News
Ronaldo ’ s deal
Real Madrid ’ s Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a deal with Spanish tax authorities in which he will pay € 18.8 million and be handed a two-year suspended prison sentence . He was accused of evading € 14.7 million in taxes during his early years with Real Madrid , but on appeal , this was reduced to € 5.7 million . The total payable by Ronaldo includes interest and charges .
Gang bailed
There has been widespread condemnation of the decision to release five suspected rapists on bail . A gang calling themselves La Manda ( The Wolfpack ) were jailed for nine years on the lesser charge sexual abuse during May following their assault on an 18- year-old woman in July 2016 . Critics said the “ outrageous and negative ” decision of a Navarra court in June to free the gang sent a “ bleak ” message to all survivors of sexual violence .
Fewer unemployed
Unemployment in May fell to 3.25 million , according to the Employment Ministry . That ’ s over 83,700 fewer out of work than in April , but the reduction was smaller than that recorded in the same period last year . Over 53,500 of the newly employed found work in the services sector as it geared up for the summer tourist season .
American visit
King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited Donald Trump and his wife Melania at the White House on June 19 . After a formal meeting , the King talked of the ties between the US and Spain and , “ the value we place on democracy and our work together in many areas .” Before they left , President Trump promised to visit Spain again , describing it as , “ a beautiful country ” with “ very special people .”
Abusive claims
A case against Ryanair , filed in March by the consumer protection office in the Balearic Islands , Consubal , has been accepted by the European Parliament . The complaint states that the carrier splits up family groups , arguing that its “ random seating ” policy goes “ against the rights of customers .” It adds that charging an extra fee to ensure family members have seats together is an “ abusive practice ”.
King ’ s brother-in-law jailed
King Felipe ’ s brother-in-law , Iñaki Urdangarin , has been jailed for five years and ten months after being found guilty on charges of embezzlement , influence-peddling , and tax fraud . His wife , Princess Cristina , was cleared of all charges . The couple had previously been stripped of their Royal titles as the Duke and Duchess of Palma .
The case against them began in 2011 when Urdangarin , now 50 , was running a not-for-profit sports foundation on Mallorca . He was accused of siphoning off millions of Euros for his own use from € 6 million of public money supplied mostly by the Balearic Islands and Valencia regional governments . In addition to the custodial sentence , he has also
Luke and Lucy top the 2017 name poll
The most popular names for new babies in Spain during 2017 were Lucas and Lucía . However , in Andalucía , traditional names continue to dominate the list .
The National Statistics Institute says the most popular names for new arrivals nationally were Lucas , Lucía , Hugo , Sofía , Martín and María . The two top names have been increasing in popularity in recent years and one or other appears in the top ten names in each of Spain ’ s 17 autonomous communities .
There were 391,390 births in Spain last year – 4.2 per cent fewer than in 2016 – with 4,209 boys names Lucas and 4,410 girls named Lucía . The next most popular boys ’ names last year were Daniel , Pablo , Alejandro , Mateo , Adrián , Álvaro and Manuel , while the girls ’ parents chose Martina , Paula , Julia , Daniela , Valeria , Alba and Emma .
However , as far as adults go , Antonio and María Carmen are the most been ordered to pay a € 1 million fine .
Also found guilty last month were Urdangarin ’ s former business partner Diego Torres , who is appealing against his sentence of five years and eight months , and a former Balearic regional president Jaume Matas , jailed for three years and eight months .
Urgandarin ’ s family will continue to live in Geneva where Princess Cristina , the younger daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía , works for the Swiss branch of the Caixa bank ’ s cultural and social foundation and where their children attend school . At least initially , the couple will be allowed a 90 minute weekly phone call , and a face-to-face visit for two hours once a month .
common given names , used by over 690,000 men and at least 660,000 women across Spain .
In Andalucía , traditional names for new babies remained the most popular with Manuel and María topping the list . They were followed by Hugo , Alejandro , Pablo , Daniel , Martín , Álvaro , Lucas , Antonio and David for the boys , and Lucía , Martina , Daniela , Carmen , Sofía , Paula , Julia , Valeria and Ana for the girls .
Local Hero
The sports director at the Royal Spanish Football Federation took over as Spain ’ s national team coach last month . Fernando Hierro , born in Vélz- Málaga in 1968 , stepped in after Julen Lopetegui was sacked when Real Madrid leaked the news that he was to be their new manager , two days before the team ’ s first World Cup match . Hierro , a former Real Madrid player , has represented his country 89 times , including at four World Cups and two UEFA Cups .
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