RTP reports the president of the Bar Association has called for a National Legal Emergency Plan to deal with rising pressures on the justice system. The appeal signals concern from the legal profession about capacity, access to counsel and timely handling of cases; the story calls for coordinated measures to reduce backlogs. Law firms, litigants and anyone involved in legal processes should follow proposals emerging from the Bar Association and the government. Those working with Portuguese lawyers should expect calls for procedural or resourcing changes.

Update: Ordem dos Advogados urges national legal plan

RTP coverage quotes the Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) president asking for a coordinated national response to court backlogs and access-to-counsel problems, warning current capacity strains risk longer delays for clients and litigants.

Diário de Notícias reports the European Parliament approved a report on the EU Strategy for Combating Poverty by a large majority; Portuguese MEPs from Liberal Initiative abstained while those from Chega voted against. The vote is framed as a political signal pushing poverty reduction higher on the EU agenda and framing priorities for future EU action. Social-policy NGOs, municipalities and residents affected by poverty should watch for funding or programme changes linked to the EU strategy. Those following Portuguese politics may note the party-line divisions in the vote.

Update: European Parliament approves anti-poverty report

Diário de Notícias notes the broadly supported vote sets political priorities for upcoming EU action and may influence funding and programme decisions at national and local level; opposition from Chega and abstentions from Liberal Initiative highlight domestic party splits.

Público reports that a disused school in the Cerco area, closed to the public since 2023 because of drug-related problems, is being refurbished and repurposed as a local health unit (unidade local de saúde). The project aims to restore access to services in the neighbourhood while addressing safety concerns that had blocked entry. The conversion could improve nearby primary-care access and outreach for vulnerable residents. Those living near Cerco and users of local health services should watch for announcements about opening dates and available services.

Update: Refurbished pavilion will join existing health services

Público says the Porto council approved rehabilitation of the third pavilion of the former school; the refurbished space will join the Family Health Unit (Unidade de Saúde Familiar) Novo Sentido and the Community Care Unit (Unidade de Cuidados na Comunidade) already operating on the same complex, boosting local primary-care capacity.

The European Parliament approved a European list of safe countries of origin and provided clarification on the concept of a 'safe third country', a move described as significant for EU migration policy by Diário de Notícias. The CDS party supported the change, saying asylum must be legally rigorous and operationally consistent; coverage notes the EU seeks faster, more uniform procedures across member states. The decision could mean quicker handling of some asylum claims and firmer grounds for returns in certain cases. Those following asylum applications or advising migrants should watch how Portugal implements the new list and the definition of a safe third country.

Update: Parliament approves EU safe-country list

Diário de Notícias reports the European Parliament adopted the proposed list and clarified the 'safe third country' concept, with the CDS voting in favour. Coverage says the change aims to harmonise and speed processing across member states and could make returns more likely in some cases.

Meteorologists say precipitation will persist across continental Portugal until Thursday, especially in the North and Centre, though intensity should ease before the weekend. Proteção Civil recorded recent storm-related incidents but forecasts indicate a sunnier weekend. Residents in flood-prone or saturated-ground areas should remain alert for local warnings and possible travel disruption, and follow municipal advisories. Those in the North and Centre should monitor local forecasts over the next 48–72 hours.

Update: Público and RTP: rain to continue until Thursday

Público and RTP report precipitation will continue through Thursday, mainly in the North and Centre but with declining frequency and intensity; meteorologist Cristina Simões said the coming weekend should be sunnier. Proteção Civil has recorded dozens of weather-related incidents but has not signalled a new nationwide emergency.

Update: Calamity lifted in 68 municipalities; Tagus alert lowered

Expresso reports the formal state of calamity has now ended in 68 municipalities after two extensions, though it warns that local disruptions — from impassable rural roads to isolated villages and transport interruptions — persist. Público, Observador and CNN Portugal add that the flood alert for the Tagus basin has been downgraded from red to yellow as river flows fall, but Proteção Civil says there are still completely flooded areas that require local response and monitoring.

Update: Coimbra ULS deactivates emergency plan

The Coimbra Local Health Unit announced it has deactivated the External Emergency Plan (Plano Externo de Emergência or PEE), which had been set at level 2 during the peak risk phase after flooding of the Mondego River. The change signals the immediate peak risk has passed locally, though municipal and health services continue local monitoring and response.

The Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira or AT) says taxpayers can validate invoices related to the 2025 IRS on the Portal until 2 March, not the usual 28 February, RTP and Correio da Manhã report. The short extension affects anyone who itemises deductions and must confirm invoices on the AT site before the new deadline. Log into the tax portal, confirm your invoices and keep digital receipts in case of queries. Taxpaying residents should act before 2 March to avoid missing deductible expenses.

Update: Deadline falls on Monday 2 March, AT confirms

Diário de Notícias reports AT confirmed by email that because 28 February is a Saturday this year the validation deadline moves to the next working day, Monday 2 March; RTP and CNN Portugal issued alerts reminding taxpayers the Portal will accept invoices up to that date.

The Ordem dos Médicos warns that a 2025 portaria that set the cost-sharing regime has restricted prescriptions of certain diabetes medications and glucose sensors to specialists, creating “unnecessary barriers” and organisational strain in an already pressured system, Público and Correio da Manhã report. The medical body says limiting prescriptions to specialists in areas such as endocrinology and nutrition risks delaying access for patients who now must see specific consultants. Patients using sensors or new diabetes drugs should check plans with their GP and diabetes care team about local referral routes. Those managing diabetes in Portugal should monitor guidance from their clinic or health centre.

Update: Ordinance No. 170/2025/1 cited in warning

Diário de Notícias and Público identify the measure as Ordinance No. 170/2025/1, saying it confines prescriptions for certain glucose sensors and newer diabetes drugs to a narrow set of specialties (including endocrinology and nutrition), which the Ordem dos Médicos says could delay access and create organisational strain even if the rule aims to control spending.

RTP reports the new Waitlist Recovery Programme in Healthcare has sparked criticism from hospital managers who say the law restricts referrals and may violate patient rights, arguing it stops private-sector doctors from referring patients to public hospitals where they also work. The dispute centres on how cross-sector referrals will operate under the programme and whether it will slow patient flow rather than speed up access. Patients who use both private and public providers should check with their doctors and hospital administrations about referral rules and appointments. Those relying on mixed public-private care should monitor communications from their provider.

Update: Managers say law bars private-to-public referrals

RTP reports hospital managers say the Waitlist Recovery Programme prevents private-sector doctors from referring patients to public hospitals where they also practise, and they argue the restriction could breach patient rights and slow rather than speed access to care.

X (formerly Twitter) experienced a global outage around 13:15 Portuguese time affecting mobile and web users in several countries, with the service restored around 14:30, RTP and ECO report. Observador notes more than 400,000 reports of access problems during the disruption; the cause remains unclear. Users who rely on X for news or business should expect occasional service updates and check official status channels if access is interrupted.

More than 70 non-governmental organisations have asked EU institutions to suspend implementation of a strategy intended to increase repatriations and reduce irregular migration, RTP and CNN Portugal report. The request asks the EU to halt rollout while concerns about the approach are considered. Those working with migrants, asylum seekers or legal aid services should monitor EU communications and national guidance for any immediate changes.

Update: Reports confirm NGO numbers; EU reply not reported

Correio da Manhã and CNN Portugal reiterate that more than 70 NGOs signed the request asking the EU to pause the repatriation strategy; the outlets report the appeal but did not record a formal response from EU institutions at the time of publication.

Update: RTP says NGOs call for outright rejection

RTP reports the signatories are calling for the outright rejection of the European Commission's pact to accelerate repatriations, warning it could enable home raids, expanded surveillance and racial discrimination similar to policies used by ICE in the United States. The language in RTP's piece is stronger than earlier coverage that described a request to suspend rollout; outlets still report no formal response from EU institutions.

Traffic remains restricted or suspended on several railway lines after recent bad weather, with CP reporting problems on the Northern, Beira Baixa, Beira Alta, Douro, Oeste and Coimbra Urban lines. Some sections are operating with reduced frequency or replacement buses while inspections and repairs continue. Expect delays and altered timetables on affected routes; check Comboios de Portugal's live updates before travelling and allow extra time for connections. Those travelling by train in the coming days should confirm services and ticket-change options.

Update: Correio da Manhã confirms continued constraints

Correio da Manhã reports the same lines remain affected and that inspections and repair work are ongoing; the outlet warns of continued delays and recommends checking operator updates for the named routes.

Rosário Palma Ramalho has called employers' leaders and trade union representatives to a meeting at the Ministry of Labour (Ministério do Trabalho) on Wednesday to continue technical discussions aimed at changing labour law, Expresso reports. The meeting follows a series of talks intended to find agreement on amendments that could affect working conditions and employer obligations. Employers and workers should watch for outcomes that might affect contracts, collective bargaining and workplace rules.

A court has confirmed that Christine Ourmières-Widener's lawsuit against TAP will remain in civil court, CNN Portugal reports; she contests her dismissal for just cause that the Government announced in March 2023 following a General Inspectorate of Finance report into a €500,000 payment to Alexandra Reis. Keeping the case in civil jurisdiction means it will proceed under ordinary civil procedures rather than administrative routes. Those following TAP litigation and corporate governance should watch for case developments and any implications for the airline's management.

António José Seguro was elected president with more than 3.5 million votes, winning the most votes in 306 of 308 municipalities, provisional final results show. National outlets reported a broad geographic victory but official tallies remain the reference for legal deadlines and any challenges. Those following Portuguese politics or planning to be in the country for inauguration-related events should watch for formal confirmation from electoral authorities.

Update: Turnout rose to 50% in second round

Provisional data published by the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Administration and reported by RTP, Correio da Manhã and CNN Portugal show voter abstention reached about 50% in the second round. The result for António José Seguro remains provisionally reported; official tallies and deadlines for any legal challenges are still set by electoral authorities.