The Secretary of State for Tourism has decided to "evaluate to correct" the problems of the Algarve’s ecovia cycle route which has never in fact been a pan-Algarve cycle route as advertised with sections missing, signage vandalised or absent, blocked off paths and a general lack of care and attention typifying many EU funded operations in the region.

Ana Mendes Godinho has taken nearly a year to get around to treating the ecovia as another opportunity for free publicity as she announces her intention to "evaluate and correct” the ecovia’s problems.

Sir Cliff Richard said he hoped the announcement by the Crown Prosecution Service “brings the matter to a close” as all allegations of sex abuse have been dropped and an earlier decision not to charge the singer was upheld.

A spokesperson said, "The CPS subsequently received applications to review two of the charging decisions under the Victims’ Right to Review scheme.

The parish of Nossa Senhora do Amparo in Mexilhoeira Grande has received a family of Syrian refugees who left Aleppo two years ago and managed finally to cross the sea to Greece where they have been in a holding camp ever since.

The family now has been housed by the parish in an apartment with a kitchenette, two bedrooms and a bathroom and the community pastor says the family can stay there for a couple of years while they get settled.

In the race to be appointed the Secretary General of the United Nations, the former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres is still the one to beat.

In the fifth round of UN Security Council ballots on Monday, Guterres again received the most votes and was the only candidate of the nine to achieve the minimum nine votes required.

Victims of the legionella outbreak in November 2014 may have to take the State to court for compensation as there is no specific legislation that can be used to claim compensation from the companies involved.

The legionella ST1905 strain of bacteria released from the cooling towers of a fertiliser plant in Vila Franca de Xira was found only in five of the 14 people who died, leaving the question of 'what did the others die of?' hanging in the air.

Portugal’s Tax Authority continues to ignore the revenue opportunities in the short-term rental, 'Alojamento Local,' market with those in charge of regulating the tourism sector continuing to pass the buck.

In the autumn of 2015, the new Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho inherited the unenviable task of trying to make the Alojamento Scheme work in the face of massive opposition from property owners who simply found it easier to ignore the new legislation than to comply.

Vineyards in the central French region of Burgundy are being plundered by thieves, forcing owners to mount protection patrols.

The harvest this year has been troubled by bouts of spring storms, unseasonal frosts and hail storms. Some fields may yield just 20% of a normal crop.

The Italian government has announced that its referendum on constitutional reform will be held on 4 December.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has staked his premiership on the outcome.  Some analysts see the vote as a major risk for Europe as it has the power to shake up Italian politics and economy.