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Breaking news and developing stories from across Portugal.

State Auditors Question Long-Standing RTP Bonuses, Freezing Extra Pay for About 300 Staff

State Auditors Question Long-Standing RTP Bonuses, Freezing Extra Pay for About 300 Staff

A preliminary audit by the Inspeção-Geral de Finanças flags supplements paid to about a fifth of RTP's staff. The broadcaster has frozen new awards and says the perks are rooted in a 2006 collective agreement — unions meet management to resist cuts.

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

A hand holding two playing cards beside a pile of red, blue and black poker chips on a green table, representing gambling

Portugal's Online Gambling Revenue Reaches €328 Million in Q2 as the World Cup Pulls In New Bettors

Portugal's regulated online-gambling market took in a record €328.2 million between April and June, up 14.4% year on year, as the World Cup drew casual punters to sports betting. New sign-ups jumped 17.7% to 248,400, and the state's online-gaming tax yielded €92.1 million.

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

An aerial view of Vila Franca do Campo on Sao Miguel in the Azores, its white houses spread along the coast with the Vila Franca islet offshore

The Azores Commit €65 Million in Recovery Funds to 767 Homes, Led by Rent-to-Own Flats

The Azores are channelling €65 million of PRR recovery money into 767 homes — 142 new builds, 480 renovations and 145 serviced plots — to keep families on the islands. The first 12 flats, in Ribeira Grande, use a rent-to-own model with rents from €394 to €495 and drew 201 applications.

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

A dark data-centre aisle lined with server racks and coloured network cabling, representing a large computing facility

Azambuja Rejects National-Interest Status for a €2 Billion Data Center, Citing Irreversible Impacts

The council of Azambuja has delivered an unfavourable opinion on national-interest status for a €2 billion data centre planned by the French developer Neoen in Alcoentre, warning of 'irreversible impacts' and the lack of any environmental study. The site would demand heavy water, power and land for

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

A young researcher in a white coat and safety glasses using a pipette at a laboratory bench, representing scientific research and development

Public Research Funding Tops €1 Billion for the First Time, but Slips as a Share of GDP

Portugal's public funding for research and development passed €1 billion for the first time in 2025, the EU's third-largest increase. Yet R&D as a share of GDP fell versus 2024, and the country's research intensity remains stubbornly below the European average after a decade of catching up.

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

A cobbled street in Campo Maior draped overhead with canopies of handmade paper flowers and columns wrapped in orange blooms, lit by lanterns at night

Campo Maior Drapes Its Streets in Paper Flowers as a Rare UNESCO Festival Returns

The Festas do Povo (People's Festival) opened on Saturday in the Alentejo town of Campo Maior, with more than 400,000 visitors expected. Held only when the townspeople decide, the UNESCO-listed event saw over 4,000 volunteers turn roughly 50 tonnes of paper into flowers draping more than 100 streets

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

A pair of polished dark-brown leather derby shoes on a plain background, representing Portugal's premium footwear industry

Portugal Overtakes Spain to Become Europe's Second-Largest Shoemaker

Portugal has overtaken Spain to become Europe's second-largest footwear manufacturer, and the 18th globally, exporting about 93% of output to some 174 countries. The average export price rose 2.5% to about $28.25 a pair, second only to Italy, even as sector growth slowed to 0.8% in 2025.

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

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