A disturbing report by Algarve based eco-association ASMAA states that the Algarve is at an increased risk of earthquakes due to drilling activity in the search for offshore gas.

"The Algarve’s offshore areas are 'geologically fragile' and substantial gas extraction is now known to initiate earthquakes," according to eco-conservationist Laurinda Seabra.

"In an unstable area such as the sea around the SW coasts of Portugal, where much tension may have been built up since the earthquake of 1755, such earthquakes may trigger a much larger catastrophic earthquake. I suggest that more attention is given to these very important facts," according to expert Eng. Anthonie van den Brink.

The headline many thought never to see – Portugal’s banks are at last loosening their purse strings and lending to home buyers, but only on their terms and only at a steady pace.

The granting of mortgages in fact has been increasing throughout 2013 from €132 million in February to €185 million in July but these amounts are nowhere near the heady years of easy credit when between 2002 and 2007 banks were throwing money, between €1.2 and €1.8 billion a year, into a housing market that was rising rapidly and which ended rather abruptly with the financial crash.

Retail sales in Portugal fell by 6% compared to August, but this was the first drop in the last six months.

Nevertheless, retail sales for 2013 so far are lower than purchases made in 2012.

The airline announced nine new routes, including Lisbon, which will operate this winter out of Stansted airport.

Now there will be flights to Comiso in Sicily, Fez and Rabat in Morocco, Ostrava in the Czech Republic, Germany’s Nuremberg and Dortmond France’s Bordeaux and Strasbourg.

Venice is to be protected from cruise ships by banning large vessels from entering the Venice lagoon.

The ban will be introduced immediately, with gradual increments until November next year at which time the largest vessels – more than 96,000 gross tonnes – will be diverted from the city’s historic centre.

Algarve hotel occupancy continued to rise in October with an overall rate of 60.9%, a full 7.9% above the 2012 figure for the Algarve’s battered hotel sector. This maintains the positive growth seen over recent months.

Hotels were 22% down on the September occupancy figure but this is predictable with staffing and stock levels adjusted accordingly.

By being late for an important meeting in Macau, Portugal’s deputy Prime Minister has been slated by the local press.

The Portuguese language newspaper Hoje Macau rated his two hour delay as "unspeakable" after a meeting with the Portuguese community alongside important Chinese political and business figures.

Remember the former Secretary of State for the Treasury, Joaquim Jorge Pais?  He was the ex-Citigroup boss who had a severe and worrying memory lapse over whether he was, or was not, in key meetings with former Prime Minister Jose Socrates’ team when they discussed the concept and mechanics of ‘Swaps’ contracts that have bedevilled Portugal’s publically owned companies ever since.