### **Porto Metro Service Disruption**  
Due to a **strike**, the Porto Metro will only operate on limited routes this **Tuesday and Wednesday**.  
**Service will be available only** between the following stations:  
- **Senhora da Hora** and **Dragão**  
- **Hospital de S. João** and **Santo Ovídio**  
![Porto Metro Limited Service](https://asset.skoiy.com/jnrcnjwljorqgsbu/rtawasrxx01u.jpg?w=1852&q=80)  
*Metro will be limited to the common trunk of the network, between Senhora da Hora and Estádio do Dragão. Photo: Igor Martins*

Por causa da greve, esta terça e quarta-feira só há serviço entre a Senhora da Hora e o Dragão e entre o Hospital de S. João e Santo Ovídio.

Porto Metro Halts Operations Across the Network Starting Tuesday Evening

### Stabbing Incident in Lisbon

A **30-year-old man** was tragically **stabbed to death** on the streets of Lisbon during a heated altercation on Thursday night at **Rua João Amaral**. This shocking incident has drawn immediate attention from law enforcement.

In addition to the fatality, a **three-year-old child** sustained an injury to their hand. The **Lisbon Metropolitan Command** of the PSP has confirmed the details to SIC Notícias.

The **suspect** in this case has yet to be apprehended, and police are currently on the scene investigating the situation. SIC has dispatched a reporting team to cover the ongoing developments.

![Police in Action](https://images.impresa.pt/sicnot/2020-09-29-Luz-carro-policia.png-e4b5d557/original/mw-720)

Para além da vítima mortal, um homem de 30 anos, uma criança com cerca de três anos ficou ferida numa mão. A PSP já está no local, mas o suspeito ainda não foi detido.

Tragic Stabbing Incident in Lisbon Leaves One Dead and Child Injured

## Controversy Surrounding Hélder Rosalino's Appointment

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pedro Duarte, addressed the recent controversy regarding the appointment of **Hélder Rosalino** as Secretary-General of the Government during an appearance on RTP3 this Thursday. Rosalino, a former Secretary of State, ultimately withdrew from the position, leading to heated discussions.

![Hélder Rosalino](https://cdn-images.rtp.pt/icm/noticias/images/1d/1df49fc88ddde2fa4b385bcfe3f6b620?w=860&q=90&rect=0,0,859,471)

Duarte emphasized that Rosalino's hiring would not entail **any additional cost** to Portuguese citizens, stating, "**It wouldn't mean a single extra cent for the state**."

## Background on the Appointment

Hélder Rosalino was set to assume his new role in January 2025 but expressed **unavailability** to take up the post. The government, led by Luís Montenegro, blamed **Mário Centeno**, the Governor of the Bank of Portugal, for complicating the situation by refusing to continue paying Rosalino's salary during his government service.

The Bank of Portugal reiterated that paying Rosalino as a consultant would violate **Eurosystem rules**, as central banks must maintain their independence and cannot financially support states.

## Pedro Duarte's Remarks

Duarte described the controversy as **"sterile"** and artificially created by an opposition struggling to challenge government policies. He insisted that this situation is a **minor episode** in the lives of Portuguese citizens, despite the fact that the government has yet to announce a successor for Rosalino. He assured that a name would be presented **in the short term**.

The minister highlighted the importance of **qualifying** and **dignifying** the Public Administration, emphasizing that to attract talented individuals to serve the state, adequate compensation must be maintained. He criticized the opposition for possibly favoring **populist measures** that could harm citizens' lives.

## Cooperation with the President

On the New Year's message from the President of the Republic, Duarte noted that the government is **aligned** with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's statements, praising the **exemplary cooperation** between the government and the presidency. He dismissed any interpretations suggesting a warning from the president.

Looking ahead to the political year with upcoming municipal and presidential elections, Duarte expressed hope that electoral interests would not overshadow national concerns, particularly regarding the execution of the **Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR)**.

He also pointed out that the president cannot dissolve the Assembly of the Republic if the State Budget is rejected within six months of a new presidential election. Duarte highlighted the government's unprecedented concessions during negotiations for the **OE2025** budget and criticized both the **PS** and **Chega** parties for their rhetorical conflicts that mask a practical coalition.

He reiterated the government's **openness to dialogue** with various sectors, including teachers, security forces, firefighters, nurses, and doctors. In closing, he acknowledged the **significant international uncertainty** but affirmed that **Portugal's stability** remains a key advantage.

O ministro dos Assuntos Parlamentares esteve esta quinta-feira na RTP3 e falou sobre a recente polémica a respeito da indicação de Hélder Rosalino para secretário-geral do Governo. O ex-secretário de Estado acabou por desistir de ocupar o cargo e Pedro Duarte insiste que a sua contratação "não significaria nem mais um cêntimo de custo" para os portugueses.


Pedro Duarte Defends Controversial Appointment of Hélder Rosalino Amid Opposition Criticism

### The Unspoken Truth About Waste in Lisbon

In Lisbon, there are four **sacred principles**: one cannot speak about the **Parish Councils**, unions, various municipal services, or past decisions made by former mayors. Questioning these principles often leads to outrage from those who feel offended, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

In this article, I will dare to address the issue of **waste management in Lisbon**, ignoring the **sacred silence** that drives residents to despair, as they repeatedly register complaints on the app "A minha Rua" (My Street), where **Urban Hygiene** stands out as the major source of discontent. Complaints range from **abandoned trash** to **lack of public cleaning** and waste around recycling bins.

Even the **tourist tax**, which generates millions for the city and helps cover urban hygiene costs, is insufficient to solve the long-standing waste problem in Lisbon, which is notably absent from the concerns of other densely populated municipalities. Why does this persist?

### Administrative Decentralization

When **António Costa** was the Mayor of Lisbon, an administrative reform decentralized many municipal responsibilities to the **24 Parishes**, particularly concerning urban hygiene. This process, continued by **Fernando Medina**, resulted in **25 entities** responsible for waste collection, leading to a duplication of roles and responsibilities.

At that time, Costa assured that this was not a privatization effort but rather a way to empower the parishes. However, it seems to have only increased their dissatisfaction, as nearly all parishes complain about insufficient funding to maintain a clean city.

Some speculate that this decentralization was intended to **divide and conquer**, making disruptions less impactful and less politically exploitable for those losing ground in elections.

### A Unique and Confusing Waste Management Model

Lisbon has a waste collection model that no other mayor in the country has chosen to emulate, and rightfully so, as it is ineffective. On the same street, the city collects trash from containers and recycling bins, while parishes deal with litter from public trash cans and the ground. Often, when containers are full and there’s no awareness campaign, residents leave trash on the ground, leading to complaints about the city's failure to fulfill its duties. Confusing, isn’t it?

Political changes lead to increased complaints from parish councils aligned with the opposition, and vice versa. A particularly amusing moment occurred when councilor **Ângelo Pereira** remarked that parishes receive **thousands of euros** to remove street litter but fail to do so.

Everyone agrees that the current waste collection model is flawed, yet no one dares to challenge the **sacred principles** mentioned earlier.

### Solutions to Improve Waste Management

1. **Ecopoint Management**: The absurd division where the city manages what’s in the bin but the parish is responsible for litter on the ground must end. City services should reclaim responsibility for all recycling bins to eliminate the blame game.
2. **Sensor Technology**: Implementing sensors in recycling bins would indicate when they are full, allowing for timely collection and reducing litter on the streets.
3. **Unified Waste Management**: A comprehensive review of waste management is essential. Large municipalities with high tourism and population density that do not face similar complaints often employ a municipal company for autonomous organization and business-like management. This model allows for efficient human resource management and task rotation, alleviating current burdens.

Why doesn’t Lisbon adopt a similar approach? If the genuine concern is the satisfaction of residents, the city council, parish councils, and unions must collaborate in the solution. A well-functioning system would surely lead to cleaner streets and fewer pests.

Costa presidia à CML descentralizou para as 24 Freguesias muitas competências. O processo, continuado por Medina, resultou em 25 entidades de recolha de lixo, com funções sobrepostas.

Lisbon's Trash Crisis: The Overlapping Chaos of Waste Management

### Left-Wing Coalition Seeks to Revoke Soil Law Changes

On Thursday, **14 deputies** from the **Left Bloc (BE)**, **Portuguese Communist Party (PCP)**, **Livre**, and **People–Animals–Nature (PAN)** came together to request a **parliamentary review** of a recent **decree-law** that allows the **reclassification of rustic lands** to urban status. This law, approved by the government in late November, has sparked significant concern among the leftist parties.

In a press conference, **Mariana Mortágua**, the leader of the Left Bloc, stated that the coalition's primary aim is to **repeal this law**, which they believe could have detrimental effects on land use and urban development in Portugal. The parties argue that this change undermines environmental protections and could lead to increased construction on previously protected lands.

The coalition's move highlights the growing tension between the left-wing parties and the ruling government regarding land use policies and their implications for sustainable development in the country.

Deputados do Bloco, PCP, Livre e PAN juntaram-se para pedir apreciação parlamentar do diploma que altera o regime de utilização dos solos, promulgado, com reparos, pelo Presidente da República.

Left-Wing Parties Unite to Challenge Controversial Soil Law in Portugal

### **Disappointment Among Local Leaders and Users**

The recent **toll exemption** on the A25 highway has sparked **discontent** among local authorities and users, particularly because the stretch between **Albergaria-a-Velha** and **Aveiro** was excluded from the exemption. This decision has taken many by surprise, especially those who frequently use this route.

### **Political Responsibility**

The **Socialist Party**, which proposed the toll exemption, insists this was not an oversight. They affirm that the decision was made with careful consideration, though the backlash from the community suggests otherwise.

![Toll Booth on A25](https://asset.skoiy.com/jnrcnjwljorqgsbu/si3jil7htt4x.jpg?w=1852&q=80)  
*One of the three toll booths on the A25 in the Aveiro area that continues to signal charges. Photo: Artur Machado* 

### **Public Reaction**

The public's reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing their frustration over having to pay tolls on a route they believed would be free. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the proposed policies and the government’s communication with its citizens.

Isenção de cobrança na auto-estrada deixou de fora o traçado entre Albergaria-a-Velha e Aveiro, para surpresa dos utilizadores. Partido Socialista, autor da proposta, garante que não se tratou de um lapso.

Outrage Over Toll Charges on A25: What You Need to Know!

## President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Takes Action on Security Concerns

On January 2, 2025, President **Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa** decided to forward a letter from **André Ventura**, the leader of the Chega party, to other State Councilors regarding **security issues in Portugal**. This move underscores the importance of addressing public safety concerns in the country.

![Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa](https://asset.skoiy.com/jnrcnjwljorqgsbu/b1ylznfkrvrb.jpg?w=1852&q=80)
*Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa*  
*Photo: António Pedro Santos/Lusa*

The letter's contents, while not disclosed in detail, are expected to contain proposals or requests for a meeting to discuss the current security landscape in Portugal. This initiative reflects the growing dialogue around public safety amidst rising concerns.

As the situation evolves, the response from other councilors and the implications of this meeting will be closely monitored by the media and the public alike.

O presidente da República, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, decidiu remeter aos outros conselheiros de Estado a carta recebida do presidente do Chega, André Ventura, sobre a segurança em Portugal.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa Responds to André Ventura's Security Meeting Request

### Disruptions Across Lisbon Metro Lines

On the **first workday of 2025**, many commuters faced significant delays as **three out of four metro lines** in Lisbon experienced interruptions. The **blue, yellow, and green lines** were affected by technical issues, leading to frustration among passengers.

### Causes of the Interruptions

According to the **Metropolitano de Lisboa**, the disruptions were due to a **"misbraking" of a train** at the Santa Apolónia station around **8:30 AM**, causing a temporary halt in circulation. The company reported that this issue resulted in a **delay of only three minutes**, but full service was not restored until approximately **9:30 AM**.

> **Tweet from Metropolitano de Lisboa**: "Due to a train malfunction, circulation is interrupted. We hope to resume as soon as possible. #EstadoDasLinhas"

Later in the morning, at **9:52 AM**, a **"air leak in a train"** at Quinta das Conchas station necessitated emergency intervention, leading to a **power cut for safety reasons**. This unexpected pneumatic failure was described as a **rare and unpredictable event**. Full service on the yellow line was only restored by around **1 PM**.

### Impact on Other Lines

The power cut also affected the **green line**, as these lines are interconnected at Campo Grande. The Metropolitano de Lisboa assured the public that maintenance is conducted regularly and thoroughly, emphasizing that while they strive for safety and quality, **failures can still occur in complex systems**.

### Commitment to Improvement

The transport company is currently modernizing the signaling and control systems to prevent such issues in the future, aiming to enhance the reliability of the metro service for all users.

Linha azul, amarela e verde do Metro de Lisboa enfrentaram interrupções e perturbações no serviço esta quinta-feira. Uma "travagem indevida" e uma "fuga de ar" justificam os constrangimentos. 

Porto Metro Halts Operations Across the Network Starting Tuesday Evening

Summary:

Porto Metro Service Disruption

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