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Shakira charged with fresh $7 million tax fraud, faces jail term

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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

Oluwadolarz reveals how music executive demanded sex to promote his songs

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Ogunleye Babatunde Olamide, the Nigerian content creator and singer better known as Oluwadolarz, recently shared his disturbing experience with a music executive.

The skit maker, who has over 4.7 million Instagram followers, took to the platform on Sunday to allege that a gay music executive demanded sexual favours in exchange for promoting his music.

Although the online comedian did not mention names, he implied that he refused the proposal, citing his discomfort with it.

“You will promote my songs. Endorse my musicHelp me top chart. But make I first bend over make you enter my y*nsh. E.n.k.r sir,” he wrote.

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Toke Makinwa speaks on divorce, dismisses fresh marriage rumour

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Toke Makinwa, the media personality, has reflected on her tumultuous marriage and divorce during her birthday thanksgiving party.

Toke married Maje Ayida, her longtime partner, in 2014. However, their union was short-lived due to infidelity allegations in 2015, leading to their divorce in 2017.

During the event, the media personality thanked God for giving her the strength to withstand the challenges.

The 39-year-old OAP recounted feeling like she would “die” the day she ended her marriage. Toke also appreciated her friends for standing by her during that difficult period.

“Jesus you have comforted me when friends left me. Jesus you saw me through a divorce. When I thought I was going to die, when I did not know if I was going to wake up the next day, somehow you held me together. Even when I showed a frail faith, you knew I was not frail. Somehow you made me a tiger. You are the one that liveth. You are the one that will never fail,” she said.

“I thank God for all my friends here. I thank God that I am not looking out to look for you guys I am looking up. I have not been the best of fried for you guys but somehow you see something and I am grateful.”

There were rumours on social media that the media personality secretly married Farouk Umar. This was after a video of the duo sharing lovey-dovey moments went viral.

Toke, however, clarified that they are just friends. She added that “Farouk held me down when there was nobody”.

“On Obasanjo’s internet, they said I got married to this guy. This guy is my best friend o, listen, on Toke Makinwa’s internet, they said I married Farouk. Farouk my friend, ore mi.. this is my nigga and my friend, my brother, who wan marry you. Farouk held me down when there was nobody,” she said.

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Actress Lolo says men are backing out of their responsibilities as providers

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Nollywood actress Lolo has expressed her concerns about what she views as men backing out of their traditional role as providers in the family dynamic.

Speaking during the recent episode of the Say My Piece podcast, Lolo stated that gender roles have been in existence for as long as patriarchy itself has been, adding that evolving dynamics of relationships have started to cause a shift.

Lolo explained, “I blame the patriarchy because these things have been in existence long before now when gender roles were defined. Part of the things that men categorically say make them men or heads of their homes is the fact that they’re the providers. I have been hearing that since I was a child, the daddy is the provider while the mother is a nurturer.”

The actress questioned why many men seem to be distancing themselves from these expectations in today’s society, despite having clearly defined roles and responsibilities

She stressed, “Their forefathers are the ones who established the roles. Well, I don’t blame men now because roles are getting swapped now; we have she-men and all. But men are backing out of their responsibilities on a daily basis as providers.”

“Now I see a lot of men saying that women are too entitled and that women shouldn’t rely on them for everything. But when we ask men to swap roles, they still don’t want to do what we do. If you don’t want to be a provider, then be that nurturer at home.”

See the full podcast episode below:

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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