José Carlos Barros and Cristóvão Norte, Algarve Social Democratic Party MPs, have questioned the government on its approval of the Guadiana River and Minho River Fisheries Agreements, (Acordos Fronteiriços de Pesca do Rio Guadiana e do Rio Minho) which will be in force for at least five years.

According to the MPs, "it is unacceptable that the process has not been the subject of public debate and after a thorough evaluation of the previous agreement, taking into account the known and widespread criticism of fishermen and industry associations of the activities of the Spanish fishing fleet in Portuguese waters."

The Silves pillory, in the Praça do Município, recently has undergone conservation and restoration work by a specialist team from the Council.

"With the intervention, the natural colour of the pillory's stone column was revealed and the forms and reliefs carved in its crown, once covered by fungi and lichens, came back to life.

Five times more immigrant workers were approved in 2018, most of them Brazilians. This is a reflection of the changes to the SEF rules which have simplified the process and enabled illegal workers to get legal.

In 2017, there were 3,500 immigrants applying for registration but the jump to 16,517 in 2018 has put Foreign and Borders Service staff under pressure.

It has taken parliament to intervene but at last the smaller car rental companies at Faro airport have a champion joining their cause.

The Communist Party’s proposal in defence of oppressed businesses, for years subjected to extortionate fees and charges by airports operator ANA, has been approved in part.

Portugal was at the top of the house price hike last year. A fourth quarter rise of 9.3% equals Luxembourg and the Netherlands, surpassed only by some countries in Eastern Europe - Slovenia (18.2%), Latvia (11.8%) and Czech Republic (9.9%)

Prices in the EU and the Eurozone have increased by an average of 4.2% over the past year while in some countries house prices have fallen, such as in Italy - by 0.6%.

A study presented this Friday, argues that the retirement age in Portugal will have to increase by three years, to 69-years-old, to ensure the sustainability of the pension system.

Given the demographic and macroeconomic scenario, the study published by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation, predicts that the number of pensioners is expected to grow from 2.7 million to 3.3 million between 2020 and 2045.

A Lisbon Court had ordered the closure of the "Homeland - BPN" case and that Duarte Lima must be jailed.

There is no further possibility of appeal in the case and Duarte Lima, the former MP, must serve his reduced sentence of six years.

The management of the regional waste company, Algar, says it has prepared a series of measures for the summer season during which the number of residents almost triples.

In a statement to the press, the company says it takes into account, "the high tourist turnout in the region" especially during the long school holidays, "since the population almost triples the total of residents in these periods, causing an increase in the production of waste.”