Portugal's outgoing coalition government just couldn’t resist one last snub to the incoming Socialist Party leader as on Thursday it saw through the final approvals for the sale of ailing state airline TAP.

The Minister of the Presidency, Luis Marques Guedes, claimed that "The situation at TAP is of imminent financial collapse. There is the real risk of aircraft staying on the ground," although few will consider his reasoning as the real reason for pushing the deal through just days before António Costa is expected to be appointed Prime Minister.

Portugal's nursing union chief today claimed that many of his members had contracted TB while at work as Portimão Hospital has no isolation unit to halt contagion.
 
The wannabe President of the National Council of Nurses, José Carlos Gomes, said that 10% of the nurses in Portimão Hospital emergency department have tuberculosis.

BBVA Portugal today announced the sacking 187 workers and the closure of a further 26 branches, leaving the ailing business with just 12 branches from which to run its retail banking operation.

BBVA Portugal management says today’s moves are part of a cost cutting programme with the aim of "allowing BBVA Portugal to continue its business growth strategy with its customers, ensuring a more focused relationship model in service, grounded in technology through the ‘BBVA Consigo’ online service."

Banks in Britain have been ordered enforce the EU cap on bonuses.

To skirt about the cap introduced by the EU, banks devised the so-called role-based allowances (RBAs) in order to keep paying staff large amounts.

As Angola celebrates its 40 years of freedom from Portuguese control, President José  Eduardo dos Santos (pictured) said there is no room for nostalgia or revenge.

Portugal’s Foreign Minister said that the Angolan president made "extremely positive statements" during his speech which marked the end of 14 years of brutal warfare on the 40th anniversary of Angolan independence.

James Dyson has been thwarted by the European Union legislation.

The British entrepreneur wanted to get rid of the EU energy labelling system because he felt it allowed rival companies to achieve misleading efficiency ratings for their vacuum cleaners.

Surfing is to get a boost from French doctors who are set to prescribe lessons to patients suffering from a variety of chronic conditions.

Biarritz has become the first place in the world where doctors can prescribe a twelve-week course in sports, including surfing and stand-up paddle lessons to help with ailments ranging from depression to heart conditions.

Spanish energy giant Repsol failed to turn a profit in the third quarter because of lower oil prices and its decline in North America.

The company recorded a net loss of €221 million in the July to September months. At the same time last year it had a profit of €319 million.