Beja, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Castro Verde.
Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that a proposed submarine electricity cable between Portugal and Morocco will only proceed if private or European Union funding is secured. The project remains in the discussion phase as the government seeks alternatives to strengthen national energy security.
A fatal road accident on the A33 in Seixal resulted in two deaths and two serious injuries, leading the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) to discover drugs and a weapon inside the vehicle. The case has been transferred to the PJ for further investigation. Separately, the GNR also seized over 3,700 litres of diesel intended for drug trafficking vessels in the Algarve.
The GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is Portugal's national gendarmerie—a military police force founded in 1911, with origins dating to 1801. With over 22,600 personnel, GNR patrols 94-96% of Portuguese territory, covering rural areas, medium towns, and highways. Members are military personnel subject to military law, responsible for public order, customs, coastal control, environmental protection (SEPNA), firefighting/rescue (GIPS), border control, and ceremonial guards. GNR vs. PSP: The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's civilian police force, covering major cities (Lisbon, Porto, Faro) and large urban areas—only 4% of territory but roughly half the population. PSP handles airport security, diplomatic protection, and private security regulation. Both share core missions (public order, crime prevention), but differ in nature: GNR is military with military training; PSP is civilian with police-focused training.
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
Mayors of Castro Verde and Aljustrel denounce the impacts of using sludge on agricultural land
The Portuguese government is exploring the possibility of a subsea power cable to Morocco to reduce energy dependence on Spain following recent grid instability.
Maria da Graça Carvalho guarantees that the reform of the two agencies, announced in May, is almost complete and will soon enter the legislative process.
Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho has guaranteed that the restructuring of the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests is “practically ready” and should soon reach the Council of Ministers.
The construction of a submarine power cable between Portugal and Morocco is a possibility, but will only proceed with private or European Union funding, the Minister of Environment guaranteed today.
The Minister of Environment has stated that no new sanitary landfills will be built in Portugal, focusing instead on waste reduction and recycling policies.
Mining culture and identity will be in the spotlight between September 4th and 6th in Castro Verde. With visits to the mines, Alentejo singing, food stalls and wine tastings, the Castro Mineiro Festival is an invitation to discover the region.
The section of the Itinerário Principal 2 (IP2) near the village of Entradas, in the municipality of Castro Verde, is closed to traffic due to a fire that broke out this afternoon in an agricultural area, Civil Protection reported.
The section of the IP2 near the village of Entradas, in the municipality of Castro Verde in the Alentejo region, is closed. Additionally, Luís Montenegro criticises those who fail to ensure the regulation of migratory flows.
A section of the IP2 main road near the village of Entradas, in the municipality of Castro Verde, is closed to traffic due to a fire that broke out this afternoon in an agricultural area, according to Civil Protection. The fire is spreading with high intensity due to dry grass and wind, with 106 personnel, 35 vehicles, and two aircraft currently deployed. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party (PS) is demanding a timeline from the government to implement recommendations from the 2025 wildfire commission, as experts warn of 'sixth-generation' fires that are too intense for aerial firefighting efforts to contain.
The road was closed to traffic because one of the fire fronts is moving towards the IP2.
The defendant was taken to the Beja Prison Establishment, where he will await the progress of the proceedings.
A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing and mistreating his daughter and stepdaughter inside the family home, where he lived with the two minors and his wife.
Home News GNR station in Portugal to be renovated GNR station in Portugal to be renovated Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves announced that the renovation of the GNR ( National Republican Guard) station in Castro Verde, in the Beja district, a project valued at nearly €1.
More than 15,000 hectares have burnt in Portugal in the last five days.
The Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, acknowledged that the disorganisation of forest land in Portugal contributed to the more than 15,000 hectares that have burned in the country over the last five days. Neves spoke to journalists this Tuesday, 7 July, in Castro Verde. 'It is evident that many hectares have already been burned, but this also has to do with the disorganised forest territory that we have. There is a long way to go,' stated Luís Neves. The minister visited the local GNR station and held a meeting at the city council. More than 15,000 hectares have burned in Portugal in the last five days, with the burned area doubling between 1 and 5 July, according to provisional data from the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR) consulted by the Lusa agency. Compared to the same period in 2025, the burned area has almost quadrupled, with this year recording the highest figure since 2017. Meanwhile, fires have increased by about 70% this year compared to the same period in 2025, marking the highest number of fires since 2022. More than 15,000 hectares have burned in Portugal in the last five days; criminal fire and abandonment of woodlands explain the tragedy in Vouzela.
The local authority noted that making these spaces available aims to contribute to the protection of the population, particularly the most vulnerable people.
The Portuguese branch of the Cycling Without Age initiative brought together over 45 volunteers for an event in the town of Castro Verde.
The 8th National Meeting of the Pedalar Sem Idade Portugal initiative brought together over 45 volunteers in the town of Castro Verde.
The legal action brought by the Public Prosecutor's Office against the construction of the solar plant at Europe's largest zinc mine, in Castro Verde, has been rejected. The project by Boliden Somincor, EDP, and Greenvolt will produce 100 GWh per year.
Farmers in Campo Branco, near Castro Verde, have found a niche market and are rewarded by Nestlé in the best years.
The Liberdade Festival 'aims to establish itself as a living celebration of the April ideals, blending culture, creativity, and civic participation in a convivial atmosphere'.
With the suspension of the largest solar self-consumption project in Portugal, the licensing of major energy projects is back in the spotlight. What explains this halt and what might change from here on? This analysis is by Bárbara Silva, a journalist from the Economy section of Expresso. Listen to the new episode of Economia dia a dia, Expresso's daily podcast, hosted by Juliana Simões.
The self-consumption power plant for the Neves-Corvo mines was not subject to an environmental impact assessment because it did not meet legal criteria. The lawsuit alleges violations of environmental and planning regulations.
Environmental association applauds the Public Prosecutor's action and criticises the authorisation granted by the Government to Somincor last year to fell nearly 290 holm oak trees.
EDP and Greenvolt are building a 49 MW solar project at the Neves-Corvo mine, owned by Somincor. By order of the Public Prosecutor's Office, construction has been suspended.
Construction work on the photovoltaic project that EDP and Greenvolt are building near the Neves-Corvo mine, owned by the Swedish company Boliden Somincor in Castro Verde, has been suspended since last Friday following a lawsuit filed on March 9 by the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Administrative and Fiscal Court.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has taken legal action against the Government and the Castro Verde municipality, halting the country's largest self-consumption photovoltaic project, which was already under construction. Luís Montenegro has requested an opinion from the State Legal Centre regarding the Transparency Entity's decision on the disclosure of the client list.
The Public Prosecution Service has taken legal action against the Government and the Castro Verde municipality, halting the country's largest self-consumption photovoltaic project, which was already under construction.
