Afternoon Update -- Thursday, 19 February
Twin Earthquakes Rattle LisbonTwo magnitude 4.1 earthquakes struck near Alenquer at 12:14 and 12:16, felt widely across the Greater Lisbon region. No damage or injuries reported.
Latest
Portugal Open to Observer Role at Trump's Peace Council as Gaza Meeting Begins
Portugal has indicated it is willing to attend meetings of Donald Trump's newly formed Peace Council as an observer, a cautious diplomatic step that reflects Lisbon's effort to remain engaged in Middle East peace efforts without fully endorsing Washington's controversial initiative.
Nearly Half of Storm-Hit Homes Had No Insurance Coverage
Nearly half of all homes in the municipalities declared under calamity after Portugal's recent storms had no insurance coverage for tempest or flood damage, the head of the country's insurance regulator revealed on Wednesday, exposing a protection gap that will leave thousands of families to...
Storm Costs Force Government to Abandon Surplus Target and Accept Deficit
Portugal's government has effectively conceded that the country will run a budget deficit in 2026, abandoning its long-held goal of maintaining a fiscal surplus as the financial reality of rebuilding from three devastating storms becomes clearer by the day.
Twin Earthquakes Shake Greater Lisbon as City Still Recovers From Storms
Two earthquakes of magnitude 4.1 struck the Greater Lisbon region within two minutes of each other on Thursday afternoon, rattling nerves in a country still reeling from weeks of devastating storms and flooding.
Daily Briefing -- 19 February 2026
Seguro Inauguration Set for 9 MarchThe Constitutional Court on Monday formally proclaimed António José Seguro as president-elect after certifying the final results of the second-round runoff. He won with 66.8 percent of the vote.
Markets, Business & Tech Briefing -- 19 February 2026
PSI Closes at New Five-Year HighThe PSI index gained 0.76 percent on Wednesday, closing at 9,143 points and marking another five-year high. The index is up more than 10 percent year-to-date, outpacing most European peers.