X17 News

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Shakira took a trip to Haiti to visit earthquake survivors who are now homeless as a result of the January 12 disaster. The Columbian pop star will help to build a much-needed school for children in the Port-Au-Prince area, according to the Associated Press.

She also made a stop at a Haitian golf course where over 50,000 quake survivors are now living, many of whom are infants.

The singer is no stranger to humanitarian work. Her Barefoot Foundation currently provides nutrition to more than 6,000 children in Colombia.

Sean Penn was also in Haiti over the weekend providing humanitarian aid to the people of Port-Au-Prince. The actor met up with Shakira, and both stars spoke about the various challenges the people now face since the disastrous earthquake.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (X17online) - Shakira will be performing the anthem, Waka Waka, for the World Cup closing ceremony in South Africa.

The performance has been described by organizers as a high-tech production which is very different from previous traditionally African ceremonies that have opened the tournament.

Committee spokesman Jermaine Craig says that Sunday's show will be "more youthful and bit more technologically advanced." Special effects are said to also be involved.

For the World Cup concert in Soweta back on June 10, Shakira also performed the anthem that will be heard at the closing ceremony.

MADRID, Spain (X17online) - U2 has been fined for rehearsing until midnight before a June 2009 concert in Barcelona because this was two hours past the scheduled time and above legal sound levels.

Residents living near Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium, where the rehearsal took place, filed numerous complaints because of the noise. As a result, the band was forced to pay $22,000 for the offense.

The city is now contemplating whether or not to fine Shakira for filming her recent music video without a proper permit, dancing in a fountain and for not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle in the area.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) -- Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin are among the big names in this year's Latin Grammy Award nominations.

However -- a record has been set; the less-known family group Calle 13 grabbed 10 nominations for the 12th annual awards.

Shakira and Martin are both up for Album of the Year and have three noms each.

Pitbull scored two.

The Latin Grammy Awards will take place Nov. 10 in Las Vegas, and will be broadcast live on Univision.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Colombian pop star Shakira has been signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation music label. The "Hips Don't Lie" singer, who has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide and won countless awards, will join the ranks of a list of talented artists under the management company including Rihanna, J.Cole, and Will Smith's daughter Willow Smith.

Jay-Z is up for the challenge of growing the sexy songstresses' career. "I think running a label is a bit like having kids. When you see that someone can make it on their own...you see Kanye or J.Cole, you see that sort of talent -- you let that talent be. You let that talent find its way," the "Otis" singer told MTV news.