The article discusses how the stronger U.S. dollar against the British pound and euro due to Brexit can make traveling to Europe more affordable for adventure seekers. It highlights various adventure destinations in Europe, including climbing the Matterhorn in Switzerland, cycling through Tour de France routes in La Grave, France, hiking the GR 20 trail in Corsica, mountain biking in Aosta Valley, Italy, and surfing in Comporta, Portugal. Each section provides details on the activity, places to stay, eat, and tips for travelers. The article emphasizes the unique experiences each location offers, from iconic climbs and historic cycling routes to beautiful hiking trails and perfect surfing conditions.

A far-right group named 'Grupo 1143' planned a protest in the Martim Moniz area of Lisbon, home to a significant Muslim community, but the Lisbon City Council denied the request based on a Public Security Police warning of high security risks. Despite an administrative court ruling in favor of the council, the group insists on holding a protest at Largo do Camões. Meanwhile, an antiracist movement is organizing a street party in Intendente to oppose the far-right demonstration. The police are preparing reinforcements to respond to potential scenarios in central Lisbon.

The article discusses the long-standing maritime boundary dispute between Australia and Timor-Leste over the oil and gas reserves in the 'Greater Sunrise' region. Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002, is challenging the maritime boundaries set by Australia that deprive it of revenue from these resources. The Timorese government is calling for Australia to adhere to international law and negotiate the border based on the median line. Australia's Labor Party has indicated a willingness to engage in binding arbitration if necessary. Civil society groups, including MKOTT, are campaigning for a fair renegotiation of the maritime boundaries. The article also touches on historical aspects of the dispute, including past agreements with Indonesia and allegations of Australia's espionage during treaty negotiations. Protests are being organized by the Timor Sea Justice Campaign to pressure the Australian government to reconsider its claims.

The article discusses the political instability and perceived governability issues in Portugal under the current Socialist Party government led by Prime Minister António Costa. It highlights the government's lack of transparency, abuse of power, nepotism, and inability to foster economic growth or reform. The piece suggests that the government's actions have led to a disconnect between the Portuguese people and the political class, potentially paving the way for anti-system parties and weakening democratic institutions. The author argues that despite the government's portrayal of a positive scenario, the reality is a country in political crisis, with the government's survival attributed to the lack of a strong alternative and the President's reluctance to dissolve parliament.

The article criticizes the Portuguese healthcare system (SNS) and the former Health Minister Marta Temido's management, highlighting the system's collapse and inefficiency. It discusses the late resignation of Temido, the unfulfilled promises of Prime Minister António Costa, and the negative outcomes of the pandemic management, including high mortality rates and a record number of citizens without a family doctor. The Tribunal de Contas is cited for its positive assessment of private healthcare partnerships, and Almirante Gouveia e Melo is praised for his role in vaccine distribution. The article also mentions President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's lack of confidence in the new SNS statute, adding to the political critique.

The text is a personal tribute to Father António Vaz Pinto, a significant figure in the Catholic Church and the Companhia de Jesus, known for his humanitarian work in Portugal and his influence on youth education. The author, who proudly calls Vaz Pinto 'uncle', shares intimate memories of family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and personal advice received from him. The President of the Republic praised Vaz Pinto's impact. The author reflects on Vaz Pinto's acceptance of his non-religious beliefs and the honor of having him bless his marriage. Vaz Pinto's philosophical view of death as a transition is also mentioned, expressing a hope to reunite in the afterlife.

The article discusses the grave threat to global order, territorial integrity, European democracy, and the war of values posed by the conflict in Ukraine. It criticizes Western democracies for ignoring warning signs and becoming complacent in their comfort, leading to a delayed and insufficient response to Russian aggression. The author highlights Putin's strategic and unpredictable nature, Europe's energy dependency, and the initial reluctance to impose harsh sanctions. The text acknowledges the recent unified efforts of NATO, the EU, the US, and allies in imposing sanctions and providing military funding to Ukraine as a historic turning point. It emphasizes the importance of defending peace, democracy, and human rights against attacks, and calls for a redefinition of Europe's defense policy to prevent future conflicts. The article concludes with a call to action for world leaders to support Ukraine and a message of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Portugal woke up to an unexpected political scenario, with many now retrospectively rationalizing the unforeseen election results. The article debates whether this outcome represents a victory for stability or fear, or a punishment for the extreme left. It criticizes the high voter abstention rate of 42.04%, nearly 4 million citizens not voting, and the lack of political courage to address democracy's loss. The Portuguese are described as risk-averse and short-sighted, traits highlighted by psychologist Geert Hofstede and historically noted by Guerra Junqueiro. The author questions the future of Portugal, fearing further entrenchment in immobility and survival, and holds the Socialist Party accountable for the nation's state post-April 25th governance.

Portugal's justice system is evaluated based on accessibility, speed, and predictability. Accessibility is limited to the very poor and very rich due to high legal costs. Speed is compromised as judges prioritize less complex cases to improve their productivity metrics, leaving complex cases delayed. Predictability is affected by judicial activism, with judges sometimes prioritizing personal beliefs over the law. The article suggests implementing a 'first in first out' system for case handling and criticizes the lack of serious measures to address these issues despite recommendations from the Troika.

The Legal Framework of Higher Education Institutions (RJIES), established by Law No. 62/2007 on September 10, significantly changed the governance system of university and polytechnic institutions in Portugal. The new model introduced indirect elections and external member cooptation, which has not proven effective, as these members often lack engagement with institutional problems. The reform has led to the alienation of teaching staff from school governance and the undermining of democratic processes within universities and polytechnics. The author, Manuel de Almeida Ribeiro, a professor at ISCSP (University of Lisbon), calls for a reflection on the effects of the RJIES and a debate on its revision, noting that an evaluation was supposed to have been conducted five years after its implementation, which is now overdue by eight years.

The article discusses the plight of Cabinda, an oil-rich exclave of Angola, and the struggles faced by its population due to the ongoing conflict between the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) and the Angolan state. José Marcos Mavungo, a civic activist, describes the dire conditions in Cabinda, including pollution, hunger, and a high mortality rate. He also recounts his own experiences with imprisonment and the suppression of human rights organization Mpalabanda. Despite Angola's wealth from oil exports, as reported by Reuters and the World Bank, the region suffers from a lack of investment in essential services. Mavungo spoke at a conference in Lisbon, highlighting the need for change and democratization in Angola to address the despotic feudalism and authoritarian political class that currently dominate the country.

Jorge Carlos Fonseca has been re-elected as the president of Cape Verde, securing a second term with 74 percent of the vote in the October 2 election. This election marked the country's sixth democratic contest. Fonseca's victory was supported by the Movimento para Democracia party, which also won a majority in the legislative elections earlier in the year. Despite his win, voter abstention was notably high, with over 64 percent of the electorate not participating. However, Fonseca dismissed concerns about the legitimacy of his victory due to the high abstention rate, citing mature democracies often have high participation only during political instability. Albertino Graça and Joaquim Monteiro were the other candidates, receiving 22.5 percent and 3.4 percent of the votes, respectively.

Maria de Lurdes Lopes Rodrigues was arrested to serve a three-year sentence for insulting judges in Portugal. The controversy began when Lurdes was stripped of a scholarship by the Ministry of Culture in the 1990s. She fought the decision, which led to a series of legal battles. Lurdes was accused of slandering and defaming judges in 2007 and was convicted in 2012. Her case has sparked outrage and claims of injustice on social media, with over 6,000 people signing a petition for her release. Notable figures, including Marinho Pinto and Francisco Teixeira da Mota, have criticized the harshness of her sentence, especially in light of other high-profile figures who were acquitted for similar offenses. Lurdes's case has raised concerns about the application of law and freedom of expression in Portugal.

Nito Alves, an Angolan activist and member of the group known as the “15+2”, was released from prison on July 5th. He was the last of the group to be freed following a habeas corpus request by their defence lawyers. Alves had been sentenced to six months in prison for insulting judges during his trial, where he called the proceedings a farce. The release was initially announced on fellow activist Luaty Beirão's Facebook page and later confirmed by Alves in an interview with Deutsche Welle. The group of 17 activists was arrested in June 2015 on charges of rebellion and an attempted coup, which they deny, claiming they were only discussing peaceful protest methods. They were sentenced in March 2016 to terms ranging from two to eight and a half years, but are now all free pending the Supreme Court's decision on their appeal.

A disturbing video has surfaced on YouTube showing the torture of diamond diggers by security guards in Angola's Lunda-Norte province. The video, reported by Maka Angola, a site founded by human rights journalist Rafael Marques, depicts severe violence against unarmed men. Angola's diamond mining industry has a history of human rights abuses, often linked to the term 'blood diamonds,' which are used to fund military actions against recognized governments. Marques, who has faced legal challenges in Angola for his advocacy, has called for greater action to prevent such torture. The article also references a past incident reported by Global Voices, where a similar act of violence by a private company's officers was captured on video.

Timor Leste's Prime Minister Rui de Araujo has filed a defamation lawsuit against journalist Raimundo Oki, who reported on alleged corruption involving the Prime Minister in the Timor Post. The article, published on November 10, 2015, suggested that Araujo, then an adviser to the Minister of Finance, recommended the winning bid for a government project in 2014. Despite the newspaper publishing Araujo's response, he proceeded with legal action. Oki could face up to three years in prison under the Timor Leste Penal Code. The Timor Leste Journalist Association's president, Felipe Belo, criticized the lawsuit, calling it a criminalization of journalism. This incident is not Oki's first encounter with legal trouble over his reporting. In 2013, he faced a potential jail sentence but was instead fined. Oki also participated in the Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalists Fellowship Programme at the UN. Attempts by Global Voices to contact Oki and the Prime Minister's office were unsuccessful.

Portuguese fado singer Mariza performed her latest album 'Mundo' in Cologne, Germany, to a full house at the Pilharmonie concert hall. The audience, including Germans and Portuguese, praised her new sounds and interaction with the crowd. Mariza also expressed her concerns about the recent Paris attacks, emphasizing music as a space of freedom. The album, produced by Javier Limón, features new songs and covers of Amália Rodrigues and Carlos Gardel, with some tracks in Spanish and Cape Verdean Creole. Her 2015 'Mundo' tour concludes with concerts in Porto and Lisbon.

The United Nations' 193 member states approved a new global development agenda called 'Agenda 2030', which sets 17 goals aimed at eradicating extreme poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, and tackling climate change. Despite the failure of many countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals launched in 2000, British filmmaker Richard Curtis is optimistic about achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals if everyone is involved. Curtis created 'Project Everyone' to spread the goals worldwide in just seven days, using partners like Google and YouTube, cinema ads in 35 countries, educational programs, and 'Radio Everyone'. Mozambican producer Etivaldo Victorino, known as Ell Puto, is involved in the project, having composed a campaign song called 'Tell Everybody'. Radio broadcasters, including DW, have pledged to help promote the new goals, leveraging radio's reach as the most accessible medium globally, with 95% of the world's population as listeners according to UNESCO.

In response to the refugee crisis highlighted by the tragic death of Alan Kurdi, the Portuguese community has organized a campaign to collect and deliver goods to refugees in Hungary. The campaign, inspired by Kurdi's story, has gained significant traction in Portugal, with the support of the public, businesses, and media. Organizers are coordinating logistics for the collection and transportation of donations, including food, clothes, and toys. The convoy, consisting of vans and a truck, is set to depart on September 18 and arrive in Hungary by September 20. Organizers are in contact with NGOs in Hungary to determine the final destinations and needs. The campaign has also encouraged personal involvement in aid efforts, with donors sharing their contributions on social media. The initiative reflects a broader outpouring of support for Syrian refugees across Europe.

International NGO Shark Savers is campaigning to end the consumption of shark fin soup, a delicacy in Chinese cuisine, which has led to a significant decrease in demand. China and Malaysia, two major consumers, have banned shark fin soup from official ceremonies since 2012. Shark fishing has traditionally been low in Mozambique, but the presence of foreign fin buyers has increased illegal fishing due to its profitability. Mozambique prohibits shark fin exports, yet illegal trade persists. Environmental consultant Alice Costa is collaborating with Mozambique's Ministry to develop specific shark fishing regulations, as current laws are vague and only the great white shark is protected.

Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Domingos Simoes Pereira has accused President Jose Mario Vaz of attempting to create a political crisis to justify dismissing the government. Simoes Pereira has promised to use all legal means to prevent this. The situation has escalated to the point where the blog Progresso Nacional is urging President Vaz to resign, likening the situation to an 'Arab Spring' in a Lusophone country. The African Union, through its representative Ovidio Pequeno, has called for dialogue between the conflicting parties. Meanwhile, public opinion in Guinea-Bissau is divided, with some calling the situation 'political childishness' and others expressing concern. Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta from Timor-Leste has also commented on the situation, stating there is no need to sack the government.

Mozambican artists Dito Tembe and Simões Ferreira are showcasing their work at Artspace K2 in Remagen, near Bonn, Germany. Tembe's paintings focus on the feminine power of Mozambican women, while Ferreira's sculptures emphasize the rounded forms of the female body. Both artists discuss the importance of education and the role of women in Mozambican society, with Tembe also touching upon the challenges posed by constant changes, public transportation, and infrastructure. Additionally, Tembe expresses fatigue with the political situation between RENAMO and FRELIMO.

Scott McIntyre, a sports reporter for SBS, was fired after posting a series of controversial tweets criticizing Anzac Day, leading to a debate on freedom of expression. Australian Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid condemned the tweets, while others defended McIntyre's right to free speech. The incident has sparked discussions about the balance between personal opinions of journalists on social media and their employer's reputation. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) criticized the dismissal, highlighting the need for nuanced social media policies that respect personal opinions. The debate extends beyond Australia, with similar issues being discussed in Europe. McIntyre has not publicly responded to his termination.

Gilles Cistac, a constitutional law professor at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane and a naturalized Mozambican citizen of French origin, was murdered in Maputo, Mozambique. His death sparked protests as he was known for supporting a bill favoring the opposition party Renamo, which could lead to autonomy in provinces where it had strong support. This was seen as a threat to national unity by the ruling Frelimo party. Cistac had previously received threats from individuals claiming to be from Frelimo. The murder has raised concerns about freedom of speech and democracy in Mozambique, with comparisons drawn to the assassination of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov. Various individuals and organizations have commented on the incident, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to conflicts and the importance of respecting democratic values.

The article discusses a disturbing video released by journalist and human rights activist Rafael Marques on his website MakaAngola, showing employees of K&P Mineira, a private security firm, allegedly torturing two Congolese diamond miners in Angola. The company is linked to Israeli mining magnate Lev Leviev, who holds a stake in the Luminas mine. The video has sparked outrage on social media and has led to discussions about the history of blood diamonds and human rights abuses in Angola's diamond mining industry. Marques, known for his work on exposing such violations, has faced both praise and defamation accusations. An update mentions that the Leviev group denies ownership of K&P and condemns the violence, while K&P has taken action against the personnel involved.