^{Portuguese scientist Nuno Loureiro}

Portuguese scientist Nuno Loureiro was killed at his residence in Boston, in the United States, in a context of growing international tension and heightened global security concerns. The crime took place amid a wave of worldwide alarm, intensified after a recent attack in Australia, which led several countries to cancel public end-of-year and Hanukkah celebrations.

In response to the worsening situation, governments adopted preventive measures. Russia canceled, for the first time since 1991, the traditional public lighting of the Hanukkah candles. In Poland, the president annulled the celebrations that were scheduled to take place at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw. In Australia itself, public ceremonies in Melbourne were suspended. Public Christmas and New Year festivities also went on alert, prompting Paris to interrupt its festive program. Ukraine was one of the few countries that maintained public celebrations of the Jewish holiday, although President Volodymyr Zelensky was traveling on the date.

It was against this backdrop of escalating violence that the death of Nuno Loureiro occurred. He was a nuclear scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Loureiro publicly declared himself pro-Israel. Investigations into the case are still ongoing. Some sources indicate that he was Jewish, although there is no additional information regarding any conversion process — a point that neither alters nor diminishes the seriousness of the crime.

In a statement to The New York Times, the United States Ambassador to Portugal, John J. Arrigo, expressed his condolences to the scientist’s family, friends, and colleagues. “We honor his life, his leadership in science, and his lasting contributions,” he said.

The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, also expressed deep sorrow over Nuno Loureiro’s death. In an official statement, he highlighted the impact of the loss on the academic and scientific community:

“It is with deep sorrow that the President of the Republic received the news of the death of Scientist and University Professor Nuno Loureiro, Director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who was the victim of an act of violence that shocked the academic and scientific community.

Professor Nuno Loureiro distinguished himself through his intellectual rigor, tireless dedication to science, and the significant contributions he made to the field of Physics. Beyond his professional merit, he was recognized for his collaborative spirit, generosity in sharing knowledge, and commitment to scientific progress.

His premature death represents an irreparable loss for Science and for all those who worked and lived alongside him. At this moment of pain, the President of the Republic expresses his heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire scientific community.”