Latest news with #Quevedo
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Spain's PSOE Accuses PP of Trying to ‘Break Relations' with Morocco
Doha – PSOE has strongly condemned the Popular Party (PP) for attempting to 'break relations' between Spain and Morocco through unfounded criticisms over the desalination plant project in Casablanca. PP's attacks come as Spain strengthens economic ties with its southern neighbor. Rafael Robles, PSOE spokesperson, blasted PP's Manuel Ángel Quevedo for displaying 'disproportionate ignorance' in his statements regarding Spanish funding for Morocco's mega-desalination plant. 'The Spanish Government is financing public infrastructure built by Spanish companies that will provide jobs for Spaniards,' Robles declared emphatically. The PSOE spokesman explained that Spanish companies 'have the capacity to produce high-quality public infrastructures and try to develop them in the world market,' positioning the project as beneficial for Spanish business interests. Robles accused Quevedo of being 'either uninformed or deliberately lying' in an attempt to 'deceive' Melilla's citizens about the nature of the financing arrangement. 'The funding that the Spanish Government will lend to the neighboring country for the construction of a desalination plant will be collected like any other financing,' Robles clarified. 'It's just like when any citizen buys a house or a car.' PSOE denounced that PP 'continues using Morocco with the sole interest of breaking relations and generating tension' in Melilla. 'It's clear that the PP gentlemen don't have a political project and, therefore, make their politics based on continuous confrontation,' Robles asserted. PP's criticism centered on Spain's financing of the Casablanca desalination plant while allegedly neglecting Melilla's water infrastructure. Quevedo had complained that while the government commits to a mega-desalination plant in Morocco, Melilla's own facility faces operational challenges. Responding to PSOE's accusations, Quevedo claimed the Casablanca project financing included 'favorable conditions' with 'a part as non-refundable funds.' He mentioned that Spanish provinces like Almería and Málaga had expressed 'discontent at not receiving similar treatment.' The plant to deliver water to over 7 million residents The political row erupted after news that Spain has increased funding for the Casablanca project to €340 million, up €100 million from what was announced in 2023. The plant, awarded to a consortium led by Spanish company Acciona, is budgeted at €620 million. The mega-desalination facility aims to provide 300 million cubic meters of water annually for over seven million residents in the Casablanca metropolitan region. The project had faced delays since its initial design by Rabat authorities in 2009. Spain's Secretary of State for Commerce, Amparo López Senovilla, confirmed 'more active' financial support for investments in Morocco during an institutional support event for Acciona's project. She expressed Spain's commitment to Morocco's infrastructure modernization plans. The Iberian funding package includes a €250 million repayable FIEM loan approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers in December 2023, a guarantee from the Spanish Export Credit Agency (Cesce) for a €70 million credit, and a loan of around €30 million from the Spanish Foreign Investment Fund (FIEX). Spain has established itself as Morocco's primary trading partner over the past decade, with exports reaching €12.8 billion in 2024 compared to €9.8 billion in imports. Construction on the Casablanca desalination plant, considered Africa's largest, began in June 2024 after being definitively awarded on December 17 the year before. The first phase is scheduled to open between late 2026 and early 2027, with the second phase following a year later. According to Acciona sources, 20% of the construction work has been completed. When finished, the project will not only supply drinking water to a large urban region but also guarantee irrigation for 8,000 hectares of agricultural land. Read also: Spain Intends to Replicate Morocco's Successful Drought-Fighting Strategies
Ya Biladi
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Spain : PSOE accuses PP of seeking to undermine relations with Morocco
The Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) in Melilla on Tuesday accused the People's Party (PP) of exploiting the «Moroccan question» solely to undermine relations and stir up tensions. The statement comes in response to what the Socialist Party described as unfounded criticism regarding the financing of a «massive seawater desalination plant» planned for Casablanca—while, according to the People's Party, «the Melilla plant has been left to deteriorate». Rafael Robles, spokesperson for PSOE, was quoted by Europa Press as saying that the remarks made by Manuel Ángel Quevedo—coordinator of public projects and programs for PP and president of the Port Authority—«reveal a flagrant ignorance on the part of the People's Party». Robles stressed that the Spanish government is funding public infrastructure projects «built by Spanish companies, creating job opportunities for Spaniards». He also emphasized that the financing provided to Morocco for the desalination plant is a recoverable loan, «like any other financial operation». According to Robles, the PP «continues to exploit the Moroccan issue with one aim: to destabilize relations and fuel tensions in Melilla». In response, Quevedo accused the Socialist spokesman of «ignorance, extremism, and a tendency to lie and manipulate». He explained that the Casablanca plant was funded through «a loan on preferential terms, including a non-refundable portion», and pointed out that other Spanish provinces, such as Almeria and Malaga, had expressed «frustration over not receiving similar treatment». «Robles doesn't know what he's talking about. He has no understanding of the loan terms or conditions, while the Melilla desalination plant remains non-operational», Quevedo added. He recalled that the plant's extension was financed through European funds allocated under Mariano Rajoy's government, and that the costs of the project would be borne by the residents of Melilla.
Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Lost work reveals swashbuckling writer's feud with king's favourite
The swashbuckling Spanish Golden Age writer and spy Francisco de Quevedo assailed his enemies with a sword and a sharpened quill. Club-footed, short-sighted and a dedicated patron of brothels, Quevedo did not cut a conventionally romantic figure. But the nobleman's satirical poetry, picaresque tales such as the bleak El Buscón — The Swindler — and his belligerence immortalised him. He killed a man in a duel in 1611 after he saw his opponent striking a woman in a Madrid church, according to tradition. His lifelong rivalry with Luis de Góngora, a fellow literary star, prompted him to pen screeds of poisonous, often antisemitic invective, aimed at his opponent's nose. 'There was a man glued to a nose … there was a bearded swordfish,' he wrote.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bleacher Collapses During Quevedo Concert in Mexico, Injures 3 People
Three people were injured on Wednesday night (April 23) when a bleacher collapsed during a concert by Spanish star Quevedo at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, promoter Ocesa confirmed to Billboard Español on Thursday (April 24). The incident happened when some attendees in section C of the venue started jumping to the beat of the music, causing one of the bleacher planks to give way and collapse. Videos shared on social media show two people lying on the ground while others in the audience call for help. More from Billboard Nikki Glaser Had a Golden Globes Joke About Benny Blanco She Thought Might Be Too Mean - So She Asked Him Beéle Leads 2025 Heat Latin Music Awards Nominations: Complete List BigXthaPlug Makes Late-Night Debut, Gifts Jimmy Kimmel Texas Slab Chain Promoter Ocesa spoke out on Thursday in a statement, clarifying that the three people 'sustained non-serious injuries.' 'In line with our protocols, the individuals were immediately attended to by the venue's medical and security staff, and were taken to a hospital where they received care and were discharged during the early hours of the morning accompanied by their families,' Ocesa explained in a statement to Billboard Español. In the same statement, the Mexican promoter reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of attendees, staff, and artists. In a post on X Thursday, Quevedo spoke about the incident that occurred during his show. 'Good morning from CDMX. Last night, a bleacher collapsed during the show, and three people had to receive medical attention,' wrote the 'Quédate' singer. 'We've learned that they've been discharged without serious injuries, and I wanted to send them encouragement and strength for a speedy recovery.' The accident happened nearly three weeks after the tragedy at the AXE Ceremonia festival, where two photojournalists lost their lives when a scissor lift, used to place a decorative figure, fell on them due to strong wind gusts. The incident is currently being investigated by Mexico City's Attorney General's Office. Quevedo kicked off the Latin American leg of his Buenas Noches tour on Wednesday in Mexico City, marking his first visit to the region in two years. The tour will also stop in Guadalajara and Monterrey on Friday and Sunday (April 25 and 27). With 14 dates, this is the 'Gran Vía' singer's most ambitious tour in Latin America to date. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hyattsville Police Department welcomes new canine officer
HYATTSVILLE, Md. () — A Hyattsville canine officer and its handler graduated from training class, the Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) said in a post Friday, which also happened to be National Pet Day. HPD called for 'a round of 'ap-paws'' for Canine Forest and Corporal Hodges, who just graduated. Maryland woman to serve nearly a decade for leading scheme, stealing over 700 checks from USPS Another officer, Acting Sergeant Quevedo, also received a canine instructor certification for helping train new canine handlers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
