Spain accused of mishandling COVID funds

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his government misused at least $10 billion from European Union covid funds to cover pensions and other social programs, El Mundo and other Spanish newspapers reported last week. Notably, the largest share of those funds came from Germany, which means this scandal could increase German pressure against Sánchez and possibly help bring in a more militant Spanish leader who will better fit in with the rising German-led European empire.