Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

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Social Media | Parliament proposes bill requiring parental consent for minors Update | Persistent severe downpouring forces evacuations Election’26 | Diaspora vote count shows strong support for André Ventura Book | An Azorean Family Election’26 | Socialist António José Seguro wins presidency
 

Social Media | Parliament proposes bill requiring parental consent for minors – Portugal

Portugal’s parliament has approved legislation that would restrict minors’ access to social media platforms by requiring parental authorization for users under the age of 16, making it one of Europe’s most concrete legislative steps toward regulating youth activity online. The proposal, introduced by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), mandates explicit, verified parental consent for minors […]

Update | Persistent severe downpouring forces evacuations – Portugal

Heavy and persistent rainfall continues to affect mainland Portugal as successive Atlantic systems prolong saturated ground conditions and heighten flood risk across several regions, forcing evacuations. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro described the extreme weather episodes as a “devastating crisis” affecting communities across the country while emphasizing that emergency coordination and recovery efforts continue nationwide. Mário […]

Election’26 | Diaspora vote count shows strong support for André Ventura – Portugal

Portugal’s presidential runoff election provisional vote count indicates that Chega candidate André Ventura secured the largest share of votes cast by Portuguese citizens living abroad. As final counts are still being compiled from abroad, Ventura has received approximately 51.88% of the diaspora vote, compared with 48.12% for Seguro. These figures reflect global voting and remain […]

Book | An Azorean Family’s History: Our Faria and Moitoso Roots | By Keith Tavares – Editor’s Note

Genealogical research is a journey into the past, uncovering the stories and connections that define our heritage. For Keith Daniel Tavares, this journey explored his Faria and Moitoso ancestors, unearthing the rich history and legacy that has shaped his family. An Azorean Family’s History delves into the significant findings of Keith Tavares’ genealogical research, highlighting […]

Election’26 | Socialist António José Seguro wins presidency – Portugal

Socialist António José Seguro was elected President of Portugal today, in a second-round runoff election, winning about 66–67% of the vote against far-right populist Chega candidate André Ventura with about 33–34% – according to near-final ballots counted. The national tally is not yet fully closed, as some precincts and consular votes remain to be counted. […]

Community | Camões Institute promotes Portuguese language teaching – California

05 February 2026

On February 3, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Camões — Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P. and the California Department of Education (CDE) during a ceremony held at the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, located on the 5th floor of 1430 N Street in Sacramento, California. The Consul […]

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Posted in Community, Education, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal, World

Honor | President José Bolieiro awarded the Peter Benchley Ocean Award – Monterey, CA

05 February 2026

José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, has been honored with the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Award, recognizing his leadership and commitment to ocean conservation, sustainable marine governance, and the protection of Atlantic ecosystems. Bolieiro is scheduled to formally accept the distinction, often referred to as the “Oscars of the Ocean,” […]

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Posted in Awards, Azores, Community, Featured, Organizations, People, Portugal, World

Book | Representing the Middle Ages in Modern Portugal (1890–1947) | By Pedro Martins – Editor’s Note

03 February 2026

What role did the Middle Ages play in the construction of Portuguese national identity in the modern age? Which medieval ideas, themes, objects, buildings, events, and figures contributed to this process? How did Portuguese intellectuals, artists, and politicians from the late-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century narrate, rework, and commemorate them? These are some of […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Featured, Heritage, Politics, Portugal

Update | New deadly storm threatens the country nationwide – Portugal

03 February 2026

As Portugal recovers from widespread devastation caused by Storm Kristin, authorities warn that a new severe storm system is expected to affect large portions of the country this week, significantly increasing the risk of renewed flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) expects the new storm, named […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Madeira, Portugal, World

Community | Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt wins Grammy Award – Los Angeles, CA

02 February 2026

Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt was among the winners at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, marking another major milestone in his celebrated international career.  He won the Grammy in the category of Best Rock Performance for his participation in ‘Changes (Live from Villa Park)’. The show took place in Birmingham, UK, in 2025, at […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, Music, People, Portugal, Terceira, World

Diplomacy | President of Portugal invites Pope Leo XIV to visit Portugal – Vatican 

02 February 2026

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was received in an official audience today, February 2, at the Vatican, by Pope Leo XIV, during which the Holy Father formally invited the President to visit Portugal. Pope Leo XIV expressed appreciation for the invitation, subject to the Holy Father’s pastoral agenda. During the audience, President […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, People, Portugal, World