### Weather Alert for Portugal

**Nine districts** in mainland Portugal are under **orange alert** today due to forecasts of **heavy rain**, often accompanied by **thunderstorms**. This warning has been issued by the **Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA)**.

![Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms](https://asset.skoiy.com/jnrcnjwljorqgsbu/bf0gcnkotykn.jpg?w=1852&q=80)

**Rainfall** is expected to be most intense during the **afternoon and evening** hours. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for possible disruptions caused by the weather conditions.

**Image Credit**: Reinaldo Rodrigues

Nove distritos de Portugal continental vão estar hoje sob aviso laranja devido à previsão de chuva, por vezes forte e acompanhada de trovoadas, avançou o Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA).

Orange Alerts Issued: Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Expected in Nine Portuguese Districts Today

### Major Transport Savings for Alentejo Coast Residents

Travel between the five municipalities on the **Alentejo coast** and to **Setúbal** and **Lisbon** will see a significant price drop, as the cost of monthly transport passes will be reduced to **€20** starting from **January 2025**. This is a **50% reduction** from the current price of **€40**.

![Alcácer do Sal](https://d1mnxluw9mpf9w.cloudfront.net/media/1726674818/4x3/1200.jpg)
*Credits: Lusa*

In a recent statement, the **Intermunicipal Community of Alentejo Litoral (CIMAL)** announced this decision, which was unanimously approved by the mayors of **Alcácer do Sal**, **Grândola**, **Santiago do Cacém**, **Sines**, and **Odemira**. According to CIMAL, this reduction means users can save **€240 per year**, and it applies automatically to those currently using the €40 pass, with no further action required.

Users not yet subscribed to the fare reduction can do so through a form available on the **CIMAL website**. This initiative follows a series of investments in public transport aimed at making it more accessible and affordable for local communities.

CIMAL President **Vítor Proença** emphasized the importance of providing **affordable public transport** to enhance mobility across the five municipalities. The next steps include leveraging new technologies for real-time transport information and improving the **tariff system**.

Additionally, since **2023**, CIMAL has provided **free transport to beaches** in the area during July and August, which has now become a daily service connecting residents to **12 beaches** in the region.

Travel between the five municipalities on the Alentejo coast and to Setúbal and Lisbon will cost €20 from 2025, with the maximum price of passes reduced by...

Big Savings Ahead: Transport Passes to Cost Just €20 in 2025!

### Incident Overview
On Saturday evening, **seven men were arrested in Parque das Nações, Lisbon**, after one member of their group threatened a man on the street with a **firearm**.

### Details of the Arrest
The **Public Security Police (PSP)** apprehended the suspects following a detailed description provided by the victim, which led to their swift capture. 

### Background of the Suspects
All detainees, aged between **20 and 24 years**, have prior records for **assault** or **vandalism** and reside in various municipalities across the greater Lisbon area. 

### Legal Consequences
As part of their release conditions, the suspects are required to report to authorities **every 15 days**.

<p><span>Um dos elementos do grupo ameaçou um homem na rua com uma arma de fogo este sábado.</span></p>

Seven Arrested in Lisbon with Weapons: Shocking Threats Unveiled

### **Christmas Strikes to Impact Multiple Sectors**

The festive season in Portugal is set to be disrupted by **18 announced strikes** across various sectors, ranging from **aviation** to **waste collection** in Lisbon, as reported by Lusa.

#### **Aviation Sector Disruptions**
In the **aviation** sector, travelers may face **delays and cancellations** at national airports due to strikes by **ground handling services** provided by Menzies, which began Sunday and will last for five days. Additionally, Portway has planned a strike during the Christmas and New Year period, including a **24-hour strike** on December 24 and 31.

#### **Retail and Temporary Workers Affected**
Workers in **large retail** chains have also issued strike notices for December 24 and 31. Similarly, employees from **temporary employment agencies**, particularly those working in **call centers** and **telecommunication stores**, began their strike on Monday and will continue until January 5.

#### **Public Services Hit Hard**
Public services like the **Citizen Shops** and the **Institute of Registries and Notary** will be impacted due to the strike by registry workers, which started on Monday and will last for two weeks.

#### **Waste Collection in Lisbon**
The **waste collection** services in Lisbon will be affected by a strike called for December 26 and 27 by urban hygiene workers from the Lisbon City Council. This will include a strike against overtime work from December 25 to 31, with minimum services decreed for this period.

#### **Ongoing Strikes in Other Sectors**
Several other strikes are ongoing, including those by **primary care doctors**, which began on July 23, and the **Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum** (AIMA) since August 22. Strikes by **prison guards** and **fishing inspectors** are also scheduled to conclude by year-end.

Moreover, workers affiliated with the **Fiequimetal Federation** and those from the **SATA ground staff** are also on strike until the year's end. Workers from **Silopor**, responsible for unloading and storing over half of Portugal's imported cereals, will strike on December 26 and 27, along with **Navigator paper production workers** in Aveiro starting a three-day strike on Thursday.

Additional strikes are anticipated from **Naveprinter** workers on December 25 and **Resinorte** employees on December 26 and 27, as well as **Zara workers in Rossio, Lisbon**, on December 27.

Quadra natalícia vai ser marcada por paralisações em vários sectores, desde a aviação à distribuição, passando pelos registos e notariado, até à higiene urbana em Lisboa.

18 Strikes Loom Over Christmas in Portugal: What You Need to Know

### Night Market Tradition Continues Despite Warnings
The **tradition of the Night Market** took place on Monday night, despite warnings of rain and thunderstorms that could have dampened the festivities. However, the evening was marked by several incidents of **falls in public spaces** and cases of **alcohol excess**.

### Emergency Response by Local Firefighters
The **Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters** were alerted to around **12 incidents** related to the Night Market throughout the downtown area of Funchal. In total, there were **10 emergency calls** made directly to the firefighters' station regarding the festive night.

### Notable Incident
One significant incident occurred on **Rua da Infância** around 3 AM, where a woman suffered a **deep chin injury** after falling. The firefighters dispatched an ambulance to provide assistance to the victim. After receiving first aid, she was transported to **Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital** for further medical treatment.

A tradição da Noite do Mercado cumpriu-se este segunda-feira, mesmo com os avisos de precipitação e trovoada que podiam ameaçar a animação. Ainda assim, a noite foi marcada por várias situações de quedas na via pública, mas também por excesso de álcool.&nbsp;

Night Market Chaos: Falls and Alcohol Excess Lead to Emergency Calls in Madeira

## Exciting Partnership in AI and Innovation

A significant partnership has emerged between **Quidgest**, a Portuguese company, and **SPOT Nordic**, an association of Portuguese professionals and researchers in Nordic countries. This collaboration exemplifies Portugal's increasing role in global innovation, particularly in **artificial intelligence (AI)** and **digital transformation**. 

The partnership aims to strengthen ties between Portugal and Nordic countries like **Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden**. The vision behind this initiative is to merge the **technical expertise** and **innovation ecosystems** of both regions for mutual growth. For Portugal, this is a chance to showcase its strengths in **generative AI** and **automated software development**, while the Nordics can leverage Portuguese ingenuity to advance their digital transformation agendas.

## Funding and Support for Research

One of the standout features of this partnership is its commitment to scientific research and professional development. Quidgest is offering **€7,000 research grants** to support innovative projects in fields such as **computer science, AI**, and **software development**. This investment not only seeks to produce groundbreaking technologies but also aims to foster enduring collaborations between Portuguese and Nordic researchers.

## Knowledge Sharing and Networking Opportunities

The partnership also emphasizes knowledge sharing, with plans for **annual events** and networking opportunities to connect academics, businesses, and institutions from both regions. This exchange is crucial in today's interconnected world, demonstrating a shared understanding of the importance of global collaboration in addressing challenges like **digital transformation** and **sustainability**.

## Bridging Physical and Cultural Divides

SPOT Nordic's network will facilitate logistical support for Portuguese researchers and professionals in Nordic countries, while Quidgest will provide access to its facilities in **Lisbon**. These practical measures are designed to create a seamless flow of **talent**, **resources**, and **ideas** between the two regions.

## A Vision for the Future

The underlying message of this initiative is clear: **innovation thrives when borders become bridges**. By investing in shared goals, Portugal and the Nordic countries exemplify how nations with complementary strengths can collaborate to drive **technological** and **societal progress**. This partnership is not merely about advancing AI or software; it is about crafting a future where **knowledge**, **sustainability**, and **innovation** transcend national boundaries. 

As we witness this unfolding collaboration, it’s evident that Portugal’s proactive role in this initiative is pivotal for addressing the challenges of the modern world, combining **boldness** and **collaboration** in navigating the future of innovation.

I recently came across an intriguing announcement about a partnership between a Portuguese company, Quidgest, and SPOT Nordic, an association of Portuguese...

Portugal Teams Up with Nordic Countries for AI Innovation: A Game-Changer in Global Tech

### João Ferreira's Bold Statement on Lisbon's Waste Crisis

Lisbon's **communist councilor**, João Ferreira, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday night to share a **striking photograph** depicting the **mountains of garbage** accumulating in the capital just days before Christmas. 

> "Lisbon, before Christmas," Ferreira commented alongside the image, highlighting the **growing sanitation issues** in the city.

Ferreira has been vocal in his **criticism** of Lisbon's mayor, **Carlos Moedas**, regarding the city's hygiene problems. During a public meeting last Thursday, he addressed the **upcoming strike** by urban hygiene workers, scheduled between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

> "The urban hygiene workers are not making demands right before Christmas. They are reiterating a complaint that arose three times this past year, regarding an **agreement signed in July 2023** that has yet to be honored. The mayor has ignored the promised improvements to cleaning facilities," Ferreira asserted.

The unions behind the strike announced on Monday that they have filed a **cautious injunction** to contest the minimum service levels imposed during the strike period. 

The injunction was submitted to the **Lisbon Administrative Court**, aiming to either **overturn or reduce** the decision made by the arbitration panel of the **Directorate-General for Public Administration and Employment (DGAEP)**, which they deem **unfair** in regard to the minimum services mandated during the urban hygiene workers' strike.

This strike, set for **December 26 and 27**, alongside additional actions against overtime work from Christmas to New Year's Eve, raises concerns about the city's sanitation during a peak time for tourism and festivities.  

### Related Issues
- The ongoing **strike** is part of a broader context of **18 announced strikes** across various sectors in Portugal, including aviation and sanitation, by the end of the year.

O comunista partilhou uma fotografia que mostra o excesso de lixo na capital antes da véspera de Natal.

Lisbon's Garbage Crisis: João Ferreira Calls Out City Hygiene Failures Before Christmas

### Overview of the Operation

On December 19, a **police operation** took place in the **Martim Moniz area** of Lisbon, leading to the **detention of two suspects** who are currently in **preventive custody**. During the operation, dozens of individuals were subjected to police searches for approximately one to two hours.

![Police Operation in Martim Moniz](https://images.impresa.pt/sicnot/2024-12-20-martim-moniz.jpg-baff24f4/original)
*Image Source: Social Media*

### IGAI's Administrative Process

The **General Inspection of Internal Administration (IGAI)** has initiated an **administrative process** regarding the police operation. According to **Expresso**, this process was opened at IGAI's own initiative, even though they have yet to receive any complaints about the **Public Security Police (PSP)** conduct during this action.

### Details of the Police Operation

The operation resulted in the seizure of nearly **€4,000 in cash**, **batons**, various documents, a **bladed weapon**, a mobile phone, and counterfeit items. The PSP justified the searches, stating they were **security procedures** in response to reports of incidents involving bladed weapons.

### Public Reaction and Criticism

The police action has drawn **significant criticism**, with accusations of **abuse of authority**. Reports indicate that the PSP cordoned off a street and lined up numerous immigrants against a wall for searches. The Prime Minister stated that such operations are vital for reassuring citizens, while left-wing parties are demanding explanations from the Minister of Internal Administration.

### Social Media Insights

Images circulating on social media depicted the treatment of individuals during the operation, raising concerns about the **uniformity of police procedures**. The PSP has not clarified whether all immigrants searched were suspected of any crimes at the time of the operation.

A operação, que colocou dezenas de pessoas frente à parede para uma revista da polícia durante uma a duas horas, levou à detenção de dois suspeitos que ficaram em prisão preventiva.

Orange Alerts Issued: Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Expected in Nine Portuguese Districts Today

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Weather Alert for Portugal

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