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Pop Star Shakira Reaches A Deal With Spanish Prosecutors On The First Day Of Tax Fraud Trial

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BARCELONA, Spain — After claiming her innocence for over five years, music singer Shakira reached a last-minute bargain on the first day of her tax fraud trial in Barcelona to avoid prison.

On Monday, Shakira informed the presiding magistrate, José Manuel del Amo, that she accepted the arrangement with prosecutors. She said “yes” to affirm her admission to six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros (about $15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.

Shakira will receive a three-year suspended sentence and a fine of 7.3 million euros ($8 million) under the terms of the agreement. In exchange for her sentence being commuted, she will pay another fine of 432,000 euros ($472,000). However, she now has it on her legal record that she was found guilty of tax fraud, which may have an impact on another current case with tax officials.

The trial, which would have included over 100 witnesses over the next few weeks, was called off after only eight minutes.

Pop Star Shakira Reaches A Deal With Spanish Prosecutors On The First Day Of Tax Fraud Trial

Prosecutors announced in July that they will seek an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of 24 million euros ($26 million) for the singer, who has garnered admirers worldwide for her hits in Spanish and English in many musical genres.

Shakira stated in a statement released by her public relations office that she wanted to battle on but prioritized her family, career, and mental health.

“I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight,” she said in a statement. “I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love, my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career.”

The case turned on where Shakira, now 46, lived. Prosecutors in Barcelona claim that the Colombian singer spent more than half of that time in Spain and thus should have paid taxes on her worldwide income in the country, despite her official residency still being in the Bahamas. The Bahamas has substantially lower tax rates than Spain.

Pop Star Shakira Reaches A Deal With Spanish Prosecutors On The First Day Of Tax Fraud Trial

Before entering the courts, the multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner waved and kissed a small audience of onlookers. She momentarily sat in front of the panel of judges, flanked on one side by prosecutors and on the other by defense attorneys.

“This has been a difficult decision that took time to reach,” defense attorney Miriam Company told reporters. “Her legal team had prepared the trial and were convinced we could demonstrate her innocence, but the circumstances changed and (Shakira) opted to accept the deal.”

Shakira declined a plea bargain offered by prosecutors to resolve her case in July 2022, stating through her Spanish public relations firm Llorente y Cuenca that she “believes in her innocence and chooses to leave the issue in the hands of the law.” The specifics of that proposed transaction were not made public.

Shakira was implicated in the “Paradise Papers” revelations, which revealed the offshore tax arrangements of a number of high-profile figures, including Madonna and Bono of U2.

Shakira’s public relations firm earlier stated that she had paid off all of her debts and an additional 3 million euros (approximately $3.2 million) in interest.

Pop Star Shakira Reaches A Deal With Spanish Prosecutors On The First Day Of Tax Fraud Trial

The defense team for Shakira, Molins Defensa Penal in Barcelona, stated in November 2022 that she had not spent more than 60 days a year within the nation during the period in question, adding that she would have been required to spend half the year in Spain to be considered a fiscal resident. Her defense claimed that she was away from Barcelona for extended periods during a world tour in 2011 and later spent a significant amount of time in the United States as a jury member for the NBC television music talent show The Voice.

Prosecutors in Spain disagreed, and the investigating judge, Marco Juberas, stated in 2021 that at the end of a three-year investigation into the charges, he found “sufficient evidence of criminality” for the case to go to trial. When Juberas questioned Shakira in 2019, she proclaimed her innocence.

Last year, she lost an attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed.

According to her defense team, Shakira established her fiscal residency in Spain in 2014; at the same time, her oldest child was enrolled in school in Barcelona to spend more time in the nation with her family.

In Spain, an investigating judge conducts an initial investigation before deciding whether the matter should be dismissed or tried.

However, her problems with Spain’s tax authorities are far from ended.

Separately, Spanish state prosecutors prosecuted Shakira in September with alleged tax cheating of 6.7 million euros on her 2018 earnings. They accused her of evading taxes by forming an offshore corporation in a tax haven.

Over the last decade, Spain has cracked down on sports players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for failing to pay their full taxes. The former Barcelona and Real Madrid players were found guilty of evasion, but their penalties were suspended. Thus, they escaped prison time.

Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has two children with Barcelona soccer player Gerard Piqué, Milan and Sasha. The pair lived together in Barcelona for 11 years until calling it quits last year. She has lived in Miami since then.

After winning Thursday’s Latin Grammy Awards gala in Seville, Shakira praised her Spanish followers for “being with me in the good times and the bad.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Streaming of iBOMMA Telugu Movies Surges in Canada

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Check out the upcoming release dates for all Telugu films.

In recent years, iBOMMA Telugu Movies have emerged not only as a leader, but as one of the most important platforms for streaming Telugu movies in Canada. In the midst of the increase in the international establishment of streaming services in the western sphere.

This rapid expansion of  Telugu Movies can also be seen in the demand for regional content due to the increasing South Asian population within Canada.

The growth of the iBOMMA platform makes sense as there is a large population of Telugu speakers in Canada. The growing South Asian population in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and others has aided in the diversification of the market and similar platforms.

“Between 2013 and 2023, Indians immigrating to Canada rose from 32,828 to 139,715, an increase of 326%,” according to Forbes.

Indian enrollment at Canadian universities rose more than 5,800% in the last two decades, from 2,181 in 2000 to 128,928 in 2021, an increase of 126,747 students.

Between 2016 and 2019, Indian international students enrolled in U.S. universities dropped by 13% but increased by 182% at Canadian universities. Diplomatic issues between India and Canada have reduced Indian student visa approvals in the short term.

International student enrollment at Canadian universities rose from 62,223 in 2000 to 400,521 in 2021, increasing by 544%, according to the NFAP analysis. International student enrollment in America increased by 45% between 2000 and 2021.

Due to the increase in Telugu speaking people in Canada, streaming services for Telugu Canadians have shifted focus from entertainment to a tool to maintain their culture. With iBOMMA and its peers, they are able to stay in touch with a piece of their motherland while adapting to the realities of life in the Great White North.

Telugu cinema has started to grow in popularity outside of India, with several recent classics gradually starting to become of interest to the general populace. RRR and Kantara are among a slew of movies that are now finding success on a global stage, thus generating interest in films originating from the region.

This has in turn brought new customers onto iBOMMA Telugu Movies and introduced the platform to a whole new demographic of non Telugu – speakers.

In Canada these blockbusters have sparked some discussions and fans expressing their excitement on social media. The buzz around such films has often caused an increase in searches for options to stream the film, with iBOMMA Telugu Movies being a top.

Up Coming iBOMMA Telugu Movies for 2025

Movie Release Date
Game Changer Jan 10, 2025
Vidaamuyarchi Jan 10, 2025
Daaku Maharaaj Jan 12, 2025
Sankranthiki Vasthunnam Jan 14, 2025
Thandel Feb 07, 2025
Laila Feb 14, 2025
#K10 Feb 2025
Robinhood Feb 2025
L2E (Dub) March 27, 2025
Hari Hara Veera Mallu Part 1 March 28, 2025
VD12 March 28, 2025
JACK April 10, 2025
Ghaati April 18, 2025
Kannappa April 25, 2025
HIT 3 May 01, 2025
The Raja Saab Summer 2025
Thug Life (Dub) June 5, 2025
Kantara Chapter 1 Oct 02, 2025
#NTRNeel Jan 09, 2026
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (dub) Jan 21, 2027
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Superman 2025 Trailer Drops With Great Fanfare

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James Gunn's next film, Superman 2025, has its first teaser trailer, which dropped on Thursday

James Gunn’s next film, Superman 2025, has its first teaser trailer, which dropped on Thursday. It gives DC fans their first look at David Corenswet’s Superman, AKA Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

Before its release, DC Studios unveiled a Superman 2025 enamel pin on Monday featuring a revamped Corenswet in her superhero costume and an updated depiction of Pierce Brosnahan’s daring reporter on Wednesday.

In 2025, Superman fans will be able to enjoy Gunn’s new storytelling, a new main actor, and more character development. Many are also curious about whether Superman will face Ultraman.

The preview opens with Superman, battered and bloodied, crash-landing in a desolate, icy scene. His canine sidekick, Krypto, also known as Super Dog, rushes to his aid after he has visions of himself as Clark in the Daily Planet office and at his parents’ house.

The trailer offers few storyline details, aside from the involvement of a fire-breathing dragon and the shaved-head Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. It seems that Superman 2025 also attracts the ire of the general public; one irate citizen even beaned him on the back of the head with a throwaway cup.

After revealing his grand vision for the newly formed DCU in 2023, Gunn’s film—originally named Superman: Legacy—would serve as the prequel to a trilogy dubbed Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The sequels will feature films centred around Supergirl, Clayface, and Swamp Thing.

Krypto Appears in Superman 2025

Despite living among other super-beings, Gunn noted that Corenswet’s Superman can stand on Earth due to his devotion and honesty.

In addition to his enormous stronghold that emerges from the ground, Superman possesses a flying dog and battles enormous creatures. The director praised Superman in his film for bringing elements from the comics and mythology that fans have been missing from the superhero franchise.

He may have done it again with Krypto, this time with a take that challenges the canine stereotype of a muscular, well-groomed hero.

More than anything else, this one appears to be a rescue operation. According to Gunn, the dog that steals the show in the trailer isn’t the greatest. You’re missing out on much of Krypto’s depth in this trailer.

According to Gunn, “it’s a movie about kindness” when asked about the film’s themes.

In the 2025 teaser for Superman, Superman only says, “Take me home,” and whispers Krypto’s name. John Williams’s iconic score from the Christopher Reeve films gets a modern update to underscore the video.

Superman 2025, the first solo film starring Superman since 2013’s Man of Steel, opens on July 11, and a lot is riding on it.

The property is the foundation for the ambitious plans of DC Studios co-chiefs Gunn and Peter Safran, who were appointed to re-invent DC by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Their plans include an entire universe of television shows and films.

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iBomma Telugu Movies Are Gaining Popularity in Canada

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Subtitles have made Telugu movies available to non-Telugu-speaking Canadians

iBomma, an online portal offering Telugu movies, has found unexpected development in Canada. Many Indio-Canadians are streaming foreign films, enticed by the genre-blending nature of Telugu films.

Telugu-speaking immigrants make up a sizable proportion of Canada’s South Asian population. Telugu films provide these people with a link to their birthplace.

Platforms such as iBomma allow users to quickly access the most recent releases without waiting for DVDs or other means of distribution.

Platforms such as Reddit, Instagram, and WhatsApp have helped iBomma gain popularity. Fans frequently post free movie links or discuss future Telugu releases, generating buzz. This word-of-mouth marketing attracts additional users to sites like iBomma, increasing Canadian viewership.

Telugu Movies Display India Culture

Social influencers have also had an impact. This increased enthusiasm is seen in YouTube channels evaluating Telugu movies and Instagram clips showing Tollywood dance numbers. Many consumers watch Telugu films on their mobile devices, reducing the need for traditional cable subscriptions.

Furthermore, subtitles have made Telugu movies available to non-Telugu-speaking Canadians. With English as the primary language in Canada, this function allows for a more seamless watching experience. The global enthusiasm for Indian regional cinema is growing, and Canada has emerged as a surprising hotbed for cultural interchange.

Apps and platforms that cater to certain hobbies, such as Telugu films, are here to stay, assuming they strike the correct balance.

iBomma’s success in Canada demonstrates Telugu cinema’s global appeal. These films have won the hearts of Canadians with their fascinating storylines, relatable emotions, and jaw-dropping action.

While debates about legality and piracy continue, iBomma’s contribution to propagating Telugu Movie culture worldwide is obvious. Whether it’s a blockbuster like Pushpa 2 or a lesser indie treasure, platforms like iBomma take localized stories worldwide.

As Canadians continue to discover the enchantment of Tollywood, one thing is clear: language and distance cannot limit great storytelling.

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