An earthquake was felt in the Algarve early on Thursday afternoon, measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale with an epicentre about 9 kilometres north-west of Silves.

The powerful shock was recorded at 12:24 and was felt as far away as Lagos and Faro.

“Growing in value and consolidating the perception of the differentiated quality of the region's offer in relation to the main competing destinations are some of the main objectives for this year,” according to a snappy quote from the new President of the Algarve Tourism Association.
 
"We have to continue to grow in value, instead of being driven to price competition, especially with destinations such as Tunisia, Egypt or Turkey," explains João Fernandes, who now is responsible also for the agency responsible for promoting the region to overseas markets as well as President of the Region of Tourism of the Algarve.

An aeroplane of the Portuguese Air Force made an emergency landing at the Montijo air base after colliding with a bird while taking off.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, there are no reports of anyone being hurt.

Prime Minister António Costa said today that "it is only worth negotiating" with teachers when they have, "something new to propose."

Lacking his trademark charm and ebullience, Costa added that the government does not sit down with the unions "just for entertainment.”

A major export deal has seen the start of pork exports to China this week. The deal involves three slaughterhouses and a throughput of about 10,000 animals per week to reach 100,000 tonnes this year.

This one export deal doubles Portuguese pork exports and represents a significant cash injection for the pig farming sector.

On the 17th of January, the Portuguese Government submitted its ‘Preparation and Contingency Plan for the Departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union,’ a document that aimed to evaluate the impact of Brexit in Portugal on citizens' lives and economic activity.

The plan also lists preparations and measures to be taken at EU and national level but points out that a lack of human resources at the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) and at the consular network in the UK will restrict progress.

Portugal’s Finance Minister, Mario Centeno, went to parliament today and admitted that yes, there had been mismanagement at Caixa Geral de Depósitos poor and that an audit and a new inquiry were necessary.

Centeno was in parliament for the second time in less than a week to respond to the EY audit that has identified the appalling loans given by the state owned bank between 2000 and 2015.

Spain’s post office company is to enter the Portuguese market with a 24-hour parcel delivery service.

Correos, a courier company 100% owned by the Spanish state, announced on Tuesday that it will start to expand internationally and also aims to enter the market for financial services.