Panama Covid-19 update – it seems the Omicron wave is here, as active cases continue to rise – though not yet at the rates seen in the UK and elsewhere.
Yesterday saw nearly 2,000 active cases added to a total that had become 14,778. 1,888 new cases were reported and 2 new fatalities. There was a relatively big rise in ICU cases, though only from 25 to 35, with another 153 in other wards (up 5 on the day before). An indicator is that the percentage of positive results in testing has reached 12.8%, a level probably not seen since November 2020.
Meanwhile, Panama has received the first batch of vaccine for use on children from age 5 upwards, as it plans for the re-opening of schools here at the end of the Summer in March. however, it seems the health minister dodged the question of whether or not the carnival will go ahead in february, after being lost for the last 2 years.
2 JANUARY 2022
CRIMINALS IN SCOTLAND FAILING TO PAY BACK ‘DIRTY MONEY’
On 1 January, the Scotsman reported that organised criminals are flouting proceeds of crime laws and keeping their dirty money, Scottish Conservative Party research has claimed. It says that analysis shows that criminals were ordered to hand over almost £1.6 million of criminal proceeds in the first three months of 2021 – but they in fact paid just 5% of that.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/criminals-in-scotland-failing-to-pay-back-dirty-money-3511549
MALAYSIAN POLICE CONFISCATE 1,720 BITCOIN MINING MACHINES
On 30 December, U Today reported that electricity had been stolen by the illegal mining farm.
https://u.today/malaysian-police-confiscate-1720-bitcoin-mining-machines
LEAKED UEFA MEMO REVEALS ORGANISED CRIME’S ATTEMPT TO FIX SOCCER MATCHES PAYING REFEREES UP TO $30,000
On 31 December, MSN Sports reported that the criminals would find the referees online and begin communication to tempt them to sway matches. The referees were contacted via social media according to the report in The Sun in the UK.
COVID CRISIS LEAVES SRI LANKA ON BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY
On 2 January, the Guardian reported that Sri Lanka is facing a deepening financial and humanitarian crisis with fears it could go bankrupt in 2022 as inflation rises to record levels, food prices rocket and its coffers run dry. Inflation hit a record high of 11.1% in November. The loss of jobs and vital foreign revenue from tourism, which usually contributes more than 10% of GDP, has been substantial. Meanwhile, it says that the government’s sudden decision in May to ban all fertiliser and pesticides and force farmers to go organic without warning has brought a formerly prosperous agricultural community to its knees as many farmers.
FINANCIAL CRIME BANK FINES IN the 21st CENTURY
On 2 January, Financial Crime News published an article saying that it has analysed 96 material fines (exceeding $10 million) for AML and Sanctions violations in the 21st Century. It says that the findings and the observations provide the basis for a an evidence based examination and exploration of the role fines play and whether those involved need to think harder.
http://thefinancialcrimenews.com/financial-crime-bank-fines-in-the-21st-century-by-fcn/
Any modest contributions for my time and ongoing expenses are welcomed! I have a page where you can do so, and where one-off contributions start as low as $3, at
raytodd.blog 