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Shakira Faces Call For 8-Year Jail Term In Spain Over Tax Fraud Charge

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After she rejected a plea agreement in connection with allegations of tax evasion, Spanish prosecutors announced Friday that they would seek a prison term of more than eight years for international music sensation Shakira.

The 45-year-old “Hips don’t Lie” singer will also be required to pay a fine of over 24 million euros ($24.5 million) after being accused by Barcelona prosecutors of defrauding the Spanish tax authority of 14.5 million euros in income between 2012 and 2014.

Shakira, whose albums have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, rejected a plea deal on Wednesday, saying in a statement released through her attorneys that she was “absolutely certain of her innocence” and had chosen to take the case to trial, “confident” that her innocence would be established.

A trial date has not yet been established, nor has a formal referral to court been published. Up to the start of any trial, according to Shakira’s attorneys, one of the biggest names in the world of music.

Shakira, according to the prosecution, relocated to Spain in 2011 after her relationship with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique became well-known, yet she continued to file her taxes in the Bahamas until 2015. The two children that the couple has together announced their separation in June.

The actress criticised the prosecutor’s office on Wednesday for using “abusive methods” and “completely violating her rights.”

She said that while she was “not yet resident in Spain,” prosecutors “insisted on demanding money earned during my foreign tours and the show ‘The Voice,'” on which she served as a judge in the United States.

Between 2013 and 2014, Shakira appeared on the singing competition programme.

Her attorneys claim that up until 2014, she mostly made her money from overseas tours, only permanently relocated to Spain in 2015, and has complied with all tax requirements.

She claims that she has paid 17.2 million euros in taxes to the Spanish government and that she hasn’t owed the Treasury anything in “many years.”

The “Pandora Papers,” one of the biggest financial document breaches ever, which included public people connected to offshore assets, included Shakira in its list of names in October 2021.

Shakira, a three-time Grammy winner, achieved enormous global success with songs like “Hips don’t Lie,” “Whenever, Wherever,” and “Waka Waka,” the official World Cup song, by fusing Latin and Arabic rhythms with rock influences.

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Cold showers as the German city of Hanover reacts to Russian gas crisis

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Due to the Russian gas crisis, the German city of Hanover has turned off the heating and switched to cold showers in all public buildings. After Russia significantly reduced Germany’s gas supplies, it is the first major city to turn off the hot water.

Germans have been warned to prepare for significant gas conservation efforts as well as increased energy bill costs. Additionally, the EU has decided to reduce its need for Russian gas by 15% this winter. Hanover, a city in northern Germany, has decided that hot water would no longer be offered for hand washing in public buildings or in showers at swimming pools, sports arenas, and gyms in an effort to conserve energy.

To save energy, public fountains are also being turned off, and there won’t be any nighttime lighting on significant structures like the town hall and museums.

In response to a “imminent gas scarcity,” which posed a substantial problem for large cities, Mayor Belit Onay stated that the objective was to lower the city’s energy use by 15%.

The same regulations apply to heating. Room temperatures in public buildings are regulated to a maximum of 20C for the remainder of the year, with some exceptions, and are prohibited from being heated from April through the end of September each year.

Additionally, the city has banned portable heaters, air conditioners, and radiators.

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Brazilian footballer Neymar faces fraud trial in Barcelona

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Neymar, the football player, moved from Brazil to Barcelona nine years ago, and now he is being tried for suspected irregularities in the transfer. The Brazilian international who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain is charged with fraud and corruption in a judicial battle that has dragged on for years.

One month before the World Cup in Qatar, the trial is scheduled to begin on October 17 and last for two weeks. Other individuals are also scheduled to go on trial. According to Spanish publications, the same accusations are levelled against Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, two previous presidents of the Barcelona football club, as well as Neymar’s parents.

All parties involved in the dispute have consistently refuted the claims made by investment group DIS, which claimed it was due a 40% cut of the money Neymar paid to leave Brazilian side Santos in 2013. Legal disputes have long cast a shadow over the exorbitant transfer fees paid for the 30-year-old PSG midfielder.

An out-of-court settlement involving the footballer’s record €222m transfer to Paris St-Germain in 2017 was agreed by Barcelona and the player a year ago. When he signed a new deal in 2016, the team declared at the time that he needed to repay the millions of euros he had earned. But the Santos transfer in particular has resulted in a number of financial and legal disputes.

Due to irregularities in the transfer, Barcelona agreed to pay a €5.5 million fine to Spanish authorities in the Neymar 1 court case from 2016.

Prior to being exonerated of charges of money laundering for broadcast rights in 2019, Sandro Rosell, who resigned as the club’s president in 2014 amid the transfer investigation, served 20 months in prison.

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News Trending War

EU agrees to cut gas use over Russia supply fears

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EU energy ministers have decided that countries will reduce their gas use if Russia stops supplying them. The EU countries have now agreed to a voluntary 15 percent between August and March after being locked in negotiations since the notion was floated last week.

The Czech Republic, which is currently in charge of rotating the EU chair, tweeted, “This was not a Mission Impossible!”. Documents obtained by the BBC, however, indicate that the agreement had been weakened and that certain nations may now request exemptions. The EU warned that Russia was “constantly using energy supplies as a weapon” and that the goal was to save money before winter.

If supplies run out, the voluntary agreement would become obligatory. The EU said that some nations, including Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus, which are not connected to the EU’s gas pipelines, would be exempt from any mandatory gas reduction orders since they would not be able to seek alternative supplies.

In order to reduce the possibility of a crisis in the supply of power, the Baltic nations, who are not connected to the European electricity grid and heavily rely on gas for electricity production, are also exempt from mandatory targets.

Initial calculations showed that even if all exemptions were used, the EU would still lower demand to a level “that would get us safely through an average winter,” according to Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.

She also discussed efforts to increase the supply of alternative gas from nations such as Azerbaijan, the United States, Canada, Norway, Egypt, and Israel.

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Actor David Warner, who appeared in the films Titanic and Omen, passed away at the age of 80

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At the age of 80, actor David Warner, who appeared in movies like The Omen and Tron, passed away from a cancer-related illness. His family expressed their “extremely heavy heart” on announcing the news.

In James Cameron’s 1997 picture Titanic, Warner played Spicer Lovejoy, Billy Zane’s evil sidekick. In Mary Poppins Returns, he most recently played the eccentric admiral Boom, a naval officer. At Denville Hall, a care facility for persons working in the entertainment industry, Warner passed away on Sunday.

“Over the past 18 months he approached his diagnosis with a characteristic grace and dignity,” his family said.

“He will be missed hugely by us, his family and friends, and remembered as a kind-hearted, generous and compassionate man, partner and father, whose legacy of extraordinary work has touched the lives of so many over the years. We are heartbroken,” it continued.

In movies like The Thirty Nine Steps (1978) and Time Bandits, Warner frequently portrayed the villain (1981). Many may be familiar with his portrayal of photojournalist Keith Jennings, who met an unjust death in the spooky classic The Omen from 1976.

When asked if he knew what had happened to his severed head during an interview for a horror movie programme hosted by Mark Gatiss, Warner deadpanned, “I lost it in the divorce.”

In George C. Scott’s 1984 production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Warner portrayed Bob Cratchit. He noted that it was enjoyable to play a character who wasn’t a villain for a change.

He also had a great television career, appearing in shows including Penny Dreadful, Ripper Street, Doctor Who, the original Twin Peaks, Wallander, in which he played Kenneth Branagh’s father.

In addition, Warner portrayed a number of characters in the Star Trek series and appeared in several Doctor Who audio plays.

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Entertainment News Trending

Keanu Reeves’ comic book makes history

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In San Diego, Keanu Reeves created Comic-Con history. The actor is the author and co-writer of the comic book BRZRKR, which has become the first comic book to appear in the renowned Hall H of the convention, where early glimpses of new projects are showcased.

Even though the wildly popular comic book series will finish after two more volumes, Keanu assured thousands of Comic-Con attendees that the story will continue. To offer viewers a clearer picture of what the series featured, Boom Studios’ BRZRKR also released a trailer that outlined the entire plot and was narrated by Keanu Reeves.

Keanu Reeves collaborated with Matt Kindt, Ron Garney, and the comic book studio on the BRZRKR comic book series, which was released by Boom Studios.

BRZRKR is also set to receive a movie in the future on Netflix, showing how the Boom Studio’s property is set to expand.

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News Trending War

Explosions rock a Ukrainian port hours after a grain trade

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A major Ukrainian port has been rocked by explosions just one day after Moscow and Kyiv signed a historic agreement to resume grain exports. Odesa was struck by two missiles early on Saturday morning, according to the Ukrainian military.

Russia pledged to refrain from attacking ports while grain supplies are in transit as part of the agreement reached on Friday. Josep Borrell, the head of the EU’s foreign policy, claimed that the attack demonstrated Russia’s “complete disdain” for international law.

He tweeted that the incident was “especially despicable” and that the EU “strongly condemns” it. The target was “critical for grain export,” he added.

Unanimously denouncing the assault, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasised the necessity of fully implementing the grain agreement reached by Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey.

A UN official further stated that “these products are vitally needed to solve the global food crisis and reduce the suffering of millions of people in need around the world.”

Ukraine’s air force chief blamed Russia and claimed that grain storage facilities at the port had been deliberately targeted.

Two Kalibr missiles struck the port, according to a statement on social media from the southern command centre of the Ukrainian military, while two more were shot down by air defence systems.

A local MP named Oleksiy Honcharenko reported on Telegram that the city’s port had taken fire following the hit.

The agreement, which took two months to finalise, will endure for 120 days, and a coordination and monitoring centre with workers from the UN, Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine will be set up in Istanbul. If both parties concur, it may be renewed.

British defence authorities claimed that in the most recent ground battles, Russian troops in the Kherson region ran the risk of being cut off from their supply lines by Ukrainian forces.

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Judge lifts restraining order against singer Ricky Martin 

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A family member who claimed Ricky Martin mistreated him filed a restraining order against the singer, but the judge in Puerto Rico has already lifted it. The guy retracted a charge of domestic abuse he had made earlier this month, in which he claimed Martin had refused to acknowledge the end of their relationship.

Martin had disputed the man’s assertions. Martin stated that he had been the “victim of a deception” and that it was now “time for me to heal” in response to the judge’s ruling on Thursday. A representative for the judiciary stated that the order has been “archived,” implying that it has been completed.

The slogan “truth prevails” accompanied a statement from Martin’s legal team that stated: “Just as we had anticipated, the interim protective order was not extended by the Court.

The court was informed that the accuser “indicated he was happy with his legal representation in the matter and that his decision to dismiss the matter was his alone, free from any outside influence or pressure.”

In addition, they described the accuser as a “troubled individual” who “made bogus charges with nothing to support them.”

According to Martin’s attorney Joaquin Monserrate, the man’s counsel asked Judge Raiza Cajigas to dismiss the case at a televised hearing on Thursday.

“The judge asked the relevant questions – if somebody had threatened him, if anyone had offered him anything in exchange,” said Monserrate. “And (his lawyer) replied no, that it was a voluntary decision.”

On July 2, after receiving an allegation of domestic abuse from the 21-year-old guy, the judge granted the restraining order.

The man said that because Martin would not accept his decision to discontinue a seven-month intimate engagement, he was afraid for his safety.The musician has denied any form of sexual or romantic relationship took place. Ex parte indicates that neither Martin nor his team appeared in court to contest the claims, so the restraining order was given without their presence.

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After a week of turbulence, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigns

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Mario Draghi has resigned as prime minister of Italy, the country’s unelected head of a unity government, one and a half years after his appointment. After three parties in his cabinet declined to support him in a vote of confidence the previous evening, he informed President Sergio Mattarella that he was stepping down.

Early elections are anticipated for this fall, and the president urged him to continue serving as interim president. Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the far right, is already predicted to win.

The 74-year-old Mr. Draghi, known as Super Mario for his leadership of the European Central Bank throughout the eurozone crisis, was a well-liked option for prime minister. He was tasked with leading Italy through the Covid epidemic and economic recovery in February of last year, supported by a sizable EU package contingent on significant reforms.

The lower house of parliament applauded Mr. Draghi before he left for the presidential palace, the Quirinale. “Even central bankers occasionally have their hearts touched. I appreciate all the work you’ve done over this time “He informed MPs.

When a populist party in his broad-based coalition declined to support an economic package for families and businesses, he first proposed his resignation a week ago.

After several days of silence, Mr. Draghi informed the upper house of parliament that President Mattarella had asked him to remain in the position and that he would do so if the political parties were willing to support a powerful, well-coordinated government: “Are the parties and you parliamentarians ready to rebuild this pact?”

Italians anxiously awaited the response for several hours until three of the parties decided they would not support him in a vote of confidence. President Mattarella stated that his administration will continue to function in order to manage current problems, but he did not specify what would come next. Elections were scheduled for the first half of 2023, but after the legislature is dissolved, they will likely be moved up to mid-September or early October.

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News Trending War

Ukraine war: Russia’s Lavrov says ready to expand war aims

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According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Russia is no longer “primarily” concentrating its military efforts in Ukraine’s east.  He said that Moscow’s policy had altered in an interview with Russian official media after the West gave Ukraine longer-range weapons.

He explained that in order for Russia to maintain its own security, Ukrainian soldiers would now need to be pushed back from the front line. The US had previously charged Russia with making plans to annex portions of Ukraine.

In February, Russia invaded Ukraine under the false pretence that the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine’s Russian-speaking population had experienced a genocide and needed to be freed.

Five months later, Russia has taken over portions of the east and south of the nation, although it has since declared that its primary goal is the liberation of Donbas after failing to take Kyiv as planned.

Since February, Ukraine has received more potent weapons from the West for use in its defence against Russian forces.

According to Mr. Lavrov, this has compelled Russia to broaden its goals. In an interview with Margarita Simonyan, a well-known analyst on Russian TV and editor-in-chief of broadcaster RT, Mr. Lavrov stated, “We cannot allow the part of Ukraine controlled by [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky… to possess weapons that would constitute a direct threat to our territory.”The West’s decision to arm Ukraine was characterised by the Russian foreign minister as an expression of “impotent fury” and a “will to make things worse.”

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