Portugal's medical researchers got though 25,606 animals in 2014, and managed to kill nearly half of them in the process.

According to data from the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary services, these animals were used for 'experimental purposes' with 68% of them rodents such as mice, rats and hamsters.

Ryanair’s ever-punchy CEO, Michael O'Leary, is man that likes to get things done fast, so it is understandable that he questions why the Portuguese State machine has taken so long to decide on the Montijo option when Lisbon’s existing airport is predicted to reach breaking point this summer.

"We are satisfied with the Montijo option, but we do not understand the reasons why there is such a delay in making a decision," said O’Leary, adding that "it is natural for Ryanair to fly to Montijo, even though it airport charges need to be more competitive than those currently practiced in Lisbon’s Portela airport."

The German economy ended the year with a healthy surplus of nearly €24 billion.

Not only was 2016 the third consecutive year in which government revenue was greater than spending, but the largest surplus since the country’s reunification in 1990.

In the latest corruption trial to rock Spain, a leading former boss of the IMF was found guilty and handed a sentence of four years and six months.

Rodrigo Rato had previously run two Spanish banks.

Prime Minister, António Costa, said to parliament today that it was "absolutely scandalous" that the Passos Coelho government had let €10 billion flow out of the country into offshore tax haven accounts between 2011 and 2014.

The Communist leader, Jerónimo de Sousa, added that it was "scandalous that a government which did not hesitate to seize family homes for debts to the Treasury was unable to explain what happened to €10 billion that fled the country."

The long-awaited electronic complaints book system is set to go live on July 1st to the delight of consumers who are unclear as to how to complain to services that are supplied from businesses with few, if any, branches.

The first types of business to have electronic complaints registered against them are service suppliers such as electricity, water and telecommunications.

Germany’s Economic Research Institute says that austerity has amplified the effects of the recession, has stimulated unemployment and has discouraged investment

The institute’s study concludes that austerity cuts in Portugal, Spain and Italy "partly offset" the positive effects of structural reforms and drove these economies into a double recession.

Lloyds Banking Group has realised its greatest annual profit in a decade.

Before tax, profits for 2016 were reported to be £4.24 billion, a leap of 158%.