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Member states made progress in VAT compliance in 2021, though losses remain considerable

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

Most EU member states made progress in the enforcement of Value-Added Tax (VAT) compliance in 2021, according to a new report released by the European Commission today. The annual VAT Gap study, which measures the difference between theoretically expected VAT revenues and the amount actually collected, shows that member states lost around €61 billion in VAT in 2021, compared to €99bn in 2020.This figure represents revenues lost mainly to VAT fraud, evasion and avoidance, non-fraudulent bankruptcies, miscalculations and financial insolvencies, among other drivers.Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said: “The marked improvements in the latest VAT Gap figures are good news for public finances in Europe. They can be attributed mostly to well-targeted national measures that have been consistently implemented. Now we need to deliver a strong push at EU level too, which means enacting our ‘VAT in the Digital Age' proposals, which represent a real game-changer in terms of speeding up and ...

‘I could’ve died’: Man brutally assaulted in Venice speaks out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

Los Angeles police are hoping Ring camera video will help capture two men involved in a brutal assault in Venice. It occurred around 2 a.m. on Sept. 28th.According to police, the male victim, identified only as Kyle, encountered two men who were walking with bicycles near the intersection of Speedway and Market Street and an argument ensued.“The first suspect swung a pair of bolt cutters at the victim and the victim deflected the blow,” LAPD said in a statement. “The suspect repeatedly punched the victim who was knocked to the ground.”Ring camera video released by LAPD shows an assault in Venice, California on Sept. 28, 2023. (LAPD)While on the ground, Ring video shows the suspect kicking Kyle in the head, then picking up the bolt cutters and bicycle and starting to walk away. That's where the video clip released by LAPD ends.Somehow, Kyle eventually got back on his feet and, according to police, there was a second confrontation.“The suspect again armed himself with the bolt cutters...

10 Reasons Why Email Is Still Essential for SMBs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

Sponsored ContentIn today’s fast-paced digital market, this statistic may surprise you: 77% of marketers have seen an increase in email engagement, and 37% of brands plan to increase their email budget.Email marketing has endured the test of time despite fast-evolving digital advertising tactics. It’s still one of the most cost-effective channels for SMBs to connect with their audiences, support product launches, deliver a personalized experience, and drive conversions.10 Reasons Why Small and Medium Sized Businesses Should Use Email MarketingHere’s why 81% of small and medium sized businesses use email marketing as the primary customer acquisition channel, while 80% rely on it for retention:1. Deliver a Personalized ExperienceAn email provides a direct, intimate communication experience. Additionally, you can use behavioral triggers to deliver content based on a user’s interactions with your brand and a personal touch often missing on fast-paced social media platforms.2...

Three-bedroom home sells for $2 million in San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

976 Delmas Avenue – Google Street ViewA 1,944-square-foot house built in 1900 has changed hands. The historic property located in the 900 block of Delmas Avenue in San Jose was sold on Sept. 29, 2023, for $1,965,000, or $1,011 per square foot. This two-story house has three bedrooms and two baths. Outside, the home presents roofing composed of composition shingles materials. In addition, the home provides an attached two-car garage, granting ample space for parking and storage purposes.Additional houses have recently changed hands nearby:A 1,333-square-foot home on the 400 block of Marshall Avenue in San Jose sold in June 2023, for $1,535,000, a price per square foot of $1,152. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In August 2023, a 1,500-square-foot home on Snyder Avenue in San Jose sold for $1,775,000, a price per square foot of $1,183. The home has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom.On Snyder Avenue, San Jose, in May 2023, a 1,755-square-foot home was sold for $1,857,000, a price per square...

Taiwanese, Chinese players share 2nd-round lead at Asia-Pacific Amateur at Royal Melbourne

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Lin Chuan-tai of Taiwan and Ding Wenyi of China moved into a share of the second-round lead on Saturday at the Asia-Pacific Amateur at Royal Melbourne.Lin shot a 5-under 67 and Ding 70 for two-round totals of 139. There was a four-way tied for third, including first-round leader Kazmua Kobori of New Zealand, who shot 75 Friday.After tough conditions at Royal Melbourne over the first two rounds, the cut for the top 60 and ties was expected to be made at 12-over 154.The tournament winner receives an invitation to the 2024 Masters and a spot in next year’s British Open at Royal Troon, along with being exempt from qualifying for the British Amateur. This is the second time the Asia-Pacific Amateur has been held at Royal Melbourne, which recently hosted the Presidents Cup in 2019. ___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfSource

Jasmine Suwannapura stays in the lead after two rounds of the LPGA tournament in Malaysia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — First-round leader Jasmine Suwannapura trailed on the leaderboard for most of the day Friday but emerged with a one-stroke lead going into the third round of the Maybank Championship on the LPGA Tour.Suwannapura shot a second-round 3-under 69 for a two-round total of 12-under 132 on the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course. Rose Zhang of the United States was in second place after a 68. She was followed by Celine Boutier of France, who had the round of the day with a 64 and was two strokes behind the leader and tied for third with Australia’s Hannah Green (70) and Peiyun Chien of Taiwan, who shot 69.Brooke Henderson had a 67 and was at 8-under, four strokes behind, and Nelly Korda shot 69 and was at 6 under.It is the third of four LPGA events on the tour’s Asian swing. Minjee Lee of Australia won last week’s stop in South Korea in a playoff and the final tournament is next week’s Toto Classic in Japan. ___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfS...

¿Quiénes eran las víctimas de los tiroteos en Lewiston, Maine?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

(CNN) — Al menos 18 personas murieron en los tiroteos de este miércoles en Lewiston, Maine, informó la gobernadora del estado, Janet Mills. Otras 13 personas resultaron heridas, añadió.Las autoridades están trabajando en la identificación de las víctimas. Aquí, lo que sabemos de ellas hasta el momento.Tricia AsselinTricia Asselin. (Imagen proporcionada a CNN)Tricia Asselin, de 53 años, trabajaba a tiempo parcial en Just-In-Time Recreation en Lewiston, pero el miércoles en la noche se encontraba jugando a los bolos cuando un hombre armado entró y abrió fuego, le dijo su hermano a CNN este jueves.“Lo que me dijeron es que cuando todo empezó, ella corrió hacia el mostrador y comenzó a llamar al 911, y fue entonces cuando le dispararon”, dijo DJ Johnson a CNN. “Esa era ella. No iba a huir. Iba a intentar ayudar”.Su otra hermana también estaba en la bolera pero logró escapar, dijo.Última hora de los tiroteos en Lewiston, Maine, en vivo: muertos, noticias del sospe...

Australia and New Zealand rivalry is renewed in a Himalayan setting at the Cricket World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

The serious end of the Cricket World Cup begins for Australia and New Zealand on Saturday in a Himalayan setting for their trans-Tasman clash — the final game of the tournament at Dharamsala.Both teams have played five games — New Zealand is placed third with eight points from four wins and trails second-place South Africa on net run-rate. Australia has won three out of five games and is placed fourth with six points.For New Zealand, it marks the beginning of a tough run of games. After Australia, it takes on South Africa (Nov. 2), Pakistan (Nov. 4) and Sri Lanka (Nov. 9). All of its final four opponents are still in the running for a semifinal spot.In the absence of Kane Williamson and Tim Southeee, the Black Caps did well to win its first four games against England, the Netherlands, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. It then lost to India in Dharamsala, and it wasn’t a one-sided game as the hosts were made to work hard in the 274-run chase.Given the topsy-turvy nature of results in this ...

Hamas tells Russia: We won’t release hostages without Israel cease-fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

A Hamas official said the militant group will not release hostages it took during its violent attack on October 7 until Israel agrees to a cease-fire.Abu Hamid, a member of the Hamas delegation that visited Moscow on Thursday, told the Russian state-controlled Kommersant newspaper that the group also needs time to locate all the hostages in Gaza.In an interview with the Russian outlet, Hamid said his group “captured dozens of people, most of them civilians, and we need time to find them in the Gaza Strip and then liberate them.”During Hamas’ assault on Israel earlier this month, the militant group killed more than 1,400 people and took around 200 hostages. Since then, about 50 of the hostages have been killed by ongoing retaliatory Israeli airstrikes against Gaza, Abu Hamid told Kommersant.During Hamas’ visit to Moscow, led by Mousa Abu Marzook, a founder and political leader of the militant group, Hamid said they presented their reasons for the attack to Russia.“T...

A shooting between migrants near the Serbia-Hungary border leaves 3 dead and 1 wounded, report says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:25 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — A shooting between migrants near Serbia’s border with Hungary early Friday left three people dead and one other person seriously wounded, Serbia’s state RTS television reported on Friday. The shooting happened at abandoned farming warehouses near the village of Horgos, the report said. A large number of police officers were sent to the scene, RTS said. Police have yet to issue an official statement. Reports of violence and gunbattles have become common near the border between Serbia and European Union member nation Hungary. Thousands of migrants have been camping in the area, looking for ways to cross with the help of people smugglers.The Serbia-Hungary border area lies on the so-called Balkan land route of migration toward Western Europe, which leads from Turkey to Greece and Bulgaria, and then on to North Macedonia, Serbia, or Bosnia. Hungary’s staunchly anti-immigrant government has put up razor wire fence on the border with Serbia to sto...