Dear Reader,

Here is your weekly news overview…

Portugal and USA strengthen military ties

Portugal’s close military relationship with the United States has strengthened further, with a new bi-lateral announcement this week.

Just days before Donald Trump takes over again in Washington, a ceremony took place in the Lisbon offices of the Ministry of National Defence marking Portugal’s accession to the US National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.

Said Portugal’s Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo in the presence of the United States Ambassador to Portugal: “I have no doubt that this partnership will strengthen military cooperation between our two countries, intensify what are already excellent bi-lateral relations, and the strong diplomatic, commercial and cultural ties that unite Portugal and the United States.”

The new arrangement is despite Donald Trump’s condemnation of low defence expenditures in most European Union countries, including Portugal. Trump has also shown little solidarity with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), of which Portugal is a founding member.

As reported by the , Nuno Melo emphasised in Lisbon this week that Portugal and the United States are “historic allies”, that have contributed to peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area for the past 75 years.

So absolutely no weakening of the alliance seems likely under Trump’s second presidential term. On the contrary, the new arrangement is intended to reinforce military cooperation, and comes after threats of further Russian expansion almost two years after its invasion and increasing bombardments in Ukraine.

Donald Trump has repeatedly said he will end the Russia-Ukraine war the day he takes over as president. Let’s see what happens on Monday.

Meanwhile, the strongly pro-Trump USA-Portuguese community in Fall River, Massachusetts (mentioned in Portugal Newswatch last week), has been reading about the new military partnership program in a Fall River newspaper, It has noted that the program can lead to “joint exercises, sharing of expertise in disaster response, and collaborative efforts to address mutual security and defence challenges.”

Created in 1993, the State Partnership Program has been “successfully building relations for more than 30 years, and now includes 105 partnerships with 115 nations around the globe,” according to the United States National Guard website.

 Written by Len Port 

Algarve at the forefront of robotic surgery

The Orthopaedics Group of the Hospital Particular do Algarve (HPA) “has taken another significant step in the field of robotic surgery, positioning the Algarve region at the forefront of medical innovation in Europe”, say the HPA in a statement.

At the Gambelas unit, in Faro, two pioneering joint replacement operations were recently performed using cutting-edge technology: the CORI surgical navigation system and the new digital ligament tensioner. These technologies represent a milestone in robotic surgery, with a national first in hip arthroplasty and a European achievement in the application of innovative techniques to the knee.

Since 2023, the HPA Orthopedics Group has used the CORI system in more than a hundred successful cases of robotic knee replacement surgery. In January 2025, the Algarve became the first region in Europe to adopt the digital ligament tensioner, a tool that allows greater precision and personalization in the tension of knee ligaments, optimizing functionality and patient satisfaction.

“This technology replaces manual procedures, ensuring an objective and consistent measurement of the tension to be applied, with results adapted to the specific characteristics of each patient”, highlighted the HPA specialists. This advance translates into more precise and safer interventions, promoting a faster and less painful recovery.

The CORI navigation system combines 3D imaging, navigation technology and advanced algorithms to guide surgeons in real time during surgeries. This approach offers personalized adaptation to each patient’s anatomy, resulting in fewer complications, a more comfortable recovery and longer-lasting prostheses.

Benefits for patients

The technological advances implemented by the HPA Group translate into numerous advantages for patients:

Precision and customization: More precise alignment of prostheses, improving functionality and durability.
Fast recovery: Minimally invasive procedures reduce the impact on tissues, speeding up the post-operative period.
Fewer complications: Precision significantly reduces the risk of post-operative complications.

The HPA Group's continuous investment in cutting-edge technologies consolidates the Algarve as a national and international reference in robotic lower limb surgery, contributing to the development of the healthcare ecosystem in the region.

VRSA Council awards subsidy of €472,000 to their Bombeiros

VRSA Council has awarded a subsidy of €472,000 to the Firefighters of Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim.

The municipality of Vila Real de Santo António established, with the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters (AHBV) of Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, a protocol to ensure operational, logistical and financial cooperation, within the scope of Civil Protection activities.

According to the local authority, the measure is intended to meet the corporation's mission for 2025, continuing the commitment already established in 2023, between the Municipality of Vila Real de Santo António and the Firefighters Association.

One of the measures included in the protocol is the logistical support of the activity within the scope of the Integrated Protection and Relief Operations System (SIOPS). An Intermunicipal Civil Protection Center will also be maintained, dedicated to emergency management, with a permanent service line.

Monchique: initiative to reduce risk of forest fires is officially approved

The initiative, which aims to reduce the risk of forest fires, promote the conservation of ecosystems and boost sustainable socioeconomic development in the region, has been officially approved by the government, with an investment of close to 2.4 million euros.

The  with an area of ​​1217.90 hectares, is the result of an application submitted by the Monchique Local Development Association – Corredor Verde (AMCV), in partnership with the Monchique Municipal Council (CMM), with the technical support of the company Geo21 – Territorial Development Consultants.

The execution of the OIGP-APM will be managed and operationalized by AMCV, involving owners and local representatives.

The project foresees a maximum investment amount of 2.4 million euros, that will be 100% financed. This investment will be complemented by a maximum annual support of 137,879 euros over 20 years, to help maintain the investments.

For the local authority, this operation comes as a response to an "urgent need" to mitigate the risks associated with forest fires that have devastated the mountains and municipality of Monchique in recent years.

The project foresees the creation of fuel management strips in areas surrounding the road network and population clusters, contributing to greater resilience of the area in the face of future extreme events.

Furthermore, the OIGP-APM includes an important component of promoting socioeconomic development, by stimulating the creation of economic opportunities associated with nature tourism, agriculture focused on indigenous products and forestry activities, in an incentive for the balanced and sustainable growth of the territory. The actions should be completed by November this year, according to the Municipality.

Source https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/ 

December 2024 was the driest on record

The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) say December was the driest on record, with Portugal experiencing rainfall that was “just 12% of the average value” recorded between 1981 and 2010.

The lowest rainfall value was recorded in Portimão, in Algarve, with just 1.7 millimetres during December 2024.

The records also show that, at the end of December, 55% of the mainland was in a “weak and moderate” meteorological drought and that, in the last decade, there has been less and less rain in the last month of the year, a trend that was only not seen in 2022 and which is being accompanied by an increase in temperature.

As for water reserves in reservoirs, APA data indicate that they are at 71% of total capacity, a figure that represents “a slight reduction compared to the 74% recorded in the same period” in 2023.

The Sado river basins - Monte da Rocha (11%) and Campilhas (20%) - and Arade - Bravura (13%) and Arade (16%) - are those that had dams in a “critical state” in December, with capacity equal to or less than 20%.

In the Algarve, one of the regions of the country where the effects of the drought have been most felt and where restrictions on water consumption have already been applied, the six main reservoirs “accumulate 151 cubic hectometres of stored water, corresponding to 34% of the total capacity”, a figure that reflects an “increase of 39 cubic hectometres compared to the same period last year”.

“Despite this increase, the western Algarve and the Arade basin remain in extreme hydrological drought,” warned the APA source, clarifying that the east is only marginally better off,  “in severe hydrological drought.”

With an additional 39 cubic hectometres stored in dams in December, compared to the same month in 2023, the Algarve is in a “better” situation and has “water reserves for a year of urban consumption”, in the event that no more rain is recorded by then, assured the APA source.

Body of a woman found at the waters edge in Culatra Island

The body of a woman aged around 30 was found yesterday morning, near the waterline of Culatra Island, Faro, with the causes of the incident so far unknown.

A member of the public raised the alarm at around 07:50h on Sunday morning, when they discovered the body.

Members of the Olhão Maritime Police and the Culatra Local Civil Protection Unit were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The woman was declared dead at the scene, and after contacting the Public Prosecutor's Office, the body was transported to the Legal and Forensic Medical Office of Sotavento Algarvio, where the Judicial Police will carry out the investigations.

The local command of the Maritime Police of Olhão took charge of the incident.

‍OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:

 São Bras awards a vote of praise to the Alerta, the volunteer forest fire alert association

Portimão: man seriously injured in hit-and-run

Most Portuguese in the United States favour Trump

‍More news next week!

Ed

‍LATEST FEATURES

Currency Market Update - 17th January 2025

We have seen GBP taking further losses in Friday’s morning session against both the EUR and USD after UK retail sales were released this morning. British retail sales were expected to increase by 0.4% in December.

Algarve Farewell Burns Supper - Jan 25th 2025

The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve is delighted to announce that we will once again be holding our Burns Supper at the Ponte Romana restaurant, in Silves on Saturday 25 January 2025.  

Excellent turn out for the first ASB ride of 2025

On Friday 10th of January, the Algarve Senior bikers held their first ride of 2025, with 35 bikes involved in the ride divided into three groups for safety reasons, and out of consideration for other road users. 

The Linoleum Prize – Scaffolding and Scandal

The Linoleum Prize – Scaffolding and Scandal: Comedy-cum-social commentary enthrals as school bureaucracy goes hilariously off the rails.

Moving to Portugal? Visas Explained: D1–D9 Visas

Portugal continues to attract expats from all over the world.
If you’re considering moving to Portugal for work, retirement or investment opportunities, understanding the visa system is essential. 

Tax calendar: dates you need to put in your diary for 2025

Please remember that before you submit your Personal Income Tax (IRS), you need to perform some tasks as per the new habits acquired in the previous years: tasks like validating or registering invoices at the tax portal are now procedures that became part of the routine of any taxpayer.

‍PROPERTY NEWS

Carvoeiro: building plot with approved project, for sale

This urban building plot is located in a quiet location, yet only 650m from Carvoeiro beach and the square, making it a short stroll to all amenities.

Marinha and Benagil: Spacious renovated 3 bedroom villa with pool, enjoying sea & country views

This spacious renovated 3 bedroom villa with pool and sea & country views is located in a peaceful area, near Marinha and Benagil beaches.

Elegant 2 bedroom apartment with panoramic sea views across Meia Praia and Lagos

Located just minutes on foot from Meia Praia beach, the Marina, and Lagos city center, this elegant 1st floor apartment combines comfort and style in a peaceful, secure residence.

Design Your Dream Oasis in the Heart of the Algarve

Discover the perfect balance of contemporary design, premium amenities, and prime location with this exceptional project, which allows you to collaborate directly with the builder, offering a rare opportunity to personalize every detail.

‍COMMUNITY NEWS

An afternoon of ‘Royal Tea’, a new comedy play - January 18th, 25th & February 1st 2025

A new comedy play performed by an international group of ‘Random Players’ tells the intriguing story of Portugal’s last king and his passion for a glamorous French actress.

UK Expats Flocking to Portugal: Join the Moving to Portugal Show & Seminars in London on April 3, 2025

The number of Brits relocating to Portugal continues to grow, with over 47,409 Britons now living in the country, according to AIMA. This figure represents the fourth-largest group of foreign residents, following Brazilians, Angolans, and Cabo Verdeans.

Kickstarting the New Year with Wellness and Flavour - January 2025 Events at Figs on the Funcho

Join us this January at Figs on the Funcho, to embrace wellness, creativity, and flavour!