The Algarve’s GNR are to be given powers to fine landowners who fail to keep their land clear of combustible material in measures being studied by the Minister of Agriculture, Assunçao Crestas, who said today that the legislation will be in place by the summer.

The minister said she is in talks with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to create a system of stiff fines administered by the GNR to arable land and forest owners who do not clear their land or combustible material.

The former Honorary British Consul in the Algarve, José Pearce de Azevedo, died on 20 January at the age of 83. 

The British Ambassador, Jill Gallard, has said:   "I am deeply saddened by José Azevedo's death.  He was a dear and loyal friend of the UK and he will be warmly remembered by me and by many of his former colleagues at the British Consulates in Portimão and Lisbon, and at the Embassy.

The relationship between Portimão council and operating company Portimão Urbis is, as of today, being carefully analysed by the fearsome General Inspectorate of Finance (Inspeção-Geral de Finanças, or GF-I for short.)

The crack inspection team will look at files, computer record and bank account details at the council and at the council-owned company, Portimão Urbis.

The Algarve mayors’ meeting ended with agreement that they "can not remain indifferent to the serious shortage of doctors that exists in Faro and Portimão hospitals and can not stand idly by as reports come in of delayed consultations, postponed surgical procedures, delays in diagnostic procedures and a lack of equipment needed to run the units.

The mayors reported they are "apprehensive" about the quality of health services in the region and said today after their meeting that they are "concerned at the lack of readiness and quality in the provision of health services to the Algarve population.”

The global rate of unemployment is going up even though economic recovery is beginning in a number of countries.

Global unemployment increased by 5 million in 2013 to reach 202 million despite an incipient world economic rally. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the result is a “jobless recovery" as business activity picks up.

Fewer houses in the UK are up for sale now than in 2007, dropping to their lowest level in seven years.

At the same time, asking prices are continuing to rise, in part due to the shortage of properties on the market.

California is struggling with its worst drought since records began 119 years ago.

Its Governor, Jerry Brown, has called a state of emergency in the face of 90% of the state suffering severe drought.

Excavations in the center of Loulé have revealed a complex of Islamic public baths, possibly the most complete of its type in the Iberian Peninsula, according to municipal archaeologists.

In addition to warm, tepid and cold bathing rooms, careful digging has uncovered cold tanks, latrines and patios. These public baths are an extensive record of Islamic life and date from late in the period of the Moorish occupation.