The very important chief economist of the European Central Bank, Peter Praet, said today that he was satisfied with the results of Portugal’s financial adjustment programme, in particular with the reforms undertaken by the government.

"I am satisfied with what has been done in Portugal. Today the reforms are bearing fruit. But there is often the risk of fatigue in relation to these reforms and the question is always the same, will the authorities find the support of the population to ensure the success of the reform process?”

Portugal’s Institute of Transportation has been told that many menbers if staff must repay €2.8 million in illegal salary supplements.

An audit by the General Inspectorate of Finance concluded that the salary supplement paid over the last six years to staff at the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes Terrestres (IMTT) had absolutely no legal basis and it must be returned.

Dr Pedro Larisma, a consultant psychiatrist at Faro Hospital, part of the Hospitals of the Algarve Group, started a hunger strike at 08.00hrs this morning in protest against the deceptive and cursory treatment he has received from the Hospital management, headed by Director Dr Pedro Nunes, over payments he has been owed for 2 years.

Standing opposite the busy hospital exit, Dr Larisma’s banner highlights the fact that he is still waiting for payment for work done in 2012. Interminable arguing and deliberate quibbling over contracts and overtime has ensured the Hospital’s management so far has had Larisma’s services for free.

The Chairman of Portugal’s Medical Association will be back on the 19th and 20th of February to visit some of the health centres and hospitals under the Hospitals of the Algarve management structure.

On 19 February, José Manuel Silva will visit the president of the Regional Health Authority, Faro Hospital, Faro Health Centre, Loulé Health Centre, and the Department of Medicine at University of Algarve followed by a meeting at the headquarters of the District Council of the Medical Association of the Algarve in Faro about the ‘State of Health in Portugal.’

Last Saturday’s FT article by Peter Wise warned that it will be for the young Portuguese emigrants to judge 'whether the changes achieved were worth the price.'

The Financial Times article noted the growth of exports and of tourism as major factors contributing to the country being lauded as the hero of economic recovery among Portugal’s Eurozone colleagues.

A website has been launched by the German pensioner found to be in possession of more than 1,280 hoarded works of art.

Lawyers for Cornelius Gurlitt, 81, claim he is the rightful owner of the most of the works discovered in his apartment in Munich.

Losses from the recent bad weather and strong waves are still being totted up but are expected to reach several million euros throughout Portugal with around €570,000 of damage to businesses and infrastructure along the Algarve’s coastline.

The Ministry of Economy reported today that it guarantees to "streamline the delivery of the financial support available" for owners of beach facilities and stated that no new fund is needed in response to the bad weather losses.

Local MP Paulo Sá has pushed the government on the need for dredging at the tail end of the Ria Formosa at Fabrica to the east of Tavira near Cacela Velha.

Paulo Sá, the Faro Communist party MP, has officially questioned the Ministry of Environment on the urgent need for dredging after a delegation from his party visited the area and met with the local community of fishermen and shellfishermen who explained their exasperation at the problems that increasingly hinder their efforts to earn a living.