Chris Evans is making his return for Avengers: Doomsday, and both he and his character have seemingly achieved the same major milestone.
Marvel dropped the teaser for the highly anticipated superhero film online on Tuesday, December 23, after it played over the weekend in theaters. In the first look, Evans, who has played Steve Rogers/Captain America in the franchise for nearly a decade, can be seen riding a motorcycle in the countryside and heading to a cozy farmhouse. As Steve gets off his bike, he is wearing a wedding band.
While in what appears to be his home, Steve is going through his personal items and finds his Captain America suit, which has been tucked away. The scene then cuts to Steve holding a newborn baby, whom he looks down at in awe.
The screen then fades to black as it reads, “Steve Rogers will return in Avengers: Doomsday.” Avengers: Doomsday will be released in theaters on December 18, 2026.
Joe and Anthony Russo, who make up the directing duo the Russo Brothers, gushed about their excitement to have Evans, 44, return for the upcoming Marvel movie.
“The character that changed our lives,” the pair — who got their start in Marvel on Captain America: The Winter Soldier — wrote via Instagram on Tuesday alongside a clip of the teaser. “The story that brought us all here together. It was always going to come back to this … ”
Evans’ return will mark his first Marvel appearance since the events of Avengers: Endgame. In the 2019 movie, Steve and the other Avengers traveled through time to stop Thanos (Josh Brolin). After successfully completing the mission, Steve used the infinity stones to travel back to his previous time period and be with the love of his life, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Steve, who returned to the present time as an elderly man, passed down his Captain America shield to pal Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).
Steve isn’t the only one whose life has changed in the past six years. Evans, 44, married wife Alba Baptista in 2023. Several of Evans’ Marvel costars — including Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner — were present for the couple’s nuptials.
In October 2023, Evans revealed that he and Baptista, 29, had two weddings — one in the United States and another in the actress’ home country.
“It was really, really great. We kinda had two ceremonies,” he said during a panel at New York Comic Con. “We had one on the East Coast. We did one in Portugal.”
Evans later revealed that he popped the question to Baptista in her native tongue.
“I proposed to my wife in Portuguese,” Evans told The Knot in June. “She’s Portuguese, so I learned how to say, ‘Will you marry me?’ in Portuguese. I had practiced it all week. I had practiced it so much that while I’d be making breakfast [I’d] almost just start saying it out loud.”
Prior to becoming a dad, Evans always shared his desire to start a family. In a November 2024 interview with Access Hollywood, Evans shared that he hoped to be a “superhero” father just like his Red One costar Dwayne Johnson’s character.
“Yeah, I hope so. Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “The title of dad is an exciting one.”
The Portuguese superstar, 40, confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will “definitely” be his last and that he would retire “soon” during an interview at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, November 11.
“I am enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon,” he said, “because I give everything for football. I’m in the game for the last 25 years, I did everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national team — I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment and live the moment.”
The 2026 World Cup, which North America will host, will be Ronaldo’s sixth. Though he’s among the most accomplished players in the tournament’s history as the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer and the only men’s player to score a goal in five different World Cups, he is still seeking an elusive championship for his country. He helped lead Portugal to a fourth-place finish in 2006, his first appearance, but Portugal has not advanced past the quarterfinals since.
Ronaldo added that while he’s almost ready to call it a career, he still feels good enough to contribute at a high level.
“So, the moment is good, I feel very good in this moment,” he said. “I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp, I’m enjoying my game in the national team and [the Saudi Pro League’s] Al Nassr, but of course, let’s be honest, when I mean ‘soon’ it’s probably one, two years I’ll still be in the game.”
But even if this is the last World Cup for Ronaldo, he hopes his family’s presence on soccer’s biggest stage is just beginning. He is the father of Cristiano Jr., 15, who is currently a member of Portugal’s under-16 club. Cristiano Sr. said he hopes his son can be an even better player than he is.
“Human beings, we don’t want nobody being better than us,” he said. “But in my point, I wish if my kids will be better than me, I’m never going to be jealous of him, trust me. As a father, I’m here to help him to be whatever he wants to be.”
He struck a similar tone in the 2022 Netflix docuseries I Am Georgina, which profiled his now-fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, where he said he would “never pressure” his son to play soccer but that he could be “great” if he chose to pursue the sport.
“He will do what he wants,” Cristiano Sr. said. “Also, what I want the most for [Cristiano Jr.] and everyone else is that they’re happy and that they choose what they want. I will support in any way.”
Cristiano Sr. shares his son with a mystery woman who he has never publicly identified. He also welcomed twins Eva Maria and Mateo, 7, via surrogate in 2017. He and Georgina Rodriguez share daughters Alana, 8, and son Bella, 3. Bella’s twin brother, Angel, died in labor in 2022.
They came from all over the world to visit one of Catholicism’s most famous shrines.
Over 270,000 pilgrims gathered at the sanctuary of Fátima in Portugal on Monday, to celebrate the first reported apparition of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children on 13 May 1917.
The Catholic Church believes the Virgin Mary visited the children six times and divulged the Three Secrets of Fátima, a series of prophecies, to them.
This year, Catholic devotees also prayed for newly elected Pope Leo XIV and for global peace.
“I imagine that Leo XIV will soon visit this shrine, which is the centre of Marian spirituality, not only in Portugal, but throughout the world”, said Father Juan Carlos López.
Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, visited Fátima twice. In 2017, he canonised two of the shephered children for the 100th anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions. He returned to the shrine during his trip to Portugal for the 2023 World Youth Day.
This year’s pilgrimage takes places after Pope Leo’s first Sunday address as pontiff in St. Peter’s Square, during which he called for peace in Ukraine and Gaza.
“I too address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war'”, Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“He is the Pope that the Holy Spirit has chosen to manage the Church in these difficult times and I believe he will do it very well”, Father Juan Carlos López said from Fátima.
A total of 6.2 million people visited the Fátima shrine in 2024.
The original statue of the Virgin of Fátima will travel to Rome in October, to celebrate the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, the cult of the Virgin Mary. It will be the statue’s fourth travel to the Vatican.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., son of Portugal great and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo Sr, is among the Portugal under-15 squad for the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament, which will be held between May 13 and 18 in Croatia.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Junior, affectionately called Cristianinho (little Cristiano), was born on June 17th, 2010, in San Diego, California, USA, is also eligible to play for his country of birth. The 14-year-old started playing football at a very young age, training frequently at age 6.
The young player from Al Nassr’s youth academy makes his debut in the U-15 squad chosen by coach Joao Santos, who has called up 22 players for the competition, in which the national team will face Japan (May 13th), Greece (14th) and England (16th). The fourth and final match will be held on May 18th, with the opponent yet to be defined.
Nearly 150,000km² of seafloor surveyed across the Mozambique Channel, Madagascar Ridge, Agulhas Plateau, and Cabo Verde
69 scientists from 31 countries and 29 institutions successfully conducted deep-sea dives, geological and biodiversity sampling, and oceanographic research in seven key regions around the African coastline
306 students, educators, and early-career professionals from across Africa and the world engaged through training, outreach, and capacity sharing initiatives on the OceanXplorer research vessel
Early Career Explorers Aghogho Kolawole-Daniles and Omaima Mouiret working on their independent research in the DNA lab on OceanXplorer off the coast of West Africa
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 9th May 2025 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – A transformational joint exploration led by OceanX and OceanQuest has officially concluded the ‘Around Africa Expedition’, a major ocean research and capacity-sharing mission advancing deep-sea research, oceanographic mapping, and scientific collaboration across Africa’s coastal waters.
The expedition navigated critical marine regions, starting from Moroni (Comoros Archipelago) and navigating through the Mozambique Channel, the southern Madagascar Ridge (Walters Shoal), Agulhas Plateau (Africana Seamount), Cape Town (South Africa), the Benguela Current System in the southeastern Atlantic, Walvis Bay (Namibia), Mindelo and the Nola Seamounts in Cabo Verde, and ending in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands (Spain).
Conducted between January and April, the expedition delivered significant insights and new valuable data about Africa’s marine ecosystems, surveyed vast areas of previously unexplored seafloor, and strengthened Africa’s leadership in ocean science through international collaboration and capacity sharing.
Scientists handle a sample from the sub in the wet lab
Expedition Scope and Key Achievements
Researchers conducted extensive fieldwork including remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, oceanographic sampling, biodiversity surveys, and high-resolution seafloor mapping, unlocking new insights into Africa’s marine ecosystems.
OceanXplorer, the expedition’s advanced research vessel, completed eight ROV dives, totalling 21 hours underwater, including the first-ever visual surveys of the deep flanks of Walters Shoal and a newly mapped seamount at the southern Madagascar Ridge, as well as the Nola seamounts off Cabo Verde. Submersibles Neptune and Nadir executed nine dives, collecting 41 biological and geological samples across 32 hours of deep-sea exploration.
In total, nearly 150,000km² of seafloor was mapped across regions including the Madagascar Ridge, Agulhas Plateau, and Cabo Verde’s Nola Seamounts, providing vital data for deep ocean science and discovery, marine spatial planning, and conservation opportunities. “This is not just a scientific achievement, but a continental one,” says Vincent Pieribone, co-CEO and Chief Science Officer for OceanX. “The knowledge gained here belongs to Africa and will benefit research and scientific communities for generations to come.”
Group photo of the Young Explorers and OceanX Crew on the OceanXplorer, off the Coast of Southern Africa
Key Findings During the ‘Around Africa Expedition’
Two segments of the expedition were dedicated to deep-sea missions, designed to advance the understanding of the biological, geological, and oceanographic processes shaping the seafloor and ecosystems of the Southwest Indian Ocean and the eastern Atlantic. By investigating remote seamounts, surveying deep habitats, and analysing ocean dynamics, the teams generated critical baseline data to support marine conservation, sustainable resource management, and adaptation to climate change impacts.
As African nations increasingly recognise the critical importance of healthy ocean ecosystems for economic development, environmental security, this research provides essential knowledge and tools to inform more sustainable marine governance across the continent.
Key outcomes included:
The high-resolution mapping of seamounts and the surrounding seafloor, vital for fisheries, biodiversity, and habitat protection
Detailed analysis of ocean currents to better understand regional climate patterns
Analysis of marine microbes and aerosols, which play key roles in ocean food chains, carbon storage, and climate regulation, contributing critical data to global ocean health research
“The opportunity to conduct deep-sea research alongside an international team, with African scientists leading key legs, was a turning point,” said Dr. Lara Atkinson, Marine Offshore Scientist at NRF-SAEON. “For many of us, it was the first time we had access to this level of deep-sea technology and interdisciplinary collaboration among so many nations.”
“Being part of this expedition felt like reclaiming our own narrative in ocean science,” said Dr. Yara Rodrigues, Executive Vogal at Instituto do Mar. “We weren’t just collecting data, we were shaping the future of marine knowledge in Africa, based on our needs, in our waters.”
Their involvement was part of a broader collaboration between OceanX, OceanQuest, and leading African institutions. These included the National Research Foundation – South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), the University of Cape Town (UCT), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Instituto do Mar (IMar) in Cabo Verde, the Ocean Science Center Mindelo (OSCM), and the Universidade Técnica do Atlántico (UTA). This strengthened scientific partnerships and promoted data sharing across the continent.
“These collaborations are the future of ocean science in Africa,” said Pieribone. “We’ve seen what’s possible when scientists, governments, and regional institutions align behind a common purpose-advancing knowledge, access, and opportunity.”
Researchers arriving aboard the OceanXplorer in Comoros, East Africa, pose for a photo on deck with the OceanX crew
Science Diplomacy and Regional Leadership
The expedition also marked a series of significant diplomatic milestones, with visits from South Africa’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George and Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille, Cabo Verde’s Minister of the Sea Jorge Santos and the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves. As Patron of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, President Neves reaffirmed Cabo Verde’s strong commitment and leadership in advancing ocean knowledge, marine conservation, and sustainable blue development.
‘These high-level engagements’, says Martin Visbeck, Chief Executive Officer of OceanQuest, ‘underscored regional commitment to ocean science and sustainability, enhanced cooperation across the continent, and demonstrated both Africa and Cabo Verde’s growing leadership in addressing the most pressing challenges facing our oceans.’
Local scientist Yara Rodrigues from IMar and OceanX Science Program Director, Mattie Rodrigue, process a sample of a coral colony full of brittle stars, Cabo Verde
Capacity Sharing and Education
A major pillar of the expedition, focused on strengthening African scientific and technical capacity through targeted education and professional development programmes. Led by OceanX education, the expedition was structured around three core components. These included two deep-sea science legs focused on seamount research, two youth-led investigator legs, and two ECOP training legs.
The mission featured outreach programmes at port stops to engage local communities:
Early Career Explorers (ECEs) Programme: 27 Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) from across Africa, including Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Cabo Verde, Tunisia, Morocco, and Tanzania, took part in multi-day, on-ship education programmes between Walvis Bay, Mindelo, and Las Palmas, gaining hands-on experience in oceanography, bathymetry, and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. Participants were selected by the Partnership for the Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) through a programme jointly run by OceanX, OceanQuest, and POGO.
Young Explorers: 29 university students who are interested in future ocean-related careers joined the multi-day, on-ship education programs from Maldives to Comoros and from Cape Town to Walvis Bay, learning about the multi-disciplinary career paths that can support ocean health and sustainability.
Science-Leg ECOP Participation: Four African ECOPs were embedded within research science legs, contributing directly to fieldwork in South African and Cabo Verdean waters.
Portside Ship Tours: 246 students and educators participated in shipboard tours and outreach events across Cape Town, Mindelo, and Las Palmas, introducing new generations to marine science careers and ocean stewardship.
Total engagement: 306 students, educators, and early-career professionals were reached through the expedition’s training and outreach programs.
“This wasn’t just about what we discovered in the ocean. It was also about who we empowered on the ground,” adds Martin Visbeck, CEO of OceanQuest. “By working together across borders, we have made this kind of world-class science possible right here in African waters and led by African scientists.”
The OceanX and OceanQuest Around Africa Expedition is officially endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development for its contributions to capacity sharing and scientific understanding of the ocean, providing valuable data for science and science-based ocean governance.
Next Steps
Although the expedition at sea has concluded, analysis of the collected data has only just begun. Scientists across Africa and globally will use the expedition’s findings to:
Inform environmental and ocean management policy
Support fisheries regulation and marine conservation, and
Strengthen Africa’s leadership in ocean science and sustainable development
“This is just the start,” said Pieribone. “We’ve built the foundation for a new age of African-led research, and now the real impact begins. Our goal is that the discoveries made, and the partnerships formed during this expedition will continue to shape policy, support conservation efforts, and inspire the next generation of ocean explorers.”
A full list of NGO, education, and government partners across the region and mission leg follows below:
Mindelo, Cabo Verde
Instituto do Mar (IMar), the Ocean Science Center Mindelo (OSCM),Instituto de Engenharias e Ciências do Mar (ISECMAR) – Universidade Técnica do Atlântico, Centro Universitário Cidade Verde (UniCV), Universidade do Mindelo, Escola Salesiana de Artes e Ofícios (Ilha de São Vicente), Escola Secundária Januário Leite (Ilha de Santo Antão), Escola Técnica João Varela (Ilha de Santo Antão).
Cape Town, South Africa
SANBI, National Research Foundation, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) – Science for Kids and Global Blue Schools Network, University of Cape Town, University of Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), Consejeria de Educacion (Canary Islands Regional Government), IES Profesor Antonio Cabrera Pérez, ITS Jozef Stefan.
Global
UN Ocean Decade – Endorsed Decade Actions, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON), Challenger 150, Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI)
Regional
Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, African Network of Deep-water Researchers, Challenger 150
United States
City College of New York (CCNY), Columbia University Climate School – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), US State Department, US Office of Naval Research (ONR), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
Route-Specific Partnerships by Country/Transit locations:
Comoros to Cape Town, South Africa
National Research Foundation – South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), South African National Biodiversity Insitute (SANBI), South African National Space Agency (SANSA), National Research Foundation – South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), University of Cape Town (UCT), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Université de Toliara – Institut D’Enseignement Supérieur D’Anosy (IES-Anosy) – Madagascar, Université de Toliara – Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines (IHSM) – Madagascar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Madagascar, Universidade Lúrio – Mozambique, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) – Mozambique, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) – Brazil, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) – Kenya, Universidade de Aveiro – Portugal, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Columbia University – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) – USA, Challenger 150
Namibia – Cabo Verde; Cabo Verde Science
Instituto Do Mar (IMar), Campus do Mar, Universidade Técnica do Atlântico (UTA), Campus do Mar, Ocean Science Center Mindelo (OSCM), GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research – Germany, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South African National Biodiversity Insitute (SANBI) – South Africa, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI) – Brazil, US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO)
Cabo Verde – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias (PLOCAN), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research – Germany, Columbia University Climate School – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO)
About OceanX
OceanX is on a mission to support scientists to explore the ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science, and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes next-gen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling, and immersive experiences to educate, inspire, and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying, and protecting our oceans. OceanX is an operating program of Dalio Philanthropies, which furthers the diverse philanthropic interests of Dalio family members. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.
About OceanQuest
OceanQuest is a Saudi Arabian not-for-profit foundation, committed to unveiling the wonders of the ocean and exploring its secrets for the benefit of humanity. Its mission is to accelerate ocean discovery, drive innovation in the field, support global cooperation, and excite the public. OceanQuest and its global partners will launch a new era of deep ocean exploration and knowledge sharing. OceanQuest is based in the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) campus in Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To learn more visit www.OQFoundation.org.
Cardinals electing a new pope have some fundamental questions to weigh, beyond whether to give the Catholic Church its first Asian or African pontiff, or a conservative or progressive.
Although they come from 70 different countries, the 133 cardinals seem fundamentally united in finding a pope who will be able to make the 2,000-year-old church credible and relevant today, especially to young people.
It’s a tall task, given the sexual abuse and financials scandals that have harmed the church’s reputation and the secularizing trends in many parts of the world that are turning people away from organized religion.
Add to that the Holy See’s dire financial state and often dysfunctional bureaucracy, and the job of being pope in the 21st century seems almost impossible.
“We need a superman!” said Cardinal William Seng Chye Goh, the 67-year-old archbishop of Singapore.
The cardinals will begin trying to find him Wednesday afternoon, when those “princes of the church” walk solemnly into the Sistine Chapel to the meditative chant of the “Litany of the Saints.” They’ll take their oaths of secrecy under the daunting vision of heaven and hell in Michelangelo’s “Last Judgement,” hear a meditation from a senior cardinal, and then cast their first ballot.
Assuming no candidate secures the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the cardinals will retire for the day and return on Thursday. They will have two ballots in the morning and then two in the afternoon, until a winner is found.
The church in Africa
According to Vatican statistics, Catholics represent 3.3% of the population in Asia, but their numbers are growing, especially in terms of seminarians, as they are in Africa, where Catholics represent about 20% of the population. Catholics are 64% of the population in the Americas, 40% of Europe’s population and 26% of Oceania’s population, according to Vatican statistics from 2023, the last available year.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the archbishop of Kinshasa, Congo, said he is in Rome to elect a pope for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
“I am not here for the Congo, I am not here for Africa, I am here for the universal church. That is our concern, the universal church,” he told reporters. “When we are done, I will return to Kinshasa and I will put back on my archbishop of Kinshasa hat and the struggle continues.”
Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, the chatty French-born archbishop of Algiers, Algeria, lamented last week that there hadn’t been enough time for the cardinals to get to know one another, since many of them had never met before and hail from 70 countries in the most geographically diverse conclave in history.
By this week, however, he said that any number of candidates were possible.
Voting blocs
Italy (17) has the most electors followed by the United States (10). Brazil (7), France and Spain (5 each) follow in third and fourth place respectively.
Argentina, Canada, India, Poland and Portugal have 4 electors each.
Here is a regional breakdown of the full 135 cardinal electors, according to Vatican statistics and following the Vatican’s geographic grouping.
Europe: 53. (An elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Spain, so the actual number of Europeans is expected to be 52.)
Asia (including the Middle East): 23
Africa: 18. (Another elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Kenya, so the number of Africans is expected to be 17.)
South America: 17
North America: 16 (of whom 10 are American, 4 are Canadian and 2 are Mexican)
Central America: 4
Oceania: 4 (1 each from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga)
There is no rule that cardinals electing a new pope vote a certain way according to their nationality or region. But understanding their makeup in geographic terms can help explain some of their priorities as they open the conclave Wednesday to choose a new leader of the 1.4-billion strong Catholic Church.
There are currently 135 cardinals who are under age 80 and eligible to vote in the conclave, hailing from 71 different countries in the most geographically diverse conclave in history. Already two have formally told the Holy See that they cannot attend for health reasons, bringing the number of men who will enter the Sistine Chapel down to 133.
A two-thirds majority is needed to be elected pope, meaning that if the number of electors holds at 133, the winner must secure 89 votes.
The countries with the most electors are: Italy (17), United States (10), Brazil (7), France and Spain (5), Argentina, Canada, India, Poland and Portugal (4).
Here is a regional breakdown of the full 135 cardinal electors, according to Vatican statistics and following the Vatican’s geographic grouping;
Africa: 18. (An elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Kenya, so the number of Africans is expected to be 17.)
Europe: 53. (Another elector who says he’s skipping the conclave is from Spain, so the actual number of Europeans is expected to be 52.)
Asia (including the Middle East): 23
South America: 17
North America: 16 (of whom 10 are American, 4 are Canadian and 2 are Mexican)
Central America: 4
Oceania: 4 (1 each from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga)
Power had almost fully returned to Spain early Tuesday morning as many questions remained about what caused one of Europe’s most severe blackouts that grounded flights, paralyzed metro systems, disrupted mobile communications and shut down ATMs across Spain and Portugal.
By 6:30 a.m., more than 99% of energy demand in Spain had been restored, the country’s electricity operator Red Eléctrica said.
Power had gradually returned to several regions across Spain and Portugal as the nations reeled from the still-unexplained widespread blackout that had turned airports and train stations into campgrounds for stranded travelers. By Monday night, Portuguese grid operator REN said 85 out of 89 power substations were back online.
Monday night, many city residents, including in Spain’s capital of Madrid, went to sleep in total darkness. The normally illuminated cathedral spires of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Basilica became indistinguishable from the night sky. Streets remained deserted even in neighborhoods where lights flickered back on, as people stayed home after a day of chaos.
“We have a long night ahead,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said when he addressed the European nation late Monday. “We are working with the goal of having power restored to the entire country.”
In Madrid, cheers erupted from balconies where the electricity had returned.
Subway service back
On Tuesday morning, Madrid’s metro system said service would be restored on all but one line by 8 a.m., meaning that 80% of trains would be operating again during rush hour.
As metro service stopped on Monday, train stations cleared out and shops and offices closed, and thousands of people spilled onto the streets of Madrid.
Emergency workers in Spain said they rescued some 35,000 passengers stranded along railways and underground. By 11 p.m., there were still 11 trains backed up by the power loss awaiting evacuation, Sánchez said.
The blackout turned sports centers, train stations and airports into makeshift refuges late Monday.
The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency that would be applied in the regions that request it, following a huge power outrage that struck Spain, Portugal and parts of France on Monday.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Monday that a problem in the European grid that he described as a “strong oscillation” caused the blackout, but that the cause was still being determined.
The Spanish leader asked the public to refrain from speculation and said no theory about the cause of the outage had been discarded.
Sánchez thanked the governments of France and Morocco where energy was being pulled from to restore power to north and southern Spain.
The blackout brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill Monday, halting subway and railway trains, cutting phone service and shutting down traffic lights and ATMs for millions of people across the Iberian Peninsula.
Power in Spain progressively coming back by evening
Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica said that restoring power fully to the country and neighbouring Portugal could take 6-10 hours.
By mid-afternoon on Monday, voltage was progressively being restored in the north, south and west of the peninsula, the company said.
By Monday evening, power had been restored to approximately 20% of the country’s affected capacity.
Red Eléctrica declined to speculate on the causes of the huge blackout.
Eduardo Prieto, head of operations at Red Eléctrica, told journalists it was unprecedented, calling the event “exceptional and extraordinary.”
The Portuguese National Cybersecurity Center issued a statement saying there was no sign the outage was due to a cyberattack.
For the first time in two decades, the US dollar and the Euro hit parity in July 2022. The currency, shared by 19 European countries, has slumped more than 11 per cent since the beginning of this year.
But the weakened Euro holds great economic significance for businesses as well as individuals, especially those earning and spending in US dollars, or in currencies pegged to the dollar.
In terms of real estate too, while certain property values have gone up, the cost in plenty of areas has come down from what it was two years ago.
“June 2022 alone recorded the highest figures with over €78 million investments in the Portugal Golden Visa program, a first since 2020.”
Rise in numbers:
More than €78 million investments in Portugal Golden Visa in June.
Real estate in Lisbon growing at a rate of 2.5% annually since 2016.
Santa Maria da Feira experienced an annual growth of 12%.
Demand for properties has grown by 20% in Porto and Sintra.
83% of investors in Portugal foresee a rise in demand from tenants for sustainable properties.
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This certainly also makes it the best time to invest in a long-term residence permit in Europe. June 2022 alone recorded the highest figures with over €78 million investments in the Portugal Golden Visa program, a first since 2020.
Jeremy Savory, founder and CEO of Savory & Partners – a leading global residency and citizenship by investment (RCBI) company headquartered in Dubai, says, “If I can talk about the impact in the context of the RCBI industry, it’s an excellent opportunity for those earning in dollar-pegged currencies.
Right now, many investors see everything turning red in terms of stock, crypto, and real estate. Now is the time for people to invest in something that is already discounted, diversifies their currency, and with interest rates that don’t directly affect their investment.”
Jeremy Savory with his family in Portugal
Real estate boom
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Savory points out that the Portuguese Golden Visa program is one of the best ways for investors to access this market. Adding, however, that time is of essence here.
Cyprus has closed down its citizenship program and the Montenegro citizenship program is expected to close by the end of the year, Turkey has increased its investment threshold and Greece is expected to follow suit.
“I think we have some months before it comes into effect. Portugal only changed their legislation nine months ago, so I can’t see them changing it again so soon.
Increased threshold does not mean higher fees. It means you just end up buying more real estate and there’s nothing wrong with buying more property.”
Best places to invest in real estate in Portugal
As a long-term resident of Portugal himself, Savory says Portugal’s golden visa gives the investor the opportunity to be part of one of the most progressive real estate destinations in the world.
Three popular neighbourhoods across Portugal that according to him are the best for families to choose to buy a home in are Melides, the Municipality of Oeiras and Belem.
“Melides, right next to Comporta, is fast becoming one of the most expensive price per sqm attracting ultra HNW Europeans and Americans”, he says, adding that you can invest in an office space in Oeiras, get a Golden Visa, and you would get very high-quality tenants too.
A personal favourite of Savory, Belem, with its beautiful parks, beach-front restaurants and cultural landmarks is a preferred real estate investment.
Jeremy alongside his wife, Helena Savory, expanded the family business with the RCBI company, and with just the two of them in the beginning, Savory and Partners has now grown to become a global corporation with over 60 industry experts worldwide.
Helena Savory, Managing Director of the company and a mother of two young boys says access to exceptional education, high quality healthcare, low cost of living, safety and its amazing climate made Portugal a preferred option for her to gain residency in as a family and businesswoman.
“As an example, a coffee and the much-loved pastry, Pastel de Nata, would cost you not more than €1 (equivalent to $0.96 cents), which shows you the unbelievably low cost of living in Portugal.” – Helena Savory
Helena adds that Portugal’s education sector is impressively expansive. Its higher education system is ranked as the 35th best in the world. Public education is free and compulsory until the age of 18.
She notes that the country occupies the sixth position in the ranking of countries with the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs, ahead of countries such as Spain, Italy or Ireland. “Women are making their way to the top of the business ladder, and investment migration can help them take their success to a global stage.”
Portugal is witnessing an increased interest in investors looking for property and recently, the Green Visa scheme was introduced through which investors can obtain the Portuguese passport with an investment in environmental projects.
Savory and Partners has a strong bilingual team in Lisbon and offices across the world to help investors find the best residency option for themselves. Find out more by visiting www.SavoryandPartners.com.
