The 2013 annual report of  the Observatório Português dos Sistemas de Saúde (Portuguese Observatory on Health Systems) finds that the country's relentless austerity programme has worsened the health of the country’s population.

The report states that the crisis is having a significant impact on several key health indicators and accuses the government of suffering from a "denial syndrome" by its persistent rejection of the reality of healthcare in the country.

A Portuguese court is intent on putting on trial three British football fans 10 years after they were kicked out of the country.

The three are named in court papers revealed to Sky News ahead of a hearing in the resort of Albufeira on Tuesday, July 1st.

Portugal's Minister for Internal Affairs Miguel Macedo confirmed today the leasing of 4 specialist firefighting aircraft, as from tomorrow.

The government was meant to be buying two Canadair planes to fight forest fires but the leased aircraft will do in the meantime.

Inflation in the eurozone remains stable at 0.5% in June, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat.

This is the ninth month in a row of inflation rates below the target of near 2%, which is what the European Central Bank wishes to see.

Mortgage lending in the UK has tailed off to the same level as that in June 2013.

This has been put down to the introduction of stricter lending criteria coupled with the prospect of an increase in interest rates.

Four of the 28 branches that BPI has closed today, June 30, are in the Algarve. Branches in Sagres, Olhos de Água and Ferreiras in Albufeira, and Porta Nova in Tavira have shut.

BPI has been cutting branches and its head count in order to reduce operating costs and meet the goals of a restructuring plan agreed with the European Commission, having received bailout money in 2012.

Portugal's new ‘judicial map’ pushed through by government to streamline the country’s court system, while reducing the number of courts and employees, is in danger of stalling.

The plan is due to go live on September 1st but Jorge Fernando, President of the Union of Judicial Officers, said today that there will not be enough staff to run the system so his members are going on strike for an as yet undefined period before launch date.

More sand for the beaches in Albufeira and Lagoa council districts will cost €1.6 million, plus VAT, and for Lagos, an additional €1.6 million.

The operation to add sand to beaches at some of the Algarve’s prime tourist locations will be performed during the height of the summer tourist season.