The Socialist Party's Algarve District Political Commission has confirmed António Pina as the party’s choice as the candidate in the October 1st local elections, despite the city’s Socialists earlier deselecting Pina, citing a litany of undemocratic decisions and a too-close relationship with the opposition PSD that has enable him to rule the chamber.

Pina walked out of a Olhão council meeting to select candidates when he realised his name was not on the selection list and went straight to Algarve regional headquarters to start the process of having himself directly appointed, over the heads of the local Olhão Socialists.

The excellent economic growth figures for the Portuguese economy is all down to the reforms of the previous government, sais the previous government.

The former coalition partnership of the CDS and PSD has welcomed the positive economic data, "We are pleased with the recovery of the Gross Domestic Product this quarter which is due to the reforms made by the previous Government and a more favourable international and EU environment."

Long awaited dredging works are closer to happening as those concerned with this stretch of the Guadiana River, between Alcoutim and Pomarão in Mértola, have got together, resulting in the announcement of a start date of 'early 2018.’

Those at this key meeting looked at the current situation and managed to lay down a programme of 'things that need to be done' to sort out the navigability of the upper Guadiana which at the moment is generally navigable only to Alcoutim.

Lagoa council has taken its leaking water supply system and, since 2013, has renewed significant sections in an effort to reduce water loss.

According to the 2016 report from the council’s water supply service, the percentage of water lost at the year-end was 29.5%, a drop of over 10% compared to 2013 when 40% of domestic water was lost between supplier and consumer.

England's Matt Wallace has won the Portugal Open at the Morgado Golf Resort near Portimão.

Wallace led from start to finish and claims his first European Tour title after a final round of 69 to finish ahead of  Julian Suri from the US.

The worldwide WannaCry virus has affected 200,000 victims, according to Europol which said this number inevitably will rise on Monday when people get to work and turn on their computers.

"We had never seen anything like it," said Europol’s director Rob Wainwright, who said the virus has hit 150 countries and affected mostly companies.

The Government is eliminating several obligations related to the installation of gas and electricity in properties which to date have entailed significant costs for customers. 

Laws have been approved by the Council of Ministers that establish new systems for the installation of gases and electricity in properties while ensuring "safety will be fully assured."

Pope Francis has makes saints of two Portuguese shepherd children on Saturday by announcing to the crowd of around 500,000 gathered at Fátima, "We declare the blissful Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto saints."

One hundred years ago, three children said they saw the Virgin Mary while tending their sheep. The Church sets the first vision as being on 13 May, 1917.