Panama Papers – tax havens of the rich and powerful exposed (BBC News)
Eleven million documents held by the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca have been passed to a German newspaper however; the identity of the source is unknown. The documents show how the company has helped client’s launder money, dodge sanctions and evade taxes. Mossack Fonseca says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and never been accused or charged with criminal wrong-doing.
ISIS kidnaps hundreds of Syrian factory workers (BBC News)
At least 200 people are reported missing after an attack by the Islamic State on a cement factory near Damascus. Workers were reportedly taken from a dormitory where they were staying on the outskirts of the town of Dumeir. A factory administrator said no one had been able to contact the workers since the assault on Monday. Efforts are under way to secure the workers release, with indirect contacts said to have been made.
In France, It’s now a Crime to Pay for Sex (NPR)
Under the law, passed Wednesday, “customers will face fines and be made to attend awareness classes on the harms of the sex trade” the AP reports. Clients will be fined about $1,700 for the first offense – and that increases to more than $4,250 on the second. Frances sex workers union strongly opposes the legislation, saying it puts them at greater risk. Amnesty International says that this “mean(s) that sex workers have to take more risks to protect buyers from detection by the police.”
Tensions escalate between Clinton and Sanders (BBC News)
Bernie Sanders recent criticism of Hillary Clinton as “unqualified” for the presidency represent a marked escalation in the war of words between the two candidates. “I don’t think you’re qualified if you get $15 million from Wall Street through your super PAC” he said. On the campaign trail, Mrs. Clinton told Politico that she explains things in a more “open and truthful (way) than my opponent”. The two candidates will do battle in a New York showdown in two weeks, a state where both have strong links.
American Muslim Organization Files Lawsuit Against the Federal Government (Vice News)
