The Judicial Police are on a roll as their officers today made early morning searches at tax offices, offices of the immigration service SEF and even at the hallowed offices of the Finance Ministry.

The PJ are following the foul smell of corruption in the Golden Visa case which, despite 11 arrests last Autumn and some popular jailings, has yet to come to court nor do the public know the details of who bribed who and when.

China now has more land in use as vineyards than France, but is still behind the amount used in Spain, the world’s largest grower.

Last year it recorded a record of 800,000 hectares of vineyards, with the growth having been prompted by increasing domestic demand.

Ryanair has been the victim of hackers who managed to steal nearly $5 million.

The fraudsters managed to get the money out the airline’s accounts through an electronic transfer via a Chinese bank.

Energy giant Centrica, owner of British Gas, has warned that Europe will continue to be dependent on gas from Russia for many years yet.

The company’s chairman told shareholders that it is “unrealistic to think that Russian gas is going to be replaced in the near-term”.

Greek taxpayers with funds in other countries will be allowed to declare it without penalty and to pay a reduced rate if tax on it.

The initiative is designed to lure money back to Greece which is struggling with a cash crunch threatening to turn the country bankrupt.

Spanish emergency services have safely evacuated some 150 passengers onboard a burning ferry.

The ‘Sorrento’ ferry was crossing the Mediterranean from the island of Mallorca heading for the port of Valencia.

In the past year, 28 people have died in accidents on the Algarve’s roads.

The death rate of more than two a month in the year from 22 April 2014 represents an increase of almost 50% over the year before when 19 people lost their lives on the region’s roads.

"For my part I consider the negotiation process is over," according to the top man at TAP who now will concentrate his talents on navigating his company through the strike period of May 1st to 10th.

"The negotiation process, for my part I consider finalised," said Fernando Pinto at a press conference today.