Antonio Barroso

Leftwing parties looked set to oust Portugal's minority centre-right government today in a parliamentary vote, part of a drive to set up their own Socialist-led administration they hope will put an end to years of harsh austerity.

Portugal's Espirito Santo family business survived wars, dictatorship, revolution and family feuds for almost 150 years. Now, one of Europe's last banking dynasties is being stripped of its wealth and influence amid accounting irregularities, huge unreported debts, and a police investigation.

Divers in Italy recovered 83 more bodies on Sunday after a shipwreck in which over 300 African refugees are feared to have died, as a government minister called for an easing of immigration rules.

Leftwing parties looked set to oust Portugal's minority centre-right government today in a parliamentary vote, part of a drive to set up their own Socialist-led administration they hope will put an end to years of harsh austerity.

Portugal's Espirito Santo family business survived wars, dictatorship, revolution and family feuds for almost 150 years. Now, one of Europe's last banking dynasties is being stripped of its wealth and influence amid accounting irregularities, huge unreported debts, and a police investigation.

Divers in Italy recovered 83 more bodies on Sunday after a shipwreck in which over 300 African refugees are feared to have died, as a government minister called for an easing of immigration rules.