Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
Honor | Writer João Pedro Vala recipient of the PEN/O. Henry Award Space | Portugal launches satellites honoring national literary figures Community | 2026 International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA)  Community | Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho remains on paid leave FLAD | Carlos Costa Neves appointed director of the Luso-American Development Foundation
 

Honor | Writer João Pedro Vala recipient of the PEN/O. Henry Award – New York, NY

Portuguese writer João Pedro Vala has been awarded a prestigious PEN/O. Henry Award for his short story “Inês,” a recognition widely regarded as one of the highest honors in English-language short fiction. The first Portuguese author to receive that distinction, his short story ‘Inês’ was selected for inclusion in the PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories anthology. […]

Space | Portugal launches satellites honoring national literary figures – Santa Barbara, CA

Portugal successfully launched six satellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, US. The mission reinforces Portugal’s growing role in the global space economy, while also strengthening strategic, scientific, and economic links across the Atlantic. Among the satellites are four named after some of the nation’s most celebrated literary figures […]

Community | 2026 International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA)  – Providence, RI

The International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA) will return on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for its 14th annual edition at the Providence Performing Arts Center, bringing together leading artists from across the global Portuguese-speaking world.  The event, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and hosted by Daniella Ruah and Ricardo Farias, will be broadcast internationally, continuing its mission […]

Community | Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho remains on paid leave – Los Angeles, CA

Alberto M. Carvalho, the Portuguese-American superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), remains on paid administrative leave following a federal investigation involving the nation’s second-largest school system.  The move comes after agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed search warrants at Carvalho’s residence and district offices in late February 2026, in […]

FLAD | Carlos Costa Neves appointed director of the Luso-American Development Foundation – Portugal

The Board of Trustees of Lisbon based, Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) appointed Dr. Carlos Henrique da Costa Neves, 72, to the Executive Board, chaired since January 15, 2026, by José Manuel Durão Barroso. Born in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores,  Costa Neves holds a degree in Law from the University of Lisbon. He has held […]

U.S. Senate | John Arrigo confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Portugal – Washington, DC

05 August 2025

The U.S. Senate confirmed John Arrigo as the next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Portugal on August 2, 2025, with a vote of 52 in favor and 42 against.  The position of U.S. Ambassador to Portugal had remained vacant since the departure of former ambassador Randi Charno Levine in early 2025. […]

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Posted in Featured, People, Portugal, World

Book | Designing Brazil | By Jurandir Malerba – Editor’s Note

05 August 2025

This book presents a historical synthesis of colonial relations between Brazil and Portugal, illuminating the projects that the statesmen of the period formulated for the rich Portuguese territory in America―at first as a colonial domain, then as a potential independent country. Drawing on primary sources and historiographical dialogues with classic and current works, the book […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Brazil, Featured, Portugal, World

Azores | President of Portugal visits Santa Maria’s space teleport station – Portugal

04 August 2025

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, concluded an official tour of the Azores with visits to seven of the nine islands, including Santa Maria, highlighting its growing geostrategic significance as a future-oriented hub for both space and ocean innovation. During his stop at Santa Maria’s space and teleport facilities, President Rebelo de Sousa […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Portugal, Santa Maria, World

Azores | President of Portugal visiting six islands of the archipelago – Portugal

02 August 2025

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, began an official visit to the Autonomous Region of the Azores on Thursday, accompanied by the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro. The itinerary includes visits to six of the nine islands in the archipelago: São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, Faial, Graciosa, and São Jorge. The […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal, World

Travel | Portuguese passport ranks 4th most powerful in the world – London, UK

01 August 2025

Portugal’s passport has been officially ranked the 4th most powerful globally, according to the latest Henley Passport Index, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 countries and territories. The climb to 4th place places Portugal alongside other top-tier nations such as Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, and the Netherlands, confirming its status among the world’s most […]

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Posted in Community, Featured, Heritage, Portugal, Travel, World

Community | Thousands of Portuguese are returning home – Portugal

01 August 2025

Thousands of Portuguese emigrants are taking advantage of the Programa Regressar to move back to Portugal. Over 30,000 Portuguese emigrants have already returned since the program began.  Created by the government in 2019, Programa Regressar is a multifaceted initiative aimed at encouraging individuals to return home with financial assistance, tax incentives, and entrepreneurial support. The […]

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