Day: May 5, 2023

Bit of a nothing day, after a transformer nearby blew up with a huge bang and we had no electric from 7 am to after 4 pm. With an almost all-electric place (we do have gas for the cooker), it’s only when it is not there that you realise how little you can do!

Meanwhile, as the WHO announces the official end of the Covid-19 pandemic (though, of course, it is still bubbling around) –

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/05/covid-19-no-longer-global-health-emergency-world-health-organization

the latest report of the Department of Epidemiology says that there are 84 new cases of malaria and 2 cases of hantavirus. So far in 2023, the health ministry has confirmed 3,888 cases of malaria. It also reports a total of 1,431 confirmed cases of dengue so far this year. Despite the rain (which usually heralds the arrival of more mosquitoes), so far there we have seen fewer, none in fact – but best to touch wood having said that, I think.

5 MAY 2023

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y

On 5 May, the FSA advised that it has published the findings of its review into the risks posed to the Isle of Man business sector in connection with foreign Politically Exposed Persons (PEP).  Inspectors found that some firms demonstrated a strong understanding of risks, supplemented by good systems and controls, clear procedures, experienced staff, and documented evidence of the assessment and management of foreign PEP.  However, contraventions of the AML/CFT Code were identified at a number of inspected firms.  This ranged from relatively small-scale matters that can be quickly addressed by firms, to gaps and weaknesses that require more substantial remedial action.

https://www.iomfsa.im/fsa-news/2023/may/authority-publishes-findings-of-pep-report/

https://www.iomfsa.im/media/3147/aml-pep-thematic-report-05-05-2023.pdf

On 5 May, OCCRP reported that the winners’ ties to alleged corruption networks make it unlikely they will pursue reforms that could harm their allies’ interests.

https://insightcrime.org/news/election-new-president-suggests-same-old-corruption-paraguay/

On 5 May, OCCRP reported that Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu, whose victory in February is being challenged in court, has been keeping part of his wealth in the UK, where he and his close associates own at least 20 properties that were mostly acquired when Tinubu was the governor of Lagos State.

https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/17597-at-least-20-properties-in-the-uk-linked-to-nigeria-s-president-elect-and-his-associates

On 5 May, OCCRP reported that the US has indicted a Russian national for allegedly creating and managing the Try2Check platform, a cybercrime hub that allowed criminals to verify the validity of stolen credit cards before making luxury purchases at the expense of their owners.

https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/17600-cybercrime-credit-card-hub-try2check-taken-down-creator-indicted-by-u-s

On 5 May, OCCRP reported that the co-founder of an offshore company that won a controversial $6.6 billion arbitration award after arguing that Nigeria failed to fulfil an energy contract has admitted in a London court that the company and its affiliates had previously engaged in financial misconduct and deception –– including unexplained payments to senior officials, and falsifying invoices.

https://www.occrp.org/en/37-ccblog/ccblog/17598-p-id-scandal-insiders-from-shell-company-embroiled-in-11-billion-corruption-case-admit-misconduct

EU Regulation 2023/913/EU amended the entry relating to Bosco TAGANDA, following the decision of the relevant UN Sanctions Committee.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2023.119.01.0020.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2023%3A119%3ATOC

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2023.119.01.0177.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2023:119:TOC