Parabéns today to @Sarah Taylor 😘 Bem-vindo to the Club. @Petru Paler in Coimbra 😊 I have been experimenting with some news gathering for www.portugaltalkradio.com, so I thought I'd share the headlines with you today: Portugal elected to the UN Security Council. On Wednesday, Portugal was elected at the first round as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the fourth time. PM Luís Montenegro called it a historic recognition of the country's international standing. (Substack) Nationality law battle rumbles on. Chega wants Parliament to confirm the nationality loss decree recently rejected by the Constitutional Court, but cross-party opposition makes it unlikely they can secure the required majority. (Substack) President and PM call diaspora home. President António José Seguro, speaking at Portugal Day events in Luxembourg alongside PM Montenegro, described Portugal as "an extraordinary place to live" with strong development potential, calling on emigrants and their descendants to return. (Portugal Resident) Portugal's immigration authority AIMA has now processed more than 525,000 pending cases and carried out 763,000 appointments as part of an extraordinary regularisation operation - a major milestone in clearing the backlog inherited after the closure of the old SEF border service. (Portugal Resident - also shared on the forum at www.portugalforeignersforum.com) A new study comparing 37 European capitals found Lisbon to be the least affordable for both single residents and families, though the premium property segment around the capital remains resilient. (Substack)

"Olá bom dia ALEGRIA! Tudo bem?" The partying has well and truly begun in my home town! An amazing night, the third of proceedings, last night with Portugal's big UEFA cup victory over Spain broadcast to the crowd, before Quim Barreiros entertained us (like Benny Hill with an accordion!). It was great to be in the company of our very own @Filomena Pascoal (selfie to follow) who was on hand to translate Quim's 'colourful' lyrics!!! 😂 Therefore a little tired as I write from the studio, but here to support and inspire you - on the screen or in the chat - and recording at some point, when the caffeine has kicked in! Congratulations to Coach @Ian Turner on 25 years married to Lesley and welcome to new members Bob and Vanessa, this morning, to the club! Talking of caffeine, we were invited to an amazing coffee experience in Benedita yesterday for @Sarah Taylor's birthday. What an amazing and unusual place, the 'Vesta' café, set in a wonderfully eccentric and characterful Portuguese setting, more on video 👇 Weather-wise, and onward with the tour of districts, and we are in Guarda today with the IPMA weather forecast and a low of 21°C/72°F and a high of 32°C/94°F, with a 40% chance of rain. A yellow heat warning is in place here, as it is in a few, unusual locations across the country. As I write, a US$ will buy you 0.87 Euros; a UK£ will buy you 1.19 Euros. The pound slightly up on the end of last week, according to www.spartanfx.co.uk rates. Check out this dollar/euro strategy, if you are concerned about the long-term value of your $s.

Our very own @Aviva Ariel is launching the 'New Beginnings Expat Support Group' and will be talking with me about it, and her plans for it, at 8pm tonight (Portugal time) (watch here) before our 4th Monday 'Whine & Wine' session (LINK), for Portugal Club members only. And, drum roll, AIMA have launched a contact form! Not that it works very well, some say, but must be worth a try, try here. BTW How are you doing? Tudo bem?? It's always good to hear from you and where you are in your journey 😘. See you tonight, tomorrow, but hopefully soon, @Carl Munson PS I am in the process of streamlining the membership here, to make it more personal and effective. So please check in or maybe check out if it's not for you! I am very happy to be at your service, make this better, and I need your input. You know where I am!

Nothing too onerous! Who, where, what you need and what you love about Portugal? Bond in Portugal - https://www.onthetracksof007.com/portugal

Wow, what a lovely drive up through Portugal, passing a few old stomping grounds, and celebrating with @John Heimbach , @Bob Wenger , @Owen Lloyd Martin and @Louisa Munson Ponte de Lima is beautiful 😍 See you tomorrow I hope @Vitor Costa 😎