Thursday, 9 July 2026

The Almada City Council has declared an alert status following persistent water supply failures in the municipality. Mayor Inês de Medeiros announced measures including nightly water cuts and a ban on non-essential usage, such as garden irrigation and pool filling, to stabilize the system.

Update: Protests erupt in Almada over persistent water shortages

Around 1,500 residents protested in Costa da Caparica this Wednesday, blocking roads to demand an urgent solution to the ongoing supply crisis. The Municipalized Water and Sanitation Services (Serviços Municipalizados de Água e Saneamento or SMAS) attributed the failures to extreme heat and seasonal population spikes, while the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) has blocked parliamentary hearings on the matter.

The Supreme Court of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justiça or STJ) has rejected appeals from four members of the No Name Boys fan group. The individuals were convicted of serious crimes including aggravated robbery, assault, and aggravated rape linked to violent clashes between football supporters in 2022.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that June 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in Western Europe. Experts noted that extreme temperatures on land and at sea are evidence of accelerating climate change, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced at the NATO summit in Ankara that Portugal has met the alliance's target of investing 2% of its GDP in defense for the first time. The government now aims to reach 3.1% of GDP in defense spending this year. Former Assembly of the Republic President Augusto Santos Silva also expressed support for a new NATO mission focused on maritime security in the Arctic.

Recent heatwave conditions have resulted in nearly 200 excess deaths across Portugal over the last five days, with 62 deaths recorded on Monday alone. While the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that European nations must treat the heat as a public health emergency, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) currently rules out an extreme scenario for the country.

Update: Heatwave linked to 63 excess deaths

The Secretary of State for Health confirmed that 63 excess deaths have been directly associated with the recent heatwave as of July 6. Authorities noted that while demand for the SNS 24 health line and emergency services has increased, the overall pressure on hospital emergency departments remains manageable.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins admitted this Wednesday that emergency departments will face significant constraints throughout the summer. She stated that the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) would require double the current number of healthcare professionals to ensure a fully stable response.

The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against Portugal for failing to meet European Union standards in several areas. The actions concern non-compliance with waste recycling targets, inadequate fisheries control, and labour legislation that does not fully align with EU requirements for transparent working conditions.

A government proposal to reform the management of undivided inheritances (heranças indivisas) has been approved in committee. The new rules allow a single heir, a surviving spouse, or an executor to unlock the sale of inherited properties, aiming to reduce legal delays.

The Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has dismantled a criminal group suspected of profiting millions from the fraudulent regularisation of thousands of migrants. Five suspects were arrested, including three business owners and a local tax office chief, for crimes including money laundering and document forgery.

Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Fernando Alexandre has admitted that the new electronic grading system for national exams faced significant technical obstacles. While he guarantees that all papers will be graded by July 17, he acknowledged that 20% of responses remain unprocessed and promised that the state will compensate families who can prove financial losses due to the delays.

A SATA flight bound for Toronto made an emergency landing on Terceira Island this Tuesday after smoke was detected in the cabin. Six passengers were transported to local health units for smoke inhalation, with three taken to the Santo Espírito Hospital and three to the Praia da Vitória Health Centre.

The Almada City Council has announced a ban on all non-essential water usage, including watering, to replenish reserves following persistent supply failures. Local officials hope to stabilize the situation within two to three weeks, though critics point to long-standing infrastructure neglect and high water loss rates in the municipality.

The market share for generic medicines in Portugal fell to 50.5% in April 2026, down from 52.2% in 2024. The Portuguese Association for Medicines for Health Equity (EQUALMED) is calling for new measures to protect the supply chain and ensure the sustainability of generic drug availability.

The Constitutional Court has struck down a legal provision that allowed domestic violence victims to provide testimony without alerting the accused. The ruling has sparked concern among magistrates regarding the potential for witness intimidation and delays in judicial proceedings.