abuse

Roman Polanski acquitted by French court in defamation trial

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Roman Polanski acquitted by French court in defamation trial

Film director Roman Polanski was acquitted by a French court of defaming British actress Charlotte Lewis, who accused him of raping her when she was a teenager. Lewis alleged the abuse occurred in 1983 when she was 16, after traveling to Paris for a casting session. Polanski called her accusations a “heinous lie” in a 2019 interview, leading to the defamation lawsuit. Lewis disputed a quote attributed to her in a 1999 interview, and Polanski’s lawyer celebrated the verdict as a win for free speech. Despite the acquittal, Lewis expressed disappointment and stated she would appeal. Polanski has faced multiple sexual assault allegations, denying them all, and has struggled to secure distribution deals for his films in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Court reduces paedophile, ’s sentence by six months

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Court reduces paedophile, ’s sentence by six months

The court of appeal reduced the sentence of a convicted paedophile by six months.

Police investigate animal abuse case in Paphos

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Police investigate animal abuse case in Paphos

A group of unidentified individuals tortured and killed five cats near the derelict “Land of the Kings” hotel in Paphos. Witnesses described a gruesome scene where the perpetrators beat the defenseless animals, leaving them to perish in pools of blood. Law enforcement responded quickly, and the deceased cats will undergo examinations by veterinary authorities. Outraged citizens are calling for decisive action to ensure justice and prevent similar atrocities.

‘Back to the dark ages’: forced sterilisation still exists

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‘Back to the dark ages’: forced sterilisation still exists

Forced sterilisation of people with disabilities is legal or not explicitly banned in Cyprus and 11 other EU countries. This practice is considered a violation of human rights and can be a form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Despite being a criminal offense in Cyprus, mental health laws allow the procedure with guardian consent. Fear, lack of education about sex, and concerns about parenting responsibilities are cited as reasons for forced sterilisation, although less invasive alternatives like the coil are available. The European Disability Forum has campaigned to ban forced sterilisation, but efforts have not been successful in some cases.

Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT) vs. BEPS Pillar Two

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Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT) vs. BEPS Pillar Two

The text discusses the intricacies of US minimum tax, specifically comparing the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT) and BEPS Pillar Two. The fact described in the text is that both CAMT and the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMTT) pursue a 15% minimum tax rate and are imposed on large multinational corporations.

Google fights $17 bln UK lawsuit over adtech practices

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Google fights $17 bln UK lawsuit over adtech practices

Google parent Alphabet is facing a mass lawsuit in London accusing it of abusing its dominance in the online advertising market. The lawsuit seeks damages of up to 13.6 billion pounds on behalf of UK-based publishers who claim they have suffered losses due to Google’s allegedly anticompetitive behavior.

Monks called to appear before investigative committee

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Monks called to appear before investigative committee

Two embroiled monks have been called to appear before the church investigative committee in relation to a monastery scandal.

Limassol protest: Detainees speak of police verbal and physical abuse

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Limassol protest: Detainees speak of police verbal and physical abuse

Ten individuals arrested at a Limassol demonstration speak of an unprovoked police attack, horrible detention conditions, and abuse by the police. They were arrested following scuffles between protesters and police officers demanding a fair investigation into the death of Bangladeshi immigrant Anisur Rahman. Protestors and lawyers dispute the police’s account, describing the clash as an “unprovoked attack” and accusing the police of abuse.

US Justice Department takes step to make marijuana use a less serious crime

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US Justice Department takes step to make marijuana use a less serious crime

The U.S. Justice Department is moving to make marijuana use a less serious federal crime by recommending it be reclassified as a schedule three drug with lower penalties. This shift could bridge the gap between state and federal cannabis laws, leading to more research, medical use, lighter criminal penalties, and increased private investment in the cannabis sector. President Joe Biden initiated a review of the drug’s classification, and public support for marijuana legalization has significantly increased. Reclassifying marijuana could also benefit cannabis businesses by allowing their shares to be listed on major stock exchanges, receiving more generous tax deductions, and facing fewer restrictions from banks.

Congratulations, you survived another tax season—and paid a higher rate than top American companies

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Congratulations, you survived another tax season—and paid a higher rate than top American companies

Fact: The pharmaceutical industry pays the lowest effective tax rate in 2022 at 11.6%, with some companies like Pfizer and Abbvie paying even lower rates.