1. Portuguese Neuraspace Launches New Optical Telescope in Chile
The Portuguese aerospace company Neuraspace, which specializes in Space Traffic Management (STM), announced the installation and activation of its second optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, located in Chile. Combined with the telescope already operational at the Beja Air Base (BA11), which has been running since September and has already produced over 300,000 measurements of space objects in LEO to GEO orbits, the new facility will allow tracking of objects down to 10 cm in diameter in both hemispheres.
These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world for acquiring astrometric and photometric data, and Neuraspace expects to generate orbital products with positional errors that meet the requirements of the ESA Space Debris Mitigation Requirements (2023), which mandate uncertainties of less than 100 meters per orbital revolution. The telescope in Chile is expected to be even more productive, with around 320 nights of clear skies per year, taking advantage of the region’s sky quality, where some of the largest telescopes in the world are located. This addition will increase coverage and overcome seasonal limitations in low Earth orbit tracking. The investment, part of a total effort of 25 million euros and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), aims to improve airspace security and sustainability, providing complementary services to all companies operating in space. With these investments, Neuraspace’s Space Traffic Management Platform, supported by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, will become even more robust to ensure safe space operations and prevent collisions with space debris and other satellites.
Three years after its launch, Neuraspace is already monitoring 400 satellites. Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Neuraspace, emphasized that this investment solidifies the company as a global reference in space traffic management, highlighting the value creation from data with Artificial Intelligence and the strategy of data fusion from multiple sources. According to Manfletti, with the expansion of the infrastructure, Neuraspace is redefining safety and efficiency standards for global space operations.
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2. Portugal Has Six Business Schools in the Top 100 Best in Europe for the First Time
Portugal has made a historic achievement with six business schools now ranked among the top 100 in Europe, as revealed by the Financial Times European Business Schools 2024 ranking. The Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova SBE) has secured its best-ever position at 18th, marking a significant milestone for Portuguese higher education. The Católica Porto Business School entered the prestigious ranking for the first time, joining leading institutions such as Católica-Lisbon, University of Porto FEP/PBS, ISCTE, and ISEG. This achievement highlights the growing international recognition of Portuguese business schools.
The consistent performance of these institutions reflects their commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global impact. For Nova SBE, the rankings’ strong showing across several categories, including the International Master’s in Management and Executive Education programs, bolstered its position as a national leader in European business education. Católica Porto Business School’s inclusion further emphasizes the rising prominence of Portugal in the global education landscape, underpinned by international accreditations and solid partnerships with top global universities.
This recognition underscores Portugal’s strength as a hub for management education, with institutions like ISCTE Business School and ISEG reinforcing their global standing. The overall growth in rankings for Portuguese schools, alongside their increasing appeal to global talent, demonstrates the country’s vital role in shaping future leaders and creating impactful business education. With the inclusion of six top-ranked schools, Portugal continues to assert itself as an emerging leader in the field of management education across Europe and beyond.
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3. Portuguese Entity AICEP Secures €50 Million in Investments This Year
Portugal is poised to set a record for attracting investment this year, with AICEP (a public entity that attracts investment) having already contracted around 50 million euros, potentially rising to hundreds of millions. Ricardo Arroja, AICEP’s President, emphasized, “In 2022, the investment was approximately 13 million euros, in 2023 around 40 million, and so far in 2024, we have 50 million euros in eligible investments.” Most of this investment is of foreign origin, reflecting “a normal effort to attract investment,” supported by instruments like the “150 million euros annually in incentives” and the upcoming “famous one-billion-euro line” focused on energy transition projects, including green hydrogen and electric batteries.
Highlighting a pipeline of “potential investments worth several tens of billions of euros,” Arroja noted, “Projects with some maturity to be taken seriously amount to about 20 billion euros, involving the creation of 25,000 jobs.” However, concerns persist, particularly delays in energy projects like green hydrogen. Arroja explained, “Environmental licensing and access to the electrical grid can lead to procedural delays.” Nevertheless, “most investment intentions remain intact,” ensuring optimism for transformational economic impacts.
Arroja expressed confidence in reinforcing international trade, particularly with Europe, amid challenges like economic slowdowns in Germany, France, and China. Portugal’s “central location,” skilled workforce, and “high English proficiency” are assets. Traditional sectors such as food and beverages are complemented by growth in biotechnology, ICT, and data centers. Arroja stressed, “Portugal must build on its strengths and leverage these comparative advantages,” with initiatives like a recent mission to Luxembourg and an upcoming forum in the U.S. focusing on life sciences and eHealth.
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4. Portugal Marketed as a “Safe Investment Destination”
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro highlighted Portugal’s political, fiscal, and social stability as a key asset, contrasting it with the turmoil in Germany and France. He emphasized that, despite uncertainties in Europe’s two largest economies, Portugal can stand out and position itself as a safe investment destination, especially in the context of weak economies elsewhere on the continent. Montenegro stressed that Portugal’s image abroad, reinforced by sound fiscal policies, strengthens its international credibility.
During a speech at the 7th edition of the Fábrica 2030 conference in Porto, Montenegro explained that Portugal benefits from being seen as one of Europe’s most favorable countries for investment. He underlined that political stability in Portugal—evident with the approval of the 2025 state budget—plays a crucial role in maintaining that positive image abroad. He warned that internal political instability would jeopardize Portugal’s external credibility, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the country’s economic recovery and resilience plans stay on track.
Montenegro also discussed the importance of investment in driving Portugal’s economic growth. He pointed to fiscal advantages, reduced bureaucracy, and talent retention strategies, such as the “IRS Jovem” initiative, as ways to make Portugal more attractive to investors. Additionally, the Prime Minister stressed the significance of maintaining national security as a key element in economic stability, drawing comparisons with other European countries like Sweden and Belgium, where rising crime rates have eroded security. He concluded by reaffirming that Portugal should capitalize on its strengths and avoid internal political crises that could undermine the country’s global standing.
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5. Guimarães Named European Green Capital 2026
Guimarães is now the second Portuguese city to win the European Green Capital (for 2026), after Lisbon’s recognition in 2020. The city competed with Heilbronn and Klagenfurt and earned praise for exceptional performance in seven environmental parameters, such as air quality, biodiversity, and waste management. Supported by a decade of climate transition, Guimarães will receive €600,000 for sustainability projects aimed at climate neutrality by 2030. Revitalization projects and biodiversity protection will continue, underlining the collaborative efforts of community, academia, and government.
The city’s Guimarães 2030 Strategic Plan and multi-sector environmental engagement played key roles in securing the title. Environmental education, the Landscape Laboratory, and the Pegadas program reflect the city’s commitment. Domingos Bragança, the mayor, expressed pride in the collective effort, marking 2026 as a moment of celebration. Commitment to sustainability is further highlighted by the city’s integration into the 100 cities aiming for climate neutrality by 2030, cementing Guimarães’ role in the broader European climate agenda.
In addition, Águeda earned the European Green Leaf 2026, awarded for its green policies and sustainable measures, alongside Vaasa, Finland. As part of this award, €200,000 will fund activities promoting further transformations. Mayor Jorge Almeida emphasized that this recognition as a European environmental model underscores Águeda’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050. This award stems from the municipality’s ambitious Climate Action Plan and wide community involvement, offering incentive for continued sustainable innovation.
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6. Portugal Falls to 15th in the Global Climate Index
Portugal, once a leader in the green transition, slips to 15th place in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), falling behind on transport and agriculture decarbonization. While maintaining a “high performance” status, its ranking has decreased, as the country struggles to meet emission reduction targets. Despite ambitious international positions in climate negotiations, experts call for more efficient public policies and full implementation of the National Climate Law, which aims for a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030.
The main areas hindering progress are transport and agriculture. Emissions from road transport remain stagnant, even though the National Energy and Climate Plan requires a 5% annual reduction. Cities like Lisbon also lack sustainable mobility plans, and public transport usage remains low. These issues are seen as the “biggest failure” in Portugal’s climate policies. The report suggests that emissions could slightly drop in 2024, mainly due to increased use of renewable sources and reduced fossil fuel consumption, but there is still insufficient progress in key sectors.
Despite these challenges, Portugal’s climate goals are described as “stronger” post-revision. However, experts argue that the country’s targets are not ambitious enough to meet the Paris Agreement’s objectives. The goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 is not aligned with the desired 1.5°C global warming limit. The index leaves the top three positions vacant, citing insufficient global progress. Meanwhile, countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK lead, while the US and China continue to underperform in their climate efforts.
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7. Portugal Is the Sixth Country with the Most Reforms Completed under the Recovery Plan
Portugal ranks as the sixth country with the most reforms implemented under the European recovery plan, with France, Spain, and Ireland leading. However, only 0.1% to 0.2% GDP growth was achieved by 2023, falling short of the expected 0.5%, as delays in Recovery and Resilience Plan implementation affected many member states. Public tenders were revised downward due to constraints like raw material and labor shortages, inflationary pressures, and limited administrative capacity. Despite these challenges, the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism is expected to boost Eurozone GDP by 0.2% to 0.6% by 2031.
National recovery plans are projected to add 0.3% to 0.8% GDP through 2026, with Italy and Spain experiencing the strongest effects, at 1.3%-1.9% and 1.2%-1.7%, respectively. Smaller economies like Greece and Croatia are expected to see impacts around similar levels. Approximately half of the grant funding has yet to be disbursed, and many countries still need to implement over half of their agreed reforms. Portugal stands mid-table in completed investments but faces challenges in achieving further progress within the limited timeframe.
The ECB study highlights Portugal as the country where the Recovery and Resilience Plan will have the least impact on institutional quality improvement. Institutional improvements, though slow to materialize, are crucial for boosting long-term potential GDP. Some effects, particularly on institutional quality indicators, are already observable. Reforms under the recovery fund aim to foster private-sector investments that enhance productivity and innovation. In a comparison of five countries, Italy leads in institutional quality gains, followed by Croatia, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. However, Portugal ranks last in potential GDP growth, trailing nearly a full percentage point behind Greece, which adds 1.2 percentage points on average over 15 years.
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8. Álvaro Siza Vieira Designs Jewelry Collection for Luxury Brand ‘Sharma’
Architect Siza Vieira, renowned for his award-winning work, was invited by Bruna Cabral and Brigitte Costa, the founders of the luxury jewelry brand Sharma, to create an exclusive collection of 19-carat gold and diamond pieces. This collaboration resulted in a limited-edition collection of 91 sets, each priced at €30,000, with interest already sparked from the Chinese market. The collection includes a necklace, a pair of earrings, a bracelet, and a ring designed by Siza Vieira, who was later joined by his son and grandson, both architects, to design two additional collections set to launch in 2025.
The idea for Sharma was born from the passion of Bruna Cabral, a lawyer and businesswoman, and Brigitte Costa, who previously worked in real estate. They founded the brand in Braga in early 2024, with the ambition to disrupt the jewelry industry by inviting well-known personalities, like Siza Vieira, to design unique luxury pieces. Their first collection, “Pétala,” was created by both founders, but they then aimed for even greater innovation by involving Siza Vieira and his family in their designs. The pieces, hand-crafted in Gondomar, include natural precious stones and are made with either 925 silver or 18-carat gold plating.
The limited-edition Siza Vieira collection, which is already available at the Serralves Foundation in Porto, has already generated significant sales interest, with a projected turnover of €2.7 million if the entire collection sells. The brand’s long-term goals include expanding into international markets such as Spain, France, and China. The founders also plan to release new limited-edition collections, each featuring seven exclusive pieces of jewelry, ensuring the brand’s positioning as a luxury label with an emphasis on sophistication and exclusivity. Note that Sharma’s team, which includes 10 collaborators, is focused on e-commerce and partnerships with luxury hotels and museums across Portugal.
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9. Brazilian Mafia Managed the Largest Cocaine Laboratory in Europe
The largest cocaine laboratory in Europe, located about 50 kilometers from Lisbon, which was dismantled last Thursday by the Judiciary Police (PJ), belonged to the Brazilian mafia, specifically to a cell of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), which has more than 60,000 operatives. Seven people were arrested, four Portuguese and three foreigners, some of whom were “already known” to the authorities.
According to the original source, the laboratory had the support of Colombians and a local businessman. The group used front companies to import fruit, in which the drugs were hidden. The laboratory, then, was used to extract, process, and package the cocaine, which was exported, primarily destined for other European countries. Note that the operation, conducted by the Judiciary Police, started about a year ago. Nearly a ton of cocaine had already been seized, and now another half-ton has been confiscated. “Given the quantities involved and considering the national reality, everything points to the fact that (the drugs) were intended for other European markets,” said Artur Vaz, the head of the national unit for combating drug trafficking at PJ.
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10. Video Surveillance Arrives at Cais do Sodré, Baixa, and Campo das Cebolas in 2025
In October of last year, the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, announced the installation of 97 video surveillance cameras at Cais do Sodré, Restauradores, Ribeira das Naus, and Campo das Cebolas in 2024. Although the promise was not fulfilled, on December 5, Vice Mayor Filipe Anacoreta Correia assured that the plan is still in motion, announcing the implementation starting in January, as reported by the Lusa agency.
The operation will begin in January with 30 cameras at Cais do Sodré and 32 at Campo das Cebolas. In July, 17 cameras will be installed at Restauradores and 20 at Ribeira das Naus, bringing the total to 99 cameras.
The installation of video surveillance cameras has been a long-standing demand from various city agents, from neighborhood leaders to business owners, although it remains a contentious issue. In Lisbon, only seven of the 216 promised cameras had been installed by October, as noted by Carla Madeira, President of the Misericórdia Parish. She emphasized that video surveillance made a significant difference in Bairro Alto, a district where similar security concerns have been raised.
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