Sintra

Approximately 295 students in Sintra who were previously without school placements have now been assigned to local institutions. While the Ministry of Education maintains that the distribution is complete, some individual cases remain, and officials have suggested that class sizes may increase or temporary facilities may be used to accommodate the growing student population in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.

A 21-year-old man was shot in the abdomen at Felício Loureiro Park in Queluz, Sintra, on Wednesday evening. The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) confirmed the incident involved three suspects, and the victim was transported to the Amadora-Sintra hospital in stable condition.

Two Brazilian workers died in Belas, Sintra, after a mobile crane tipped over while they were painting a building. The Sintra City Council confirmed the construction site lacked the necessary permits and had not notified the municipality of the work, leading the council to refer the case to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

An internal investigation by the operator Viação Alvorada and Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa (TML) concluded that the July bus accident in Agualva-Cacém, which resulted in two deaths and 20 injuries, was caused by human error. Technical analysis ruled out mechanical failure, confirming the vehicle was properly maintained, while the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministério Público) continues its investigation.

A new monitoring system called 'Pré-PCS' has been implemented to address recurring technical failures in the digital grading of national secondary school exams. Developed with support from the consultancy firm Deloitte and the Institute for Education, Quality and Assessment (Instituto de Educação, Qualidade e Avaliação or Eduqa), the system aims to ensure accuracy and prevent the data errors that impacted students in the first phase of examinations.

The political party Livre held its 17th congress in Sintra this weekend to elect a new spokesperson, with Jorge Pinto expected to succeed outgoing leader Rui Tavares. During the event, party members criticized the government's recent rental policies and debated the party's future strategy, including its stance on potential cooperation with the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS).

Update: Livre challenges PS to block constitutional revision

Livre spokesperson Isabel Mendes Lopes has challenged the PS to block a right-wing constitutional revision by threatening to vote against the next State Budget. During the congress, the party also emphasized its ambition to govern by 2029 and called for ecological reindustrialisation.

Rui Tavares has stepped down as the spokesperson for the party Livre, though he denies this signals a withdrawal from the party. Tavares will remain in parliament and continue to serve on the party's executive body, the Contact Group, while Isabel Mendes Lopes and Jorge Pinto take over as co-spokespersons.

The Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social or ISS) has closed an illegal nursing home in São João das Lampas, Sintra, citing imminent danger to the 22 elderly residents. Authorities have relocated all residents to licensed social care facilities and contacted their families.

A Público study finds Muslim communities in Sintra are diverse — many residents are of Guinean origin, with growing numbers from Bangladesh and Pakistan — and have formed associations amid uncertainty about housing and employment. The report highlights precarious housing and job insecurity as central concerns for community organising. Those working in local social services or community outreach should note the new associations as contact points.