Allegations persist that the Vatican is continuing to cover up the truth about the ‘third secret’ said to have been disclosed by the Virgin Mary exclusively to three Portuguese children on 13th July 1917, writes Len Port.

Ongoing reports of papal obfuscation and lies did not deterred big numbers of pilgrims gathering at the Shrine of Fatima near Leiria for the 99th anniversary of the secret visions. The pilgrims have come from many countries, including such places as China, Indonesia and Costa Rica, as well as Italy, Ireland, the UK and the US.

Spain does not appear to be any closer to forming a majority government after the first round of talks held on Wednesday by acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy proved fruitless.

In the second general election within six months, Rajoy’s Popular Party (PP) received 137 seats, an increase of 14 but still well below the 175 needed for an absolute majority.

The Maritime Police covering the Ria Formosa area of the Algarve have been criticised by local blog Olhão Livre for enforcing certain laws, while ignoring others.

There currently is a ban on harvesting shellfish along the Algarve coast with shellfishermen confined to maintenance and passing the time of day.

António Ramalho, the current president of Infraestruturas de Portugal which runs the country’s rail and road systems, has been named as the new president of Novo Banco.

The Bank of Portugal appointment of António Manuel Palma Ramalho to the Novo Banco board is to replace Eduardo Stock da Cunha whose dire presidency of the bank has overseen continued losses, little reduction in staff levels, few branch closures and a sale process that will see the bank valued at the very lowest end of expectations.

Daytime temperatures continue to blister exposed paintwork with 42°C or higher being experienced in many parts of the country, especially the interior where a general lack of breeze has kept many people indoors until late evening.

The next few days will be the same with temperatures reaching the low 40s, hardly any wind except along the coastline and ‘tropical nights’ according to the IPMA weather service.

The Algarve mayors’ group AMAL is proving as good as its word and tomorrow will deliver two injunctions against the government to Loulé court.

The subject is AMAL’s spirited opposition to the State’s plans for oil and gas exploration, development and extraction both onshore and offshore in the Algarve region.

Union representatives for the Algarve’s hotel workers have delivered a petition for wage increases that do not involve withdrawing workers’ rights at the same time.

Bosses represented by the Association of Hoteliers in the Algarve (AIHSA) are adept at negotiating wage rises that include a ‘flexibility’ that in the past has resulted in workers toiling for an increased number of hours and being no better off.

Lagos council's executive has registered its 'total displeasure and disagreement’ with the proposals contained in the Odeceixe to Vilamoura regional coastal plan (POOC OV) presented by the Portuguese Environment Agency.

The council has advised the public that it will participate fully in the public consultation, which ends 19th July 2016, to "justify its rejection" as, according to the council executive led by Maria Joaquina Matos, the proposal does not reflect the outcome of an earlier meeting between the council and the agency, and that it meddles in council matters.