dismissed**. The company has indicated that some decisions under investigation may date back to previous administrations, while the city council has emphasized technical causes behind the tragic incident.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>carris</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>moedas</category> <category>transport</category> <category>accident</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/ab/ab7a4eb2b6f398d1ccef8747106391f2?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,1200,658&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/ab/ab7a4eb2b6f398d1ccef8747106391f2"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Shocking Tragedy in Vagos: 14-Year-Old Son Detained for Allegedly Murdering His Mother, a Local Councilor]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/shocking-tragedy-in-vagos-14-year-old-son-detained-for-allegedly-murdering-his-mother-a-local-councilor</link> <guid>shocking-tragedy-in-vagos-14-year-old-son-detained-for-allegedly-murdering-his-mother-a-local-councilor</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><. The alleged perpetrator will be brought before a judge for his first judicial interrogation. ## **Three Days of Municipal Mourning in Vagos** > "In this hour of grief, we extend our deepest condolences and solidarity to her family, friends, colleagues, and all who worked with her. Municipal Mourning has been declared for three days in her memory and public recognition," wrote the municipality in a social media post. Susana Gravato, a law graduate, practiced law and had been a **PSD member since 1994**. In 2009, she was elected as a municipal deputy for the Vagos Primeiro movement, and currently **served as a councilor in the outgoing executive (PSD)**, overseeing portfolios including environment, justice, general administration, social cohesion, and health, among others.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>crime</category> <category>vagos</category> <category>homicide</category> <category>judicialpolice</category> <category>councilor</category> <enclosure url="https://images.impresa.pt/sicnot/2025-09-22-ultima-hora-deef46e1/1.91x1?wm=true&outputFormat=jpeg" length="0" type="image/91x1"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Faro Municipality Awards Contract to Repave Biogal Road, Boosting Rural Safety and Infrastructure]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/faro-municipality-awards-contract-to-repave-biogal-road-boosting-rural-safety-and-infrastructure</link> <guid>faro-municipality-awards-contract-to-repave-biogal-road-boosting-rural-safety-and-infrastructure</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< This project represents a **total investment of 75,908 euros**, plus VAT at the current legal rate, and has an **execution period of 60 days**. It aims to **improve traffic conditions and road safety** on rural routes within the municipality. The award was made through a **public tender process**, in accordance with Article 73 of the Public Contracts Code, and was approved by a dispatch from the Mayor on **September 10, 2025**. The project will be **fully financed by the Municipality of Faro's own revenues** and falls under the scope of **rehabilitation and accessibility works in suburban and rural areas**, included in the municipal investment plan for 2025. This intervention is part of a series of works that the **Faro Municipal Council** has been developing to enhance road infrastructure, promoting **greater safety and comfort in local mobility**, with a special focus on rural and peripheral areas of the municipality.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>faro</category> <category>infrastructure</category> <category>roadsafety</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>municipality</category> <enclosure url="https://maisalgarve.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Camara-Faro.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Algarve Food Bank Crowns Top Social Sector Chefs in Inaugural Missão D Chef Competition]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/algarve-food-bank-crowns-top-social-sector-chefs-in-inaugural-misso-d-chef-competition</link> <guid>algarve-food-bank-crowns-top-social-sector-chefs-in-inaugural-misso-d-chef-competition</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:00:23 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Final of Missão D Chef Held on World Food Day On October 16, World Food Day, the final of the first edition of the **Missão D Chef** competition took place at the **School of Hotelery and Tourism in Faro**. ### Winners Announced in Social Sector Chef Contest This program, organized by the **Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome do Algarve** (Algarve Food Bank Against Hunger), awarded the three best chefs from the region's social sector. The event was hosted by Algarve actor **João Mota**. Attendees included representatives from all institutions with competing chefs, as well as partners and entities involved in the program, such as the **University of Algarve** represented by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Ana de Freitas, the **General Directorate of Food and Veterinary** by Dr. Cristina Ferradeira, **Águas do Algarve** by Dr. Teresa Fernandes, the **School of Hotelery and Tourism of the Algarve** by Dr. Paula Vicente, **Sogenave** by Dr. Alexandre Bastos, and **Caixa Geral de Depósitos** by Dr. Sónia Alexandre. Chefs present included **Noélia Jerónimo, Telmo Jacinto, Luís Costa, Luís Caboz, Raul Cachola, and Mariline Pinguinha**. ### Top Chefs and Program Details In this first edition of Missão D Chef 2025, the winner was chef **Telma Costa** from the **Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Silves**. Second place went to chef **Natália Gonçalves** from the **Casa do Povo de São Bartolomeu de Messines**, and third place was awarded to chef **Cirlene Sousa** from the **Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Vila do Bispo**. Fifteen chefs from thirteen institutions across the region, from **Vila do Bispo to Vila Real de Santo António**, participated in this year's inaugural edition. The program started in March and concluded on World Food Day. ### Focus on Nutrition and Sustainability The program's foundation was based on **nutrition and the full utilization of food to mitigate food waste**, enhancing the meals served by Algarve's social sector institutions while considering the **Mediterranean Diet**. **Hygiene, food safety, and cooking techniques** were also developed with the competing chefs. This program was recognized with the **CAIXA SOCIAL'24** award from Caixa Geral de Depósitos, valued at **twenty-five thousand euros**, as a project in the area of **community health**. ### Future Plans and Success Nuno Cabrita Alves, President of the Banco Alimentar do Algarve, stated that this first edition was a **huge success** and that the second edition will take place in **2026**, with an increase in partners joining all those who made the first edition happen. He emphasized that there will be **several surprises in the second edition**.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>algarve</category> <category>foodbank</category> <category>chefcompetition</category> <category>nutrition</category> <category>sustainability</category> <enclosure url="https://www.avozdoalgarve.pt/media/images/600X315/img1579354928Banco-alimentar-0.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Hollywood's New European Hotspot: Why A-Listers Are Buying Property in Portugal]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/hollywoods-new-european-hotspot-why-a-listers-are-buying-property-in-portugal</link> <guid>hollywoods-new-european-hotspot-why-a-listers-are-buying-property-in-portugal</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### The Hamptons of Europe “It’s our second day here and it’s fantastic!” gushes former NBC and Comcast boss **Ted Harbert**, calling from Comporta, where he and his wife are spending a month in a rental while the finishing touches are hammered into their four-bedroom dream house — which, yes, will cost him just **947 euros a year in property taxes**. “The people here are so friendly, and it’s so beautiful. We visited a couple of times before, and I said to my wife, ‘What this country needs is a better head of marketing because it’s just fantastic.’” Actually, the marketing already seems to be working — especially for the **CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club**, a just-opened residential resort built by developer **Mike Meldman** (best known as the real estate mogul behind Discovery Land Company and George Clooney’s Casamigos tequila partner). That’s where Harbert’s new home is located, and he’s already starting to run into some familiar faces. “Interestingly enough, my old friend **Ben Silverman** owns the lot two houses down from me,” he says. “The place is becoming a real hotspot. It’s like **the Hamptons of Europe**.”]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>hollywood</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>realestate</category> <category>celebrities</category> <category>lifestyle</category> <enclosure url="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/29rep_rambling_opener-H-2025.jpg?w=1296&h=730&crop=1" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Police Officer Apologizes in Court for Fatal Shooting of Odair Moniz, Claims Self-Defense]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/police-officer-apologizes-in-court-for-fatal-shooting-of-odair-moniz-claims-self-defense</link> <guid>police-officer-apologizes-in-court-for-fatal-shooting-of-odair-moniz-claims-self-defense</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:00:38 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**The trial of a Public Security Police officer accused of fatally shooting Odair Moniz began this Wednesday at the Central Criminal Court of Sintra, with the defendant expressing remorse while maintaining his self-defense claim.** ### Officer's Apology and Testimony From the defendant's bench, 28-year-old Bruno Pinto stated: **"I would like to apologize to the family and friends. I believe this isn't easy for anyone."** **The officer also expressed disagreement with the facts presented in the indictment**, according to Lusa news agency. Bruno Pinto reiterated his claim that the victim threatened him with a knife: **"If I weren't questioned so many times about the knife, for me there would be no doubt whatsoever."** **The defendant maintained he saw a blade in the waist area of Odair Moniz**. ### Fatal Incident Details Odair Moniz, a 43-year-old Cape Verdean national residing in Zambujal neighborhood, Amadora, was fatally shot on October 21, 2024, in Cova da Moura neighborhood. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, **Moniz was hit by two bullets: the first projectile, which struck the chest, was fired from a distance of 20 to 50 centimeters, and the second, in the groin area, from between 75 centimeters and one meter**. The indictment from January 29, 2025, states the shots were fired after Odair allegedly attempted to flee from PSP officers and resisted arrest. **However, no threat involving a bladed weapon was verified**. ### Legal Consequences and Community Impact **Agent Bruno Pinto faces a prison sentence of 8 to 16 years**. The death of Odair Moniz one year ago **sparked a wave of protests in Lisbon's peripheral neighborhoods**. ### Community Response and Memorial Last Saturday, a group of activists supported by Zambujal residents unveiled a mural honoring Odair Moniz - the artwork also includes three other deceased young people from the same neighborhood. **"He was a very beloved person, not only in our community but in several communities,"** stated José Carlos, one of the initiative's promoters, quoted by Lusa. **The activist from the Vida Justa collective emphasized that in Zambujal neighborhood, "police interventions are conducted differently and are somewhat more aggressive, and that really is a factor that bothers us"**. **"We took the opportunity of this tribute to honor other young people the neighborhood has lost, and this is also a way to show that neighborhoods aren't just the image of violence that the media portrays,"** he added. The activists also distributed a book titled **"Manual for Surviving Police Interventions,"** which outlines citizens' rights and what should be expected from officers' behavior.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>police</category> <category>shooting</category> <category>trial</category> <category>justice</category> <category>community</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/f9/f99db3b50a90e177f4ca7318ad2b50f7?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,1499,822&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/f9/f99db3b50a90e177f4ca7318ad2b50f7"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[SheUltra Portugal Debuts in the Algarve: A Trailblazing Women's Event for Health and Inclusion]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/sheultra-portugal-debuts-in-the-algarve-a-trailblazing-womens-event-for-health-and-inclusion</link> <guid>sheultra-portugal-debuts-in-the-algarve-a-trailblazing-womens-event-for-health-and-inclusion</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:00:31 GMT</pubDate> <description><, and two breast examination mannequins will be provided to help nurses train and demonstrate how to check for cancer signs. SheUltra stands out for its **inclusive** nature and careful design tailored to the female experience. There is no time limit: each woman participates at her own rhythm, without pressure. The medal is awarded at the start, honoring those who have passed away and those continuing to fight cancer. The entire organization and support are handled by women—from the medical team to the assistance stations along the route—creating a safe and welcoming environment. The event also enjoys local support from the Associação Free Challenge and the Associação ATR-Algarve Trail Running, aiming to encourage more people to join other community events and use SheUltra as a platform for engagement and inspiration. For founder Huw Williams, living with stage 4 cancer, choosing Portugal goes beyond international expansion: it's about bringing the conversation on cancer into the light, creating a safe and powerful space where women can move together, talk openly about their health, undergo screenings, and act early. > "SheUltra is not about competition—it's about connection, health, and courage. We want every woman to finish the event thinking: *if I could do this, I can do anything.*" — Huw Williams **SheUltra Portugal – November 1, 2025 | Algarve** (Praia da Falésia – AP Victoria Sports & Beach Hotel) More information: [https://portugal.sheultra.com/](https://portugal.sheultra.com/) Donations: [Just Giving links](https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/She-Ultra1)]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>sheultra</category> <category>trailrunning</category> <category>womenssports</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>cancersupport</category> <enclosure url="https://correiodelagos.com/site/assets/files/19155/sheultra-portugal1.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Algarve Wine Session 2025: A Triumph for Regional Wines and Enotourism]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/algarve-wine-session-2025-a-triumph-for-regional-wines-and-enotourism</link> <guid>algarve-wine-session-2025-a-triumph-for-regional-wines-and-enotourism</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:00:24 GMT</pubDate> <description>< and [www.algarvewinetourism.pt](http://www.algarvewinetourism.pt), or follow their social media channels.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>algarvewine</category> <category>wineevent</category> <category>enotourism</category> <category>sustainableviticulture</category> <category>portugalwines</category> <enclosure url="https://www.avozdoalgarve.pt/media/images/600X315/img513636177VinhosDoAlgarve-6-1-1.JPG" length="0" type="image/JPG"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Foreigners Pay 62% More for Homes in Portugal Than Locals, Driving Price Surge]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/foreigners-pay-62-more-for-homes-in-portugal-than-locals-driving-price-surge</link> <guid>foreigners-pay-62-more-for-homes-in-portugal-than-locals-driving-price-surge</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Greater Lisbon shows the most significant price gap between foreigners and Portuguese. Source: INE* Cília adds that lower interest rates have boosted Portuguese participation, with many upgrading to newer or larger homes, even if farther from urban centers. Meanwhile, foreign buyers, affected by changes in the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime, are experiencing **slower price growth** compared to the overall market. ### Transaction Volume and Market Dynamics In the second quarter of 2025, **41,608 family dwellings** were transacted in Portugal, with a median price of 2,065 euros per square meter. The number of transactions increased by **15.6%**, indicating robust demand despite rising prices. Patrícia Barão, partner and head of residential real estate at Dils Portugal, points out that foreign buyers account for only about **6% of total transactions**, and 88% of purchases are for own housing, debunking the idea that investors dominate the market. ### Government Measures and Bureaucratic Challenges Barão acknowledges that government initiatives, such as reduced VAT, tax deductions for rents, and public-private partnerships, are **positive steps** to address the housing deficit. However, she warns that **bureaucracy could hinder these efforts**, stressing the need for swift execution and simplified processes to translate intentions into concrete results. ### Regional Price Accelerations Housing prices accelerated in 19 of the 24 municipalities with over 100,000 inhabitants. Notable accelerations occurred in **Vila Nova de Gaia** (13.4 percentage points above the national growth), **Coimbra** (12.7 points), and **Amadora** (10.9 points). In contrast, **Cascais** saw the largest slowdown, with prices rising more slowly than the national average. Municipalities with the highest housing prices include **Lisboa** (4,865 euros/m²), **Cascais** (4,346 euros/m²), **Oeiras** (4,161 euros/m²), **Porto** (3,309 euros/m²), **Odivelas** (3,219 euros/m²), and **Almada** (3,101 euros/m²). #### Lisbon Parishes: Marvila Corrects, Beato Accelerates In a finer analysis of Lisbon's parishes, the highest median prices (over 5,300 euros/m²) were in Santo António, Parque das Nações, Campo de Ourique, Estrela, and Misericórdia. The parish of **Beato** had the highest growth rate at 32.3%, while **Marvila** experienced a significant correction with a 16.9% decrease in median prices.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>realestate</category> <category>housing</category> <category>foreignbuyers</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>economy</category> <enclosure url="https://wm.observador.pt/wm/l/https%3A%2F%2Fbordalo.observador.pt%2Fv2%2Frs%3Afill%3A770%3A403%2Fc%3A1889%3A1059%3Anowe%3A111%3A77%2Fq%3A70%2Ff%3Awebp%2Fplain%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.observador.pt%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F09%2F02110126%2F43361089.jpg?layer=obstop:T" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Jorge Pinto of Livre Announces Presidential Bid to Defend Republic Ideals in Critical Election]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/jorge-pinto-of-livre-announces-presidential-bid-to-defend-republic-ideals-in-critical-election</link> <guid>jorge-pinto-of-livre-announces-presidential-bid-to-defend-republic-ideals-in-critical-election</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 05:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**Jorge Pinto**, a deputy from the **Livre party**, has officially declared his candidacy for the **Presidency of the Republic**. In an exclusive statement to PÚBLICO, Pinto described his decision as an **act of courage and responsibility**, emphasizing the urgent need to protect the **ideals of the April Revolution and the Republic**, which he claims are currently under threat. He aims to amplify the voice of the **ecologist left** in what he deems a presidential election of unprecedented importance in decades. The announcement was made late Tuesday evening to the party's leadership, members, and supporters, marking a significant step in the race for Belém.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>jorgepinto</category> <category>livre</category> <category>presidentialelection</category> <category>politics</category> <category>republic</category> <enclosure url="https://imagens.publico.pt/imagens.aspx/2039452?tp=UH&db=IMAGENS&type=JPG&share=1&o=BarraFacebook_Publico.png" length="0" type="image/aspx/2039452"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Shocking Death of Vagos Councilor Susana Gravato Under Investigation by PJ]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/shocking-death-of-vagos-councilor-susana-gravato-under-investigation-by-pj</link> <guid>shocking-death-of-vagos-councilor-susana-gravato-under-investigation-by-pj</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:00:50 GMT</pubDate> <description><]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>crime</category> <category>investigation</category> <category>politics</category> <category>death</category> <category>portugal</category> <enclosure url="https://images.impresa.pt/sicnot/2025-10-21-susana-gravato.jpg-21091563-1/1.91x1?wm=true&outputFormat=jpeg" length="0" type="image/91x1"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Shocking Confession: Daughter of José Manuel Anes Admits to Attempted Murder of Her Father on Social Media]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/shocking-confession-daughter-of-jose-manuel-anes-admits-to-attempted-murder-of-her-father-on-social-media</link> <guid>shocking-confession-daughter-of-jose-manuel-anes-admits-to-attempted-murder-of-her-father-on-social-media</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Caption: José Manuel Anes, victim of assault by his daughter, is stable in the hospital*]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>crime</category> <category>socialmedia</category> <category>attemptedmurder</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>confession</category> <enclosure url="https://images.impresa.pt/expresso/2024-04-04-jose-manuel-m.-anes--alferes-miliciano-_t-_idp.png-c2f9edb1/1.91x1?wm=true&outputFormat=jpeg" length="0" type="image/91x1"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Wyndham Grand Algarve Reopens Indoor Pool Just in Time for Cooler Days]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/wyndham-grand-algarve-reopens-indoor-pool-just-in-time-for-cooler-days</link> <guid>wyndham-grand-algarve-reopens-indoor-pool-just-in-time-for-cooler-days</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< **The Wyndham Grand Algarve**, located in Quinta do Lago, has reopened its **indoor pool** featuring a contemporary new design with warm colors, creating an atmosphere that blends comfort, elegance, and tranquility. This space was designed to foster moments of well-being and family time, allowing everyone to enjoy peaceful swims surrounded by a cozy and natural ambiance. Meanwhile, the spa now boasts a refreshed environment, crafted to convey serenity and sophistication with updated tones and a modernized design. Adults have access to a thermal area that includes a **Vichy shower**, steam bath, sauna, jacuzzi, and direct entry to the treatment zone. Ana Camões, Commercial Director of Wyndham Grand Algarve, stated that the new indoor spa pool "is an invitation to slow down and enjoy the best of family life, even on cooler days."]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>wyndhamgrandalgarve</category> <category>indoorpool</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>spa</category> <category>tourism</category> <enclosure url="https://vousair.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG-20251020-WA0029-1.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Remembering Francisco Pinto Balsemão: The Visionary Founder of SIC and Expresso Who Shaped Modern Portugal]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/remembering-francisco-pinto-balsemo-the-visionary-founder-of-sic-and-expresso-who-shaped-modern-portugal</link> <guid>remembering-francisco-pinto-balsemo-the-visionary-founder-of-sic-and-expresso-who-shaped-modern-portugal</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 22:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Image: DR* On September 1, 2025, his 88th birthday, Pinto Balsemão was **decorated by the President of the Republic** with the **Grã-Cruz da Ordem de Camões**, adding to his extensive list of awards and distinctions. ## In the Genesis of Freedom His democratic legacy began even before the Carnation Revolution, with his involvement in the **Ala Liberal**. After the revolution, he **co-founded the PPD** (now PSD) alongside Francisco Sá Carneiro and Joaquim Magalhães Mota.  *Image: DR* In 1980, he served as **Minister of State and Assistant to the Prime Minister**. Following the tragic death of Sá Carneiro, Balsemão **led the VII and VIII Constitutional Governments from 1981 to 1983**. His tenure was crucial in preparing Portugal for EEC accession, highlighted by the **1982 constitutional revision**.  *Image: DR* ## From Print to Screen: At the Forefront of Journalism In journalism, after a notable stint at **Diário Popular**, he founded **Expresso**, a weekly that quickly became a symbol of press freedom in Portugal.  *Image: DR* In the early 1990s, he pioneered the opening of television to the private sector by **founding SIC in October 1992**. His commitment to cutting-edge journalism continued with the **launch of SIC Notícias in 2001**, Portugal's first thematic news channel.  *Image: DR* Francisco Pinto Balsemão's legacy is **etched into Portugal's history**, spanning decades of political, social, and media transformation. Through his **dedication to journalism** and **passion for freedom**, he upheld a mission based on rigor and the **right to inform and be informed**. His discreet gestures and firm choices exemplify **democratic commitment** and **fidelity to the word**, leaving an indelible mark on a nation he never ceased to challenge and inspire.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>franciscopintobalsemão</category> <category>sic</category> <category>expresso</category> <category>portugalpolitics</category> <category>medialegacy</category> <enclosure url="https://images.impresa.pt/sicnot/2025-09-18-francisco-pinto-balsemao.png-4d4e6e51-1/1.91x1?wm=true&outputFormat=jpeg" length="0" type="image/91x1"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon Election Crisis: CDU vs Chega Tie Could Force New Elections]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbon-election-crisis-cdu-vs-chega-tie-could-force-new-elections</link> <guid>lisbon-election-crisis-cdu-vs-chega-tie-could-force-new-elections</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## The Legal Dilemma That Could Upend Lisbon's Election If **Chega and CDU end up tied in Lisbon**, current election law provides no mechanism to distribute the final council seat, forcing **new elections**. While votes have been counted, uncertainty persists as recounts narrow the gap and communists appeal to the Constitutional Court, raising a critical question: what happens if the two parties **finish deadlocked**? Portugal's Local Authority Electoral Law contains **no provisions for handling ties** when allocating mandates between parties or coalitions. The National Election Commission (CNE) confirmed to Observador that in cases of **absolute tie**—specifically when determining the first mandate—"the vote must be repeated because it's a **situation with no legal solution**." ### When Elections Must Be Repeated In parish council elections following the October 12 municipal vote, some ties have already occurred in first-place positions, preventing the selection of parish council presidents and requiring new elections. In Lisbon's scenario, a tie between the two parties competing for the final council seat could **force new municipal elections** because there's no way to assign the contested mandate, which must be filled before elected officials can take office. A tie becomes possible only if the Constitutional Court rules in CDU's favor regarding **three nullified votes** that would then be validated. If this occurs, the candidacies led by Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega) and João Ferreira (CDU) would have exactly the same vote count, leaving **one council seat undecided**. Alternatively, if communists surpass Chega in votes, the tie scenario becomes moot. ### The Legal Framework and Its Limitations Returning to the law, it states that "voting in any polling station and voting throughout the municipal area are only declared null when illegalities have occurred that could influence the overall election result of the respective local authority." In Lisbon's situation, the alleged illegalities reported by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) could indeed **influence the outcome** if the Constitutional Court confirms them. If so, "the corresponding electoral acts are **repeated on the second Sunday following the decision**, with a new general counting assembly taking place in any case." There's another equation considered in the law that helps resolve other scenarios but doesn't apply here. Article 13 of the Local Authority Electoral Law defines the "election criterion" using the D'Hondt method and includes an **exception**: "If only one mandate remains to be distributed and the following terms of the series are equal and from different lists, the mandate goes to the list that obtained the **fewer number of votes**." A source familiar with the process explains what would happen practically if one party had 20 votes and another ten when distributing the final mandate: "The first mandate goes to the party with 20 votes. For the second, we divide the party with 20 by two [due to the method used] and the other, which still has 10, is divided by one. There's a tie situation where we're attributing a second mandate to two parties that, by D'Hondt method rules, both have 10 votes each. But here the law can resolve it because it says that mandate goes to the one with the smaller divisor. So it would assign to the party that had 10 votes and not [the second] to the party that had 20." However, CNE assures that in Lisbon's case "this criterion **does not apply**." ## From 11 Votes to Just 3: The Shrinking Margin In recent days, Chega and CDU have battled (and continue to battle) for the final council seat in Lisbon, which according to official data still belongs to André Ventura's party. The process began on election night, October 12, when the final count showed the two parties separated by **11 votes**—meaning Chega could count on two councilors in Lisbon. Six days later, with the general counting assembly completing the final tally, the difference narrowed to just **three votes**—still enough to prevent Chega from losing (or not electing) their second councilor. Convinced that some **nullified votes** actually express support for communists, PCP moved to the next phase and **appealed** to the Constitutional Court. In a statement sent to newsrooms, CDU Lisbon explained that "during the general counting proceedings, protests were made by CDU" regarding "discrepancies between the minutes and the notice in one polling station, the need for higher instance verification of nullity attributed to votes we consider express the voter's intent, as well as differing criteria in evaluating vote validity between political forces." Sofia Lisboa of CDU told Observador that the process "raised a series of protests from party delegates" concerning "votes considered null" that communists believe "clearly express intent to vote for CDU." Additionally, the party claims there's "unequal criteria regarding other votes that changed from null to valid through protests." Without specifying the number of votes involved, CDU states there are "several doubts" that must be analyzed, especially when a council seat is at stake: > "We won't consider this right as a way to pervert the process—it's part of the process. In this case, since we're talking about electing a councilor with a vote difference that currently stands at 3 votes, it would be strange for us not to consider this possibility. We could have made no vote protests, [but] in this case we have several doubts and therefore want them fully clarified." CDU further notes there's "minutes from one polling station that don't match the values in the notice, and during the general count they didn't conduct a recount of that station to clarify this value discrepancy." Bruno Mascarenhas, following the appeal, accused PCP of being "professionals of political maneuvers," assuring that "Chega has never and will never cheat." "I'm absolutely certain everything was thoroughly examined and there's nothing to point out." Currently, Lisbon's election results await the Constitutional Court's response to PCP's appeal, with three possibilities on the table: everything remains the same (Chega ahead with one councilor), PCP surpasses Chega (giving them the second councilor), or a tie—the scenario that would **force new elections**.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbon</category> <category>elections</category> <category>politics</category> <category>chega</category> <category>cdu</category> <enclosure url="https://wm.observador.pt/wm/l/https%3A%2F%2Fbordalo.observador.pt%2Fv2%2Frs%3Afill%3A770%3A403%2Fc%3A2000%3A1124%3Anowe%3A0%3A104%2Fq%3A70%2Ff%3Awebp%2Fplain%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.observador.pt%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2F12181920%2F45833331.jpg?layer=obstop:T" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[European Parliament Revives Debate on Ending Seasonal Time Changes]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/european-parliament-revives-debate-on-ending-seasonal-time-changes</link> <guid>european-parliament-revives-debate-on-ending-seasonal-time-changes</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 03:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## The Return of the Time Change Debate In March 2019, the **European Parliament** approved a proposal from the **European Commission** to end the practice of changing the time, with 410 votes in favor and 192 against. Since then, the issue has remained stalled. However, in the upcoming plenary session on **Thursday, October 23**, the European Parliament aims to reignite the discussion. The goal is to push the European Commission to unblock the situation and establish a mechanism that allows **member states** to decide whether to apply the seasonal time change or not. This move could lead to significant changes in how time is managed across Europe, affecting daily life and various sectors.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>europeanparliament</category> <category>timechange</category> <category>eu</category> <category>politics</category> <category>daylightsaving</category> <enclosure url="https://imagens.publico.pt/imagens.aspx/2038616?tp=UH&db=IMAGENS&type=JPG&share=1&o=BarraFacebook_Publico.png" length="0" type="image/aspx/2038616"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Shocking Legal Gap in Lisbon's Funicular Supervision Revealed After Gloria Elevator Tragedy]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/shocking-legal-gap-in-lisbons-funicular-supervision-revealed-after-gloria-elevator-tragedy</link> <guid>shocking-legal-gap-in-lisbons-funicular-supervision-revealed-after-gloria-elevator-tragedy</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**The Portuguese government has admitted a legal gap in the supervision of funiculars like the Gloria Elevator.** Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz emphasized that the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) is already drafting legislation to address this issue, expected to be ready in the coming weeks. ### Government Admits Oversight Failure "The report points to a gap in the supervision area, something the government had already detected post-tragedy," the minister stated to journalists. Miguel Pinto Luz added that the executive mandated the IMT, through the Secretary of State for Mobility, to "launch the legislative process that will be ready within a few weeks to redefine the supervision process." "There cannot be a void. **It is a void caused by a European directive that was transposed. From our point of view, well transposed. But this void had been prolonged for a long time**," the minister stressed. ### Tragedy Spurs Immediate Action **Miguel Pinto Luz acknowledged that, 'unfortunately, it was a tragedy that alerted to this situation,' but the government acted 'immediately'** and did not wait for the preliminary report by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents with Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF), released on Monday. ### Elevators Excluded from Legal Framework The preliminary report on the Gloria Elevator accident indicates that a European directive transposed into Portuguese law in 2002 left this ascensor, as well as the Lavra Elevator, **'excluded from any legal framework and supervision'** because they were equated to classic-type electric cars. The Gloria and Lavra Ascensors were excluded from the scope of Decree-Law No. 313/2002, "which transposed into national legislation Directive 2000/9/EC applicable to cable installations for transporting people, as it was considered to fall under one of its exclusions, corresponding to 'classic-type electric cars moved by cable'." "For this reason, **they were outside the purview of the supervision of the then National Railway Transport Institute, later integrated into what is now the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT)**," the GPIAAF report states. Later, the exclusions were altered in a new decree, "but the Gloria and Lavra Ascensors, because they are classified as national monuments, were excluded from its scope of application." According to the report, it was Carris that determined these two Lisbon ascensors fit into this category. **"Carris, aware of the operating system of the systems it operated, was of the opinion that the Gloria and Lavra Ascensors fit into the category of 'traditional-type electric cars moved by cables,'** with which the INTF [whose competencies later passed to the IMT] agreed," the document reads. ### Safety Responsibilities and Broader Implications According to IMT statements in the accident investigation, it was understood at the time that "the Gloria and Lavra ascensors could thus be classified because the cable in this type of vehicle has only a function of synchronizing movement, in addition to mechanically compensating for ascending and descending marches." Thus, **"the safety aspects of the operation of both ascensors were the exclusive responsibility" of Carris** as the operating entity, without being supervised by any independent public or private entity. However, the report notes, **"the fact that the ascensor was considered excluded from the scope of application of the referred legislation in no way prevented the application of the same rules as other installations, with due adaptations to their specificities."** The GPIAAF warns that Carris's electric trams are in the same situation, "because there is no legal framework for the technical and safety regulation of tram systems that circulate on non-reserved tracks." "In this way, **the safety conditions of the trams**—historical, modernized, or modern—that circulate on public streets alongside road vehicles" **are not, in Portugal, subject to compliance "with any rules other than those defined by the company itself,** nor, mainly, to any type of independent supervision."]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbon</category> <category>funicular</category> <category>safety</category> <category>government</category> <category>transport</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/a5/a53176d01ab73351696bc56810d16fe4?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,1200,658&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/a5/a53176d01ab73351696bc56810d16fe4"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Spain Pushes EU to End Daylight Saving Time Forever - Health and Energy Concerns Drive Historic Proposal]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/spain-pushes-eu-to-end-daylight-saving-time-forever-health-and-energy-concerns-drive-historic-proposal</link> <guid>spain-pushes-eu-to-end-daylight-saving-time-forever-health-and-energy-concerns-drive-historic-proposal</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:00:29 GMT</pubDate> <description><]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>daylightsaving</category> <category>eu</category> <category>spain</category> <category>health</category> <category>energy</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2016-03/img_1280x721uu2016-03-15-11-24-00-520742.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Algarve's Bold Push to Win Over American Travelers: Luxury Tourism Expansion Revealed]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/algarves-bold-push-to-win-over-american-travelers-luxury-tourism-expansion-revealed</link> <guid>algarves-bold-push-to-win-over-american-travelers-luxury-tourism-expansion-revealed</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 09:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### Recent International Presence Following successful participation in the **ILTM North America** in the Bahamas and **IMEX America** in Las Vegas earlier this month - two significant international events dedicated to luxury tourism and business tourism - **Turismo do Algarve** is now returning to the American continent to strengthen destination promotion in the strategic markets of Canada and the United States. ### Canadian Roadshow Initiative From **October 21-23**, the Algarve will participate in the **"Travel Trade Marketplace Canada" Roadshow** organized by Turismo de Portugal, taking place in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. This event targets tourism operators, travel agents, and other sector professionals, aiming to strengthen commercial relationships with the Canadian market and consolidate Portugal's image as a competitive and diverse tourist destination. **This targeted presence** will showcase the region's diverse offerings, with special emphasis on the **Sun & Sea product**, but also highlighting gastronomy, nature, and local experiences. This strategic move aims to increase destination awareness and create new business opportunities with Canadian operators and agents. ### Luxury Tourism Focus at TFest Days later, from **October 26-29**, the Algarve will also make its presence felt at **TFest**, an international event dedicated to luxury tourism taking place in Riviera Maya, Mexico. This gathering will bring together buyers from around the world, with approximately **60% coming from the American continent**. ### Strategic Business Meetings In this edition, **Turismo do Algarve has already scheduled approximately 60 individual meetings** with representatives from carefully selected operators and travel designers in the US and Canadian markets. This represents a strategic opportunity to present the region's luxury offerings and reinforce the Algarve's positioning as a reference destination in this segment. ### Leadership Perspective "**The North American market has shown growing interest in authentic, sustainable, and culturally rich destinations**," stated André Gomes, President of Turismo do Algarve. "**This strong commitment to the Algarve's presence in the American continent reflects our ambition to consolidate commercial relationships and strengthen the destination's appeal among audiences with high purchasing power and interest in genuine, differentiated experiences**." ### Strategic Integration These actions are part of the destination's international promotion strategy, contributing to Turismo do Algarve's commitment to diversifying source markets and enhancing the global dimension of the region's tourism offerings.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>algarve</category> <category>tourism</category> <category>luxurytravel</category> <category>northamerica</category> <category>promotion</category> <enclosure url="https://planetalgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/cropped-ethnicocean.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon's University Parties Sizzle as Spanish Drink Brand La Casera Steals the Show]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbons-university-parties-sizzle-as-spanish-drink-brand-la-casera-steals-the-show</link> <guid>lisbons-university-parties-sizzle-as-spanish-drink-brand-la-casera-steals-the-show</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:00:30 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### Three Flavors, One Spirit: Celebrating Without Complication Each of the drinks presented its own charm. The **Tinto de Verano Limão** combines red wine with genuine La Casera soda and natural lemon juice, with only 3.4% alcohol and 25 kcal per 100 ml. The **Blanco de Verano Limão** is based on white wine, with only 2.5% alcohol and 22 kcal per 100 ml. Both won fans for their characteristic citrus explosion, light and fruity flavor, quality ingredients, and being a ready-to-drink product. The perfect drink for those who want to refresh their palate without excess or complications. But it was the **Tinto de Verano Limão 0.0%**, without alcohol and with only 18 kcal per 100 ml, that surprised many of the university students – several claimed it was "the tastiest of all." In a context where responsible consumption is increasingly relevant, this non-alcoholic version showed that it is possible to toast with taste and conscience. ### The Experience That Won Over the Freshmen La Casera's action at the Freshmen Reception parties, among ISCAL, ISEL, ESTeSL, and ESELx, was a true success. The promoters, equipped with refrigerated backpacks and branded clothing, moved through the venues offering the drinks and inviting participation in the "wheel of fortune," where everyone won gifts, from hats and fans to ribbons and cloth bags. The feedback was immediate and enthusiastic. Many students who had never heard of the brand recognized the flavor of "tinto de verano" from holidays in Spain. Others discovered a new way to enjoy the night with a drink that was "lighter, more refreshing, and different" from other low-alcohol options. And there were those who asked for more. "It was one of the most talked-about drinks of the night," shared one of the promoters. "The non-alcoholic version surprised everyone. Many said it was the best in flavor." ### From Socializing to Lifestyle: The New Trend That's Here to Stay The brand's action showed that the university audience is open to new experiences and that the concept of "drinking well" no longer just revolves around quantity, but quality and the moment. La Casera knew how to interpret this desire for lightness and celebration, with "ready to drink" products that adapt to both a night of partying and a dinner among friends. With **low alcohol content, fewer calories, and quality ingredients**, these drinks represent a new style of consumption: relaxed, sociable, and full of flavor. The Mediterranean spirit, with its touch of lemon and the contagious joy of Spanish squares, invaded Lisbon's nights and promises to stay. ### Gifts, Laughter, and the Flavor of a Summer That Isn't Over Yet Lisbon's university parties served as the stage for this celebration of socializing and freshness. Among toasts and music, thousands of students discovered that summer can extend into October, all it takes is a chilled can and a shared smile. With the success of these activations, carried out in partnership with Medialivre, La Casera consolidates its space in the Portuguese market and proves that there is always room to toast to life... even when classes have already started.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbon</category> <category>universityparties</category> <category>lacasera</category> <category>spanishdrinks</category> <category>lifestyle</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2025-10/img_1280x719uu2025-10-15-13-18-23-2241770.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Algarve Startups Shine at Web Summit Lisbon 2025 with Impact Startup Recognition]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/algarve-startups-shine-at-web-summit-lisbon-2025-with-impact-startup-recognition</link> <guid>algarve-startups-shine-at-web-summit-lisbon-2025-with-impact-startup-recognition</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 19:00:23 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### Strategic Selection Through Algarve Empreende 2026 As part of the **Algarve Empreende 2026** project, promoted by **ANJE – National Association of Young Entrepreneurs** and co-financed by the **Algarve 2030 Regional Programme**, 24 startups were selected to represent the regional ecosystem at the Web Summit. These startups are integrated into the **Startup Island Algarve Tech Hub** initiative, granting them access to a collective exhibition space and an exclusive presentation day at the event. ### The Impact Startup Distinction Among the selected startups, **four Algarve companies** received special recognition from Web Summit with the **"Impact Startup"** seal. This distinction honors projects with strong social, environmental, or economic impact components, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ### Meet the Distinguished Startups **🔹 Invisible CFO** The only Portuguese fintech recognized as an "Impact Startup" in 2025, **Invisible CFO** develops a hybrid financial management platform for SMEs that combines **artificial intelligence** with personalized human advice. The company has already supported dozens of businesses in transitioning to more informed and sustainable management and is preparing for international expansion with new public funding support. **🔹 AuroraMed** This Algarve-based **healthtech** creates AI-based solutions for the healthcare sector, focusing on clinical decision support systems, interoperability between healthcare units, and medical data protection. The company is currently developing a **"Digital Twin" of health** - a digital replica of each patient's clinical state - with the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine. **🔹 ExpressTec** A spin-off from the University of Algarve, **ExpressTec** operates in the biotechnology sector and develops diagnostic tests based on **RNA and artificial intelligence**, focusing on personalized treatment of oncological diseases. Their main product, **expressPIK**, identifies mutations in breast tumors with high precision, helping doctors make more effective therapeutic decisions. The startup has already received several international awards and is preparing to scale its technology. **🔹 FarmAssist** Focused on therapeutic adherence, **FarmAssist** offers a complete and personalized pharmaceutical support service with home deliveries, prescription renewals, appointment scheduling, and therapeutic plan monitoring. Through a **"FarmaKit"** delivered to users, the startup ensures each patient follows their treatment correctly, promoting better health outcomes, especially among aging populations and those with limited mobility. ### Strategic Opportunity for Regional Innovation The presence of these startups at Web Summit Lisbon 2025 represents a strategic opportunity to position **Algarve talent and innovation** on a global stage. Beyond being a showcase, this participation represents a concrete step in the mission of **Algarve Empreende 2026**: supporting the creation of innovative companies, strengthening the region's entrepreneurial capacity, and connecting the local ecosystem to international innovation networks. ### About Algarve Empreende 2026 **Algarve Empreende 2026** is a project co-financed by the **Algarve 2030 Regional Programme** and the **European Union**, led by **ANJE** in partnership with **AMAL**, **NERA**, **CRIA** – University of Algarve, **Algarve Evolution**, and **STP Algarve**. The program runs until 2026 and includes capacity building, acceleration, mentoring, and internationalization actions for entrepreneurs and startups in the region.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>startups</category> <category>websummit</category> <category>innovation</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>entrepreneurship</category> <enclosure url="https://planetalgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/cropped-ethnicocean.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[SheUltra Portugal Debuts in the Algarve: World's Largest Women's Trail Event Arrives November 1st]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/sheultra-portugal-debuts-in-the-algarve-worlds-largest-womens-trail-event-arrives-november-1st</link> <guid>sheultra-portugal-debuts-in-the-algarve-worlds-largest-womens-trail-event-arrives-november-1st</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### Origins and Mission Founded in 2024 in Wales by **Huw Williams**, who was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer, SheUltra was created to provide a safe, supportive space for all women. Since its inception, the event has expanded to the UK and Italy, attracting thousands of participants and raising over **€92,000** for women's cancer support organizations. ### Impact in Portugal In Portugal, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the **oncology team in Faro**. Already, **€3,000** has been donated through SheUltra Legacy via [Just Giving links](https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/She-Ultra1), and two breast examination mannequins will be provided to help nurses train and demonstrate how to check for cancer signs. ### Inclusive and Empowering Features SheUltra stands out for its **inclusive** nature, carefully designed for the female experience. There is no time limit, allowing each woman to participate comfortably. Medals are given at the start to honor those who have passed away and those fighting cancer. The entire organization and support team are women—from medical staff to aid stations—ensuring a safe and welcoming environment. ### Local Support and Community Engagement The event is supported locally by the Associação Free Challenge and Associação ATR-Algarve Trail Running, aiming to encourage participation in other community events and use SheUltra as a platform for engagement and inspiration. ### Founder's Vision For founder Huw Williams, living with stage 4 cancer, choosing Portugal goes beyond international expansion—it's about bringing cancer conversations into the open, creating a safe and powerful space where women can move together, discuss health openly, undergo screenings, and act early. > "SheUltra isn't about competition—it's about connection, health, and courage. We want every woman to finish thinking: *if I can do this, I can do anything.*" – Huw Williams.  ]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>sheultra</category> <category>trailrunning</category> <category>womenssports</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>cancersupport</category> <enclosure url="https://maisalgarve.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SHEULTRA-Portugal-1.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Discover Lisbon's Premier Art Fair: Drawing Room Lisboa Returns with 65+ Artists and €20,000 Prize]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/discover-lisbons-premier-art-fair-drawing-room-lisboa-returns-with-65-artists-and-20-000-prize</link> <guid>discover-lisbons-premier-art-fair-drawing-room-lisboa-returns-with-65-artists-and-20-000-prize</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:30 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[The **Drawing Room Lisboa** art fair is back in the capital from Thursday to Sunday, featuring **23 galleries** and over **65 Portuguese and international artists** exhibiting at the Sociedade Nacional de Belas-Artes (SNBA). In its 8th edition, the fair will award a range of prizes, including the **highest-value FLAD Drawing Room Lisboa Prize**, worth **€20,000**, as announced by the organizing team led by Mónica Alvarez-Careaga. From Lisbon, participating galleries include **3+1 Arte Contemporânea**, **Arte Periférica**, **Balcony — Contemporary Art Gallery**, **Braçoperna44**, **Carlos Carvalho — Arte Contemporânea**, **Dialogue**, **Galeria 111**, **Galeria Belo Galsterer**, **Galeria Filomena Soares**, **Galeria Miguel Nabinho**, **No.No Gallery**, **Salgadeiras Arte Contemporânea**, and **This is Not a White Cube**. From Porto, galleries such as **Galeria Nuno Centeno**, **Galeria Pedro Oliveira**, **Kubikgallery**, **Lehmann**, and **Presença** will join, while the Azores contribute **Fonseca Macedo — Arte Contemporânea**, a regular at this event dedicated to the vitality of drawing. International galleries adding to the mix are **Galería Silvestre** (Madrid), **Siboney** (Santander), and **Trinta Arte Contemporánea** (Santiago de Compostela). Newcomers to the fair include Lisbon galleries **This is Not a White Cube**, **Dialogue**, and **BraçoPerna 44**, as well as **Galería Bibli** from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Artists represented span the contemporary scene, with Portuguese names like **Pedro Cabrita Reis**, **Pedro Calapez**, **José Pedro Croft**, **António Olaio**, **Manuel Caeiro**, **Ana Manso**, **Mariana Gomes**, and **Pedro Vaz**, alongside international talents such as **Eric Fok** (China), **Pilar Mackenna** (Chile), **Vicente Blanco** (Spain), **Klaas Vanhee** (Belgium), and **Cássio Markowski** (Brazil). At SNBA, works by the finalists for the **FLAD Drawing Room Lisboa Prize** will be on display: **Ana Manso**, **Mariana Gomes**, **Luísa Jacinto**, **Pedro Vaz**, and **Tiago Baptista**. This year, each artist receives a **€2,000 production grant** to create new pieces, which will be exhibited in the **Galeria Fernando Pintor Azevedo** during the fair. The winner, to be announced during the event, will join past recipients like **Pedro Tropa**, **Maria Capelo**, **Carla Filipe**, and **Rosa Baptista**. Other awards include the **VII Millennium bcp Foundation Acquisition Prize — Emerging Talent** (€3,500), with the winning work joining the foundation's collection, and the **VI Outstanding Artistic Project Prize** (€4,500), based on artistic relevance and dedication. The **VI Curatorial Project Gallery Prize** (€2,000) rewards creative and risky exhibition designs by participating galleries. Additionally, the **New Drawing Talent Prize — Drawing Room Lisboa & Viarco** offers an emerging artist a residency at the Portuguese Pencil Factory, with accommodation at Oliva Creative Factory. The **third National Press-Mint Art Prize** (INCM) awards up to €10,000 to Portuguese artists, and a new **Editorial Prize** will select a Portuguese artist from the fair to create a monograph for the Arte e Artistas collection, to be presented at the next edition. This year's official fair image, titled **"Reconstruccoón" (2025)**, was created by Chilean artist **María Ossandón**, featuring drawings inspired by miniature landscape fragments from broken porcelain.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>artfair</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>drawing</category> <category>contemporaryart</category> <category>prizes</category> <enclosure url="https://wm.observador.pt/wm/l/https%3A%2F%2Fbordalo.observador.pt%2Fv2%2Frs%3Afill%3A770%3A403%2Fc%3A1600%3A899%3Anowe%3A0%3A0%2Fq%3A70%2Ff%3Awebp%2Fplain%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.observador.pt%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2F20220154%2Fdrawing-room-1.jpg?layer=obstop:T" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Blackstone Sells Eight Prime Logistics Assets in Greater Lisbon for €100 Million]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/blackstone-sells-eight-prime-logistics-assets-in-greater-lisbon-for-100-million</link> <guid>blackstone-sells-eight-prime-logistics-assets-in-greater-lisbon-for-100-million</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:00:28 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**Blackstone** is putting **eight logistics assets** in **Greater Lisbon** up for sale, with the consultancy **CBRE** leading the operation. The expected value is around **€100 million**. This move comes at a time when demand for **logistics spaces in Portugal** has been steadily increasing, as reported by Bloomberg, citing sources close to the matter. The assets were part of the **"Connect" portfolio**, which included 20 logistics properties in the Lisbon and Porto regions, acquired from **Novo Banco** in 2022 for approximately **€208 million**. Sources indicate that several **Portuguese and foreign investors** have already shown interest in these properties. Blackstone has been an active investor in Portugal's logistics sector since 2014, when it purchased five assets from Novo Banco. In 2022 alone, the firm invested over **€330 million** in two major deals: the "Connect" portfolio and another 15 assets acquired from **M7 Real Estate**.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>logistics</category> <category>realestate</category> <category>investment</category> <category>blackstone</category> <category>lisbon</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.jornaldenegocios.pt/images/2025-10/img_1200x676uu2025-10-21-12-16-24-511637.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Spooktacular Halloween at Domes Lake Algarve: 5 Days of Family Fun in Vilamoura]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/spooktacular-halloween-at-domes-lake-algarve-5-days-of-family-fun-in-vilamoura</link> <guid>spooktacular-halloween-at-domes-lake-algarve-5-days-of-family-fun-in-vilamoura</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### Festivities Kick Off with Glitter and Piñatas The celebrations begin on **October 27** with the **Glitter Bar** from 5 PM to 8 PM, offering Halloween-themed glitter facial art and gemstones, followed by an animated **Halloween Piñata** in the lobby. ### Family Movie Night with Coco On the evening of **October 28**, starting at 7:30 PM, the program continues with a **family movie night** filled with music and emotion featuring the character **Coco**. ### Pumpkin Carving Workshop On **October 29**, with prior reservation at the **KiEPOS Club**, guests can unleash their imagination in a **pumpkin carving workshop** at the Gustatio restaurant, accompanied by face painting, starting at 3 PM. ### Interactive Magic Show On Halloween Eve, **October 30**, magic takes the stage with an **interactive show** at 8 PM, combining mind-blowing illusions, magic tricks, and a touch of comedy to entertain audiences of all ages. ### Halloween Day: Costumes and Trick-or-Treat On **October 31**, Halloween day, celebrations start at 3 PM at the **KiEPOS Club**, where families are invited to choose costumes and transform into zombies, vampires, or witches with scary masks and face painting. Later, at 5 PM, the traditional **Family Trick-or-Treat** takes place—an adventure full of laughter, treats, and Halloween memories. ### Themed Kids Club Activities Simultaneously, the **KiEPOS Kids Club** has prepared a thematic program for the little ones. On **Thursday, October 30**, children will have the opportunity to create their own animal in the morning and, in the afternoon, get their hands dirty baking **spooky cookies**. On **October 31**, the morning is dedicated to **magical experiences**, while the afternoon invites shared family moments with special **Halloween activities**. With this diverse programming, **Domes Lake Algarve** continues to reinforce its dedication to creating memorable experiences, offering not only the excellence of its hospitality but also leisure and social moments that make each stay truly unique.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>halloween</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>familyevents</category> <category>luxuryresort</category> <category>vilamoura</category> <enclosure url="https://planetalgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/cropped-ethnicocean.png" length="0" type="image/png"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon Mayor Fires Carris Board After Gloria Elevator Tragedy Report Reveals Grave Failures]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbon-mayor-fires-carris-board-after-gloria-elevator-tragedy-report-reveals-grave-failures</link> <guid>lisbon-mayor-fires-carris-board-after-gloria-elevator-tragedy-report-reveals-grave-failures</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 21:00:50 GMT</pubDate> <description>< by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents with Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF), which identified **serious flaws in the acquisition, acceptance, and installation of the elevator cable** by Carris. ### Key Findings from the Report The GPIAAF report highlights multiple **critical failures** in the processes managed by Carris, pointing directly to issues that led to the tragic incident. In response, Carris has stated that it is still determining responsibilities and has already **dismissed the Director of Electric Mode Maintenance**. ### Political Pressure Mounts On Tuesday, **Socialist councilors in the Lisbon Municipal Council** [demanded the resignation](https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/politica/conclusoes-muito-graves-vereadores-do-ps-em-lisboa-querem-demissao-da-administracao-da-carris_n1692646) of Carris's administration, citing the report's grave conclusions. The current administration, led by Pedro Bogas, took office in 2022 and is set to end its term this year, but Moedas's decision accelerates their departure amid growing scrutiny.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbon</category> <category>carris</category> <category>elevatoraccident</category> <category>publictransport</category> <category>moedas</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/ab/ab7a4eb2b6f398d1ccef8747106391f2?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,1200,658&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/ab/ab7a4eb2b6f398d1ccef8747106391f2"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Newborn Baby Found Abandoned at Leiria Fire Station Doorstep in Shocking Discovery]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/newborn-baby-found-abandoned-at-leiria-fire-station-doorstep-in-shocking-discovery</link> <guid>newborn-baby-found-abandoned-at-leiria-fire-station-doorstep-in-shocking-discovery</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:00:47 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Newborn Abandoned at Leiria Fire Station A newborn baby was discovered abandoned at the doorstep of the **Leiria Firefighters' barracks** during the early hours of Monday morning. The infant was found by a firefighter on night duty who noticed the baby's presence. ### Medical Response and Condition The baby boy was transported to **Santo André Hospital** for medical evaluation. According to the hospital's pediatrician, the child is in **stable condition** and receiving ongoing medical care. When the baby arrived at the hospital emergency room, he showed **no health abnormalities**. ### Details of the Discovery The newborn was found inside a **shopping bag** that also contained **diapers and milk**. Medical staff confirmed the baby had been left "with all necessary care to keep him warm." The infant weighs approximately **3.5 kilograms** and is more than 24 hours old. ### Police Investigation Underway The alert was issued at **03:57 AM**. Both **PSP** and **Judicial Police** have been activated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandonment. Authorities are reviewing **surveillance footage** from the fire station exterior and surrounding areas to determine how the child was left and to locate the parents. *This story is being updated as more information becomes available.*]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>abandoned</category> <category>newborn</category> <category>leiria</category> <category>firefighters</category> <category>investigation</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2020-10/img_1280x721uu2020-10-18-15-27-31-984290.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Major Drug Bust in Greater Lisbon: PSP Seizes Tons of Hashish and Arrests Multiple Suspects]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/major-drug-bust-in-greater-lisbon-psp-seizes-tons-of-hashish-and-arrests-multiple-suspects</link> <guid>major-drug-bust-in-greater-lisbon-psp-seizes-tons-of-hashish-and-arrests-multiple-suspects</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 07:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## PSP Operation Targets Drug Trafficking in Greater Lisbon **The PSP (Public Security Police) of Lisbon has detained several suspects and seized multiple tons of drugs and firearms** in an ongoing operation that began on October 17th in the Greater Lisbon area. According to a statement released by the authorities, the operation is still underway and is expected to conclude this Sunday. ### Details of the Seizure and Arrests In an initial assessment, the PSP confirmed the **apprehension of several tons of hashish, various firearms, and hundreds of thousands of euros in cash**. Additionally, **fast boats, engines, and motor vehicles** were also seized by the authorities as part of the crackdown. ### Judicial Proceedings and Next Steps The detained individuals will be presented for their first judicial interrogation on Monday, where coercive measures are expected to be applied. The PSP has emphasized that the **full results of the operation will be disclosed in a press conference** once the investigation is finalized. ### Objective of the Operation This large-scale operation is specifically aimed at **combating drug trafficking**, highlighting the ongoing efforts by Portuguese authorities to tackle narcotics-related crimes in the region.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>drugbust</category> <category>psp</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>crime</category> <category>hashish</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2025-10/img_1280x721uu2025-10-19-12-24-54-2242578.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[PS Backs Seguro for Presidential Race in Dramatic Political Move]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/ps-backs-seguro-for-presidential-race-in-dramatic-political-move</link> <guid>ps-backs-seguro-for-presidential-race-in-dramatic-political-move</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 03:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description>< <iframe src="https://cdn-ondemand.rtp.pt/nas2.share/informacao/2025/wcarloscesartj_1910ww_451826.mp4"></iframe> The National Commission meeting began around 3 PM, with key agenda items including the **analysis of PS results in the local elections** and the party's stance on the 2026 State Budget vote. This gathering precedes the party's parliamentary sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in the same location.  <iframe src="https://cdn-ondemand.rtp.pt/nas2.share/informacao/2025/wcarneiroeseguro_1910ww_451816.mp4"></iframe> Carneiro praised Seguro as the representative of **democratic socialism and authentic social democracy**, citing his extensive political experience. He noted Seguro's roles, including **former PS Secretary-General**, deputy, Secretary of State for Youth, minister under António Guterres, and Member of the European Parliament, emphasizing his proven commitment to democratic and constitutional values.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>portugal</category> <category>politics</category> <category>election</category> <category>socialistparty</category> <category>seguro</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/be/beb3bb4f59c41c3a6ae57c50081589c0?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,1500,822&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/be/beb3bb4f59c41c3a6ae57c50081589c0"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[ETIC_Algarve Marks 15 Years with Launch of Dynamic New Website]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/etic-algarve-marks-15-years-with-launch-of-dynamic-new-website</link> <guid>etic-algarve-marks-15-years-with-launch-of-dynamic-new-website</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:00:30 GMT</pubDate> <description><]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>eticalgarve</category> <category>education</category> <category>creativeindustries</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>anniversary</category> <enclosure url="https://www.avozdoalgarve.pt/media/images/600X315/img85869792Etic.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon and Porto Rank Among Europe's Top 10 Happiest Cities for 2025]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbon-and-porto-rank-among-europes-top-10-happiest-cities-for-2025</link> <guid>lisbon-and-porto-rank-among-europes-top-10-happiest-cities-for-2025</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><) is – dramatic pause – Seville! ### Seville Leads Happiness on the Continent Why? Well, 86% of surveyed residents stated they find joy in everyday life and feel their neighbors are positive people, while 74% acknowledged that the feeling of happiness has been growing recently. In total, an impressive 91% of Sevillians said their city makes them happy. But Seville is far from the only happy place to live in Spain. Valencia comes in fourth place and Madrid in tenth, although perhaps the most curious data from the study comes from Bilbao, ranked seventh. One hundred percent of surveyed residents from the Basque city stated they feel happier in Bilbao than anywhere else. It must be because of the *pintxos*. The United Kingdom also performed very well, with two English cities and two Scottish cities appearing in the European top 10.  *Photo: Arlindo Camacho* **The final two positions went to Portugal, with Porto taking 3rd place and Lisbon in 8th place.** This means that the happiest cities in Europe are concentrated in the same three countries. ### The 10 Happiest Cities in Europe, According to Their Residents 1. Seville 2. Brighton 3. Porto 4. Valencia 5. Glasgow 6. London 7. Bilbao 8. Lisbon 9. Edinburgh 10. Madrid ## Latest Travel News from Time Out Did you know that [the best destination in the world in 2025 for **digital nomads** is right next door – and Portugal is also on the list](https://www.timeout.pt/lisboa/pt/noticias/o-melhor-destino-do-mundo-em-2025-para-nomadas-digitais-fica-mesmo-aqui-ao-lado-e-portugal-tambem-esta-na-lista-101825)? Also, [2026 will be the best year of the last decade to see the **northern lights** – here we tell you where you can do it](https://www.timeout.pt/lisboa/pt/noticias/2026-sera-o-melhor-ano-da-ultima-decada-para-ver-a-aurora-boreal-eis-onde-o-pode-fazer-092925). If you're more "go-out-inside," this [**Portuguese village** was distinguished as one of the most beautiful in the world](https://www.timeout.pt/lisboa/pt/noticias/ha-uma-aldeia-portuguesa-entre-as-mais-bonitas-do-mundo-fica-a-tres-horas-de-lisboa-092025).]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>happiness</category> <category>cities</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>ranking</category> <category>lifestyle</category> <enclosure url="https://media.timeout.com/images/106260046/image.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon's Political Map Painted Pink and Orange: A Divided City After Local Elections]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbons-political-map-painted-pink-and-orange-a-divided-city-after-local-elections</link> <guid>lisbons-political-map-painted-pink-and-orange-a-divided-city-after-local-elections</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:00:45 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### **A City Divided: Lisbon's Parish Council Elections Results** The October 12 local elections in Lisbon resulted in a city divided with a **political balance** between colors in the parish councils. The coalition led by **Alexandra Leitão** secured 12 parish leaderships, while the coalition led by **Carlos Moedas** won 11. The **CDU maintained its only stronghold** in the city, and **Chega did not win any parish presidencies** but established itself as a local political force to be reckoned with. In the parish councils, the PS-led coalition balanced its presence with 12 victories, but Lisbon is divided. The **24 parish councils of Lisbon** are split between the coalition grouping socialists, Livre, PAN, and BE, led by Alexandra Leitão, and the coalition led by Carlos Moedas (PPD-PSD/CDS/IL). However, the CDU managed to survive in its stronghold, **Carnide**, transformed into the indomitable Asterix village. As a result of these elections, the city of Lisbon was "painted" pink but also orange, in a color palette where the red of the parish of Carnide, the last communist stronghold in the capital, stands out, re-electing a candidate of this political color. The October 12 local elections dictated an almost equal distribution in the 24 administrative areas of the municipality: **12 parishes for the PS, 11 for the PSD, and one for the CDU**. Among the novelties and changes, it was recorded, for example, that the coalition led by Carlos Moedas, "Por Ti, Lisboa," took Campo de Ourique and Campolide from the PS; and in Arroios, Madalena Natividade (Por Ti, Lisboa – CDS) was overtaken by one of the newcomers to the parish council presidencies, João Jaime Pires (independent, supported by the PS). Also noteworthy is the case of **Carnide**, the only CDU parish in the city, where Fábio Sousa stepped down to make way for his party colleague, Susana Cruz. ### **Chega Out of Leadership** Despite Chega's growth in the legislative elections, the transfer of votes to the local elections did not bring the results that the leadership of Ventura's party would have expected. It was in **Marvila** that the most votes were recorded (in the last legislative elections in March, this is where the most votes were cast for this political force – the party came in second place, with an expression of 25.98%). Conversely, in Alvalade, Belém, and Santo António, Chega did not have noteworthy results. There were no major surprises in the results of the parish council presidents elected for the 2025-2029 term in the Portuguese capital, though the elected in Campolide and Arroios, where candidates José Cerdeira and João Jaime Pires, respectively, achieved results that exceeded the most optimistic expectations, caused some surprise. ### **Incumbents with Absolute Majority** Among the 24 parishes of the capital, six incumbents stood out, five cases of success with an absolute majority, one of resistance, and two of evolution in continuity. Here are some examples of mayors who were re-elected for a new term with an absolute majority: - The socialist **Jorge Marques remained firm in Ajuda**, conquering an absolute majority that will give him room to maneuver to exercise leadership without setbacks. The architect Jorge Marques won almost double the votes of the right-wing coalition "Por ti, Lisboa." The coalition led by the socialist obtained 3,095 votes compared to 1,587 votes for the PPD/PSD.CDS-PP.IL coalition, but now the Ajuda Parish Assembly will have two members from Chega, something that did not happen in the previous term. - The social democrat **Daniel Gonçalves, re-elected by the coalition "Por ti, Lisboa," in the Avenidas Novas parish**, is another success story among Lisbon mayors. He was re-elected with almost double the votes of the candidate from the "Viver Lisboa" coalition, conquering a comfortable absolute majority of the Parish Assembly, located in one of the capital's noble areas. - The also social democrat **Pedro Jesus, in Areeiro, also conquered an absolute majority** that will give him enough tranquility to exercise the leadership of a municipality with his personal stamp. Pedro Jesus replaced the previous president Fernando Braamcamp and managed to win the trust of the parishioners through hard work. - The social democrat **José da Câmara (Por ti, Lisboa – PSD) remains in the presidency** – 46.24%, conquering a comfortable majority that will allow him to continue leading São Domingos de Benfica without the constraints of having to "negotiate" with the opposition. In these elections, José da Câmara had more votes than in 2021 (8,585 in 2025 versus 6,024 in 2021), managing to elect two more representatives in the Parish Assembly. However, there is a problem with 61 votes that were left out of the initial count due to "printing error" of the ballots, but these votes may have more weight in the final count in the fight to elect one more councilor between the CDU and Chega than in the election for the parish council, as they do not change the overall results for the parish of São Domingos de Benfica. - The socialist **Ricardo Marques (Viver Lisboa – PS) remains in the presidency of the Benfica parish council**, thanks to his resounding victory in these elections. Ricardo Marques' victory is uncontested: he obtained 54.45% of the vote, doubling the votes obtained by the "Por ti, Lisboa" coalition, 26.89%. - In the Marvila parish, there was no absolute majority, but **José António Videira (Viver Lisboa – PS) managed to resist the advance of the "Por Ti, Lisboa" coalition** and remains in the presidency, being re-elected with 38.22%, which translates to 5,442 votes. The socialist mayor, however, saw the "Por Ti, Lisboa" coalition approach in the voting, conquering 28.17% (4,464 votes), while in the 2021 elections it had a much less expressive number of voters: 15.62% (2,120 votes). That is, the PPD/PSD.CDS-PP.IL coalition doubled the number of voters in Marvila. Chega managed to triple the voters in the parish: 3,759 votes and became the third force in Marvila. The CDU swapped positions with the far-right party and fell to fourth place in voting preferences. - **Filipa Veiga (Por Ti, Lisboa, independent supported by PSD) – won the race for the Santo António Parish Council**, with 49.38%, that is, with an absolute majority. The PPD/PSD.CDS-PP.IL coalition maintained leadership in the Santo António parish in the October 2025 local elections, reinforcing the vote. It conquered 49.38% of the votes and elected the president of the parish council, Filipa Veiga, who replaced Vasco Morgado as president of the Santo António Parish, who could no longer run for re-election as he had already served three terms. The center-right coalition reinforced its position compared to 2021, when it obtained 44.56% of the votes. Filipa Veiga conquered 2,563 votes, while the doctor Lucas Manarte, PS-L-BE-PAN, convinced 32.75% of the electorate, which represents 1,733 votes. With 9.09% of the votes (507 votes), the CDU elected one representative in the Santo António Parish Assembly. The **results of the elections for the Misericórdia parish council were marked by a victory for the "Viver Lisboa" coalition, which translates the consolidation of socialist leadership**. In power since 2013, where Carla Madeira served three consecutive terms, the coalition now presented Carla Almeida, who obtained 38.29% (1,599 votes), winning the elections by a difference of 104 votes. Compared to the previous term, the reinforcement of the left-wing coalition stands out, which increased from 33.09% to 38.29%, but the composition of the parish assembly will be distributed with 5 mandates for each side, as the PPD/PSD.CDS-PP.IL coalition also obtained 5 mandates as a result of the preference of 35.80% of voters (1,495 votes). It remains to be seen whether Carla Almeida will try to negotiate with the communists to have a calmer management, since the CDU conquered 13.70% (527 votes), two mandates. Chega, in turn, obtained one mandate, thanks to the 304 votes obtained. ### **Results by Parish** - **Ajuda** – Jorge Marques (Viver Lisboa – PS) remains in the presidency – 46.56% (3,095 votes) - **Alcântara** – Mauro Santos (Viver Lisboa – PS) – 47.99% (2,950 votes) - **Alvalade** – Tomás Gonçalves (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD), remains in the presidency – 46.31% (8,567 votes) - **Areeiro** – Pedro Jesus (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD) – 48.86%, remains in the presidency. (5,679 votes) - **Arroios** – João Jaime Pires (Viver Lisboa, independent supported by PS) – 42.34% (5,679 votes) - **Avenidas Novas** – Daniel Gonçalves (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD), remains in the presidency – 50.25% (6,383 votes) - **Beato** – Silvino Correia (Viver Lisboa, PS), remains in the presidency – 38.16% (2,044 votes) - **Belém** – João Carvalhosa (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD) – 57.63% (5,058 votes) - **Benfica** – Ricardo Marques (Viver Lisboa – PS), remains in the presidency – 54.45% (10,307 votes) - **Campo de Ourique** – Ana Mateus (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD) – 41.24% (4,502 votes) - **Campolide** – José Cerdeira (Por Ti, Lisboa – IL) – 39.53% (2,702 votes) - **Carnide** – Susana Cruz (CDU) – 41.65% (4,072 votes) - **Estrela** – Luís Almeida Mendes (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD) – 53.47% (4,691 votes) - **Lumiar** – Ricardo Mexia (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD) remains in the presidency – 46.06% (11,782 votes) - **Marvila** – José António Videira (Viver Lisboa – PS) remains in the presidency – 38.22% (6,059 votes) - **Misericórdia** – Carla Almeida (Viver Lisboa – PS) – 38.29% (1,599 votes) - **Olivais** – Iara Ferreira (Viver Lisboa – PS) – 29.16% (4,697 votes) - **Parque das Nações** – Carlos Ardisson (Por Ti, Lisboa – CDS) remains in the presidency – 49.84% (5,308 votes) - **Penha de França** – Elisa Madureira (Viver Lisboa – PS) – 39.56% (4,834 votes) - **Santa Clara** – Carlos Manuel Castro (Viver Lisboa – PS) – 32.41% (2,962 votes) - **Santa Maria Maior** – Maria João Correia (Viver Lisboa – PS) – 40.95% (1,448 votes) - **Santo António** – Filipa Veiga (Por Ti, Lisboa, independent supported by PSD) – 49.38% (2,613 votes) - **São Domingos de Benfica** – José da Câmara (Por Ti, Lisboa – PSD) remains in the presidency – 46.24% (8,585 votes) - **São Vicente** – André Bivetti (Viver Lisboa – PS) – 40.33% (2,339 votes) The race for the Lisbon City Council had [Carlos Moedas as the winner](https://olharesdelisboa.pt/2025/10/moedas-reclama-vitoria-para-continuar-projeto-iniciado-em-2021/). Moedas had 30,000 more votes compared to the previous elections and managed to elect one more councilor (increased from seven to eight), but remains one councilor short of a majority. In response to journalists, the mayor refused to establish coalitions with Chega, which elected two councilors, but promised to try to find governance solutions typical of democratic regimes.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbon</category> <category>elections</category> <category>politics</category> <category>localgovernment</category> <category>portugal</category> <enclosure url="https://olharesdelisboa.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Freguesias-de-Lisboa-pintadas-a-rosa-e-laranja.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Algarve's €74 Million Water Resilience Plan to Combat Drought and Climate Change]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/algarves-74-million-water-resilience-plan-to-combat-drought-and-climate-change</link> <guid>algarves-74-million-water-resilience-plan-to-combat-drought-and-climate-change</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**Águas do Algarve is investing €74 million to strengthen public water supply in the region** and enhance system resilience against drought and climate change, the company announced on Monday. In a statement, the manager of Algarve's public water supply highlighted that "structural projects" include measures to modernize infrastructure, improve efficiency, and protect aquatic ecosystems. **This investment aligns with the goals of the Regional Operational Program 2023** and reflects "a firm commitment" to technological modernization, operational efficiency, and system resilience. The intervention aims to ensure the region **"continues to have an excellent service,"** even amid increasing pressure on water resources. As part of the investment program, projects have already been approved for the remodeling of the Paderne Wastewater Treatment Plant (ETAR) and the Purgatório pumping system in Albufeira municipality, totaling €6.2 million. Additionally, a project worth €21.8 million has been approved to boost water supply to Loulé, which will **guarantee drinking water in rural areas of this municipality**, along with an integrated smart system for operational efficiency in the Algarve's bulk water supply, valued at €4.5 million. Under analysis is a project for the rehabilitation of underground water sources (€7.7 million), a measure outlined in Council of Ministers Resolution No. 26-A/2024 to strengthen strategic reserves during drought periods. The company is also preparing four new applications for an additional investment of €34 million, focusing on **reinforcing the interconnection between the western and eastern Algarve**, modernizing the multi-municipal system, building new ETARs, and implementing solar sludge drying solutions. In a territory marked by "water vulnerability," every drop counts, and each investment "is essential to ensure water for all," the company concluded.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>algarve</category> <category>watersupply</category> <category>drought</category> <category>investment</category> <category>infrastructure</category> <enclosure url="https://wm.observador.pt/wm/l/https%3A%2F%2Fbordalo.observador.pt%2Fv2%2Frs%3Afill%3A770%3A403%2Fc%3A2000%3A1121%3Anowe%3A0%3A0%2Fq%3A70%2Ff%3Awebp%2Fplain%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.observador.pt%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F04%2F28091340%2F40683322.jpg?layer=obstop:T" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon Metro's New Trains Still Running Empty at Night: What's Causing the Delay?]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbon-metros-new-trains-still-running-empty-at-night-whats-causing-the-delay</link> <guid>lisbon-metros-new-trains-still-running-empty-at-night-whats-causing-the-delay</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:00:22 GMT</pubDate> <description>< **Key Details:** - The new carriages are part of a significant investment to modernize Lisbon's public transport. - The prototypes are undergoing rigorous testing to ensure safety and reliability. - The Metro company has not provided a specific timeline for when the carriages will enter regular service. This situation highlights the challenges in upgrading urban transport infrastructure and the importance of thorough testing before full deployment.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbonmetro</category> <category>publictransport</category> <category>urbanmobility</category> <category>transportdelay</category> <category>lisbon</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2025-10/img_1280x721uu2025-10-19-20-30-41-2242661.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Thousands March in Lisbon for Gaza Ceasefire and Two-State Solution]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/thousands-march-in-lisbon-for-gaza-ceasefire-and-two-state-solution</link> <guid>thousands-march-in-lisbon-for-gaza-ceasefire-and-two-state-solution</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 05:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Caption: According to organizers, the demonstration gathered more than 10,000 people. Credit: ANTONIO COTRIM / LUSA*]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>gaza</category> <category>protest</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>ceasefire</category> <category>palestine</category> <enclosure url="https://imagens.publico.pt/imagens.aspx/2038887?tp=UH&db=IMAGENS&type=JPG&share=1&o=BarraFacebook_Publico.png" length="0" type="image/aspx/2038887"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Rev Up for the Algarve Classic Festival: A Weekend of Historic Racing Thrills!]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/rev-up-for-the-algarve-classic-festival-a-weekend-of-historic-racing-thrills</link> <guid>rev-up-for-the-algarve-classic-festival-a-weekend-of-historic-racing-thrills</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:00:30 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Algarve Classic Festival Returns to the Algarve International Autodrome The **Algarve Classic Festival** is back at the **Autódromo Internacional do Algarve** for a weekend packed with pure automotive passion. This highly anticipated event takes place from **October 24 to 26**, with tickets already on sale, promising three days of intense action and twelve races that celebrate the legacy of legendary cars and competitions. ### A Journey Through Decades of Motorsport The festival's program blends demonstrations, practice sessions, qualifications, and races, offering a nostalgic trip through various decades of automotive competition. All speed disciplines—**Turismo, GT, single-seaters, and prototypes**—are well-represented, ensuring something for every motorsport enthusiast. ### Highlight: The Inaugural 300 km Algarve Sportscars Race The headline race is the **"300 km Algarve Sportscars"**, making its absolute debut in Portugal. This endurance event lasts 120 minutes or covers 300 kilometers, featuring mandatory pit stops for refueling and driver changes. It welcomes **Prototypes built between 1963 and 1972** and **GTs manufactured from 1966 to 1980**. Scheduled for late Saturday afternoon, the race will conclude with cars running under headlights, evoking the spirit of classic endurance races. ### Exciting Classic Racing Series The revitalized festival in Portimão includes some of today's most thrilling classic series: - **Iberian Historic Endurance**: The benchmark competition for **Tourism and GT cars up to 1976**, featuring two grids and four races. - **Carrera 80**: An Iberian competition for **GTs and Touring cars up to 1993**. - **Group 1 Portugal**: Dedicated to classics with **Group 1 Pre-1981 specifications**. - **Single Seater Series**: The only single-seater competition in Portugal. - **GT & Sports Car Cup**: A prestigious British-based competition for **Pre-1966 GTs and Pre-1963 Prototypes** that once competed in the World Endurance Championship. ### Celebrating Automotive Culture Beyond the Races Beyond the competitive action, the festival is a celebration of automotive culture. The **"Classic Car Parade"** for classic car clubs on Saturday and **classic motorcycle parades** on Sunday provide unique opportunities to admire these wheeled gems up close in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Additionally, a **Formula V demonstration** is scheduled for Friday. ### Ticket Information and Accessibility During this weekend, spectators will enjoy a fantastic journey through time, filled with nostalgia and distinctive engine sounds. Tickets are available through **MEO Blueticket** and at the circuit's ticket office, with several options: - **"Main Stand" ticket**: Access only to the designated stand. - **"Paddock" ticket**: Access to the Paddock and Main Stand. - **"VIP Tower" ticket**: Circulation between the VIP Tower, Paddock, and Main Stand. Entry is **free for children and youths aged 3 to 16**. Tickets can be purchased via this link: https://aia.bymeoblueticket.pt/Evento?IdEvento=15467 *Race Ready Media*]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>algarveclassicfestival</category> <category>historicracing</category> <category>classiccars</category> <category>motorsport</category> <category>algarveevents</category> <enclosure url="https://www.avozdoalgarve.pt/media/images/600X315/img1291571172Classic.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Wyndham Grand Algarve Reopens Indoor Pool with Family Fun and Halloween Magic This Autumn]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/wyndham-grand-algarve-reopens-indoor-pool-with-family-fun-and-halloween-magic-this-autumn</link> <guid>wyndham-grand-algarve-reopens-indoor-pool-with-family-fun-and-halloween-magic-this-autumn</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description>< The spa at the Wyndham Grand Algarve now boasts a renewed look and feel, with every detail carefully considered to convey serenity and sophistication. The new color tones and modernized design enhance the sense of harmony, inviting guests to enjoy a relaxing break in an environment of pure relaxation. The heated indoor pool, ideal for the cooler months, provides the perfect setting for family moments, allowing everyone to enjoy peaceful swims surrounded by a cozy and natural atmosphere. For adults seeking an exclusive retreat, the thermal area includes a Vichy shower, steam bath, sauna, jacuzzi, and direct access to the treatment area, making it a true haven of relaxation in the heart of Quinta do Lago. "We wanted this space to reflect the essence of the Wyndham Grand Algarve – elegance, well-being, and sharing. The new indoor pool in the spa is an invitation to slow down and enjoy the best of family life, even on the cooler days of the year," said Ana Camões, Commercial Director of the hotel. With this renovation, the Wyndham Grand Algarve reinforces its commitment to quality and comfort, offering a complete experience for those looking to escape the routine and experience autumn with tranquility and style in southern Portugal. ## Kids Club and Halloween Program But the news doesn't stop there. Until November 2, the Wyndham Grand Algarve invites families and guests to immerse themselves in a fantasy-filled and fun scenario, where imagination and the Halloween spirit come to life through creative and engaging experiences. The hotel has created a set of themed activities, entertainment for all ages, and a special menu at the Grand Bar. The Kids Club program, designed for the whole family and especially for the little ones, includes workshops, games, and moments of pure fun, with highlights such as Spooky Mask Making, Pumpkin Painting, Halloween Party, and Trick-or-Treating. Families can also participate in the enchanting Haunted Forest, Pastry Workshop, Halloween Movie Sessions, and the Spooky Boat Ride, an unforgettable adventure through the stunning Benagil Caves, where nature and mystery meet in a perfect setting for families.  ## An October of Charms and Tricks in the Algarve The Wyndham Grand Algarve celebrates the magic of this season with a program that combines fun, gastronomy, and family moments in a relaxed and elegant environment, ideal for those seeking memorable experiences in the heart of Quinta do Lago.   ]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>wyndhamgrandalgarve</category> <category>indoorpool</category> <category>familyactivities</category> <category>halloween</category> <category>algarve</category> <enclosure url="https://maisalgarve.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Wyndham-Grand-Algarve-1.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[CDU Challenges Lisbon Election Results in Constitutional Court Over 3-Vote Margin]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/cdu-challenges-lisbon-election-results-in-constitutional-court-over-3-vote-margin</link> <guid>cdu-challenges-lisbon-election-results-in-constitutional-court-over-3-vote-margin</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< <iframe src="https://cdn-ondemand.rtp.pt/nas2.share//wavrss/info/embed/DLT3087417_368536.mp3"></iframe> Last weekend, the Secretary-General of the PCP **did not consider the vote count closed**. *Source: Lusa*]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>elections</category> <category>cdu</category> <category>chega</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>politics</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/c7/c7cf5bfae1874e5e45a366d2266c1377?w=860&q=90&rect=0,467,1080,592&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/c7/c7cf5bfae1874e5e45a366d2266c1377"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Algarve Traffic Crackdown: 693 Offenses in One Week, Including 382 Speeding Violations]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/algarve-traffic-crackdown-693-offenses-in-one-week-including-382-speeding-violations</link> <guid>algarve-traffic-crackdown-693-offenses-in-one-week-including-382-speeding-violations</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ### Arrests and Seizures During this period, **57 individuals were arrested**, including: - 20 for driving without a legal license - 13 for driving under the influence of alcohol - 3 for drug trafficking Additionally, the GNR seized **52 doses of hashish**, a dagger, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>traffic</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>gnr</category> <category>speeding</category> <category>arrests</category> <enclosure url="https://www.sulinformacao.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/469380675_1008620467974358_3850030891650289886_n.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[PSP Arrests 14 in Algarve Weekend Crackdown on Crime]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/psp-arrests-14-in-algarve-weekend-crackdown-on-crime</link> <guid>psp-arrests-14-in-algarve-weekend-crackdown-on-crime</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 11:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[**14 individuals were detained** by the PSP District Command in various locations across the Algarve over the weekend for a range of offenses. The majority of arrests, totaling seven, were for **driving under the influence**, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance public safety in the region. This operation underscores the PSP's commitment to combating crime through targeted actions.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>algarve</category> <category>psp</category> <category>arrests</category> <category>crime</category> <category>portugal</category> <enclosure url="https://www.sulinformacao.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PSP_carros-2.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon's Foreign Population Soars: 2 in 5 Residents Are Now Immigrants]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbons-foreign-population-soars-2-in-5-residents-are-now-immigrants</link> <guid>lisbons-foreign-population-soars-2-in-5-residents-are-now-immigrants</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 04:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Lisbon Leads Immigration in Portugal Lisbon is at the forefront of immigration trends in Portugal, with a total population of 575,000 residents. **At the end of last year, the city recorded 202,000 foreign citizens**, representing a significant **35% of its inhabitants**. ### National Immigration Figures Across the entire national territory, there were **1,543,697 immigrants** living in Portugal. This number has seen a dramatic increase, **nearly quadrupling from the 421,802 foreign citizens registered at the end of 2017**, according to data released by the **Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA)**. ### Rapid Growth in Immigration In just one year, immigration grew by **18%**, adding **238,864 people** to the foreign population. This surge highlights the accelerating pace of migration into the country. ### Demographic Breakdown of Immigrants - **Gender Distribution**: The majority of immigrants are **men, accounting for 56.1%** of the foreign population. - **Age Group**: Almost half of the immigrants, **42%, are between 18 and 34 years old**, indicating a young and potentially economically active demographic. - **Nationality**: The **largest community is Brazilian**, making up nearly **one in three immigrants (31.4%)**. ### Challenges with Irregular Immigration Despite these official figures, the actual scale of immigration is believed to be higher. João Ribeiro, the deputy national director of the PSP and head of the **National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF)**, stated, "I would say we have several tens of thousands of people who are in an irregular situation." He suggested that many of these cases might be straightforward, possibly due to inexperience, inaction, or failure to submit necessary documents. However, he also acknowledged more severe issues, including signs that **Portugal is a destination for human trafficking for labor exploitation, sexual exploitation, and even cases involving the importation of children for adoption**.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>immigration</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>foreigners</category> <category>demographics</category> <category>portugal</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2025-04/img_1280x721uu2025-04-05-20-47-55-2202036.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Shocking Report Reveals Critical Safety Failures in Lisbon's Gloria Elevator Accident]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/shocking-report-reveals-critical-safety-failures-in-lisbons-gloria-elevator-accident</link> <guid>shocking-report-reveals-critical-safety-failures-in-lisbons-gloria-elevator-accident</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ## Emergency Systems Failed to Prevent Tragedy The office indicates, however, that "identical cables were in use for 601 days in the Gloria Ascensor (and 606 days in the Lavra Ascensor) without incidents," concluding that, "for this reason, **it is not possible at this time to state whether the non-conformities in the use of the cable are or are not relevant to the accident**." It adds that, "at this moment, it cannot be stated whether the use of this type of cable intervened, or what intervention it had, in the rupture that occurred after 337 days of use, although it is certain for the investigation that **there were other factors that necessarily had to intervene**." The document, "essentially factual," was published at the end of the 45-day period established for presenting the first results of its investigation. ## Recommendations for Safety Reevaluation The office recommends that Carris not reactivate Lisbon's ascensors "without a reevaluation by a specialized entity," and to the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) that it implement an appropriate regulatory framework. Specifically, **GPIAAF recommends to Carris "not to reactivate the ascensors without a reevaluation, by an entity specialized in funiculars,** of the cable fixings and brakes, in line with European standards on this matter, respecting the historical protection of these transports, but without prejudice to safety." It points out the need for Carris to conduct "a reevaluation and revision of its internal control system, particularly regarding the processes of specification, acquisition, reception, and application of components critical to vehicle safety." GPIAAF also recommends to Carris the "clarification with the maintenance service provider of contractual obligations and the exercise of effective supervision and control over these obligations, at the level of maintenance management, its execution, and quality control in accordance with applicable standards." The report indicates that **the investigations will continue and that a final report will be published up to one year after the accident**. ## Details of the Fatal Accident In the first informative note, published three days after the accident, it was described that the cable connecting the two cabins gave way. And that, despite the activation of the brakes and the emergency system, the redundancy could not prevent the tragedy. **The accident at the Gloria elevator killed 16 people.** The preliminary report now published, after investigation by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents with Aircraft and Railway Accidents, confirms the initial conclusion, stating that "the traction cable connecting the two cabins broke inside the untwister of the upper tram, a few centimeters from its mooring pine." "At the time of the accident, it had 337 days of use," it adds. It also indicates that **"the braking system of the cabins was not effective in immobilizing them, despite all existing ones, automatic and manual, having been applied in cabin 1"**. "Even among the oldest technicians still in service, there is currently no memory in CCFL of the emergency brake ever being tested for the situation of cable failure." Nor "are there known calculations of the brake systems of the cabin brakes." "The historical information that was possible to access suggests that the brake system of the vehicles was modified some decades after the electrification of the Ascensor, with a decrease in their capacities. There are also indications that **the weight of the cabins increased in a non-negligible way since the time of electrification**, with disparate indications regarding the current weight," adds the document. Among the technicians, there was the perception that "the safety of the system depended entirely on the cable and that the brake system was not effective." ## Carris's Exclusive Responsibility For GPIAAF, **Carris holds the exclusive responsibility for the maintenance of the elevator**. However, it points to lacks in the legal framework for inspection operations and of "the competence of technicians to detect failures or denounce the execution of work outside standardized norms." Emphasizing that "the safety aspects of the operation of both ascensors [Gloria and Lavra] were under the exclusive responsibility of CCFL as the operating entity," the document recalls the lack of legislative framework on the maintenance of both Elevators, classified as "monuments of historical interest." The ascensors were handed over to CCFL "**without being supervised by any independent entity, public or private, and without an effective legal framework for their operation** while no significant alteration was introduced in their infrastructure and subsystems," states the office. "The use of a new type of cable in 2022 could be considered a significant alteration of one of its subsystems. However (...) this alteration was made by CCFL inadvertently and without awareness of it being so," sustains the investigation. It also states that both elevators are "of a very rare, if not unique, variant of the type designated in specialized literature as self-propelled funicular." Despite this, it adds, "nothing prevented the same rules from being applied to them as to other installations, with due adaptations to their specificities, including supervision." The investigation also concluded that "**the maintenance and safety conditions of the trams**, historical, modernized, or modern, that circulate on public streets in common with road vehicles, both at their entry into service and during their life, **are not, in Portugal and as declared by IMT, subject to compliance with any rules other than those defined by the Company itself, nor, mainly, to any type of independent supervision**." "The situation in Portugal contrasts flagrantly with the reality" in other states that have collaborated with the office's investigation. In these, "**the generality of funiculars is subject to compliance with technical rules and periodic supervision by national or regional authorities**, regardless of the date of their entry into service or historical interest," also points out GPIAAF. ## Maintenance Challenges and Subcontracting Issues GPIAAF also underlines difficulties in analyzing the cable in use, stating that "the area where the cable broke was not amenable to visual inspection without disassembly of the untwister of the upper tram." A circumstance that led Carris technicians to base the recommendation for cable replacement on the number of days of use. The report even states that "**among various technicians and workers of CCFL linked to the ascensors, there was the perception that the safety of the system depended entirely on the cable and that the brake system was not effective in immobilizing the cabins without the cable**". "For this reason," the preliminary conclusions continue, "there was a high care in the control of the cable, namely limiting its use to 600 days, well below the expected duration for that component. But this perception never materialized organizationally in a reevaluation of the safety conditions of the system." "CCFL has subcontracted the maintenance of the ascensors to a service provider, with the current one ensuring maintenance since 2019," points out the investigation, and that "**the workers of the service provider act essentially as collaborators of CCFL**, being trained on the job and executing interventions under the direct guidance of that company's supervision." The execution of the work was, however, carried out "without supervision" and there being "evidence that **maintenance tasks recorded as completed do not always correspond to the tasks actually performed**, as well as critical tasks for safety being executed in a non-standardized way, with disparate execution and validation parameters."]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>elevator</category> <category>safety</category> <category>carris</category> <category>investigation</category> <category>lisbon</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/3c/3c0f8b5c1d1365642a78991e33aec58e?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,1200,658&auto=format" length="0" type="image//icm/noticias/images/3c/3c0f8b5c1d1365642a78991e33aec58e"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Portugal's Clocks Fall Back This Weekend: Winter Time Begins with Key Dates for 2026]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/portugals-clocks-fall-back-this-weekend-winter-time-begins-with-key-dates-for-2026</link> <guid>portugals-clocks-fall-back-this-weekend-winter-time-begins-with-key-dates-for-2026</guid> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:00:27 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Portugal Enters Winter Time This Sunday **Mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores will set their clocks back by one hour this Sunday morning**, marking the official start of winter time. ### When and How the Change Happens In **mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira**, when the clock strikes **02:00 on Sunday morning (October 26)**, all clocks should be turned back **60 minutes to 01:00**. In the **Autonomous Region of the Azores**, the time change occurs at **01:00 on Sunday morning**, moving clocks back to **00:00**. ### The Legal Framework and Future Changes This time adjustment is governed by a **2000 European Union directive** that establishes the **biannual clock changes** across member states. The directive mandates that clocks are moved forward one hour on the **last Sunday of March** and back one hour on the **last Sunday of October** each year, defining the beginning and end of daylight saving time. ### Looking Ahead to 2026 **The next time change is scheduled for March 29, 2026**, when Portugal will switch back to summer time, advancing clocks by one hour. This regular time adjustment affects millions of Portuguese citizens and visitors, influencing daily schedules, transportation timetables, and energy consumption patterns across the country.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>portugal</category> <category>timechange</category> <category>wintertime</category> <category>daylightsaving</category> <category>society</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2016-03/img_1280x721uu2016-03-26-08-30-00-523380.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Spanish Fast-Pasta Brand Relleno Lands in Lisbon with Customizable Italian Delights]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/spanish-fast-pasta-brand-relleno-lands-in-lisbon-with-customizable-italian-delights</link> <guid>spanish-fast-pasta-brand-relleno-lands-in-lisbon-with-customizable-italian-delights</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Lisbon was our first international step and a fundamental milestone for Relleno,* the founders told Time Out via email. *We are expanding our presence in the city and plan to open more units in Portugal. Our model is based on small, efficient spaces that reflect our brand identity, so we plan to strengthen our physical presence in the city and continue expanding to other European capitals like London, Paris, and Berlin.*  Paolo, Lorenzo, and Oriol had no prior culinary experience when they embarked on this adventure, but their backgrounds in **technology and startups**—where scalability, data, and efficiency were part of the DNA—proved invaluable. Today, they offer a menu focused on a single product but 100% customizable, allowing customers to mix fresh pastas and sauces ranging from the popular carbonara to less obvious combinations like lemon ravioli with pesto, burrata, and pistachio. *We want each customer to experience pasta their way (...), but we also select recommendations that highlight our exclusive pairings. It's a balance between creativity and expertise: the freedom to explore, with the confidence that every option meets our standards exactly.* All of Relleno's ingredients come from **Italy**, but the brand's graphics and packaging steer clear of *the clichés of traditional Italian restaurants.* *Our identity is modern, minimalist, and inspired by design and fashion, rather than the typical trattoria aesthetic, but without losing the coziness and flavor that make Italian food irresistible,* they told Time Out.  ### Buon Appetito! (or ¡Buen Provecho!) The menu starts with four **mozzarellas in carrozza** (€3.95) as appetizers—a type of breaded cheese sandwich. Possible fillings include: Cantabrian anchovy; mortadella, sweet mustard, and pistachio; prosciutto cotto (ham); or Calabrian 'nduja (a type of sausage). Next up are the stars of the show: the **pastas** (€9.90), which can be based on mezze maniche (short pasta), bigoli (fresh long pasta, +€1.20), meat tortellini, or ravioli—options include ricotta and spinach, pumpkin (+€0.50), veal cheek (+€1), mushrooms (+€1), and ricotta and lemon (+€1).  After making the first decision, you choose the sauces—pomodoro (tomato), pesto, gorgonzola and walnuts (+€1), ragù alla bolognese (+€1.50), amatriciana (+€2), mushroom and truffle cream (+€3), pesto burrata pistachio (+€4.50), carbonara (+€3.50), or San Marzano stracciatella pesto pistachio (+€4.50). If you're indecisive or short on time, there are pre-composed suggestions available on delivery platforms. And because simplicity seems to be the secret ingredient, there's only one dessert: **tiramisu** (€5.90) and nothing else. *Available on Bolt Food, Glovo, and Uber Eats*]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>relleno</category> <category>fastpasta</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>italianfood</category> <category>darkkitchen</category> <enclosure url="https://media.timeout.com/images/106330340/image.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bernie Sanders Joins Global Anti-Trump Protests as Thousands Rally in Lisbon and Worldwide]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/bernie-sanders-joins-global-anti-trump-protests-as-thousands-rally-in-lisbon-and-worldwide</link> <guid>bernie-sanders-joins-global-anti-trump-protests-as-thousands-rally-in-lisbon-and-worldwide</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 01:00:41 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *The map of protests in over 2,600 locations in the U.S., according to the organization* ### Key Issues Driving the Protests The thousands of people mobilized worldwide for the protests pointed to **immigration, education, and security policies** as symbols of a democratic decline that is pushing the U.S. toward autocracy, with Trump as king, hence the motto of the demonstrations called for this Saturday. Naturally, the majority of protesters were concentrated in the U.S., with the organization expecting millions of people in the streets. According to New York police, the protests gathered over 100,000 people in various parts of the state. In Washington, the protests featured a special appearance by Democratic Senator **Bernard 'Bernie' Sanders**, who issued several warnings in his speech to the crowd. ### Bernie Sanders' Stark Warnings "**Our country is in great danger** when we have a president who threatens to detain and arrest political opponents," said the experienced 84-year-old politician. Sanders also criticized the intimidation of journalists by the White House, interference in university operations, and the threat made by Trump to remove judges who do not agree with his orders.  *Thousands of people took to the streets to criticize 'King Trump' in Europe as well* ### Focus on Immigration Enforcement The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been another target of the protesters. Federal agent operations began earlier this year with the goal of "**carrying out U.S. immigration law**" and detaining all immigrants considered criminals. At the inauguration, the President promised he would "return millions and millions of criminal immigrants to the places they came from." In Chicago, which has been the scene of many ICE actions, Governor Brandon Johnson told the crowd that he would not allow an "occupation" of the city by "troops." ### Escalating Tensions and Government Response In recent months, protests against the White House administration have been repeated and have already led Donald Trump to send military personnel to U.S. states, especially those led by Democratic governors, with the argument that state authorities cannot control violence and crime. Unaffected by the wave of protests, the U.S. President spent the day at his golf club in Mar-a-Lago.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>trump</category> <category>protests</category> <category>berniesanders</category> <category>democracy</category> <category>lisbon</category> <enclosure url="https://wm.observador.pt/wm/l/https%3A%2F%2Fbordalo.observador.pt%2Fv2%2Frs%3Afill%3A770%3A403%2Fc%3A4096%3A2299%3Anowe%3A0%3A98%2Fq%3A70%2Ff%3Awebp%2Fplain%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.observador.pt%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2F18190556%2Fgettyimages-2241824635-min-scaled.jpg?layer=obstop:T" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Lisbon Police Seize Tons of Drugs, Firearms, and Speedboats in Major Anti-Trafficking Raid]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/lisbon-police-seize-tons-of-drugs-firearms-and-speedboats-in-major-anti-trafficking-raid</link> <guid>lisbon-police-seize-tons-of-drugs-firearms-and-speedboats-in-major-anti-trafficking-raid</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 12:00:23 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Major Drug Bust in Lisbon In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the **PSP (Public Security Police)** has seized **several tons of hashish**, numerous **firearms**, and detained multiple suspects in an ongoing operation that began last Friday, primarily focused in the **Seixal area** of Greater Lisbon. ### Operation Details The operation, led by the **Lisbon Metropolitan Command** of the PSP through its **Criminal Investigation Division**, involved reinforcements from various PSP units. It is expected to conclude by the end of today. Authorities have highlighted the seizure of **hundreds of thousands of euros in cash**, **speedboats and their engines**, and **vehicles** used in the illicit activities. ### Key Findings and Arrests According to reports from **CNN Portugal**, the operation resulted in **seven arrests**, the confiscation of **nearly six tons of drugs**, and approximately **half a million euros**. Police caught the suspects unloading hashish from speedboats into a warehouse in Seixal. ### Judicial Proceedings The detainees are scheduled for their first judicial interrogation on Monday, where coercive measures will be considered. Once police procedures are complete and judicial measures are applied, the PSP plans to hold a **press conference** to present the full results of the operation to the media.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>drugtrafficking</category> <category>psp</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>crime</category> <category>arrests</category> <enclosure url="https://wm.observador.pt/wm/l/https%3A%2F%2Fbordalo.observador.pt%2Fv2%2Frs%3Afill%3A770%3A403%2Fc%3A2000%3A1122%3Anowe%3A0%3A70%2Fq%3A70%2Ff%3Awebp%2Fplain%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.observador.pt%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2F11194423%2F44600965.jpg?layer=obstop:T" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Rain Finally Arrives in Portugal: Regional Forecasts for October 20-21 Reveal Surprising Weather Patterns]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/rain-finally-arrives-in-portugal-regional-forecasts-for-october-20-21-reveal-surprising-weather-patterns</link> <guid>rain-finally-arrives-in-portugal-regional-forecasts-for-october-20-21-reveal-surprising-weather-patterns</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 20:00:22 GMT</pubDate> <description>< In the islands, humid conditions continue, with **the Azores experiencing disturbance effects, rough seas, and strong winds!** The deepening of this depression remains uncertain - a key factor that will define precipitation levels in mainland Portugal and Madeira - but **fortunately, no severe weather situations are expected for now!** **In Madeira, rainfall is possible, particularly on Monday, but limited to occasional showers** with persistent light precipitation expected in mountainous areas and potential **fog**. **Temperatures continue above average in the archipelagos and in Central and Southern mainland Portugal**.  ## Weather on Monday, October 20, 2025 **Mainland Portugal expects cloudy skies with breaks, some precipitation moving from North to South during early morning**, followed by gradually drier conditions with good breaks between approximately 9am and 6pm. **More precipitation is expected from late afternoon, especially in the North**, potentially intense in Minho and Douro Litoral by day's end. **Winds from West or Southwest, generally weak to moderate (15-25 km/h)**, with moderate conditions (30 km/h) and gusts up to 45 km/h in highlands. **Temperatures range from 14-18°C (minimums) - warmer nights than usual - and 19-24°C maximums in the North, 24-28°C in Center and South**. Sea conditions remain relatively calm with waves up to 2 meters on the Western Coast north of Cabo Carvoeiro, water temperature 17-19°C. Southern Algarve coast waves below 1 meter, water around 21°C.  **In the AZORES, expect very cloudy periods** with breaks, especially during afternoon. **Light showers or periods of weak rain expected**, particularly in mountainous areas, with **moderate Southwest winds** (20-35 km/h), stronger gusts in Western Islands (up to 50 km/h). **Temperatures remain above average** with tropical minimums (>20°C) and maximums above 24-26°C. Sea becomes rough with **waves between 2-4 meters in the afternoon**, particularly in Western and Central Island groups, water temperature around 23°C. **In MADEIRA, generally very cloudy skies** with breaks in Porto Santo. **Periods of weak rain or light showers expected**, especially in Madeira Island and mountainous points. Fog possible. Temperatures above average, similar to previous days, with weak to moderate West winds (10-25 km/h). Calm sea with waves up to 1 meter, water at 23°C.  ## Weather on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 With shift to NAO- regime and nearby depressions, **mainland Portugal expects another cloudy day with breaks in southern regions**. **Rain will fall, more persistent north of Montejunto-Estrela mountain system**, sometimes moderate. **Southern regions may experience minimal rainfall (drizzle)**, less likely in Algarve where sunshine may continue in some areas. **Winds from West, moderate to strong (30-40 km/h)**, with gusts up to 55 km/h in highlands until late morning. **Temperatures range from 14-18°C (minimums) - another warmer night than usual - and 19-22°C maximums in the North, 24-28°C in Center and South** - maintaining warm, muggy conditions despite rainfall. Sea relatively calm with waves up to 2 meters on Western Coast north of Cabo Carvoeiro, water temperature 17-19°C. Southern Algarve coast waves below 1 meter, water around 21°C.  **In the AZORES, expect cloudy periods with breaks**, especially during morning. Weather may worsen during afternoon - **rain, occasional in morning, may become more persistent in afternoon**. **Winds initially moderate (20-35 km/h) from Southwest**, potentially intensifying with gusts up to 60 km/h across all islands, occasionally 70-80 km/h. Temperatures remain unchanged, maintaining muggy conditions. Rough seas with waves up to 5 meters in Western Islands, 3-4 meters elsewhere, sea water around 23°C. **In MADEIRA, expect cloudy periods with more breaks**. No significant rainfall expected, though occasional light showers cannot be ruled out. **Weak to moderate West winds** (10-20 km/h), temperatures without relevant changes, calm sea with water around 23°C.  **This will be the start of the week, with some precipitation expected to intensify in the second half - though forecasts remain highly uncertain, stay alert!**]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>weather</category> <category>forecast</category> <category>rain</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>meteorology</category> <enclosure url="https://lusometeo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/social_segunda-terca.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Chega Edges Out CDU in Lisbon by Just 3 Votes, Securing Extra Council Seat Amid PCP Dispute]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/chega-edges-out-cdu-in-lisbon-by-just-3-votes-securing-extra-council-seat-amid-pcp-dispute</link> <guid>chega-edges-out-cdu-in-lisbon-by-just-3-votes-securing-extra-council-seat-amid-pcp-dispute</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 02:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Election Results Finalized in Lisbon The vote-counting process for the Lisbon City Council elections concluded this Friday, confirming the distribution of mandates as initially reported on Sunday night. According to the general counting assembly, **Chega has secured two council seats**, with **Bruno Mascarenhas** and **Ana Simões Silva** elected, while the **CDU will have one seat**, represented by **João Ferreira**. ### Dispute Over the Outcome Despite the official results, the **PCP (Portuguese Communist Party)** is not accepting the outcome as final. They are evaluating their options, which could include an appeal to the **Constitutional Court**. This move highlights the ongoing political tensions following the close election. ### Background Context This result reinforces the political shifts observed in recent local elections, with Chega gaining ground in Lisbon's municipal politics.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>lisbon</category> <category>elections</category> <category>chega</category> <category>cdu</category> <category>politics</category> <enclosure url="https://imagens.publico.pt/imagens.aspx/2038613?tp=UH&db=IMAGENS&type=JPG&share=1&o=BarraFacebook_Publico.png" length="0" type="image/aspx/2038613"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Epic 2,000-Mile Cycling Adventure from Cornwall to Portugal with Surfboards in Tow]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/epic-2-000-mile-cycling-adventure-from-cornwall-to-portugal-with-surfboards-in-tow</link> <guid>epic-2-000-mile-cycling-adventure-from-cornwall-to-portugal-with-surfboards-in-tow</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 08:00:24 GMT</pubDate> <description>< As their route out of Roscoff took them down a narrow, overgrown track with brambles brushing their legs and panniers, Martin started to wonder what they had got themselves into. Would they have to ride on paths like this all the way? What were they thinking? The plan was to cycle from home in Cornwall to **Cape St Vincent in Portugal**, Europe’s most south-westerly point, surfing as they went. The journey, Martin reckoned, would be at least 1,900 miles (over 3,000km). He had travelled to surf in Europe many times before, but only in a campervan and, in his late teens and 20s, a series of clapped-out cars. His friends and he went to Europe to surf, drink cheap red wine, smoke Gauloises, and live out their Californian Beach Boys fantasies. They were following in the footsteps of those who had made the trip in the 1960s and 1970s, leaving the UK to surf in the sun on world-class waves. In time, the journey became a rite of passage for all surfers: get beaten up in the powerful French shore breaks, find new waves in northern Spain, and lose yourself on the wild coasts of Portugal. The prospect of doing it all again, but this time on two wheels, thrilled him. Martin had become disillusioned with travelling by van and needed time out. He loved the idea of chasing waves without the faff and environmental impact of van life and wondered if living with less would make him happier. Would stripping back to basics – a surfboard, a wetsuit, a tent, a meths cooker, and a change of clothes – make for a bigger, more meaningful adventure?  Travelling by bike, Martin argued while planning this trip, would allow them to follow the old roads and forgotten paths their surfing forefathers had travelled and give them the kind of access to beaches that is impossible today. Eventually, the bumpy lanes outside Roscoff gave way to smooth, flowing tarmac, following the course of a muddy river, and they cruised along easily, their trailers rumbling happily behind them. Dare he hope it would all be fine? The truth was, at that point, Martin doubted he was up to the adventure. In 2023, he had severed his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), an injury that left him in a knee brace and on crutches for weeks. In the early days of recovery, he feared he’d never surf again. The NHS consultant told him "most people your age manage perfectly well without an ACL." Martin felt the sharp sting of ageism. But he wasn’t ready to be written off just yet. He had the ligament repaired privately and, when the surgeon recommended cycling for rehab, he took him at his word. **Riding ebikes made the trip possible**. The psychological effect of knowing he had a little in the tank if things got difficult worked wonders, even if they rode in the mode that delivered the least power most of the time. They followed La Vélodyssée, an 800-mile, mostly off-road cycle route down the west coast of France to Hendaye on the border with Spain, joining the Nantes-Brest canal for the first 190 miles. The riding was mostly flat, and they bimbled along happily. Martin loved the attention they got: he guessed there weren’t many middle-aged cyclists pulling surfboards along the towpath.  At about 6pm each day – after about five hours in the saddle – they’d stop at a campsite, cook, and collapse on to their blow-up beds. They’d prebooked some sites but mostly took their chances that something would turn up. On the one occasion it didn’t, they checked in to a hotel. Clean white sheets – heaven! Despite daily drenchings from rain showers, Martin loved being self-sufficient and outside all day. When they finally found some good waves, at Seignosse, a little north of surfing’s spiritual European home, Biarritz, hitting them was all the more satisfying. Spain, and her terrible hills, gave them a shock after the level paths through France’s maritime pine forest. Just after crossing the border, they climbed Jaizkibel mountain in rain and fog. It was a 5-mile slog from sea level to 450 metres, en route to San Sebastián. Martin resisted the urge to press the ebike’s power button despite it being a "classic climb" that has been featured in the Tour de France and Spain’s equivalent, La Vuelta. When he reached the top, he was wet, cold, and exhausted – but elated. If it hadn’t been so misty, he could have looked back at France behind him and seen how far they had come. They had ridden 870 miles since leaving home, and Martin had loved it. He had surfed some excellent waves too, at Biarritz and Hendaye, as well as Seignosse, and had got his mojo back after months out of the water. He decided it was just like riding a bike: you never forget how to do it. He was definitely ready for the more serious Iberian waves to come.  After Jaizkibel, Martin’s legs were tuned up, and he was starting to relish this life-affirming trip that would see them follow the coasts of Spain and Portugal for another 1,200 miles over the next two months. They surfed some hallowed spots at Mundaka, Peniche, and the World Surfing Reserve at Ericeira; mended multiple punctures; pitched their tent 67 times; climbed another 20,000 metres; and completed two legs of the Camino de Santiago. Arriving in Praza do Obradoiro, the main square in Santiago de Compostela old town, was a highlight. But they still had another 500 miles to go to their final destination of Sagres in the Algarve. Martin may not be as fit as he was in his 20s – but the thrill of adventure remains the same.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>cycling</category> <category>surfing</category> <category>adventure</category> <category>portugal</category> <category>travel</category> <enclosure url="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/71506f68c61eda836c8f646a7f9d88600dafd67c/0_0_3750_3000/master/3750.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&precrop=40:21,offset-x50,offset-y0&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=1b0d663b35fd8da52ca87ea98f060a54" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Portugal Moves to Ban Burqas and Niqabs in Public Spaces Following Parliamentary Vote]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/portugal-moves-to-ban-burqas-and-niqabs-in-public-spaces-following-parliamentary-vote</link> <guid>portugal-moves-to-ban-burqas-and-niqabs-in-public-spaces-following-parliamentary-vote</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 05:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description>< Anyone found forcing someone else to wear a face veil could face **jail time of up to three years**. If enacted into law, this ban would align Portugal with other European countries like **France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands**, which have implemented full or partial bans on face coverings. ### Political Debate and Opposition During the parliamentary debate, **Andre Ventura**, leader of Chega, argued that the ban was necessary to "protect female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day." However, the proposal faced opposition from **several women MPs from left-wing parties**, who confronted Ventura in the Assembly of the Republic. Despite this, the measure passed with support from the **centre-right coalition**. **Andreia Neto** of the ruling Social Democratic Party stated before the vote, "This is a debate on equality between men and women. No woman should be forced to veil her face." ### Next Steps and Context The bill now awaits potential action from **Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa**, who could either veto it or refer it to the **Constitutional Court** for further review. In Portugal, face veils like niqabs and burqas are very rare, with only a small minority of Muslim women in Europe choosing to cover their faces. Nonetheless, the issue has sparked controversy across the continent, with debates centering on **women's rights, security concerns, and religious freedom**.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>portugal</category> <category>burkaban</category> <category>chega</category> <category>politics</category> <category>religiousfreedom</category> <enclosure url="https://e3.365dm.com/22/05/1600x900/skynews-burqa-afghanistan_5763397.jpg?20220507112119" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[PS to Officially Back Seguro for President: Will the Party Unite Behind Him?]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/ps-to-officially-back-seguro-for-president-will-the-party-unite-behind-him</link> <guid>ps-to-officially-back-seguro-for-president-will-the-party-unite-behind-him</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 07:00:26 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## PS Set to Endorse Seguro in Presidential Race After a year and ten days since **António José Seguro** was first proposed by **Pedro Nuno Santos** as a potential candidate for the **Presidency of the Republic**, the **PS national commission** is poised to formally support its former secretary-general in the upcoming election. This endorsement comes just three months before the presidential vote, marking a significant step in Seguro's journey to secure his party's backing. ### Key Vote on Sunday Afternoon The commission will vote on a **resolution** put forward by **Carlos César** and **José Luís Carneiro**, advocating for support of Seguro. There is considerable interest in how various members will cast their votes, as the party aims to mobilize its apparatus to catch up with the ongoing pre-campaign momentum.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>politics</category> <category>ps</category> <category>seguro</category> <category>presidentialelection</category> <category>portugal</category> <enclosure url="https://imagens.publico.pt/imagens.aspx/2038666?tp=UH&db=IMAGENS&type=JPG&share=1&o=BarraFacebook_Publico.png" length="0" type="image/aspx/2038666"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Discover the Hidden Geological Wonders of Portugal's Algarve: UNESCO Geopark Reveals Earth's Ancient Secrets]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/discover-the-hidden-geological-wonders-of-portugals-algarve-unesco-geopark-reveals-earths-ancient-secrets</link> <guid>discover-the-hidden-geological-wonders-of-portugals-algarve-unesco-geopark-reveals-earths-ancient-secrets</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 03:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description>< ## Discovering Our Territory As "saints at home don't perform miracles," it's likely that the average citizen, who has heard of the Geoparque Algarvensis, hasn't yet gone to discover this territory. In the municipality of Silves, there are many points of interest and several routes already with signage. The most complete is called the **"Do Mar à Rocha Vermelha" Route**, linking marine landscapes to traces of volcanoes and ancient oceans, to the monuments of Silves, such as the Cathedral, the Castle, and the Municipal Museum of Archaeology. ## Point 1 – Fortaleza de Armação de Pêra Built by order of the captain from Lagos, João Galego (c.1610 – 1680), the Fortress of Santo António da Pedra da Galé was completed in 1667. Its builder had been captain of the Company of Seafarers in Vila Nova de Portimão, from where he moved, in 1660, to the fort of Santo António, located next to the fishing settlement of Pedra da Galé. Both the fortress and the hermitage were built at his expense. He held the position until his death, being replaced by his son and later by his grandson, all named João Galego. The fortification aimed to provide protection, against corsair attacks, to the settlements of Alcantarilha and Pêra, as well as the tuna fishing operations launched in the bay. The tsunami that followed the 1755 earthquake deeply devastated the fortress and the hermitage. Shortly after being rebuilt, the hermitage, with 32 m², features a single nave and rectangular plan, with a straight lintel portal and simple bell tower, consecrated to Santo António and also called Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos. The monument was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1978. In the 1960s, due to major collapses caused by strong sea agitation, particularly in 1963 and 1968, the DGEMN proceeded with its reconstruction. In 1977, the chapel was intervened. In 2013, restoration and consolidation works were carried out on the arch and adjacent walls. The genetic nucleus of the town, the Fortress, continues to be the symbol of the village of Armação de Pêra.  ## Point 2 – Lagoa dos Salgados – Tsunamito de 1755 The 1755 tsunami has been widely studied in the Algarve region, where it left marks both on land and at sea. Three of these studies were conducted in the Algarvensis territory, analyzing sediments in the estuary of Ribeira de Quarteira and Ribeira de Alcantarilha, in Lagoa dos Salgados, and on the continental shelf. In Lagoa dos Salgados, researchers managed to determine the exact direction of the wave's entry into the site, which allowed estimating its maximum height, which was less than 10 meters. ## Point 3 – Rios de Lava de São Bartolomeu de Messines The volcanic rocks observed at this site, at Monte de São José, near the entrance to the town, next to the EN 124, are part of an important global volcanic episode called the **Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP)**, and are approximately 201 million years old, coinciding with the beginning of the Jurassic period. The CAMP was an episode of intense volcanism that, although short, expelled enormous volumes of lava and pyroclasts of basaltic composition. This is one of the best places to see these volcanic rocks and understand how they formed.  ## Point 4 – Continente Antigo de Vale Fuzeiros The "Red Algarve," like the Castle of Silves, owes its color to the set of sediments called the **"Silves Group."** This sequence of reddish sediments was deposited during the Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic (230 to 200 million years ago) in rivers, lakes, and lagoons of the only continent existing at the time, **Pangea**, which was beginning to break apart. Although the "Silves Group" is visible throughout the Algarve, in a narrow E-W oriented strip, its most complete sequence is found in the region of São Bartolomeu de Messines – Amorosa – Vale Fuzeiros. The presence of vertebrate fossils, such as **Metoposaurus algarvensis**, phytosaurs, and placodonts, stands out. The Silves Group ends at the top with the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex, whose age is attributed to the base of the Lower Jurassic (201 million years).  ## Point 5 – Mar Antigo de Vale Fuzeiros In the Algarve Mountains, the oldest rocks of the Algarve are found, dated to about 345 million years ago, from the Carboniferous period. The layers of laminated pelites and greywackes characteristic of the mountains accumulated at the bottom of an ancient ocean, called **Rheic**. In Vale Fuzeiros, the **Brejeira Formation** outcrops, which is between 318 and 307 million years old (around the time when the first reptiles were beginning to appear!). Here, you can still see current marks, erosion structures at the base of the greywacke layers, and plant impressions, whose fragments were also transported by turbidity currents. Fossils of goniatites (extinct species of marine mollusks with spiral shells) were also found in the Brejeira Formation, which help tell the story of a deep sea, swept by turbidity currents – a kind of underwater avalanches of mud and sand that descend along the continental slope towards the ocean floor. As deposits from these successive turbidity currents accumulated and were later compressed and heated, the schists and greywackes of the mountains formed.  ## Point 6 – Castelo de Silves The former Islamic alcazaba is mentioned in historical sources from the 10th century. It has an irregular plan, is built in military rammed earth covered by blocks of Silves sandstone, consisting of ten towers, two of which are of the albarrã type. Access to the towers is through the wall walk, and entry into the property is through a double door with a gallery. Inside, two water storage devices are observed, highlighting the Cistern, as well as silos and ruins of ancient palatial dwellings.  ## Other Routes and Points of Interest For those who want to explore the Geoparque Algarvensis from Silves, there are already several support points and resources available: - **Cerro de São Miguel (Barrocal de Silves)** – one of the high points of the territory, with stunning views over the mountains and the Algarve coast. - **Barragem do Arade and Vale do Arade** – a space where nature, water, and geology meet, ideal for hiking and bird watching. - **Percurso da Via Algarviana** (sections in Silves) – part of the great trail that crosses the Algarve, providing a journey through the mountainous interior. - **Abandoned quarry in São Marcos da Serra**, where you can observe the boundary between the turbidites of the Mira Formation and the rocks of the Brejeira Formation. Also observed at this site is the valley formed by the São Marcos da Serra-Quarteira Fault, a huge fracture that crosses the rocks of the territory from northwest to southeast and separates the Serra do Caldeirão to the east from the Serra de Monchique. - **Monchique-Silves Geotrail** (included sections) – an interpretive route linking the geological heritage of the mountains to the Silves area, with explanatory panels. - **Castelo de Silves, Sé de Silves, and Museu Municipal de Arqueologia** – cultural points where human history dialogues with the geology that provided the raw material for the medieval city. These routes and places allow visitors and residents to discover the territory in an integrated way, combining nature, culture, and science, always with a perspective of sustainable tourism. All information about these routes and the territory can be found at the Silves Tourist Office, located at Praça do Município, or on the online platform of the Geoparque Algarvensis, which provides updated information on routes, events, educational visits, and ongoing projects (www.geoparquealgarvensis.pt). The best way to get to know the Geopark is on foot, through the trails that cross the mountains and the barrocal, or on guided tours organized by local entities. For families, school groups, or occasional visitors, there are specific programs that allow diving into the geology, biodiversity, and culture of Silves.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>geopark</category> <category>algarve</category> <category>unesco</category> <category>geology</category> <category>tourism</category> <enclosure url="https://www.terraruiva.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rota-do-Mar-a-Rocha-Vermelha-site.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Thousands Rally in Lisbon for Palestine: A Call for Ceasefire and Peace]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/thousands-rally-in-lisbon-for-palestine-a-call-for-ceasefire-and-peace</link> <guid>thousands-rally-in-lisbon-for-palestine-a-call-for-ceasefire-and-peace</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 21:00:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Massive Protest in Lisbon Demands End to Conflict **Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Lisbon this Sunday** to call for peace in Palestine and the enforcement of a ceasefire. The protest, organized by the **Platform for United Solidarity with Palestine (PUSP)**, saw a massive turnout stretching from Rossio to Rua da Prata. ### Voices from the March Chants like "In every city, on every corner, we are all Palestine," "Long live the struggle of the Palestinian people, Israel is a murderous state," and "Down with Zionism, it will fall" echoed through the streets as groups sought to draw attention to the occupation. Jonathan Bebebgui, from the **Jews for Peace movement**, emphasized that the issue is not about anti-Semitism but about opposing what he called "colonialism." He stated, "Despite the genocide that has been happening, it's good to see a global reaction worldwide, and we believe this will continue until Palestine is free." ### Solidarity Across Society The presence of many citizens who had never participated in such actions before highlighted the **solidarity of the Portuguese people**. João Antunes from **Doctors Without Borders**, part of the organizing group, welcomed the strong support, noting the precarious nature of the ceasefire and ongoing instability in the territory. He shared challenges faced by NGOs, such as restrictions on humanitarian aid: "We had four trucks, and only two were allowed in." Antunes stressed the need for aid to enter without constraints, as "the suffering of people has not ended." ### International Pressure and Hope for Change Jonathan Bebebgui argued that change must come from international civil society through actions like boycotts, citing significant brainwashing in Israel and controlled public opinion. He believes that **global pressure is crucial** for a resolution. Maria dos Santos, an anonymous participant holding a banner from **Amnesty International**, expressed her motivation: "I didn't know about this, I don't even have a Palestinian scarf, but I saw these people at Rossio and wanted to be with them. To do something." She added, "I'm not political, I don't like politics. But what's happening in Palestine is a shame for all of us." ### The Role of Civil Society The protest underscored the belief that **civil society's pressure can make a difference**, with participants urging for an end to occupation and oppression, emphasizing that a ceasefire alone is not enough for lasting peace.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>palestine</category> <category>ceasefire</category> <category>protest</category> <category>lisbon</category> <category>solidarity</category> <enclosure url="https://cdn.cmjornal.pt/images/2025-10/img_1280x721uu2025-10-19-18-25-25-2242627.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Portugal's PSP Reveals Shocking Scale of Irregular Immigration and Human Trafficking Networks]]></title> <link>https://www.portugaltoday.news/article/portugals-psp-reveals-shocking-scale-of-irregular-immigration-and-human-trafficking-networks</link> <guid>portugals-psp-reveals-shocking-scale-of-irregular-immigration-and-human-trafficking-networks</guid> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:00:23 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## PSP Estimates Tens of Thousands of Irregular Immigrants in Portugal The head of the PSP's National Unit for Foreigners and Borders has estimated that **"tens of thousands" of immigrants** are living in Portugal irregularly and expressed concern about networks detected at airports, particularly involving citizens from Portuguese-speaking countries. "I would say we have several tens of thousands of people in an irregular situation in the national territory," said João Ribeiro, national deputy director of the PSP and head of the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF). ### Majority Are Simple Cases, But Risks Remain The official admitted that most are likely simple cases, "perhaps due to inexperience, perhaps due to inaction, looking at the legal context that existed, or because they didn't submit documents, or because they should have proven certain situations and didn't." "The issue is that we now have a more coherent framework in terms of regulated migration," he stated. In an interview with Lusa agency, João Ribeiro revealed that some immigrants had a manifestation of interest (an instrument abolished in June 2024 that allowed foreign citizens wanting to live in the country to request a residence permit), but others arrived without that instrument and without any registration. "They never submitted any documents. If they didn't gather the documents when due, they are in an irregular situation," he said, noting that immigrants in this situation are essentially from **Brazil and the Indian subcontinent**, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. ### New PSP Unit's Main Concern Emphasizing that this number is related to "the excessive volume of processes that AIMA had to deal with and that represents major challenges" for the PSP, João Ribeiro stressed that the new PSP unit's "main concern" is these irregular immigrants and those currently entering Portugal, who represent a **"major risk"** for the country and the Schengen area. In this sense, he advanced that "one of the recent concerns" of the PSP is related to the recent networks detected at airports. "Since the manifestations of interest ended, [this type of network] is seen as a simpler way" to try to enter the country, said the official, arguing that it is necessary to "look more closely at this approach." ### Fake Contracts and CPLP Networks The PSP has detected many **fake contracts** at airports, with non-existent companies, by "citizens from different CPLP [Community of Portuguese Language Countries] countries who want to come to Portugal to work," he said. Some of them have even "confessed that they paid to obtain these documents," and many may even be "using Portugal as a gateway to Europe." The official maintained that the focus will be on anticipating risk scenarios. He exemplified that there have been "meetings and contacts with migration and border police from other countries, namely from the CPLP," to reinforce air borders in those states that represent a risk to Portuguese borders. He also mentioned that in the last month, several training courses were held in various CPLP countries to empower local border police in detecting risk situations and those representing migratory pressure for Portugal. "By projecting these elements, we are going to the origin of migratory routes, because the migratory pressure that some of these countries have is not so much from nationals of those states. It ends up being a whole set of neighboring states where there are migratory routes that try to use the quality of the CPLP country to come precisely to Portugal," he said. ## Increase in Human Trafficking Cases in Portugal The head of the PSP's UNEF also advanced that more cases of **human trafficking** are being flagged in Portugal for labor and sexual exploitation and 'importation' of children for adoption. "Unfortunately, we have had signs that Portugal is also a destination for human trafficking for labor exploitation, for sexual exploitation, and also, unfortunately, some cases where they are processes for the purposes of importation, and I apologize for the expression being very strong, importation of children for adoption," specified the national deputy director of the PSP and head of the UNEF. João Ribeiro explained that the competence in the area of human trafficking crime lies with the Judicial Police, but the Public Security Police "has a fundamental role in terms of prevention" in being able to flag situations that occur at airport border crossings and nationally. "The situations fundamentally occur in large urban centers, in metropolitan areas, and also on the coast. In this sense, I must say that there is an excellent relationship with the Republican National Guard and Judicial Police in identifying these situations," he emphasized. The official specified that the PSP is currently flagging more cases of human trafficking than in the past. "The investigation competence is not ours, it's the Judicial Police's, but, in fact, the numbers we are flagging are significant, it doesn't mean that in terms of investigation all those situations configure the legal type of crime that represents human trafficking," he stated. Regarding the 'importation' of children for adoption, João Ribeiro mentioned that the PSP is detecting at national airports situations where "apparently relatives or non-relatives" arrive in the country with children and raise suspicions. "That is one of the aspects we have increased airport capacity to flag," he added.]]></description> <author>contact@portugaltoday.news (PortugalToday.news)</author> <category>immigration</category> <category>humantrafficking</category> <category>psp</category> <category>crime</category> <category>borders</category> <enclosure url="https://wm.observador.pt/wm/l/https%3A%2F%2Fbordalo.observador.pt%2Fv2%2Frs%3Afill%3A770%3A403%2Fc%3A2000%3A1121%3Anowe%3A0%3A37%2Fq%3A70%2Ff%3Awebp%2Fplain%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.observador.pt%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2F19050237%2F45845876.jpg?layer=obstop:T" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> </channel> </rss>