With Salah Abdeslam possibly set to appear before a judge in Brussels as early as Saturday, the key issue will be the extradition of the 26-year-old alleged extremist to France. President François Hollande has already said French authorities will request that Abdeslam stands trial in the city where he is suspected of having helped the men who killed 130 people in shootings at bars, restaurants and at the Bataclan concert hall. According to the French newspaper Le Monde Abdeslam, a French national who grew up in Brussels, will almost certainly appear before a French judge or judges, charged with some of the most serious crimes in local law. The trial will be an extraordinary one, potentially revealing a wealth of information about both the attacks in Paris, the Islamic State and radical networks in Molenbeek, the Brussels neighbourhood where Abdeslam was found. The area is seen – wrongly according to some – as a hotbed of extremism. But before the trial will come the questioning. Police believe Abdeslam, the only survivor among the Paris attackers, rented two cars involved in the attacks under his real name, booked hotel rooms, escorted by car the three suicide bombers who blew themselves up at the Stade de France and may have planned his own suicide attack in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. Belgian police, and probably security services, as well as their French counterparts will be first in line but there will be a long queue of other services waiting to either talk to the former mechanic or at least receive transcripts of, or briefings on his statements. Many will have questions of their own to pose. It is rare that a violent extremist involved so deeply in such a prominent attack has been detained, let alone tried in a normal court of law, particularly in Europe. There have been many trials of extremists whose plots were thwarted by security services, but the prevalence of suicide attacks, and the decision of other militants to seek “death by police” has meant that detentions and trials have largely been limited to peripheral members of any networks which actually fulfil their violence ambitions. Abdeslam, whose elder brother was killed in the Paris attacks, did not travel to Syria but may know what happened in the Isis training camps where the plot to attack the French capital took shape. Was it commissioned by Isis leaders who had been looking to strike Europe for some time? Was the high command’s involvement and support more opportunistic, coming after the Belgian and French attackers suggested such an operation? Any answers may give indicate whether attacks in Europe are integral to the strategic vision of Isis or more dependent on resources – such as a brigade of Belgians and French volunteers – available at any one time. That brigade has now been disbanded, after suffering heavy casualties, reports from Syria and statements from western intelligence officials indicate. The former bar owner may be able to answer vital questions about networks in Belgium or further afield in Europe. He may also know how the attackers reached France from Syria. Will Abdeslam talk at all? Even hardened militants do often give information eventually. Abdeslam’s profile, his apparent failure to go through with a suicide bombing, his confusion and fear after the attack, as well as his back story in Molenbeek, indicates that he may not be too hard for interrogators to crack. Thanks for reading.
Paris attacks: Abdeslam's trial could lift lid on secret world of Isis
With Salah Abdeslam possibly set to appear before a judge in Brussels as early as Saturday, the key issue will be the extradition of the 26-year-old alleged extremist to France. President François Hollande has already said French authorities will request that Abdeslam stands trial in the city where he is suspected of having helped the men who killed 130 people in shootings at bars, restaurants and at the Bataclan concert hall. According to the French newspaper Le Monde Abdeslam, a French national who grew up in Brussels, will almost certainly appear before a French judge or judges, charged with some of the most serious crimes in local law. The trial will be an extraordinary one, potentially revealing a wealth of information about both the attacks in Paris, the Islamic State and radical networks in Molenbeek, the Brussels neighbourhood where Abdeslam was found. The area is seen – wrongly according to some – as a hotbed of extremism. But before the trial will come the questioning. Police believe Abdeslam, the only survivor among the Paris attackers, rented two cars involved in the attacks under his real name, booked hotel rooms, escorted by car the three suicide bombers who blew themselves up at the Stade de France and may have planned his own suicide attack in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. Belgian police, and probably security services, as well as their French counterparts will be first in line but there will be a long queue of other services waiting to either talk to the former mechanic or at least receive transcripts of, or briefings on his statements. Many will have questions of their own to pose. It is rare that a violent extremist involved so deeply in such a prominent attack has been detained, let alone tried in a normal court of law, particularly in Europe. There have been many trials of extremists whose plots were thwarted by security services, but the prevalence of suicide attacks, and the decision of other militants to seek “death by police” has meant that detentions and trials have largely been limited to peripheral members of any networks which actually fulfil their violence ambitions. Abdeslam, whose elder brother was killed in the Paris attacks, did not travel to Syria but may know what happened in the Isis training camps where the plot to attack the French capital took shape. Was it commissioned by Isis leaders who had been looking to strike Europe for some time? Was the high command’s involvement and support more opportunistic, coming after the Belgian and French attackers suggested such an operation? Any answers may give indicate whether attacks in Europe are integral to the strategic vision of Isis or more dependent on resources – such as a brigade of Belgians and French volunteers – available at any one time. That brigade has now been disbanded, after suffering heavy casualties, reports from Syria and statements from western intelligence officials indicate. The former bar owner may be able to answer vital questions about networks in Belgium or further afield in Europe. He may also know how the attackers reached France from Syria. Will Abdeslam talk at all? Even hardened militants do often give information eventually. Abdeslam’s profile, his apparent failure to go through with a suicide bombing, his confusion and fear after the attack, as well as his back story in Molenbeek, indicates that he may not be too hard for interrogators to crack. Thanks for reading.
Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam will fight extradition
Salah Abdeslam, the prime suspect in the Paris attacks, will fight his extradition to France, a legal challenge that could delay his trial over the massacre.
Abdeslam’s lawyer, Sven Mary, said his client had been formally charged in connection with the Paris attacks and was “collaborating” with Belgian investigators but would challenge his extradition to France.
After spending 10 minutes with the suspect, a 26-year-old former tram driver, Mary said: “France has demanded his extradition. I can tell you that we will refuse extradition to France. We will first see whether the European arrest warrant is legal.”
Legal experts cautioned that Abdeslam’s refusal did not mean extradition would fail as under the European arrest warrant anyone who commits a serious offence in the EU can be sent back to face justice in the country where the crime took place.
Florence Rouas-Elbazis, a French lawyer, told Agence France-Presse: “It is not because he refuses that he cannot be handed over, but it could lead to an additional delay.”
Abdeslam was arrested on Friday in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek where he grew up. He became the most wanted man in Europe after going into hiding shortly after the bombings and shootings in Paris on 13 November that left 130 people dead.
An accomplice arrested with him, believed to be Amine Choukri, has been similarly charged with “terrorist killings and participating in the activities of a terrorist group”.
The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, welcomed Abdeslam’s arrest but said the terror threat remained “very high”. “As high as, if not higher than, we had before 13 November,” Valls added.
“Other networks, other cells, other individuals in France and in Europe are getting organised to prepare new attacks. We must remain mobilised at a national as well as European level.”
Abdeslam was officially charged with “with participation in terrorist murder” and in the activities of a terrorist organisation.
A four-month international manhunt came to an end on Friday when heavily armed Belgian police tracked Abdeslam to an apartment in Molenbeek, Brussels, 500 metres from where he grew up. As the suspect fled with a man believed to be an accomplice, he was shot in the leg.
Abdeslam appeared before a judge on Saturday and details emerged of how police finally caught the Belgian, thought to be the only surviving member of a 10-strong cell linked to Islamic State that carried out the attacks on the French capital.
Belgian police raided a flat in another Brussels suburb, Forest, on Tuesday, in which a suspected accomplice, Mohamed Belkaid, was killed by a special forces sniper. A black Isis flag and Kalashnikov was found near his body. Two men fled the flat, reportedly escaping on to the roof, but inside forensic experts found Abdeslam’s fingerprint on a glass.
Shortly afterwards, the fugitive called a friend saying he needed somewhere to stay. The friend alerted the police, who put an immediate trace on the mobile telephone number that Abdeslam had given. From then, it was only a matter of time.
Police traced the mobile and tracked the suspect to the apartment in Molenbeek where he was staying with another friend and three members of the friend’s family, who were also arrested on Friday. The four others also appeared before a judge.
The French president, François Hollande, called an emergency defence council meeting of ministers at the Elysée Palace on Saturday, after which the interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the arrest was “an important blow against the terrorist organisation Daesh [Islamic State] in Europe”.
Cazeneuve said: “This operation has removed the threat of several individuals who have proven themselves extremely dangerous and totally determined.”
Hollande said that the French authorities would seek a “rapid” extradition of Abdeslam. Hollande said: “I am sure the French legal authorities will very quickly issue an extradition request ... and the Belgian authorities will respond as favourably as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Hollande has said he would meet representatives of the victims’ families on Monday.
Belgium’s prime minister, Charles Michel, told a news conference that Abdeslam’s extradition to France could take “several weeks”.
While French ministers were quick to praise the work of Belgian police, a war of words between the two countries broke out on Saturday.
Belgian prime minister Charles Michel at a press conference after a state national security council meeting.
Alain Marsaud, a member of the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s centre right party, Les Républicains, and a former anti-terrorist judge, accused the Belgian authorities of naivety.
Marsaud said: “Their naivety cost us 130 lives. I am disgusted by the inability of the Belgians to solve the problem [of radicalisation] over the last few months, last few years,” he told the Belgian newspaper Le Soir
“I can’t help be astonished. How did it take four months to arrest one of the organisers of the attacks, when it turns out he remained within a very small area of Brussels? Perhaps I’m wrong and things were more complicated ... but we have to question the ability of the Belgian intelligence and intervention services.”
Marsaud added he expected Belgium to “extradite Salah Abdeslam as quickly as possible”.
Marsaud said: “This long period he was on the run is not a great success for the Belgian intelligence services; either Salah Abdeslam is very clever or the Belgian services are rubbish, which seems more likely.”
In response, Belgium’s foreign minister, Didier Reynders, said: “We have to be realistic ... it is deplorable to be always looking for scapegoats.”
Michel said Abdeslam’s capture had not come about by chance, but was “the fruit of enormous work” that had mobilised between 300 and 400 investigators. “The fight against the terrorist threat will continue,” he said.
Abdeslam Salah, suspected of being involved in the Paris attacks.
Investigators believe Abdeslam was supposed to have blown himself up after driving suicide bombers to the Stade de France football stadium where the first of several coordinated attacks was due to happen.
A suicide vest was later found in a dustbin in a district in north Paris not far from an abandoned VW Golf, linked to the terror cell. The theory was given further weight by an Isis statement claiming responsibility for the Paris attacks that mentioned a bombing in the French capital’s 18th arrondissement. There was no such bombing.
Abdeslam is known to have telephoned two accomplices in Belgium in the hours after the attacks on 13 November. The two men drove from Brussels, picked him up, and drove back to the Belgian capital, where he disappeared. The vehicle in which Abdeslam was travelling was reportedly stopped by French police twice en route, but allowed to continue.
On Saturday, a Belgian federal prosecutor Eric Van Der Sypt said: “If he starts talking, then I presume it will mean he stays longer in Belgium ... Sooner or later he will be extradited to France.”
French and Belgian anti-terrorism officials have planned a conference call during which Abdeslam’s extradition is expected to be discussed and agreed, according to Thierry Werts, a spokesperson for Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office.
A 2002 EU agreement accelerated the extradition process between member states. Under the old system, the request had to be made at state level, now a judicial request is made. For particularly serious crimes, including alleged terrorism, the process can be fast-tracked.
Anti-terrorist police will be hoping Abdeslam can shed light on the previously unknown Algerian gunman, Belkaid, linked to the Paris attacks. Belkaid was shot on Tuesday in the Belgian police raid that led officers to Abdeslam.
In exclusive documents given to Associated Press by the Syrian opposition news site Zama al-Wsl, Belkaid described how he traveled throughout Europe and had had no experience as a jihadi as he crossed into Syria on 19 April 2014.
On Friday, officials said Belkaid was “most probably” an Abdeslam accomplice whose fake Belgian ID was used to pay for the hideout of the Paris attacks ringleader. Thanks for reading.
American soldier killed by 'indirect fire' near Isis stronghold of Mosul in Iraq
An American service member who was part of the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State, also referred to as Isis, was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq, according to an American defense official.
A US official said the soldier was stationed at the Makhmour base outside the Isis-held city of Mosul. The attack was an “indirect fire attack,” specifically rockets, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn’t authorized to brief the media. Two Iraqi commanders stationed at the base also reported a rocket attack Saturday, but denied anyone had been hurt or killed. The US-led coalition reports that as Iraqi troops have built up at Makhmour in preparation for an assault on Mosul, the frequency of indirect fire attacks there has increased. The last US service member killed due to hostile enemy fire in Iraq was in 2011, though the last service member killed in the country was in October 2015. An earlier statement put out by the US military said the service member died as a result of “enemy action”. In October, Master Sgt Joshua Wheeler, 39, of Roland, Oklahoma, became the first American to die in combat in Iraq since 2011, when he was killed during an overnight mission to rescue hostages held by Isis militants. In Syria, air strikes on the northern city of Raqqa on Saturday killed at least 39 people and wounded many others, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It was not immediately clear what country’s warplanes carried out the airstrikes: the Syrian regime, Russia, and the US, Jordan and their coalition allies have been carrying out strikes on Syria, albeit prioritizing different targets. An anti-Isis activist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, said the airstrikes were by Russian warplanes, adding that they have killed 43 civilians and wounded about 50 others. A third opposition monitoring group, the Local Coordination Committees (LCC) said the air raids were carried out by Syrian government warplanes. The three groups said the air raids struck near the national hospital, a former army base and other neighborhoods. Russia has been conducting air raids in Syria since 30 September, even though Russia this week drew down its military presence in Syria after Vladimir Putin ordered a partial pullout of Russian aircraft and forces from Syria, in support of indirect peace talks in Geneva. On Thursday, Putin said Moscow would keep enough forces in Syria to continue the fight against Isis, the Nusra Front and other extremist organizations. Isis, which occupies Raqqa as a de facto capital, is not included in the truce that was brokered by Russia and the US that went into effect on 27 February, and led to a drop of violence in Syria. The air raids come at a time when Isis has lost large swaths of territory in northern Syria, including in Raqqa province, in battles with the US-backed predominantly Kurdish Syria Democratic Forces. To the south, Syrian troops are on the offensive in an attempt to capture the ancient town of Palmyra, which has been under Isis control since May. The Observatory and the LCC reported airstrikes on the town that is home to some of the world’s most precious archaeological sites. Several of those sites have already been damaged or destroyed by the extremists. The Observatory said seven Isis fighters were killed in the airstrikes on Palmyra on Saturday. Isis, which in June 2014 declared a caliphate in areas it controls in Syria and Iraq, has been under pressure in Iraq as well over the past few months. The United States estimates that as of February, Isis fields 19,000 to 25,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria down from an estimated 20,000 to 31,500 frontline fighters a number that was based on intelligence reports from May to August 2014. A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the estimates, said the decrease reflects the combined effects of battlefield deaths, desertions, internal disciplinary actions, recruiting shortfalls and difficulties that foreign fighters face traveling to Syria. Syria’s five-year civil war has killed more than 250,000 and displaced half the country’s population. Thanks for reading.
A US official said the soldier was stationed at the Makhmour base outside the Isis-held city of Mosul. The attack was an “indirect fire attack,” specifically rockets, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn’t authorized to brief the media. Two Iraqi commanders stationed at the base also reported a rocket attack Saturday, but denied anyone had been hurt or killed. The US-led coalition reports that as Iraqi troops have built up at Makhmour in preparation for an assault on Mosul, the frequency of indirect fire attacks there has increased. The last US service member killed due to hostile enemy fire in Iraq was in 2011, though the last service member killed in the country was in October 2015. An earlier statement put out by the US military said the service member died as a result of “enemy action”. In October, Master Sgt Joshua Wheeler, 39, of Roland, Oklahoma, became the first American to die in combat in Iraq since 2011, when he was killed during an overnight mission to rescue hostages held by Isis militants. In Syria, air strikes on the northern city of Raqqa on Saturday killed at least 39 people and wounded many others, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It was not immediately clear what country’s warplanes carried out the airstrikes: the Syrian regime, Russia, and the US, Jordan and their coalition allies have been carrying out strikes on Syria, albeit prioritizing different targets. An anti-Isis activist group, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, said the airstrikes were by Russian warplanes, adding that they have killed 43 civilians and wounded about 50 others. A third opposition monitoring group, the Local Coordination Committees (LCC) said the air raids were carried out by Syrian government warplanes. The three groups said the air raids struck near the national hospital, a former army base and other neighborhoods. Russia has been conducting air raids in Syria since 30 September, even though Russia this week drew down its military presence in Syria after Vladimir Putin ordered a partial pullout of Russian aircraft and forces from Syria, in support of indirect peace talks in Geneva. On Thursday, Putin said Moscow would keep enough forces in Syria to continue the fight against Isis, the Nusra Front and other extremist organizations. Isis, which occupies Raqqa as a de facto capital, is not included in the truce that was brokered by Russia and the US that went into effect on 27 February, and led to a drop of violence in Syria. The air raids come at a time when Isis has lost large swaths of territory in northern Syria, including in Raqqa province, in battles with the US-backed predominantly Kurdish Syria Democratic Forces. To the south, Syrian troops are on the offensive in an attempt to capture the ancient town of Palmyra, which has been under Isis control since May. The Observatory and the LCC reported airstrikes on the town that is home to some of the world’s most precious archaeological sites. Several of those sites have already been damaged or destroyed by the extremists. The Observatory said seven Isis fighters were killed in the airstrikes on Palmyra on Saturday. Isis, which in June 2014 declared a caliphate in areas it controls in Syria and Iraq, has been under pressure in Iraq as well over the past few months. The United States estimates that as of February, Isis fields 19,000 to 25,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria down from an estimated 20,000 to 31,500 frontline fighters a number that was based on intelligence reports from May to August 2014. A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the estimates, said the decrease reflects the combined effects of battlefield deaths, desertions, internal disciplinary actions, recruiting shortfalls and difficulties that foreign fighters face traveling to Syria. Syria’s five-year civil war has killed more than 250,000 and displaced half the country’s population. Thanks for reading.
Hulk Hogan awarded $115m in Gawker sex tape lawsuit
Terry Bollea, the retired pro wrestler known as Hulk Hogan, has been awarded $115m in his invasion of privacy suit against Gawker Media in a verdict that may re-shape how the media covers celebrities in the future.
The six person jury – four women and two men – deliberated for nearly six hours before delivering their verdict to the court in St Petersburg, Florida. Hogan, who was wearing his trademark black bandana, broke down in tears as the verdict was read. His shoulders shook as he sobbed; his hands, wiping tears from his face, were shaking too. The pro-wrestler was comforted by a member of his legal team.
Over a nearly two-week trial, jurors heard how Hogan, 62, had not been contacted by the website Gawker before it posted a nine-second video clip of the wrestler in flagrante with the wife of his friend, DJ Bubba “The Love Sponge” Clem.
Gawker founder Nick Denton seemed resolute in seeking to have the verdict overruled on appeal. “Given key evidence and the most important witness were both improperly withheld from this jury, we all knew the appeals court will need to resolve the case,” he said in a statement.
“I want to thank our lawyers for their outstanding work and am confident that we would have prevailed at trial if we had been allowed to present the full case to the jury,” the statement continued. “That’s why we feel very positive about the appeal that we have already begun preparing, as we expect to win this case ultimately.”
A spokesperson for Hogan’s legal team said: “We’re exceptionally happy with the verdict. We think it represents a statement as to the public’s disgust with the invasion of privacy disguised as journalism. The verdict says no more.”
Even the original $100m demanded in damages by Hogan would have been more money than Gawker Media has on hand, and some have speculated that a big loss in Florida would force them into bankruptcy. There will be a brief second phase of the trial where the court can demand even more money in punitive damages.
Worse, under Florida law, Gawker will almost certainly have to put up the whole amount as bond while awaiting its appeal, though the appellate judge could put a hold on that process while waiting to hear the case.
Partially to bolster itself against this eventuality, in January, Gawker sold a minority stake to Columbus Nova Technology Partners, an investment fund with deep pockets and several billion dollars in assets.
Throughout the trial, Hogan’s lawyers maintained the exposure had caused him suffering. Lawyers for the defendant argue that Hogan was used to publicizing his sexual escapades and it was unclear in which character he was in at the time – Hulk Hogan or Terry Bollea.
Earlier in the day, Bollea listened impassively to closing arguments.
Kenneth Turkel, a lawyer for Hogan, told jurors Gawker editors had not even had the “common decency” to call Hogan for comment before they posted the video. Turkel walked jurors through Hogan’s case: that his right to privacy was gratuitously compromised by Gawker, that his reputation was materially compromised, and that he suffered emotional distress of “outrageous intensity and duration”. Turkel accused Gawker founder Nick Denton of “playing God over Bollea’s right to privacy” and offered a meditation on how celebrity affects expectations of privacy. Denton, Turkel said, had effectively argued that losing privacy is a freeing experience because “you don’t worry about anything else because someone has taken your private life and put it out there”. The 10-day trial was full of salacious details but the core issue spoke to a serious first amendment issue: did Gawker have the right to post one minute and 41 seconds of the sex tape, approximately nine seconds of which featured actual sexual content? Hogan’s lawyers said the gratuitous nature of Gawker’s decision exempted the media firm from constitutional protection. Lawyers for Gawker argued that publication was a legitimate scoop because Hogan had talked openly about his sex life before, including on Howard Stern’s radio show. The company had warned that if Hogan won the case, the decision could not only destroy the company but cripple press freedom. But Hogan’s lawyer dismissed that line, arguing that there was only one reason for posting the tape: to build traffic and sell ads after a five-month news “dry spell”. During the trial, lawyers sparred over the actual value of the post to Gawker, with Hogan’s lawyers estimating the sex tape was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Gawker maintains the post was worth just $11,000. Gawker obtained the tape without knowing its exact origin. The editor involved said the post was intended as a commentary on celebrity sex tapes. “What’s disturbing about Gawker is not what they do, but how proud they are of it,” said Hogan’s lawyer Turkel, who said the character of the intrusion was an accurate “reflection of its owner Nick Denton”. Thanks for reading.
Kenneth Turkel, a lawyer for Hogan, told jurors Gawker editors had not even had the “common decency” to call Hogan for comment before they posted the video. Turkel walked jurors through Hogan’s case: that his right to privacy was gratuitously compromised by Gawker, that his reputation was materially compromised, and that he suffered emotional distress of “outrageous intensity and duration”. Turkel accused Gawker founder Nick Denton of “playing God over Bollea’s right to privacy” and offered a meditation on how celebrity affects expectations of privacy. Denton, Turkel said, had effectively argued that losing privacy is a freeing experience because “you don’t worry about anything else because someone has taken your private life and put it out there”. The 10-day trial was full of salacious details but the core issue spoke to a serious first amendment issue: did Gawker have the right to post one minute and 41 seconds of the sex tape, approximately nine seconds of which featured actual sexual content? Hogan’s lawyers said the gratuitous nature of Gawker’s decision exempted the media firm from constitutional protection. Lawyers for Gawker argued that publication was a legitimate scoop because Hogan had talked openly about his sex life before, including on Howard Stern’s radio show. The company had warned that if Hogan won the case, the decision could not only destroy the company but cripple press freedom. But Hogan’s lawyer dismissed that line, arguing that there was only one reason for posting the tape: to build traffic and sell ads after a five-month news “dry spell”. During the trial, lawyers sparred over the actual value of the post to Gawker, with Hogan’s lawyers estimating the sex tape was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Gawker maintains the post was worth just $11,000. Gawker obtained the tape without knowing its exact origin. The editor involved said the post was intended as a commentary on celebrity sex tapes. “What’s disturbing about Gawker is not what they do, but how proud they are of it,” said Hogan’s lawyer Turkel, who said the character of the intrusion was an accurate “reflection of its owner Nick Denton”. Thanks for reading.
PSquare Ends Fight, Now Under Separate Managements
Psquare duo of Peter and Paul Okoye have finally ended their quarrel!
It started this morning with Paul’s Instagram post basically blaming his twin for the issues PSquare is facing, citing Peter having issues with Paul promoting artistes on his own record label – Rudeboy Records.
Barely an hour passed and Peter himself announced that PSquare is performing as a group in Amsterdam! The fans got excited thanking the duo for display of maturity in settling their difference.
Just a few minutes ago, Peter took to Instagram to clear a few things up! Saying PSquare are still a group, but each member has different management. He also called out Paul for airing out their issues in the public domain when he (Paul) lashed out at Peter for doing the same in a Twitter rant back in February. The post read: Hi guys. Thanks for the love and support, I so much appreciate everyone of you. For public record, I don’t have any issues with my brother Paul the only issue I have is with the management which I have disassociated myself with. There is a clear line between family and business, Jude still remains my brother, he is just no longer my manager. For the record also, P’square still remains, the only difference is that we are under separate managements and there is nothing wrong with that. I see no wrong in doing separate projects and and still being together as P’square. I love my brother Paul, I support him and wish him the very best in life but misguiding the media is not the right thing to do, if we have issues as brothers, the right thing to do is settle it between ourselves and not give media something to feed on. I took family issues to the public when I went on a Twitter rant but I apologised for that, you shouldn’t do the same, making me look like a bad person and giving the public an opportunity to crucify me is not a solution. You went solo first by releasing a song with ‘Tiwa’ and your new artists. This doesn’t stop us from producing good music together or giving our fans the best of P’square, it’s just time for personal development. I am not against Rudeboy Records, northside entertainment and wish you the very best. Thanks for the love once again. God bless you all. #PSquareForever #Mr.P #Rudeboy. Thanks for reading
Just a few minutes ago, Peter took to Instagram to clear a few things up! Saying PSquare are still a group, but each member has different management. He also called out Paul for airing out their issues in the public domain when he (Paul) lashed out at Peter for doing the same in a Twitter rant back in February. The post read: Hi guys. Thanks for the love and support, I so much appreciate everyone of you. For public record, I don’t have any issues with my brother Paul the only issue I have is with the management which I have disassociated myself with. There is a clear line between family and business, Jude still remains my brother, he is just no longer my manager. For the record also, P’square still remains, the only difference is that we are under separate managements and there is nothing wrong with that. I see no wrong in doing separate projects and and still being together as P’square. I love my brother Paul, I support him and wish him the very best in life but misguiding the media is not the right thing to do, if we have issues as brothers, the right thing to do is settle it between ourselves and not give media something to feed on. I took family issues to the public when I went on a Twitter rant but I apologised for that, you shouldn’t do the same, making me look like a bad person and giving the public an opportunity to crucify me is not a solution. You went solo first by releasing a song with ‘Tiwa’ and your new artists. This doesn’t stop us from producing good music together or giving our fans the best of P’square, it’s just time for personal development. I am not against Rudeboy Records, northside entertainment and wish you the very best. Thanks for the love once again. God bless you all. #PSquareForever #Mr.P #Rudeboy. Thanks for reading
Neymar Loses N16.15bn To Brazil
A federal court in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has found Barcelona superstar, Neymar guilty of tax fraud after he failed to reveal the earnings from his contracts with Santos, Barcelona and sportswear giant, Nike.
According to ESPN, quoting reports in Brazilian publication, Folha de S. Paulo, Neymar has been order by the court to pay N16.15billion (188.8 million Brazilian reals or €45.9m) in fines and back-taxes.
The reports say that available court documents show that Neymar used his businesses (Neymar Sport e Marketing, N & N Consultoria, N & N Administracao de Bens) to avoid paying N19.85billion (€56.4m) between 2012 and 2014.
The judges examining the case alleged that false contracts were created to avoid paying the full taxes. The court last year froze assets related to Neymar valued at about N17.48billion (189 million Brazilian reals, $48m or €42m) because of the allegations of tax evasion.
“We studied the information regarding the tax case in question, Neymar, the three businesses and his business partners [parents of the player] and we found that there were fraudulent business practices,” wrote Develly Claudia Montez, who performed the audit for the court.
The superstar can however appeal the ruling.
Neymar is also under investigation in Spanish court over his transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. Earlier this year he testified in court along with his father and the former and current Barcelona presidents. Neymar had been fined earlier over unpaid taxes in Brazil and the decision was pending appeal.
Thanks for reading.
IMSU Graduates 419 First Class Students
The Imo State University (IMSU), on Friday awarded first-class degrees to 419 graduates at its 7th convocation ceremony in Owerri.
Also, 10,417 second-class upper degrees, 29,220 second-class lower division, 3,776 third-class degrees and 29 pass degrees were awarded. Speaking at the ceremony, IMSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Adaobi Obasi, described the convocation as the recognition and celebration of the academic achievements of the graduates.
He expressed the hope that the graduates would be inspired to make greater exploits and valuable contributions to the society.
In his speech, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha urged the graduates to develop their talents and contribute their quota to the society as jobs were not readily available. He also urged the lecturers to research widely in order to improve the quality of graduates turned out each year.
Governor Okorocha, however, reaffirmed his determination to ensure that the university gained a pride of place among the universities in the country while describing education as “life and the greatest gift to any child.” Thanks for reading.
