### Last Minute Update
On February 13, **Castro Almeida**, Portugal's Minister of Cohesion, sold his **25% stake** in a real estate company, as reported by RTP. In a statement, Almeida emphasized that the decision to divest was aimed at **cutting ties with potential conflicts of interest**, asserting, "I wanted to cut the evil at the root. It was not illegal," he clarified.

![Castro Almeida](https://asset.skoiy.com/jnrcnjwljorqgsbu/qg0kwngoy7mr.jpg?w=1852&q=80)
*Castro Almeida, Minister of Cohesion*  
Photo: Pedro Correia / Archive

O ministro da Coesão, que tutela a lei dos solos, possuía uma participação de 25% numa sociedade imobiliária, que foi vendida no dia 13 de fevereiro, revelou a RTP: "Quis cortar o mal pela raiz. Não era ilegal", diz o governante.

Controversial Sale: Minister Castro Almeida Sells Real Estate Stake Amid Scrutiny

## Investigation Unfolds

**Tiago Telo de Abreu**, a Lisbon City Hall assessor and former CDS councilor in Elvas, is under investigation for **possession and distribution of child pornography**. This alarming news was reported by **TVI and CNN Portugal**.

## Details of the Case

The investigation, which has been ongoing for nearly three months, is being handled by the **Public Prosecutor's Office in Seixal** and traces back to events from the summer of **2023**.

**Ana**, a key witness from Ponte de Sôr, shared her experience of conversing with a woman named **Dália** on the dating app **Badoo**, who claimed to have a 12-year-old daughter. Initially, Ana was not alarmed by Dália's admission of bathing her daughter, but soon, the conversations escalated to disturbing revelations about **sexual acts involving the child**.

## Escalating Concerns

Ana's suspicions grew when Dália mentioned **masturbating the child** and discussed potential sexual encounters with adults for a price of **1,500 euros**. After two weeks, Ana received messages from someone identifying as **Tiago Abreu**, who described sexual acts with Dália's daughter.

## Legal Actions Taken

Ana reported the matter to the **GNR in Ponte de Sôr**, leading to a referral to the **Judicial Police in Setúbal** in June 2023. Following this, **searches were conducted at Tiago Abreu's home** on May 13, where his mobile phone and electronic devices were seized. Abreu acknowledged that an Instagram account identified by authorities belonged to him but denied writing the incriminating messages.

## Additional Allegations

The investigation also includes allegations of **sexual abuse** made by Abreu's ex-wife, the mother of one of his children. Tiago Abreu refuted all accusations, claiming they are part of a **defamation campaign** initiated by his ex-wife, who he accuses of **child abduction**.

Abreu expressed that he is living through a **nightmare**, emphasizing that the situation should be treated as a **parental alienation issue** rather than a criminal case. Following the emergence of this investigation, he resigned from his position at the Lisbon City Hall.

Tiago Abreu, ex-vereador do CDS em Elvas e assessor da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, está a ser investigado pelo crime de posse e partilha de pornografia infantil.

Shocking Investigation: Lisbon City Hall Assessor Linked to Child Pornography Charges

### Miguel Albuquerque's Strong Critique

At the conclusion of **Funchal Climate Week**, acting Regional Government president, **Miguel Albuquerque**, delivered robust criticisms of the **censorship motion** presented by **Chega** against the Republic Government, labeling it as **"another smoke screen"** to mask the party's internal issues.

### Accusations Against Chega

Albuquerque stated, **"Chega preaches morality but is daily embroiled in scandals. One day it’s a corruption case, the next it's a member intoxicated. It’s a complete disaster."** He suggested that the motion was a political strategy, reminiscent of past actions taken by the party in Madeira, aimed at diverting public attention from their failures.

### Comments on André Ventura

When queried about **André Ventura's** claims that Chega had already **"cleaned up"** some internal elements while the **PSD-Madeira** had unresolved issues, Albuquerque asserted his belief that Ventura will **"leave before I do. He is a natural populist, creating scandals and manipulating to hide serious problems within his own party."**

### Internal Party Dynamics

On internal matters, Albuquerque did not confirm any meetings with **Manuel António Correia** regarding a position on his list, stating, **"There has never been such a meeting. I have always publicly said that I count on all PSD members. Anyone who wants to contribute is welcome."** When pressed by journalists about a proposal for Correia to be the number two on the list, he firmly replied, **"I have nothing to confirm. What I stated was that all interested in participating in the public life of the PSD have a place."**

À margem do encerramento do evento Funchal Climate Week, o presidente do Governo Regional em exercício, Miguel Albuquerque, teceu duras críticas à moç...

Miguel Albuquerque Criticizes Chega's Censorship Motion: 'A Smoke Screen for Internal Issues'

**Political Tensions in Portugal**  
The podcast “**A Arte do Possível**” hosted by **António Saraiva**, **Luís Osório**, and **Vera Gouveia Barros** dives deep into the **critical political climate** currently prevailing in the **Assembleia da República**.  
  
From **one** member to **twelve**, and now **fifty**, the presence of the **Chega** party has transformed the parliamentary landscape. Recently, their number fluctuated from **fifty** to **forty-nine**, yet the **180 other deputies** remain perplexed about how to effectively engage with the Chega bloc.  
  
In politics, as in war, **easy solutions** are scarce. The discussion draws parallels to **Trump's** transactional approach to politics, where significant issues are handled without the direct involvement of affected parties, such as the **Ukrainian peace negotiations**.  
  
Join us for a **thought-provoking** discussion in this episode of the podcast, where we explore the intricate dynamics at play.  
  
**Listen to the podcast** on **Spotify**, **Google Podcasts**, and **Apple Podcasts**. This program is produced by **JE** and hosted by **Nuno Braga**.  
  
![Podcast Cover](https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/d4/a-arte-do-possivel_960x600-d48c4b69.png)

A política, na definição de Bismarck, debatida todas as semanas com sentido crítico e uma boa dose de ironia por António Saraiva, Luís Osório e Vera Gouveia Barros. Nesta edição, abordamos o clima de tensão que se vive na Assembleia da República.

The Storm of Chega: Unpacking Tensions in Portugal's Parliament

## Portugal's Return to EuroBasket

**RIGA (Latvia)** - Portugal is making a triumphant return to the continental basketball stage, having secured a spot in the **FIBA EuroBasket 2025** after a 14-year absence. This marks their fourth appearance in the tournament, the last being in **2011**.

Portugal's journey to qualification included tough matches in **Group A**, where they faced formidable opponents such as **Slovenia, Israel, and Ukraine**. Despite struggling in previous qualifiers, they turned their fortunes around, achieving their first win in over seven years against **Ukraine** in the opening window of the qualifiers.

### How They Qualified

- **Gameday 1:** POR 70-72 ISR  
- **Gameday 2:** UKR 77-79 POR  
- **Gameday 3:** POR 82-74 SLO  
- **Gameday 4:** SLO 83-82 POR  

**Upcoming Fixtures:**  
- **Gameday 5:** ISR vs POR  
- **Gameday 6:** POR vs UKR  

### Key Players in the Qualifiers

The standout players for Portugal have been **Travante Williams** and **Miguel Queiroz**. Both veterans played pivotal roles, averaging double figures throughout the qualifiers. Additional contributions came from **Diogo Brito**, who excelled with a remarkable performance against Slovenia, scoring **16 points**. Other noteworthy players included **Diogo Ventura** and **Rafael Lisboa**, who provided solid playmaking support.

### A Glimpse into the Past

For a whole generation of Portuguese fans, this return is monumental. Portugal's last participation in EuroBasket saw them finish **21st** in **2011**, with their best performance being a **9th place** finish in **2007**. The only other appearance was back in **1951**, where they placed **15th**. Now, under the guidance of Coach **Mario Gomes**, they look forward to making a mark in the upcoming tournament.

![Portugal Basketball Team](https://assets.fiba.basketball/image/upload/w_800,h_335,c_fill,g_auto/q_auto/f_auto/v1732310390/bbmmtthvkp5suczvddjf)

**Best finish:** 9th - 2007  

![FIBA](https://assets.fiba.basketball/image/upload/w_800,h_335,c_fill,g_auto/q_auto/f_auto/v1724745279/p5zcuf9cvbwut3akhmcn)

**FIBA**

Portugal finally put an end to a 14-year EuroBasket drought.

Portugal Ends 14-Year EuroBasket Drought: What This Means for Portuguese Basketball

### Romain Bardet's Disappointment

The French cyclist **Romain Bardet** from **Picnic PostNL**, who was in **fourth place** overall, has withdrawn from the **51st Volta ao Algarve** following a crash just **20 kilometers** before the finish of the third stage.

![Romain Bardet](https://asset.skoiy.com/jnrcnjwljorqgsbu/qcobzrgj7gds.jpeg?w=1852&q=80&crop=4095,2730,1,0)

*Bardet was in fourth place overall*  
*Photo: Team Picnic PostNL*  

### The Incident

The incident occurred during a critical moment of the race, forcing Bardet to abandon the competition, leaving fans and team members concerned about his condition and future races. 

### Impact on the Race

This withdrawal may significantly impact the overall standings of the **Volta ao Algarve**, which attracts top cyclists from around the world, highlighting the unpredictable nature of competitive cycling.

O ciclista francês Romain Bardet (Picnic PostNL), quarto classificado da geral, abandonou, esta sexta-feira, a 51.ª Volta ao Algarve, na sequência de uma queda já perto dos derradeiros 20 quilómetros da terceira etapa.

Romain Bardet Withdraws from Algarve Tour After Crash: What Happened?

## Jordi Meeus Wins in Tavira

Jordi Meeus has made a remarkable debut by winning at the **Volta ao Algarve**, finishing the third stage with a sprint at **Avenida Zeca Afonso**. The Belgian sprinter from **Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe** outperformed strong competitors including **Alberto Dainese** and **Biniam Girmay**.

Despite high hopes for local cyclists, it was a challenging day for **Rui Oliveira** and **Iúri Leitão**. Oliveira was squeezed out of the group, while Leitão suffered a serious fall near the finish line. Both had previously won medals at the recent European Track Championships, which adds to the disappointment.

### Romain Bardet Withdraws

The race saw **Romain Bardet** withdraw after a fall while in fourth place overall, allowing **António Morgado** to take his position. As the race approaches its conclusion, **Jan Christen** continues to lead in the overall standings, just four seconds ahead of **João Almeida**.

This Saturday, the cyclists will tackle a challenging route between **Albufeira** and **Faro**, featuring multiple mountain points in the final kilometers. **Fabio Jakobsen** was the last winner in Faro back in 2022.

### Stage 3 Top 10 Results
| Position | Cyclist         | Team                                 | Time     |
|----------|------------------|--------------------------------------|----------|
| 1        | MEEUS Jordi      | Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe         | 4:18:34  |
| 2        | DAINESE Alberto   | Tudor Pro Cycling Team               | -        |
| 3        | GIRMAY Biniam    | Intermarché – Wanty                  | -        |
| 4        | DE LIE Arnaud    | Lotto                                | -        |
| 5        | VAN UDEN Casper   | Team Picnic PostNL                   | -        |
| 6        | FRETIN Milan      | Cofidis                             | -        |
| 7        | MIHKELS Madis     | EF Education – EasyPost             | -        |
| 8        | VAN AERT Wout     | Team Visma | Lease a Bike                | -        |
| 9        | MESA Santiago     | Efapel Cycling                       | -        |
| 10       | WATSON Samuel      | INEOS Grenadiers                    | -        |

### General Classification Top 10
| Position | Cyclist         | Team                                 | Time     |
|----------|------------------|--------------------------------------|----------|
| 1        | CHRISTEN Jan     | UAE Team Emirates – XRG             | 8:47:08  |
| 2        | ALMEIDA João     | UAE Team Emirates – XRG             | 0:04     |
| 3        | DE PLUS Laurens  | INEOS Grenadiers                    | 0:13     |
| 4        | MORGADO António   | UAE Team Emirates – XRG             | 0:20     |
| 5        | VINGEGAARD Jonas  | Team Visma | LAB                        | -        |
| 6        | VERGALLITO Luca   | Alpecin – Deceuninck                | -        |
| 7        | ROGLIČ Primož    | Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe         | 0:23     |
| 8        | GEOGHEGAN HART Tao| Lidl – Trek                          | -        |
| 9        | GRÉGOIRE Romain  | Groupama – FDJ                       | 0:26     |
| 10       | POWLESS Neilson   | EF Education – EasyPost             | -        |

### Stage Summary Video

[Watch the highlights of Stage 3 of the Volta ao Algarve here!](https://208.87.240.219/wp-content/plugins/smart-cookie-kit/res/empty.html?__cpo=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudG9wY3ljbGluZy5wdA)

Jordi Meeus estreia-se a ganhar na Volta ao Algarve na chegada a Tavira. Iúri Leitão (queda) e Rui Oliveira (apertado) não puderam sprintar.

Jordi Meeus Claims Victory in Tavira: Highlights from the Algarve Tour

### Celebrating 55 Years of Algarve Tourism

To mark its **55th anniversary**, the Algarve Tourism Board will host the conference **"Algarve Tourism: Overcoming Challenges, Building Tomorrow"** on **March 18th at 09:00**. This significant event will take place at the **EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel**, located on **Praia da Falésia in Albufeira**.

### A Gathering of Experts

The conference aims to bring together **experts, industry leaders**, and prominent figures from both national and international spheres to discuss the **key challenges** and **opportunities** facing tourism in the region. The event will feature a **series of thematic panels**, focusing on essential strategies to:
- Strengthen the **competitiveness** of the sector
- Qualify the **business landscape**
- Enhance the **value of the territory**
- Boost the **local economy**
- Foster **innovation**
- Reinforce **regional connectivity**

### Notable Speakers and Celebrations

The opening session will be graced by **Carlos Abade**, President of Tourism of Portugal, while the closing remarks will be delivered by **Pedro Machado**, Secretary of State for Tourism, alongside other relevant speakers.

In addition to the scheduled discussions, a special moment will be held at the end of the conference to celebrate the **55 years of the RTA**, culminating in a **commemorative cocktail**.

Para assinalar os seus 55 anos, o Turismo do Algarve vai realizar a conferência "Turismo do Algarve: Superar Desafios, Construindo o Amanhã".

Controversial Sale: Minister Castro Almeida Sells Real Estate Stake Amid Scrutiny

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Portugal Ends 14-Year EuroBasket Drought: What This Means for Portuguese Basketball

Romain Bardet Withdraws from Algarve Tour After Crash: What Happened?

Jordi Meeus Claims Victory in Tavira: Highlights from the Algarve Tour

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Other Latest News

Shocking Investigation: Lisbon City Hall Assessor Linked to Child Pornography Charges

Miguel Albuquerque Criticizes Chega's Censorship Motion: 'A Smoke Screen for Internal Issues'

The Storm of Chega: Unpacking Tensions in Portugal's Parliament

Portugal Ends 14-Year EuroBasket Drought: What This Means for Portuguese Basketball

Romain Bardet Withdraws from Algarve Tour After Crash: What Happened?

Jordi Meeus Claims Victory in Tavira: Highlights from the Algarve Tour

Algarve Tourism Celebrates 55 Years with a Landmark Conference on Future Challenges