Portugal holds significant lithium reserves, but their exploitation is contested. The British company Savannah plans to develop a large lithium mine near Covas do Barroso, aiming to produce 25,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually. However, experts like Carlos Leal Gomes question the feasibility and quality of the reserves. The local population, represented by Nelson Gomes and the association Unis pour la défense de Covas do Barroso, opposes the project due to environmental concerns. Despite a favorable environmental impact assessment from the Portuguese Environment Agency, the community plans to challenge the project in court.

Portugal, holding significant lithium reserves, is at the center of a debate over a proposed lithium mine near Covas do Barroso. The British company Savannah plans to develop the mine, projecting substantial lithium production for electric vehicle batteries. However, experts like Carlos Leal Gomes question the accuracy of these projections and the quality of the reserves. Local residents, represented by Nelson Gomes and the association Unis pour la défense de Covas do Barroso, strongly oppose the project due to environmental concerns, despite a conditional favorable evaluation from the Portuguese environmental agency. The conflict highlights the tension between economic development and environmental preservation.

The article presents an algorithm designed to infer the activation and deactivation times of water pumps in a lift station based on water level readings taken every 5 minutes. The algorithm corrects errors in the time series data regarding the number of active pumps and models the water level continuously using piecewise linear functions. The study aims to provide accurate estimates of pump operation times for a water management company, addressing data gaps and errors in the original dataset. The methodology and results are validated through a detailed analysis of a sample dataset.

Nearly a year after seeking refuge in Portugal, a Ukrainian family faces challenges with schooling their child, Dmytro, who is among over 14,000 minors that arrived in Portugal since the war began. Only 32% of these children attend Portuguese schools. Dmytro tried a local school but struggled without Ukrainian peers and understanding Portuguese, leading to a decision to continue his education online with a Ukrainian school. Daily classes are sometimes disrupted by bombings or power outages. Alyona Smertina from the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal explains that many Ukrainian families opt out of Portuguese schools due to plans to return to Ukraine or to complete the school year online before integrating. The Portuguese Minister of Education has expressed concern over the low enrollment of Ukrainian refugee children in Portuguese schools.

On February 13, the final report of the Independent Commission for the Study of Sexual Abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church will be made public. The commission had already validated 424 testimonies by October, with most cases being legally expired. The president of the commission highlighted the consistency of the testimonies, indicating endemic proportions of abuse in some places. Carla Ferreira of the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) and psychologist Ricardo Barroso provided insights, suggesting that the number of reported cases is just a fraction of the actual situation. The commission received the 2022 award from APAV. The Catholic Church in Portugal is preparing to take appropriate measures, with a plenary assembly of the Portuguese Catholic episcopate scheduled for March 3 to further analyze the report.

Portugal is experiencing a severe drought following four heat waves, exacerbated by Spain's decision to halt water release from the Duero basin, potentially violating the Albufeira Agreement. The United Nations has advised Portugal to improve water use efficiency, particularly in agriculture. The drought has severely impacted apple production in Carrazeda de Ansiães, with producers like Luís Veiga facing significant losses. Duarte Borges from the local agricultural association describes the season as extremely challenging due to high temperatures and low water availability. Producers are seeking government assistance for future solutions.

Portugal is facing a healthcare crisis as several obstetric emergencies have closed due to a shortage of specialists. The crisis intensified after the death of a baby in June north of Lisbon when the hospital's obstetrics service was closed. Healthcare professionals are demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Diogo Ayres de Campos, head of the Emergency Obstetric and Childbirth Care team, mentioned ongoing reorganization efforts. Amidst the crisis, two babies died, and a pregnant woman passed away while being transferred to another hospital. Former Health Minister Marta Temido resigned a week ago. The crisis is partly attributed to an increase in pregnant women from other countries choosing to give birth in Portugal.

The European Union aims to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 15 million by 2030. This goal is being discussed at the Porto Social Summit. Nearby, the association 'O Coração da Cidade' supports 700 families facing severe financial difficulties by providing food, clothing, and medicine. Beneficiaries and volunteers express the importance of such aid and call for a rethinking of poverty and social exclusion solutions.

European leaders, along with unions and employers, signed a commitment in Porto to establish mechanisms for monitoring states' compliance with the European Pillar of Social Rights. The agreement aims to evaluate each country's progress in social goals, including education access, environmental quality, and discrimination reduction. Charles Michel emphasized the need to assess the impact of collective decisions beyond GDP, while Ursula von der Leyen highlighted Europe's unique ability to unite diverse groups towards common goals. The core of the agreement includes twenty proposals to reduce unemployment, inequality, and improve social protection.

Researchers at the Textile and Clothing Research Center (CITEVE) in Portugal have developed an innovative system using 'breathing' mannequins to test and certify textile masks for COVID-19 protection. Despite some European countries favoring medical masks, CITEVE's experts argue that certified textile masks can be equally effective and more environmentally friendly. The testing process includes filtration and breathability assessments, with some masks enduring up to 100 washes. CITEVE aims to enhance textile masks to achieve a 95% filtration rate, comparable to surgical masks, to reduce plastic pollution from disposable masks.

The closure of the Portugal-Spain border since January 31 due to the third wave of the pandemic has severely impacted cross-border workers and small towns. With limited border points open, workers like Carlos Simões face longer commutes and increased stress. Local authorities, including the mayor of Vila Nova de Cerveira, Fernando Nogueira, highlight the dramatic economic and social impact, urging the European Commission for political and economic assistance.

Portugal's presidential election is set to occur under challenging circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country in lockdown and traditional campaigning disrupted.

Portugal is preparing for its presidential election on Sunday, with current president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, supported by the center-right PSD and the Christian Democrat CDS, expected to win decisively. Prime Minister António Costa of the Socialist Party also unofficially supports Sousa. The Socialist Party, which governs in minority with support from left-wing parties, has recently lost the backing of the Left Bloc. Political Science students and professors from the University of Minho provide insights into the election's implications for the power dynamics between the Presidency and the Government, especially during the ongoing health and social crisis caused by the pandemic.

Portugal faces significant diplomatic challenges if Donald Trump is re-elected, particularly concerning its 5G infrastructure decisions involving Huawei. The US has pressured Portugal to exclude Huawei, citing security concerns, while Portugal maintains its autonomy in decision-making. The situation is part of a broader geopolitical struggle between the US and China, with Portugal caught in the middle. Experts suggest that a Biden administration might be less punitive towards Portugal. The article highlights the need for Europe to regain its productive capacity in technology to avoid being hostage to geopolitical interests.

Portugal has emerged as the largest bicycle producer in the EU, with 2.7 million bikes produced last year, primarily for export. Despite this, bike usage in Portuguese cities remains low, with only 0.4% of trips in Lisbon and Porto made by bike in 2017. Challenges include inadequate infrastructure, high car speeds, and a cultural association of bikes with leisure rather than daily transport. However, green initiatives are underway, with Porto and Lisbon expanding their cycling networks significantly.

In 2019, Portugal became the largest bicycle manufacturer in the EU, producing nearly 2.7 million bicycles, with 95% exported mainly to France, Spain, Germany, and Poland. Despite this, bicycle usage in Portuguese cities remains low, with only 0.4% of the population using them for commuting in Lisbon and Oporto. Efforts are underway to improve urban mobility, with Oporto and Lisbon planning to expand their bicycle lane networks significantly by the end of 2021.

Portuguese audiovisual professionals, facing job cancellations due to the pandemic, formed the Unión Audiovisual to support colleagues in need. The initiative provides food and assistance, highlighting the inadequacy of state support. The Ministry of Culture responded with additional financial aid, but criticisms persist regarding the sufficiency of these measures.

The large market in Valença, Portugal, has reopened after over two months of closure due to COVID-19, but vendors like Deolinda Martins are experiencing a lack of customers, primarily because Spanish customers cannot cross the closed border. The historic center's businesses, mostly reliant on Spanish tourism, remain largely shut. Valença's mayor, Manuel Lopes, questions the continued closure, citing no active coronavirus cases in Valença and a less severe pandemic impact in neighboring Galicia, Spain. A press conference is planned on the historic bridge connecting northern Portugal with Galicia by the mayors of the eurocity Valença-Tui to request the reopening of the border.

The recent Brexit vote has left British expats in Portugal, numbering around 50,000, feeling uncertain about their future status. Stella Fletcher, a long-term resident, and Andrew Nimmo, a recent arrival, express their concerns and hopes regarding Brexit. The Portuguese government has assured that expat rights will remain unchanged as long as the same applies to Portuguese migrants in the UK.

The article discusses the complementary relationship between Galicia and Northern Portugal in the textile industry, highlighting their successful cross-border cooperation. It emphasizes the significant role of Portuguese exports to Spain and the importance of major brands like Zara and Bershka, both part of Inditex. Key figures such as Alberto Rocha and Paulo Vaz discuss the mutual benefits and future challenges of this cooperation, including the need for more workers in Portugal's textile industry. The article underscores the potential of eurorregions to foster economic growth and innovation.

Portugal has welcomed 46 migrants from the Aquarius rescue ship, with nine Somali refugees settling in Miranda do Corvo. The ADFP Foundation, in collaboration with the Immigration and Borders Service, provides comprehensive support including healthcare, education, and job integration. Refugees express positive sentiments about their new life in Portugal, highlighting the country's beauty and the support they receive. Despite the assistance, some migrants have chosen to move to other European countries.