Shakira's tax dilemma
Colombia's second most famous export, Shakira, was in the news here in Spain for all the wrong reasons.
She has been accused by the Spanish tax authority, Hacienda, of tax avoidance.
Apparently Shakira was residing in the Bahamas until 2015 but Hacienda say otherwise and claim she resided in Spain for more than the 183-day minimum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
She officially moved her residence to Spain in 2015 to coincide with the reinstatement of the Beckham Law, which allows wealthy individuals to pay less income tax and their assets outside Spain are not subject to capital gains tax.
Shakira is the partner of the high-profile football player Gerard Pique.
Spain's corruption scandals
Spain's corruption scandals hit the news again with many former politicians back in court for the on-going Gürtel Case, which involved many past members of the ruling Partido Popular.
Corruption has plagued Spain and the PP for the last 10 years.
Bribery and kickbacks were common practice in places like Madrid and Valencia and the corruption reached the top of the political system.
In spite of all the scandals, the Partido Popular was elected to government in 2011 and re-elected again in 2016.
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