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Archived edition · August 18, 2026 Today's news →

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Fake Drug Sales Ruled Fraud, Debt Collection Plummets

Lawyers have definitively stated that there is no legal loophole in the sale of fake drugs, classifying such acts as fraud, a position contrary to some police and political claims. This clarification comes as a significant legal development in public safety matters.

In a positive economic trend, pending debt collection actions have more than halved over the last decade, with the average duration of executive processes reaching a ten-year low. This reduction saw the number of pending cases drop from 768,000 to 344,600. However, the country also accumulated a budget deficit equivalent to the cost of 300,000 homes over the past four years.

Meanwhile, the government is preparing new measures to combat 'facade stores' amidst pressure from Lisbon and Porto regarding immigration. Discussions are also ongoing about the state's potential reacquisition of REN, a proposal currently found only in the programs of the Livre, PCP, and Bloco de Esquerda parties, with the state potentially able to designate an administrator to limit shareholder power. Wildfires continue to be a concern, with over 1,900 firefighters currently mobilized across the country.

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Legal Clarity on Fake Drug Sales

Legal experts have clarified that there is no legal vacuum concerning the sale of fake drugs, asserting that such activities constitute fraud. This statement counters previous suggestions from police and political entities for new criminal offenses.

Significant Drop in Debt Collection Actions

The number of pending debt collection actions has decreased by over 50% in the last decade, reaching a ten-year low in average processing time. This reduction saw cases fall from 768,000 to 344,600.

Debate on State Reacquisition of REN

There is an ongoing discussion and investigation into the state's interest in reacquiring REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais), a policy proposal primarily supported by the Livre, PCP, and Bloco de Esquerda parties. The state may also have the power to appoint an administrator to REN, potentially limiting shareholder influence.

Wildfires Escalate, Mobilizing More Firefighters

Wildfires continue to spread across Portugal, with over 1,900 firefighters now actively engaged in combating the blazes, indicating a significant escalation in the efforts to control the fires.

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