Italy’s tourist-packed Amalfi Coast could be under threat from landslides as traditional farming techniques die out.

Over the centuries, thousands of lemon trees have been cultivated on the small terraces carved out of the steep mountainsides.

Portugal’s Prime Minister has accepted a request from António Domingues, the president elect of Caixa Geral de Depósitos, to recapitalsie the bank with €4 billion of taxpayers’ money.

This request is one condition set by Domingues before accepting the top job at the State owned lender. He is due to start work on May 25th and wants also to have the government imposed cap on salaries lifted so he and his colleagues can be paid as much as other bank directors, or more.

British support for fracking has dipped yet further, reaching a record low.

A government poll found just 19% in favour. At the same time, backing for renewable energy rose to a record high of 31%.

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker has issued a stark warning to Britain by claiming that Brussels will do no favour to the "deserters" of the European Union.

"Deserters will not be welcomed with open arms" Juncker said in an interview published by Le Monde, referring to the possibility of a Brexit result in the June referendum.

Clean energy surging ahead - Portugal has demonstrated its leading role in clean energy by supplying the country’s entire electricity needs solely from renewal sources for a record four days in a row. It is being acclaimed internationally as a landmark in the shift from fossil fuels.

The country’s consumption was fully covered for 107 continuous hours with hydro-power plants, wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels and geothermal heat. No fossil fuels were involved.

Information contained in formerly secret files have revealed that Portugal's IGCP - the treasury agency for managing public debt - the national railways company Comboios de Portugal and the Social Security department between them have chanelled more than €130 million of public money through Jersey and Jordan.

The IGCP held €130 million in CP bonds issued from a financial vehicle based in the tax haven of Jersey.

All is set for the government to sign the final deal with Gateway’s management over who owns how much at the former State airline, TAP.

In brief, the government will take control of 50% of the airline by paying €1.9 million for 11% of the carrier’s stock held by Gateway which currently has 61% after the airline was sold off in a hurry by the Passos Coelho government last year amid howls of ‘foul play’ by the socialists.

The District Commander of the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) Faro, Ricardo Abreu Matos, said today that there is no known immediate threat affecting the Algarve but analysis is ongoing and his team is on the lookout.

Faro airport is the main security concern with seven million passengers a year so police at the airport, other security staff, transport and car rental teams have all been briefed on issues surrounding terrorism.