Seven police officers have been placed in preventive detention amid an investigation into alleged torture and other crimes at the Rato and Bairro Alto stations in Lisbon; reports say nine officers in total are now being held preventively. The Public Security Police announced the detentions, citing a risk of continued criminal activity, and the probe covers serious alleged offences committed while on duty. Lisbon residents and anyone who has used those stations in recent years should watch for prosecutor statements and potential requests to review past complaints.

Update: MAI defends force while apologising to victims

The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) published statements this weekend: Minister Luís Neves defended that the “overwhelming majority” of PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) officers serve with a strong sense of mission, while MAI also apologised to alleged victims as the Public Ministry (MP) and PSP stressed the preventive detention aims to avoid continued criminal activity and preserve evidence. The investigation remains under secrecy of justice and charges reported in coverage include torture, sexual offences and abuse of power.

The PSD submitted a bill to reintroduce medical validation for legal gender and name changes in the civil registry (registo civil), reversing a procedure that had removed mandatory medical checks; however, MP Bruno Vitorino has already asked that the proposal be withdrawn amid internal party opposition. If the bill proceeds it would affect the legal process for trans people and those seeking name changes; watch parliamentary debates and civil-registry guidance for any procedural shifts.

Update: Debate set for March 19; minors would be excluded

Parliament has scheduled debate on the proposal for 19 March. The draft would end the current option for 16- to 18-year-olds to change name and gender with parental authorisation and would require medical and psychological reports, while allowing exceptions for intersex people; the bill follows an earlier, stricter proposal from Chega and has drawn criticism from experts and dissent within the PSD.

Portugal’s five largest banks — Caixa Geral de Depósitos, BCP, Santander Totta, BPI and Novo Banco — generated combined profits of €5.2 billion in 2025, up 5.9% on 2024, with fee income contributing more than €2.5 billion. The results were supported by financial-margin gains, extraordinary items and record performances at several lenders. Account-holders should check their fees and compare services as banks continue to rely on commissions for revenue.

An Observador feature reports on research pointing to a possible treatment pathway for Dravet syndrome, a rare, severe epilepsy that often appears in infancy and can severely affect cognition and motor skills. Coverage traces individual cases and notes that life expectancy and care have changed over decades; any clinical advance would matter to the small Portuguese patient community and paediatric neurology services. Families of affected children and those using specialised neurology care should follow formal trial publications and SNS guidance.

The Government has reallocated €137 million from the Environmental Fund to emergency and recovery measures after last month’s storms, with €35 million earmarked directly for affected municipalities. The Ministry published the first order sending funds to the Institute for Nature Conservation and other bodies, but local leaders warn a significant part of affected territory still lacks communications. Telecom operator NOS says 2–3% of users remain offline due partly to power cuts and rejects responsibility for Siresp failures; the situation leaves some towns with limited emergency contact options. Those in affected areas should monitor municipal updates and expect continued repair work and service interruptions.

Update: IPMA raises wind and sea warnings to orange

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) escalated weather warnings to orange for the districts of Leiria and Lisbon for strong winds and rough seas, and Civil Protection issued public alerts. The warnings may affect coastal travel and local recovery operations over the coming days.

José Luís Carneiro, secretary-general of the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS), said the government should prepare a targeted plan to blunt the economic effects of the war in Iran, citing expected rises in fuel, food and housing-loan costs. Former economy minister António Costa Silva urged rapid action to identify energy‑intensive sectors and design specific support, warning that Portugal's growth and export performance are already weaker than expected. Businesses in transport, food distribution and energy-intensive manufacturing should follow any government announcements on sectoral relief measures.

The Government approved a temporary, extraordinary reduction of 3.55 cents per litre to the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (Imposto sobre Produtos Petrolíferos e Energéticos or ISP) for road diesel on the mainland, effective from Monday, 9 March. Officials say the cut offsets only part of an expected wholesale price shock — reporting ranges show diesel would otherwise rise by roughly 19–23 cents per litre — and sector groups are asking for similar relief for bottled LPG. Drivers should watch pump prices this week; the measure reduces but does not cancel a major price rise.

Update: Diesel and petrol prices set to jump next week

Market moves linked to Middle East tensions have pushed Brent crude higher: current reports put diesel up about €0.19 per litre next week and petrol up about €0.07. Fuel stations are topping up stocks ahead of the increases, underlining that the 3.55‑cent ISP cut covers only a small fraction of the expected rise.

PSD president Luís Montenegro proposed holding direct party elections in May and challenged former prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho to present himself if he offers an alternative path. Montenegro framed the move as a way to remove doubt about leadership and invited any dissenting voices to contest the vote, prompting sharp coverage and reactions within the party. The dispute has internal implications for PSD unity ahead of future legislative debates. PSD members and those following national politics should note potential shifts in party direction and leadership contests.

Luís Montenegro has moved to bring forward direct leadership elections in the Social Democratic Party (PSD), publicly challenging former leader Passos Coelho and prompting sharp criticism that the manoeuvre signals weakness. Coverage ranges from party‑strategic analysis to opinion pieces calling the move 'immature'; Montenegro and allies say the step is intended to settle internal disputes. Those following national politics should watch the PSD internal calendar and any shifts in party messaging that could affect government debate.

FC Porto visits Sporting this Tuesday for the first leg of the 'semi-finals' of the Taça de Portugal. Check out the images of FC Porto's bus arriving at Alvalade for the classic match.

Of this amount, 35 million euros will be allocated to municipalities and intermunicipal entities affected by the recent storms that primarily hit the West region.

The social-democrat leader anticipates direct elections for May and invites anyone with “an alternative path” to run.