Let the recovery begin: EU chief OKs first virus plans

MADRID (AP) — European Union authorities are moving a step closer to deploying the bloc’s massive pandemic recovery fund. The president of the 27-nation bloc’s executive commission has started a tour of EU capitals to announce the initial endorsement of national recovery spending plans. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Portugal and Spain on Wednesday to announce the approval of their recovery plans. Portugal is set to receive 16.6 billion euros. Spain will get nearly 70 billion euros. The EU Next Generation funds have a strong emphasis on the environment and technology. Final approval for EU countries’ spending plans is still weeks away.