### Storm Aitor Approaches Portugal

The **Aitor depression** is on its way to Portugal, bringing with it **intense rain** and **strong winds**. The districts most affected will be **Aveiro, Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real**, and **Viseu**, which are currently under an **orange warning**, the second most severe level on the alert scale.

As residents prepare for the impending weather, authorities are advising caution and preparedness to handle the potential impacts of this storm. Stay tuned for updates and ensure safety measures are in place as conditions develop.

Está a chegar a Portugal a depressão Aitor. A previsão é de chuva intensa e vento forte. Os distritos de Aveiro, Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real e Viseu serão os mais afetados. Estão com de aviso laranja, o segundo mais grave na escala de alertas.


Storm Aitor: Intense Rain and Strong Winds Set to Hit Portugal!

### 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.

Controversial Police Operation in Martim Moniz: IGAI Launches Investigation into PSP Conduct

### Warnings from TERRA Laboratory
Experts from the **[Associated Laboratory TERRA](https://labterra.pt/en/)** have raised concerns about the **risks of uncontrolled urbanization** and the detrimental effects of poor soil management in Portugal. 

By TPN/Lusa, 8 hours ago

![Urbanization Risks](https://d1mnxluw9mpf9w.cloudfront.net/media/2198/4x3/1200.jpg)

The organization, comprising over **400 researchers** from the universities of Lisbon and Coimbra, emphasizes the importance of sustainability in land use to prevent **ecological** and **economic disasters**. Recently, **World Soil Day** was celebrated on **December 5th**, underscoring the significance of soil for ecosystems and life. 

### Government's Controversial Land Law Changes
The government has recently decided to ease land laws, allowing municipalities to release land, especially **rustic land**, for the construction of **public housing** or at “moderate prices.” This move has been criticized by **Helena Freitas**, a biodiversity and ecology professor at the University of Coimbra. She describes the approval of this decision by the Council of Ministers on **November 28** as **“very worrying.”**

Freitas warns that **construction on rural land** could lead to the loss of valuable **agricultural**, **forestry**, or **ecosystem areas**, jeopardizing **biodiversity** and **ecosystem services**. She cites the potential for **disorderly urbanization**, which may result in **uncontrolled urban expansion**, inadequate infrastructure, and increased reliance on automobile transport, further compromising local food production.

### Call for Sustainable Urban Development
Freitas questions the criteria for determining which rustic lands can be urbanized and how to ensure that such actions do not disrupt the ecological balance. She advocates for the **rehabilitation of abandoned** or underused buildings in urban areas instead of expanding into rural spaces. Freitas highlights successful European models, such as **Amsterdam** and **Copenhagen**, which prioritize urban densification by utilizing underused land. 

She concludes by stressing the urgency of defining **soil suitability maps** to identify critical areas for conservation, agriculture, and biodiversity, ensuring their protection.

Experts from the Associated Laboratory TERRA have warned of the risks of uncontrolled urbanisation and the negative impacts of poor soil management in Portugal.

Storm Aitor: Intense Rain and Strong Winds Set to Hit Portugal!

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Storm Aitor Approaches Portugal

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