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EU Worried Over USAID Shutdown

Published

2 weeks ago

April 15, 2025

Donald Trump’s order ending USAID and its 2025 55.8 billion-euro budget has the European Union scrambling to fill a gap they know they can’t manage alone.

“Europe alone cannot compensate for USAID’s withdrawal,” France’s Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, minister for the Francophonie and international partnerships, told Euractiv. His concerns are being echoed by European NGOs and the world over, except for Russia and leftist countries around the globe.

Isabella Löving, a deputy chair of the European parliament’s development committee, told the Guardian Tuesday that Trump’s decision to cut USAID “is very regrettable, [and] will have very dramatic consequences around the world.” She said EU filling the gap is impossible.

“If we’re thinking about global security and stability, the EU and its member states must invest in democracy, poverty eradication, and supporting communities and citizens in developing countries,” the former Swedish international development minister said.

“That is a way to prevent conflict and involuntary migration and instability that we don’t want to see,” Lövin added.

Charlotte Slente, the secretary general of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), one of Europe’s largest NGOs, agrees, saying she foresees “some very difficult years” as increasing humanitarian crises meet dwindling budgets.

She noted that, for example, the DRC has forecast an increase of 6.7 million displaced people by the end of 2026, adding to the 122.6 million people worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, political turmoil, or climate-induced disaster.

Mark Moore, CEO of British MANA Nutrition, said USAID’s closure means his company will not receive the $20 million the agency owes him. He noted that this will affect the lifesaving food packets his company sends to hundreds of thousands of malnourished children worldwide.

Not everybody regrets USAID shuttering

Last week, Russia applauded the US’s decision to shutter USAID. Vladimir Putin’s government calls the humanitarian body a “machine for interfering” in global affairs.

“It is anything but an aid, development and assistance agency,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. “It is a machine for interfering in internal affairs. It is a mechanism for changing regimes, political order, and state structure.”

Other so-called leftist regimes, including Iran, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, have also cheered on USAID’s end, calling it a “black box for corruption.”

Widely contested and fact-checked to be unsubstantiated, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have coincidentally said their decision to shut down USAID is linked to widespread fraud and corruption within the agency.

“We found fraud and abuse. Billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse,” Trump said in February. Musk called USAID an “evil, criminal organisation, and a radical-left psy op.”

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May Day In Mijas: Free Sardines And Live Music

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2025

Marina Bruce

may-day-in-mijas:-free-sardines-and-live-music

Freshly grilled sardines prepared by local espetero. Credit: Mijas Town Hall

Looking for a fun and traditional way to spend May 1? Head to La Cala de Mijas for the much-loved sardinada, where more than 600 kilos of sardines will be cooked and handed out for free.

The event, which begins at 12 p.m. in Plaza del Torreon, marks International Workers’ Day, a public holiday across Spain. Visitors can enjoy freshly grilled sardines prepared by 18 local espeteros, skilled workers who will cook the fish the traditional Malaga way over open wood fires.

As well as delicious food, the day includes live music and family-friendly entertainment. From 1:30pm, local bands Alborea and Radio 80 will take to the stage under a large marquee, creating a fun and lively atmosphere.

The La Cala Youth Association will also run a bar area, serving drinks and extra snacks at affordable prices, making it a great day out for all ages.

The Mijas Town Hall, which organises the event each year, encourages locals and expats to come along and enjoy this popular celebration of community, food and music.

Whether you’re a long-time resident or just visiting, the May Day sardinada in La Cala is the perfect way to enjoy the local traditions of the Costa del Sol.

Bring your appetite, grab a plate, and join in the fun!

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Injured Hiker Airlifted In Puig D’en Ric

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2025

Santiago Carneri

injured-hiker-airlifted-in-puig-d’en-ric

Guardia Civil has reiterated its advice to mountain-goers: avoid overestimating your capabilities. Credit: Guardia Civil

A female hiker was airlifted to safety on Saturday April 26 after injuring her ankle while trekking near Puig d’en Ric, in the municipality of Andratx. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, as she was ascending the forest trail in the Cala Egos area and twisted her ankle, leaving her unable to continue.

Specialists from the Guardia Civil’s Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (GREIM), alongside their Air Service unit, successfully rescued the woman after she sustained an injury while trekking near Puig d’en Ric.

The rescue team quickly located the injured hiker, and GREIM officers descended from a helicopter using a winch system to reach her. After administering first aid on-site, they immobilised her ankle with a vacuum splint.

The woman was then airlifted by helicopter and transferred to Son Espases Hospital for further treatment.

According to data provided by the Guardia Civil, there were 156 mountain rescue operations in Mallorca in 2024, a figure that has already risen to 89 incidents in the first four months of 2025 alone. The majority of these rescues involve hikers who are unprepared, physically overexerted, or unaware of the risks posed by the island’s rugged terrain and sudden changes in weather conditions.

In light of the rescue, the Guardia Civil has reiterated its advice to mountain-goers: avoid overestimating your capabilities, plan your route carefully, check weather conditions beforehand, and match the technical difficulty of the route to your personal fitness and experience. According to the Guardia Civil, a lack of preparation and insufficient technical skill are the most common causes of accidents in the mountains.

Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for the latest news about Europe and Mallorca.

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New Urban Rules In Rincon De La Victoria

Published

23 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Ion Axinescu

new-urban-rules-in-rincon-de-la-victoria

Street in Rincon de la Victoria. Credit: Creative Commons

Rincon de la Victoria has officially approved its new Mobility Ordinance, which brings regulations in line with modern transportation needs and the current legal rules.

The new rules replace the previous ordinance from 2008. Local authorities want to make Rincon de la Victoria a “more pedestrian-friendly, sustainable city, with open spaces and better public transport.” The plan is to transform the town into a greener and more efficient urban environment.

The update also seeks to standardize the list of infractions and penalties, also aligning them with those already enforced in many other municipalities across Malaga province.

Mayor Francisco Salado welcomed the move, describing it as “a step forward for improving road safety and coexistence in the town.” Salado said that the ordinance was necessary not only to replace an outdated legal framework but also to regulate the growing use of personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), such as electric scooters, which are now widely used throughout the town.

The ordinance lays out clear regulations designed to meet the needs of a town that now exceeds 50,000 residents. In 2024, according to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE), Rincon de la Victoria surpassed 52,000 citizens. It is the ninth most populated municipality in the Malaga province and the second in the Axarquia region, after Velez-Malaga.

Read here more news from Axarquia.