Tens of thousands in Portugal protest proposed labor reforms

LISBON (AP) — Tens of thousands of people in Lisbon took to the streets Saturday to protest labor reforms put forth by the center-right government.

The protest was organized by the country’s main labor union in opposition to an overhaul of labor laws that Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's government says are aimed at improving productivity and flexibility in the job market. Opponents want the package withdrawn and say it threatens workers’ rights.

Demonstrators carried posters that read “No to the labor package" and called for higher wages.

The reforms would make worker dismissals easier. Other controversial elements include a limit on how long breastfeeding women can claim a flexible work schedule and reduced miscarriage bereavement leave.

Portugal's current minimum wage stands at 870 euros (about $1,007) per month. Protesters carried signs calling for it to rise to 1,050 euros ($1,214) in 2026.

Montenegro, who leads the center-right Democratic Alliance, heads a minority government in the European Union nation of 10.6 million people. The bill has to go to parliament where it's expected to pass with the support of Chega, the-far right and largest opposition party.

Organizers of Saturday's protest announced a general strike on Dec. 11.

A delivery rider pushes his bike to cross the path of demonstrators marching down Lisbon's Liberdade Avenue during a national protest by workers unions against a new labour package being prepared by the government, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Demonstrators carrying posters read "No to the labour package" march down Liberdade Avenue during a national protest by workers unions against a new labour package being prepared by the government in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Demonstrators carry banners read "No to the labour package" and "Demand a better life" during a national protest by workers unions against a new labour package being prepared by the government in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Demonstrators march down Liberdade Avenue during a national protest by workers unions against a new labour package being prepared by the government, in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A demonstrator carrying a poster with the words "No to the labour package" shouts slogans during a national protest by workers unions against a new labour package being prepared by the government, in Lisbon, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

DETROIT (AP) — After nearly two decades, and stretches of futility, the Detroit Pistons have won the Central Division again.

The Pistons defeated the Toronto Raptors 127-116 on Tuesday to finish a long climb back up the NBA ladder and clinch their first division title since the 2007-08 season.

“You take pride in understanding how hard it is to do these things in this league,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game. "You take pride in the fact that you have a group of young men who have grown and achieved certain milestones.

“It's a part of the process, and we expect more.”

Two years after going 14-68 and losing a league-record tying 28 straight games, the Pistons are 55-21 with two All-Stars in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. With Cunningham sidelined by a lung injury, Duren had 31 points on 12-of-13 shooting and added nine rebounds against the Raptors.

“He's so talented,” Bickerstaff said. “He's a different kind of big that you see in the NBA. You have space-up bigs and post-up bigs, but when you have somebody who can do both, he's a problem for people.”

Daniss Jenkins, who started the season on a two-way contract, had 21 points and five assists. He's averaging 18.6 points and 6.9 assists since replacing Cunningham as the starting point guard.

“We knew we were trying to do something special this year,” he said. “It's great to accomplish something like this, but we have our eyes on the playoffs and doing some damage there. We'll celebrate this tonight and get back to work tomorrow.”

They've helped end one of the worst periods in franchise history.

In 2007-08, the Pistons were still running out most of the same players that had led them to the 2004 championship and a seven-game Finals loss to San Antonio a year later. They went 59-23 under coach Flip Saunders, then knocked out Philadelphia and Orlando on their way to the last of their six straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances.

They didn't know it, but they were about to go off a cliff.

The following offseason, team president Joe Dumars traded Chauncey Billups to Denver for Allen Iverson and replaced Saunders with Michael Curry.

The Pistons went 39-43 and spent the next 10 seasons cycling through eight coaches and resulting in zero postseason victories.

That was followed by one of the worst five-year stretches in NBA history as the Pistons went 94-290 (.245) and hit rock bottom in 2023-24, when they lost a franchise-record 68 games.

Last season, Cunningham and Duren led the Pistons to a 30-win improvement before the fell in six games to the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert (8) takes a shot while being defended by Toronto Raptors guard Ja'kobe Walter (14) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, left, shoot the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) celebrates with center Jalen Duren (0) after a win over the Toronto Raptors in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)