Entertainment
Shakira charged with fresh $7 million tax fraud, faces jail term
Colombian pop sensation Shakira finds herself in hot water with the Spanish authorities once again, facing a fresh set of tax evasion charges.
This marks the second time the Spanish government has accused the star of financial misconduct, alleging that she defrauded the state of a substantial €6.7 million ($7.1 million, £5.8 million) in 2018.
The crux of the matter revolves around Shakira’s alleged failure to declare substantial sums, including advance payments related to her El Dorado World Tour and various other financial transactions.
While the second investigation into these allegations was initiated in July 2023, the details have only recently surfaced.
As per reports from the Spanish network RTVE, Shakira is aware of these new charges. However, her legal team, based in Miami, where she currently resides, is occupied with preparations for the impending trial related to her alleged tax misdeeds from 2012 to 2014, scheduled to commence on November 20.
So they have not been briefed on the recent development.
The fresh allegations stem from Shakira’s residency status in 2018 when she was residing in Barcelona with her partner, football star Gerard Pique.
Spanish authorities contend that during this time, she was obligated to declare and pay taxes on all her international earnings within the country.
Instead, they claim she funnelled her money through companies situated in low-tax, high-opacity jurisdictions.
Shakira is gearing up for a significant legal battle, facing a total of six separate tax crime charges in Barcelona this November.
Throughout this ordeal, she has consistently denied any wrongdoing, expressing her confidence in the evidence supporting her case and her belief that justice will ultimately be in her favour, as she stated in a September interview with the Spanish edition of Elle magazine.
It’s worth mentioning that Shakira has previously faced tax evasion charges related to her time in Spain between 2012 and 2014, during which she was accused of owing the Spanish government a hefty $15.4 million in unpaid taxes.
She countered these allegations by asserting that her official residence was in the Bahamas, which, if true, would exempt her from the Spanish tax obligations.
Representatives for the pop star have maintained her innocence, highlighting her cooperation with the law and her adherence to advice from Pricewaterhouse Coopers, a reputable tax firm.
As Shakira opted not to accept a plea deal, prosecutors are pushing forward with the trial, seeking a substantial eight-year and two-month prison sentence in addition to a sizable fine of approximately $25 million.
Entertainment
Moses Bliss, wife welcome first child — a year after wedding
Moses Bliss, the gospel singer, and Marie Wiseborn, his wife, have welcomed their first child together.
The couple announced the arrival of their bundle of joy in a joint Instagram post on Friday.
In the caption, the lovebirds described their newborn son as “the Lord’s doing”. They also shared a series of photos taken before the childbirth.
“This is the doing of the Lord,” they wrote. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,… unto him be glory. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV.”
Bliss also shared a snippet from a song titled ‘Doing of the Lord’ featuring Nathaniel Bassey while appreciating God for the testimony.
“This is the doing of the Lord. We are in awe of His mercy. Join us to thank God for blessing our family with a baby boy. This song is our testimony. The official video is now out on my YouTube channel,” he wrote.
Bliss announced his engagement in January 2024 and started the wedding process in February.
Entertainment
Spyro says he spends over N15m yearly on people who beg for help
Spyro, the Nigerian singer, has expressed frustration about the constant requests for money and gifts from people.
In a recent Instagram post, the ‘Who’s Your Guy’ hitmaker revealed that he spends “at least N100,000 on gifts” whenever he goes out, which adds up to “around N15 million per year”.
The 34-year-old also complained that people often insult him when he refuses to give them money or gifts.
He said being a celebrity in Lagos comes with immense pressure, and he feels obligated to spend money on others whenever he’s out in public.
“Really hard being a celebrity in Lagos. I told a guy I didn’t have anything and would see him the next day. He rained insults on me. Every day I step out of my house, I spend a minimum of N100k on gifts. Now let’s do the maths: let’s say I go out three times a week, that’s N300k per week, making N1.2m per month, and that’s about N15 million a year. Kilode,” he wrote.
“If I enter restaurant, billings go de wait me outside. I enter church, same thing. Enter estate, same. Carry phone enter online, na same same,” he captioned the post.
“Everybody wants to take, but nobody de give you, and nobody thinks of how you are fairing. 🤦🏾♂️ S/O to everyone of my colleagues out there going through this. Ya’ll are the real MVPs, and I celebrate you. 🙏🏾.”
Entertainment
Wizkid, Jada Pollock welcome third child
Wizkid and Jada Pollock, his manager, have welcomed their third child together.
The baby’s arrival was announced via a photo on Pollock’s Instagram story.
In the picture, Jada, noticeably without her baby bump, was dressed in comfortable sweatpants while holding onto a baby’s cot.
The baby’s gender, name, and date of birth, however, remain unknown.
In December, the talent manager revealed that she suffered a health scare during the first three months of her third pregnancy.
Pollock disclosed that she underwent an appendectomy. She described the period as the most terrifying experience of her life.
“At the beginning of the year, I faced the biggest fright of my life,” she wrote.
“Three months into my pregnancy, I was rushed to the hospital to have my appendix removed. Against all odds, both my baby and I made it through safely.
“Life is too short to be anything but grateful.”
Pollock, 41, and Wizkid, 34, met in 2012 when she was still managing Akon, the 51-year-old Senegalese-American singer.
The duo became friends and later lovers. They welcomed Zion Ayo-Balogun, their first child in 2017. In October 2022, Pollock announced the birth of their second child.
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