podqast

Portugal, from its podcasts

2026-09-21

How this page is made

Each story is drafted from the audio of the shows below, by a language model, once an hour — never while you are reading. The bar above drains over the day since the last time it changed; full means it was just rebuilt, empty means a day has passed with nothing new to add.

Nothing here is checked by a person. What keeps it honest is the quote under each source: it is verified, word for word, against what the show actually said, before it is shown — tap a timestamp to hear it yourself.

Not updated since 21 September. This is the newest day there is; newer bulletins have not been written up yet.

Written from the audio of 4 episodes on 3 shows; generated, may contain errors.

English Portuguese
In this day
  1. CDU defeated in German regionals; Merz calls it a disaster2
  2. Fuel prices rise and draw political reactions2
  3. Pope Leo XIV starts official trip to France on Friday
  4. UN General Assembly debate starts tomorrow
  5. Non-binding bids deadline for SATA ends today
  6. Russia shoots down 244 Ukrainian drones
  7. President defends peace on International Day of Peace
  8. Drunk driver runs over two PSP officers in Portimão
  9. President says education has much ground to recover
  10. West criticises Russian elections in occupied territories
  11. Trump says Russia lost control of the diesel industry
  12. Over 500 taxi drivers join Bolt under new law
  13. Task doctors refuse to comment on minister’s warnings
  14. Burqa law comes into force this week
  15. Back to school increases city traffic
  16. US TV networks refuse White House pool coverage system
  17. Missão Escola Pública links placement failures to restructuring

CDU defeated in German regionals; Merz calls it a disaster

The CDU suffered another defeat in Germany’s regional elections. The AfD won in Menkelburgo, Pomerânia e Ocidental, where the CDU had its worst national result since the Second World War, and in Berlin it lost the city hall to Dilinca. Chancellor Frederich Merz calls the results a disaster but says he will not resign and announces new reforms; he also thanks the SPD for keeping the coalition. EFD leaders say he will not last until the end of the year.

Covered by 2 shows

Fuel prices rise and draw political reactions

Diesel rises 6.5 cents a litre and petrol 5, reaching prices never seen before in Portugal. Carlos Tavares agrees the Government should not cut fuel VAT and calls for structural reforms and consumer savings. Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho says she is surprised by a 4% to 6% rise in consumption this year and urges savings; in another report she says the price rise is already cutting diesel and petrol use. LIVRE demands caps on oil companies’ margins and expansion of the green rail pass into a national mobility pass.

Covered by 2 shows

Pope Leo XIV starts official trip to France on Friday

On Friday, Pope Leo XIV begins a four-day official trip to France. The Vatican says the agenda will include topics linked to artificial intelligence, the future of Europe and interreligious dialogue.

UN General Assembly debate starts tomorrow

The general debate of the United Nations General Assembly begins tomorrow in New York. It will be the last led by Secretary-General António Guterres before the end of his term. Until the 28th, world leaders’ speeches will focus on the main global geopolitical crises.

Non-binding bids deadline for SATA ends today

The period for submitting non-binding proposals to buy SATA ends today. The process is decisive for redefining the financial and operational future of the Azorean airline.

Russia shoots down 244 Ukrainian drones

Russian air defences shot down 244 drones last night, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. The Ukrainian drones were launched over 19 regions and also over the Black Sea. Russian Armed Forces attacked Ukrainian logistics centres and ports in the Kiev and Odessa regions.

President defends peace on International Day of Peace

On the International Day of Peace, President of the Republic António José Seguro argues that peace is practised in small gestures and respect for those who think differently. In a note on the Presidency website, he says peace is made by people and calls for investment in peace for everyone, everywhere, every day.

Drunk driver runs over two PSP officers in Portimão

A drunk driver ran over two PSP officers in Portimão early this morning after fleeing the spot where he had been ticketed. The man had been notified of a driving ban, yet got in the car, fled and during the escape hit the two officers, who were injured.

President says education has much ground to recover

President António José Seguro said in Cascais that education in Portugal has much ground to recover. He recalled the poor PISA results and called for greater ambition. Luís Montenegro attended and said the President shares the Government’s view.

West criticises Russian elections in occupied territories

The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Norway and New Zealand criticise Russia for holding elections in occupied Ukrainian territories, saying those regions belong to Ukraine and the vote makes no sense under international law. The EU high representative declared voting there illegal.

Trump says Russia lost control of the diesel industry

Donald Trump accuses Russia of losing control of the diesel industry because of the war in Ukraine, saying many Russian refineries exploded or went out of service after Ukrainian attacks. The US president will meet Volodymyr Zelensky tomorrow in New York.

Over 500 taxi drivers join Bolt under new law

More than 500 taxi drivers have already signed up on Bolt in nearly three weeks under the new law allowing taxi drivers to work also as TVDE drivers. Mário de Moraes, head of TVDE transport at Bolt Portugal, says drivers are adapting but doubts remain over requirements such as the sticker and holographic seal. He adds that rising fuel prices make electric cars increasingly attractive, expecting nearly 60% of vehicles on the platform to be electric by year-end.

Task doctors refuse to comment on minister’s warnings

The Association of Task Doctors refuses to comment on Health Minister Ana Paula Martins’s warnings and will react only after the ordinance with the new rates is published. Martins argued the SNS need not keep special regimes and said reforms will continue. A decree-law regulating task medical work took effect on 1 July, but the ordinance is still unpublished.

Burqa law comes into force this week

The law banning total or partial face covering in public spaces takes effect on 23 September, with fines up to 3,000 euros and exceptions for health, professional reasons, security, weather or art. Shumayla Aslam, a Pakistani Muslim living in Lisbon who wears a niqab, says she will comply but sees it as a religious and personal choice. Journalist Joana Corjão Henriquez says Portugal’s small Islamic community does not understand the need for the law, inspired by other European countries and justified on security grounds, without data linking face coverings to more crime.

Back to school increases city traffic

The return to school raised traffic in major cities, according to Ipsos. There was greater intensity, shorter distances and lower speeds in Greater Lisbon and Greater Porto. Between 7 and 9 a.m. traffic rose by 16 to 19%.

US TV networks refuse White House pool coverage system

Four of the largest US television networks — CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox News — are refusing to take part in the journalistic coverage system for presidential events at the White House, in solidarity with CNN, banned by Donald Trump after accusations of bias and fake news. They warned that no administration should restrict journalistic work merely for disagreeing with its editorial line. CNN, MSNOW and Politico announced an injunction seeking to reverse the decision.

Missão Escola Pública links placement failures to restructuring

The Missão Escola Pública movement has no doubt that changes in the structure of the Ministry of Education are behind the problems placing hundreds of pupils this year. Spokesperson Cristina Mota draws a direct link between the scrapping of intermediate structures such as desgesto and the regional directorates and the placement failures. For her, the start of the school year is stained above all by pupils left without a school.

Sources