Police chief turns minister; government thinks outside box
In a complete break with normal practice, Portugal’s government offered Luís Neves, director of the country’s Polícia Judiciária (PJ) criminal investigation police force for the last eight years, the role
Rising cost of foodstuffs forcing nationals to ‘rethink’ how they eat
Various news items today have centred on the rising cost of “basic foods”, like fish and meat (staples of Portuguese cuisine). Universities are appealing for ‘state help’ to stock their
Health officials issue stark warning over online ‘paracetamol challenge’
Portugal’s Health Ministry is among several health bodies across Europe warning families about a dangerous social media trend known as the “paracetamol challenge”, which encourages young people to take excessive
Labour reform ‘impasse’: minister will take proposed changes to parliament regardless
Grinding on now for the best part of six months, ‘negotiations’ over the government proposed labour reforms are still deadlocked. Employers say the changes “don’t warrant this conflict”; unions have
Rains in early February make month “rainiest in 47 years”
The first 15 days of February have already made this month the rainiest in the last 47 years, IPMA, Portugal’s national meteorological institute (IPMA) has revealed – adding that the
Algarve public hospitals owed over €1.2 million by foreign patients
Over €1.2 million is owed to the Algarve’s public hospitals by foreign patients who used emergency services but never paid, according to a new report. The findings come from the
Airlines TAP and SATA have to return ‘millions of euros’ in state support
Portuguese airlines TAP and SATA have to return millions of euros in state support, due to ‘failing commitments made with Brussels’. The money goes back to 2021 when Brussels ceded
Portugal’s state health service loses just over €1 billion in 2025
Portugal’s beleaguered SNS state health service balance stood at -€1.035 billion in 2025 – an improvement of €533.9 billion compared to the same period last year, the health minister announced
Algarve beach among best in world – TripAdvisor
Albufeira’s Praia da Falésia has been named the fifth best beach in the world in TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards 2026. The Algarve beach is bested only by Mexico’s Isla Pasion,
US Ambassador seeks stronger alliance with Portugal
The US Ambassador to Portugal, John Arrigo, has signalled that the US wants to reduce the overseas trade imbalance between the two countries – currently in Portugal’s favour – and