# New Year's Celebration in Portugal

The night of the **New Year's Eve** was filled with festivities from **north to south** of the country and its islands. The skies were illuminated by **long sessions of fireworks**, marking the arrival of **2025**.

## Highlights from Lisbon
![New Year's in Lisbon](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/67750488d34e94b829093497/800)
![New Year's in Lisbon](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/6775048bd34e94b829093499/800)
![New Year's in Lisbon](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/6775048ad34ea1acf2726314/800)
![New Year's in Lisbon](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/677503fdd34ea1acf2726310/800)
![New Year's in Lisbon](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/67750400d34e94b829093495/800)
![New Year's in Lisbon](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/67750402d34ea1acf2726312/800)

## Celebrations in Madeira
![New Year's in Funchal, Madeira](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/6774fb37d34ea1acf27262fa/800)
![New Year's in Funchal, Madeira](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/6774fb36d34e94b829093481/800)
![New Year's in Funchal, Madeira](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/6774fb35d34ea1acf27262f8/800)
![New Year's in Funchal, Madeira](https://img.iol.pt/image/id/6774fb34d34e94b82909347f/800)

The vibrant celebrations across **Lisbon** and **Madeira** showcased the spirit of joy and unity as the country moved into a new year.


A noite da passagem de ano foi de festa de norte a sul do país e ilhas. Os céus iluminaram-se de longas sessões de fogo de artifício para receber 2025.

Portugal Welcomes 2025 with Spectacular Fireworks Across the Nation!

## The Popularity of Casa de Tormes

The **Casa de Tormes**, home to the **Eça de Queiroz Foundation** in Baião, has become a **must-visit destination** for many international tourists, particularly from **Brazil**. Brazilian visitors exhibit a **strong enthusiasm** for exploring the **writer's house-museum**, showcasing a deep interest in Eça de Queiroz's literary contributions and Portuguese culture.

## A Cultural Connection

This trend highlights the **cultural ties** and appreciation that Brazilian tourists have for Portuguese literature, making their visits not just about tourism, but also about **connecting with their literary heritage**. The foundation regularly hosts events and exhibitions that celebrate the life and works of Eça de Queiroz, further attracting visitors eager to learn more.

### Visitor Experience

The Casa de Tormes offers a rich experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the environment that inspired one of Portugal's greatest writers. With its **beautiful architecture** and **historical significance**, it serves as a perfect backdrop for understanding the literary legacy of Eça de Queiroz.

A Casa de Tormes, sede da Fundação Eça de Queiroz em Baião, recebe habitualmente muitos visitantes estrangeiros, sobretudo brasileiros com “muito apetite” de conhecerem a casa-museu do escritor.

Discover Why Brazilian Tourists Flock to the Eça de Queiroz Foundation House in Portugal

### Alarming Wait Times at Hospital Santa Maria

Patients classified as **urgent** are experiencing **over four hours** of waiting time before receiving care at the **Hospital Santa Maria** in Lisbon. As of **6 PM**, there were **36 patients** with a **yellow wristband**, indicating an urgent situation, facing an average wait time of **4 hours and 34 minutes** according to the latest data from the **National Health Service**.

### Critical Cases Awaiting Care

In addition, **five patients** with an **orange wristband** (very urgent) have been waiting an average of **3 hours and 39 minutes** for treatment. Meanwhile, **eleven patients** with a **green wristband** (less urgent) are facing even longer waits, averaging **5 hours and 21 minutes**.

### Comparison with Other Hospitals

A recent survey by **Lusa** highlighted that this was the most challenging situation among various hospitals in Lisbon by the end of the day. At the **Beatriz Ângelo Hospital** in Loures, which previously faced wait times exceeding **ten hours**, conditions have improved, but patients still wait longer than expected. Just before **6 PM**, three very urgent cases were waiting an average of **33 minutes**, while **37 urgent cases** had an average wait of **four hours**.

### Regional Variations in Wait Times

In central Portugal, the situation appears to be calmer. For instance, at the **University Hospitals of Coimbra**, the average wait for very urgent cases was just **24 minutes**, while urgent cases waited **1 hour and 35 minutes**. The hospital’s protocol prioritizes cases based on urgency, from immediate attention for emergency cases (red wristband) to a maximum wait of **240 minutes** for non-urgent cases (blue wristband).

### Triage Protocol

The **Manchester Triage System** is employed to assess patients and assign them a priority for care ranging from emergency to non-urgent needs, ensuring that those in critical condition receive timely attention.


Os doentes considerados urgentes estão a aguardar mais de quatro horas para serem atendidos nas urgências do Hospital Santa Maria, em Lisboa, segundo dados atualizados ao final da tarde ...

Emergency Wait Times Surge: Hospital Santa Maria Patients Face Over Four-Hour Delays

### PSD/Lisbon's Accusations

The **PSD/Lisbon** party has accused the president of the Municipal Assembly, **Rosário Farmhouse** (PS), of **overstepping legislation and assembly rules**, claiming she manages her role based on a **political agenda**. According to **Luís Newton**, president of the local PSD structure, this behavior is damaging the **trust of Lisbon residents** in the assembly.

### Legal Controversy Surrounding Local Accommodation

This statement follows the **Constitutional Court’s** decision that deemed there were no legal conditions for a referendum on **local accommodation (AL)** in Lisbon, as proposed by a popular initiative. The court stated that the assembly was not authorized to proceed with the initiative without ensuring the validity of new signatures and obtaining an opinion from the **Lisbon Mayor**.

### Critique of Assembly Leadership

Newton emphasized that this is a rare opportunity for the assembly president to provide a **trustworthy and rigorous vision**, but instead, she has been disregarding the law for political purposes. The court found that the popular initiative lacked effective control of signatures and that the questions posed were inconsistent with the legal framework.

### PSD's Response to Court Decision

In their statement, PSD/Lisbon highlighted that the arguments presented by the judges had already been voiced by the PSD municipal group, which had considered filing for an injunction. They criticized Farmhouse's decision to push the referendum forward despite the evident lack of legal grounds, suggesting that her management is more about **ideological defense** than adherence to municipal regulations.

### Call for Reflection on Leadership

Consequently, the PSD municipal group believes that Farmhouse should seriously consider her ability to continue in her role, especially with upcoming local elections slated for **September to October** this year. They assert that her potential resignation could benefit Lisbon's municipal governance.

### Recent Assembly Actions

On **December 3**, the assembly approved the conversion of the popular initiative into a local referendum on AL, with support from **PS, BE, PEV, PAN, and Livre**. Following this, Farmhouse submitted the deliberation to the Constitutional Court, along with signature lists aimed at correcting previous discrepancies.

The popular initiative, driven by the **Referendum for Housing Movement**, proposed two pivotal questions regarding the regulation of local accommodations in residential properties.

PSD/Lisboa acusou a presidente da Assembleia Municipal, a socialista Rosário Fermhouse, de usar o cargo para "uma agenda política". Em causa o seu envolvimento na proposta de referendo ao AL.

PSD/Lisbon Accuses Assembly President of Political Agenda in Local Accommodation Referendum Controversy

On January 1st, a **fire truck from Odemira** was involved in a fatal accident that led to the death of a **38-year-old firefighter, Dinis Conceição**. Prior to the incident, the vehicle had **identified anomalies** and was scheduled for a **review** on January 6th to address these issues. Reports indicate that the **anomalies** are related to the **chassis** of the truck, manufactured by **Jacinto**, which has denied responsibility for the accident.

**Four other firefighters** sustained serious injuries during the incident while returning to the station after controlling an uncontrolled fire. **Dinis**, who was gravely injured, passed away at the **Hospital de São José** in Lisbon. His body is expected to arrive in Odemira on Saturday for funeral ceremonies set to begin on Sunday.

President **Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa** visited the injured firefighter in Lisbon, expressing his best wishes for recovery. There are currently **two more firefighters** hospitalized, one in Santa Maria, Lisbon, and another in Portimão.

The **President of the League of Firefighters**, António Nunes, stated that it’s too early to draw conclusions regarding the vehicle's anomalies, as an inquiry by the **Emergency and Civil Protection Services** is ongoing. Concerns regarding the integrity and safety of emergency vehicles have escalated, especially following recent accidents involving firefighters.

Amid these tragic events, the **President** and other government members are expected to attend the funeral services for Dinis Conceição, highlighting the community's support during this difficult time.

Despiste provocou a morte de operacional de 38 anos. Anomalia estará relacionada com encarroçamento, mas empresa nega responsabilidade no despiste. Há mais dois bombeiros hospitalizados.

Tragic Accident in Odemira: Fire Truck Malfunction Linked to Fatality and Injuries

### A Historic Celebration in Mexilhoeira Grande

In **2025**, the **Parish of Nossa Senhora da Assunção** in **Mexilhoeira Grande** will celebrate a momentous **triple anniversary**: 500 years since the construction of the parish church, 50 years since the return of the **Jesuits** to the Algarve, and the entry of **Father Domingos Monteiro da Costa** into the parish.

To commemorate these significant milestones, the three parishes in the Algarve under the care of the **Society of Jesus** – **N.ª Sr.ª do Amparo** (Portimão), Mexilhoeira Grande, and **Odiáxere** – are preparing a **diverse program of events** throughout the year to honor these important **Jubilees**.

### Upcoming Events

The **celebration program** includes:
- **Classical and contemporary music concerts**
- **Traditional dances, theater performances, conferences, and cultural activities**
- Aiming to showcase the **history and influence** of these historical landmarks.

**Highlights of the Program:**
- **January 11**: A concert at **19:00** featuring the **Algarve Guitar Association** in the parish church.
- **January 12**: A traditional gathering of **Janeiras and Reis singing** at **15:00** in the church.
- **January 30**: Students from the **11th grade** of the professional actor/actress course will perform **“El-Rei Seleuco”** by **Luís Vaz de Camões** at the **Centro Pastoral Paul Roth**.

The official celebration program will be presented on **January 11 and 12**, prior to the scheduled performances.

### Historical Significance

The parish church of Mexilhoeira Grande is one of the **oldest monuments** in the **Portimão** municipality, built in the **first half of the 16th century**, funded by the **Castelo Branco family**, counts of **Vila Nova de Portimão**. This celebration also marks the **50th anniversary** of the Jesuits' return to the Algarve, highlighting two significant periods:
- The first, from the late **17th century** with the establishment of the **Colégio de São Francisco Xavier** until the **expulsion of the Jesuits in 1759**.
- The second, in the **20th century**, when young Jesuit priests **Arsénio Castro da Silva** and **Domingos Monteiro da Costa** returned to the Algarve in **1975**, establishing their presence in the parishes of Portimão.

Father Domingos Monteiro da Costa, ordained in **1972**, has been involved in pastoral work in Mexilhoeira Grande and surrounding areas since **1975**.

Lisboa, 04 jan 2025 (Ecclesia) – A paróquia de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, na Mexilhoeira Grande, celebra, em 2025, 500 anos da construção da igreja paroquial, os 50 anos do regresso dos jesuítas ao Algarve e a entrada do padre Domingos Monteiro da Costa.

Celebrating 500 Years of History: Mexilhoeira Grande's Triple Anniversary Events in 2025

### Flight Disruptions Due to Severe Weather

Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport is experiencing **significant disruptions** on Saturday, January 4, due to **strong winds** affecting both arrivals and departures. Travelers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

### Impact on Travelers

The adverse weather conditions have led to the **cancellation of four flights**, which may affect many passengers. Authorities are working to manage the situation, but travelers should remain vigilant and prepared for potential delays.

### Recommendations for Passengers

Passengers are encouraged to stay updated through their airlines and consider alternative travel plans if necessary. The airport staff is available to assist with any inquiries and to provide updates on the evolving situation.

O Aeroporto Internacional Cristiano Ronaldo volta a conhecer este sábado, 4 de janeiro, alguns constrangimentos devido ao vento forte que se faz senti...

Strong Winds Cause Four Flight Cancellations at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport

### A Significant Change in Construction Regulations

As the new year unfolds, the Portuguese government has introduced a **noteworthy change**: the allowance for **construction on rustic land** under exceptional circumstances. This decision was made rapidly, with approval from the Council of Ministers on December 18 and publication in the Diário da República on December 30.

### The Implications of Building on Rustic Land

Previously, expanding urban areas was permitted, but it required adherence to strict regulations aimed at ensuring **environmental safety** and the need for such developments. This new law, however, **facilitates construction** beyond city limits and suburbs without public consultation or necessary assessments, allowing municipal assemblies to make unilateral decisions. This shift, while promising to reduce bureaucracy, could lead to a **disruption** in urban planning, undermining regional coordination as cities expand.

### The Long-Lasting Impact of This 'Earthquake'

The repercussions of this decision are profound, particularly in the **valuation of land** where construction is now permitted. The document acknowledges that the housing developed will be of **moderate cost** but unregulated, raising concerns about the availability of affordable housing. The potential for immediate profit from previously restricted land could make it the most desirable, while urban areas risk losing investment in housing.

### Economic and Environmental Risks

In scenarios of international market shocks, these newly valued lands could jeopardize **financial market stability**, as they may be used as collateral for loans. The chaotic implementation of this law could result in a **disorderly urban landscape**, with new expansion zones determined by local deputies who often lack expertise in territorial planning.

### Political Reactions and Future Steps

The Assembly of the Republic may need to **revoke Decree-Law 117 of 2024** to prevent this legislative 'earthquake'. A request for reassessment is backed by four political parties, but achieving a parliamentary majority will require broader support. This issue transcends political lines, as the consequences of haphazard construction could lead to **irreversible changes** in the landscape. The upcoming days in the Assembly will serve as a litmus test for parliamentary commitment to the public interest.

Os próximos dias na Assembleia da República serão um teste às várias bancadas parlamentares, na prossecução do interesse público.

Portugal Welcomes 2025 with Spectacular Fireworks Across the Nation!

Summary:

New Year's Celebration in Portugal

Highlights from Lisbon

Celebrations in Madeira

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