Top Anti-Corruption Reporter Murdered In Malta

VICE News: Reporter who investigated Panama Papers killed in car bomb

Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journalist who relentlessly investigated corruption in her home country of Malta, was killed Monday afternoon in a car bomb outside her home. One of Malta’s leading politicians has called it “political murder” motivated by her reporting.

“What happened today is not an ordinary killing,” said Adrian Delia, a leader of Malta’s political opposition.

Galizia was perhaps most famous for her reporting linking Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his wife, and several associates to the Panama Papers, a trove of documents detailing several heads of states’ connections to secret offshore shell companies in Panama. Galizia alleged that Muscat’s wife, Michelle, owned one of these companies, and that the company had received a series of payments from an account linked to the government of Azerbaijan.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Her anti-corruption efforts clearly irked a lot of people. It cost her life.

More News On Top Anti-Corruption Reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia Murdered In Malta

Maltese blogger who accused government of corruption killed by car bomb -- The Sun Daily (Malta)
Bomb kills reporter who covered Malta’s ‘Panama Papers’ link -- AP
Anti-corruption blogger killed by huge bomb in Malta -- Reuters
Malta car bomb kills Panama Papers journalist -- The Guardian
Malta blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia dies in car bomb attack -- BBC
Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia killed in car blast -- CNN
Car bombing kills Malta journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia -- CPJ Press Freedom Online

Panama Papers Can Now Be Viewed Online

BBC: Panama Papers affair widens as database goes online

The Panama Papers affair has widened, with a huge database of documents relating to more than 200,000 offshore accounts posted online.

The database became accessible from 18:00 GMT at offshoreleaks.icij.org.

The Panama Papers have shown how some wealthy people use offshore firms to evade tax and avoid sanctions.

The papers belonged to Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca and were leaked by a source simply known as "John Doe". The company denies any wrongdoing.

Last week it issued a "cease and desist " order to prevent the database being made public but the organisation that has the documents, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), went ahead.

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WNU Editor: The database became accessible from 18:00 GMT at offshoreleaks.icij.org.

More News On The Panama Papers Now Being Available Online

Panama Papers Database of Offshore Companies Goes Live -- AP
You can now search the Panama Papers – the secret accounts of the global rich – yourself -- Washington Post
Panama Papers Details Released in Online Searchable Database -- Time
Journalism Org Releases Full List Of People, Companies Named In 'Panama Papers' -- NPR
Panama Papers database dump reveals 200000 secret offshore account details -- The Telegraph
Panama Papers database of shell companies goes online -- DW
Panama Papers database goes live -- The Hill
You Can Now Search the Panama Papers to See Who Is Stashing Cash Offshore -- VICE News
Panama Papers reveal at least 36 Americans accused of financial crimes -- USA Today
Panama Papers: Database Released, Dozens of Americans Listed -- NBC
What's in the Panama Papers database and how to search it -- CBC
Here are all the notable people we've found in the Panama Papers so far -- Business Insider
Panama Papers: What we know now -- USA Today

Panama Papers Leaker Speaks Out For The First Time

DW: Panama Papers source 'John Doe' sends manifesto to explain data-release actions

The anonymous source of the 'Panama Papers' has issued a manifesto explaining the motives for releasing the data. "John Doe" also called for action on corruption at the heart of income inequality.

The German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung published on its website a manifesto written by the anonymous source of the "Panama Papers," the 11.5 million files on offshore tax havens from the law firm Mossack Fonseca released last month.

The source denied being a spy: "For the record, I do not work for any government or intelligence agency, directly or as a contractor, and I never have. My viewpoint is entirely my own."

"John Doe" had harsh words for what he called "massive, pervasive corruption" at the heart of income inequality, which he described as "one of the defining issues of our time."

In the 1,800 word statement, Doe said the "sudden acceleration" of income inequality affects everyone around the world with politicians academics and activists "alike helpless to stop its steady growth."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The law firm at the heart of the Panama Papers scandal is clearly worried .... Law firm warns against 'Panama Papers' being released online (AFP)

More News On The Panama Papers Leaker Speaks Out For The First Time

Panama Papers: Source breaks silence on Mossack Fonseca leaks -- BBC
Panama Papers source breaks silence over 'scale of injustices' -- The Guardian
Panama Papers leaker speaks out for the first time -- USA Today
Panama Papers Source Offers to Aid Investigators if He’s Not Punished -- New York Times
Panama Papers: whistleblower willing to co-operate with police -- Irish Times
Panama Papers Whistleblower Speaks; Wants To Hand Mammoth Leak To Cops -- Forbes
John Doe, mysterious whistleblower behind Panama Papers, finally speaks -- Charlotte Observer

Did Intelligence Agencies Use Mossack Fonseca To 'Conceal' Their Activities?

© Rodrigo Arangua / AFP

DW: Panama Papers indicate spies used Mossack Fonseca to 'conceal' activities

Secret agents from several countries, including intermediaries of the CIA, reportedly used the services of Mossack Fonseca law firm to hide their schemes. The claims are the latest in the Panama Papers leak.

German newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported on Tuesday that "secret agents and their informants have made wide use of the company's services" and opened shell companies to conceal their activities wrote the newspaper. "Among them are close intermediaries of the CIA," the newspaper reported.

Data breach

The Munich-based newspaper obtained a huge stash of 11.5 million documents from the Panamanian firm Mossack Fonseca and shared them with more than 100 media groups through the International Consortium.
The massive data breach implicated tax dodgers from Reykjavik to Riyadh. On Tuesday, the "Süddeutsche" reported that Mossack Fonseca clients also included "several players" in the 1980s Iran-Contra scandal, which saw senior US officials facilitate secret arms sales to Iran in a bid to secure the release of American hostages and fund Nicaragua's Contra rebels.

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WNU Editor: A lot of information has not been disclosed .... but the discussion on how intelligence agencies used these shell companies to finance covert operations is just beginning.

More News On Mossack Fonseca's Reported Ties To Intelligence Agencies

Investigators Visit Panama Papers Law Firm's Office -- AP
Peru raids offices of Panama Papers firm -- USA Today
Swiss banker whistleblower: CIA behind Panama Papers -- CNBC
‘Who’s funding this?’ CIA & MI5 whistleblowers question credibility of Panama Papers coverage -- RT
Panama Papers: Spy agencies widely used Mossack Fonseca to hide activities -- RT
IMF chief talks Panama Papers fallout: time to 'think outside box' on global tax -- The Guardian
The Covert Roots of the Panama Papers -- Steven Cohen, New Republic
Panama Papers: So Just Where Are All the Well-Heeled Clients Going? -- Newsweek

The Panama Papers Will Probably Lead To Deadly Purges In Some Countries

CBC: Panama Papers: How the release of the documents could lead to deadly political purges

Data reveals alleged links to family, friends of current and former dictators.

Embarrassment, prosecution, political instability and murder — all possible ramifications, say some observers, of the leak of millions of confidential documents revealing the hidden offshore assets of billionaires, top government officials, celebrities and athletes.

"I'd be stunned if insiders in the authoritarian governments that this has been leaked on are not caught up in purges and killed as a consequence of this information," said U.S. political scientist Ian Bremmer, head of the global political risk research firm Eurasia Group.

"Because when you're talking about stealing billions of dollars from the people and you're a dictator, that's the information that's most important to keep close at hand and that's what people are most willing to fight for."

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WNU Editor: This leak is important because it shows the money trail that many political leaders and the wealthy use in minimizing their tax burdens and/or hiding their wealth. And while having off-shore companies is nothing new (and perfectly legal in many countries) .... in some authoritarian countries this is not the case. As a result, it will not surprise me if in the days and weeks to come we start to see law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and God only knows what else .... all of them lining up and demanding complete access to all of these documents. The end result becomes even more predictable .... I can easily see how this information will then be used in certain countries to eliminate/purge/discredit opponents .... and in some cases put in jail ... or worse.

Iceland's Prime Minister Has Resigned Over The Panama Papers Revelations

BBC: Panama Papers: Iceland prime minister resigns

The prime minister of Iceland has resigned - the first major casualty of the Panama Papers leaks which have shed an embarrassing spotlight on the world of offshore finance.

The leaks, from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca, showed PM Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson owned an offshore company, Wintris, with his wife.

He was accused of concealing millions of dollars worth of family assets.

A big protest was held in front of parliament in Iceland on Monday.

Reports suggest the agriculture minister will be the new PM.

Read more ....

More News On Iceland's Prime Minister Resigning Over The Panama Papers Revelations

Icelandic PM to resign amid offshore holdings controversy -- AP
Iceland prime minister resigns amid fallout from ‘Panama Papers’ disclosures -- Washington Post
Reports: Iceland's Prime Minister Resigns Amid Panama Papers Scandal -- NPR
Iceland PM offers to resign amid Panama Papers scandal, official says -- FOX News
Iceland PM resigns after 'Panama Papers' leak -- The Hill
Panama Papers: Iceland’s Prime Minister Resigns -- The Atlantic
Iceland's prime minister has resigned over secret investments revealed in the Panama Papers -- Business Insider
Iceland PM Says ‘Bring It On,’ Then Resigns After Panama Leak -- Daily Caller

Panama Papers Reveal North Korea's Off-Shore Companies

The Guardian: British banker set up firm ‘used by North Korea to sell weapons’

Nigel Cowie’s front company also allegedly helped regime expand nuclear programme, Panama Papers show

A British banker who spent two decades living in communist North Korea set up a secret offshore finance company allegedly used by the Pyongyang regime to help sell arms and expand its nuclear weapons programme.

Nigel Cowie – a fluent Korean and Chinese speaker, who studied at Edinburgh University – was behind a Pyongyang front company, DCB Finance Limited, registered in the British Virgin Islands, papers show.

He says DCB Finance was used for legitimate business and that he was unaware of any unlawful transactions.

Read more ....

Update #1: Panama Papers: Mossack Fonseca 'helped firm with links to North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme' (The Independent)
Update #2: Panama Papers include entities with North Korea ties (UPI)

WNU Editor: Mossack Fonseca had to know that these off-shore companies had connections to North Korea ... but instead to choose to ignore all the warning signs. This is not going to be pretty.

China's Elite Have Been Exposed By The Panama Papers

Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured) has been dogged by foreign media reports of great family wealth. Daily Mail

David Wertime, Foreign Policy: Chinese Censors Rush to Make ‘Panama Papers’ Disappear

Several Beijing leaders were implicated in the big leak. Reading social media, you’d never know it.

On April 3, the Washington, DC-based non-profit International Committee of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) dropped what struck many as a bombshell: news that a leaked trove of 11.5 million previously secret files from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca showed a dizzying array of world leaders have, or are closely connected to, offshore entities. Its shockwaves have reached Beijing: Relatives or contacts of several sitting and former Chinese high officials are prominently listed, including the brother-in-law of current President Xi JInping, the daughter of former Premier Li Peng, and the grand-daughter of Jia Qinglin, a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), a tiny and elite group of officials that runs the country. Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China that functions under a separate legal system, also lives up to its reputation as a haven for mainland capital: the ICIJ report tags it as the largest source of “intermediaries,” meaning the lawyers, accountants, and other middlemen that make the system of veiled ownership work.

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WNU Editor: The Panama Papers revelation on China is actually old news. This blog covered this story 2 years ago .... How China's Oligarchs Quietly Stashed Up To $4 Trillion In The Caribbean. The only difference is that the Panama Papers are providing more details and who is benefiting from it.

More News On China's Elite Being Exposed By The Panama Papers

Chinese President Xi Jinping's family used offshore tax havens to conceal their fortunes according to Panama Papers leak -- Daily Mail
Panama papers: China leaders' relatives named in leaks -- BBC
Panama Papers: Family of China's President Xi implicated -- Asia One/AFP
The Panama Papers are super awkward for Beijing -- Washington Post
Panama papers: China censors online discussion -- BBC
China’s elite—including Xi Jinping—are linked to offshore deals that hid millions of dollars -- Quartz
Panama Papers: Family of China's President Xi implicated -- Straits Times
Panama Papers: China Censoring Social Media Posts as Elite Implicated in Offshore Deals -- Newsweek
Xi's kin among CPC leaders named in Panama Papers -- Business Standard
Panama Papers: Chinese media silenced as scandal draws in Xi Jinping and 'red aristocracy' -- IBTimes

Russia And The Panama Papers

Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg: Putin's a Pauper, His Friends Are Rich

Recent reports by two consortia of investigative journalists purport to have exposed the dealings and offshore accounts of some of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest associates. They don't name him as a beneficiary of any account, suggesting that Putin is as poor as a church mouse -- or would be if he ever lost power.

The investigations were published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, respectively. The first names St. Petersburg businessman Grigory Bayevskiy as someone who provided valuable real estate to, among others, Katerina Tikhonova, reportedly Putin's daughter. The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied that connection when asked about the reports.

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WNU Editor: This analysis is probably correct .... Who's fretting about Panama Papers revelations? Probably not Putin. (Fred Weir, CSM)

More News On What The Panama Papers Reveal On Russia

Ice skating wife of key Putin aide is blamed as ‘front woman’ for Panamanian tax dodge as president blames ‘Putinophobia’ for accusations he hid piles of cash -- Daily Mail
Panama Papers put Putin funds in Zurich -- Swiss Info
Revealed: the $2bn offshore trail that leads to Vladimir Putin -- The Guardian
Offshore empire of Putin's cellist friend shines light on Kremlin wealth -- AFP
ICIJ Report Says Putin Associates Ran $2B Through Offshore Accounts -- VOA
Massive Document Leak Details Offshore Accounts Connected to Putin and Other Leaders -- Fortune
Putin associates had $2 billion in offshore accounts, report says -- Washington Post
Panama Papers: Putin associates linked to 'money laundering' -- BBC
International Journalists Say Putin Associates Ran $2 Billion Through Offshore Accounts -- VOA
In search of Putin's money -- Al Jazeera
A massive leak of documents connects Putin and other world leaders to offshore deals -- Quartz
Putin's spokesman denies involvement in offshore accounts -- AP
Kremlin dismisses reports alleging links between Putin and offshore deals -- Reuters
Leaks about offshore accounts leave Russians unimpressed -- AP
Putin’s Panama Papers Caper -- Michael Weiss, Daily Beast

The Panama Papers -- News Updates April 4, 2016 (Updated)

Daily Mail: Map reveals how secretive Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca relies on a network of offices with contacts around the world to support its super-rich clients

* Secretive law firm Mossack Fonseca is based in Panama but has branches in more than 35 cities around the world
* Success relies on a network of banks and accountants who put clients in touch with the firm to manage their assets
* Work with Mossack Fonseca to create thousands offshore accounts, which can be used to conceal financial affairs
* Thousands of accounts were requested by major financial institutions including, Coutts, Rothschild and HSBC

The law firm at the centre of the biggest financial leak in history relies on an international network of lawyers, bankers and accountants to support its high net-worth clients.

The secretive Mossack Fonseca is based in Panama but has set up branches in more than 25 countries around the world, listing 37 different offices on its website. The global set-up has allowed the law firm to establish relationships with law firms, banks and accountants who work with the super rich.

Its success relies on these associates, among them major financial institutions including HSBC, Credit Suisse and Coutts, hiring the law firm to manage the finance of their wealthy clients.

They then work with Mossack Fonseca to create thousands of offshore accounts, which are allegedly used to help clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax. The law firm has denied any wrongdoing.

Read more ....

The Panama Papers

PANAMA PAPERS: The secrets of dirty money -- Suddeutsche Zeitung
Panama Papers -- ICIJ
ICIJ/OCCRP Panama Papers project yields unprecedented access to high level offshore corruption -- OCCRP

Live Updates

Panama tax leak reaction: Live -- BBC
The Latest: Over 1,000 Germans tied to offshore data leak -- AP
Panama Papers: global reaction to huge leak of offshore tax files - live -- The Guardian
Panama Papers live: Downing Street responds to claims David Cameron's father avoided paying tax -- The Independent
Panama Papers: David Cameron embroiled in tax avoidance row after details of father's Bahamas business interests are leaked: Live -- The Telegraph

The Panama Papers -- News Updates April 4, 2016

Panama Papers read like Who's Who of world power -- USA Today
The big names caught up in the Panama Papers scandal -- Sydney Morning Herald
Trove of data on offshore accounts prompts probe, questions -- AP
Tax evasion probes underway after Panama Papers leak -- Reuters
Panama Papers: Leaks spur global investigations -- BBC
A look at offshore accounts used to hide wealth, avoid taxes -- AP
Panama Papers: Huge leak exposes tax havens of world leaders -- Asia Times
A world tour of the politicians named in the Panama Papers -- France 24
Panama Papers: Vladimir Putin associates, Jackie Chan identified in unprecedented leak of offshore financial records -- ABC News Online
Panama Papers: biggest leak in history published by German newspaper -- Euronews
'Panama Papers': World leaders, politicians, celebrities hide fortunes offshore -- UPI
Panama leak draws scrutiny to offshore havens -- Financial Times
'Panama Papers' reveal how the rich hide money offshore -- DW
Panama Papers: Huge leak alleges elites hiding money -- Al Jazeera
Panama Papers: Mossack Fonseca Leak Reveals Widespread International Corruption -- IBTimes
Massive document leak taints 140 int'l politicians, officials -- FOX News
Massive Document Leak Reveals Offshore Accounts Of World Leaders -- NPR
Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents reveal how world’s rich and powerful hid money -- The Independent
Panama Papers: Document leak exposes global corruption, secrets of the rich -- CBC
Massive ‘Panama Papers’ leak reveals how world leaders, celebrities, billionaires are using shady off-shore company to hide their riches -- New York Daily News
Massive leak reveals money rings of global leaders -- USA Today
The Prime Ministers, Presidents and Kings Who Benefited From Tax Shelters -- Haaretz

Russian President Putin And The Panama Papers

Revealed: the $2bn offshore trail that leads to Vladimir Putin -- The Guardian
Offshore empire of Putin's cellist friend shines light on Kremlin wealth -- AFP
ICIJ Report Says Putin Associates Ran $2B Through Offshore Accounts -- VOA
Massive Document Leak Details Offshore Accounts Connected to Putin and Other Leaders -- Fortune
Putin associates had $2 billion in offshore accounts, report says -- Washington Post
Panama Papers: Putin associates linked to 'money laundering' -- BBC
International Journalists Say Putin Associates Ran $2 Billion Through Offshore Accounts -- VOA
In search of Putin's money -- Al Jazeera
A massive leak of documents connects Putin and other world leaders to offshore deals -- Quartz
Putin's spokesman denies involvement in offshore accounts -- AP
Kremlin dismisses reports alleging links between Putin and offshore deals -- Reuters
Leaks about offshore accounts leave Russians unimpressed -- AP

Chinese Leaders And Their Families Named In The Panama Papers

Chinese President Xi Jinping's family used offshore tax havens to conceal their fortunes according to Panama Papers leak -- Daily Mail
Panama papers: China leaders' relatives named in leaks -- BBC
The Panama Papers are super awkward for Beijing -- Washington Post
Panama papers: China censors online discussion -- BBC
China’s elite—including Xi Jinping—are linked to offshore deals that hid millions of dollars -- Quartz
Panama Papers: Family of China's President Xi implicated -- Straits Times

Ukrainian President Poroshenko

Ukraine’s leader set up secret offshore firm as battle raged with Russia -- The Guardian
Ukraine's Poroshenko defends record after Panama leaks -- Reuters
Poroshenko delegated management of his business assets to consulting companies -- Interfax-Ukraine
Ukrainian president under fire over Panama Papers -- AP
Leaked documents show no evidence of crime by Ukraine's Poroshenko: prosecutor official -- Reuters
Ukrainian MPs call for investigation into Poroshenko after Panama leaks -- Reuters
Ukraine Radical party calls for impeachment probe into president -- Reuters

United Kingdon

Panama PapersCameron silent on whether family money remains in Caribbean tax shelter -- The Telegraph
UK's Cameron under fire over Panama Papers link as government vows to probe data -- Reuters
David Cameron's father and senior Tories named in 'Panama Papers' leak -- The Independent
Cameron's father was Mossack Fonseca client -- BBC
Panama Papers: Downing Street says investments made by David Cameron's father are a 'private matter' -- The independent

Australia

Panama Papers: Australia investigates tax evasion. -- BBC
Australian tax office probes hundreds for possible tax evasion after Panama leak -- Reuters
Panama Papers: ATO investigating more than 800 Australian clients of Mossack Fonseca -- Sydney Morning Herald

Iceland

RESIGN! Thousands gather in Reykjavic to call for Icelandic Prime Minister's resignation over Panama Papers scandal after he hid his millions in a tax haven while his country's economy sank -- Daily Mail
Record Number of Icelanders Protest Over Panama Papers Scandal -- Iceland Review
Thousands Protest In Iceland After Prime Minister Refuses To Step Down -- Huffington Post
Iceland’s PM faces calls for snap election after offshore revelations -- The Guardian
Moment Icelandic Prime Minister storms out of interview when asked about hiding millions in bank bonds through secretive Panama firm – while his country's financial system collapsed -- Daily Mail
Iceland Prime Minister Refuses to Resign Over #PanamaPapers Scandal -- Sputnik
Iceland’s PM says he won’t resign in Panama Papers scandal -- AP

More News On The Panama Papers

EU anti-tax dodging plan under renewed attack after Panama leaks -- Reuters
France to seek documents behind Panama papers: finance ministry -- Reuters
Norway regulator says bank revelations could undermine trust -- Reuters
Dutch to investigate allegations revealed in Panama papers: government -- Reuters
Austrian watchdog investigates two banks after Panama Papers leak -- Reuters
Swedish FSA investigates Nordea after Panama Papers leak -- Reuters
Panama Papers: Who's Implicated from Africa? -- Newsweek
Panama Papers Highlights Links Between Oil And African Leaders, Businessmen -- IBTimes
Panama Papers: The Middle East Players -- Forbes
Panama Papers expose rich Indians' tax dens; Modi announces big time probe -- First Post India
Argentina president, Brazil speaker linked to Panama Papers -- AFP
Argentina's opposition presses Macri over 'Panama Papers' offshore firm -- Reuters
Brazil politicians linked to offshore companies in Panama leaks: paper -- Reuters
Canada's RBC defends practices after Panama Papers leak -- Reuters
Celebrities including Hollywood star Jackie Chan and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi have used Panama law firm to invest their millions -- Daily Mail
Blacklisted by the US government for ‘wrongdoing’ but exposed as clients of the secretive law firm: 33 individuals and firms listed in 'Panama Papers' are accused of doing business with terrorists or drug lords -- Daily Mail
Panama to Work "Vigorously" to Investigate Offshore Accounts -- AP
Panama lawyer at center of data leak denounces attack on privacy -- Reuters
'Panama Papers' law firm under the media's lenses -- AFP
Justice Dept reviewing Panama documents for possible corruption: WSJ -- Reuters

Commentaries, Analysis, And Reaction To The Panama Papers

The Guardian: What are the Panama Papers? A guide to the biggest data leak in history

* What is Mossack Fonseca, how big is it, and who uses offshore firms? Key questions about one of the biggest ever data leaks
* Revealed: the $2bn offshore trail that leads to Vladimir Putin
* How the world’s rich and famous hide their money offshore

The Panama Papers are an unprecedented leak of 11.5m files from the database of the world’s fourth biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca. The records were obtained from an anonymous source by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ then shared them with a large network of international partners, including the Guardian and the BBC.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Reaction To The Panama Papers

Explore the Panama Papers Key Figures -- ICIJ
The Names in the Panama Papers -- Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic
Panama Papers: Why should we care? -- C J Polychroniou, Al Jazeera
Panama Papers leak an opportunity to fix a broken system -- Daniel Hough, CSM
Panama Papers: Who Was Behind The Investigation Into Elite's Tax Havens? -- Newsweek
What to Know About the ‘Panama Papers’ Leak -- Rishi Iyengar, Time
The Panama Papers: Massive Leak Reveals the Global Elite's Secret Cash Havens -- Vice
Here are the famous politicos in ‘the Wikileaks of the mega-rich’ -- Fusion
Panama Papers: The Mossack Fonseca leak and the international media blame-game -- Elsa Buchanan, IBTimes
Panama Papers a very big deal -- Frida Ghitis, CNN
The Panama Papers Show Us That Every Political System in the World Might Be Rigged -- Charles Piefce, Esquire
What are the Panama Papers, and who have been implicated? -- Asia One
Panama Papers: The Most Explosive Revelations from the Biggest Document Leak in History -- Emily Jane Fox, Vanity Fair
ICIJ Senior Editor Discusses Panama Papers With VOA -- VOA
Worldwide, jaws drop to 'Panama Papers' leak -- USA Today
Largest leak ever: Whistleblower reveals global elite crime network -- Inforwars
A world of hidden wealth: why we are shining a light offshore -- The Guardian
Panama law firm safeguards murky offshore secrets -- News & Observer
Panama Papers and Mossack Fonseca explained -- Lisa Main and Elise Worthington, ABC Nes Online
Panama Papers Q&A: How assets are hidden and taxes dodged -- BBC
The Panama Papers: what you need to know -- Luke Harding, The Guardian
The largest leak of secret documents in history was just released — here are its key findings -- Business Insider
Panama Papers: Jurgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca - the lawyers whose firm is at the centre of global controversy -- The Independent
How Reporters Pulled Off the Panama Papers, the Biggest Leak in Whistleblower History -- The Wired
Six things to know about the Panama Papers -- DW
Panama Papers summary: the financial secrets of the global elite -- Euronews
Panama Papers Q&A: What is the scandal about? -- BBC
Panama Papers: what we know so far -- Financial Times

The Panama Papers -- News Updates April 4, 2016

USA Today: Worldwide fallout continues over Panama Papers

The massive, anonymous leak Sunday of more than 11 million documents belonging to a law firm in Panama — Mossack Fonseca — that detail how powerful people hid their wealth reveals suspected cases of money laundering, sanctions evasion and tax avoidance.

Here's what you need to know:

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I will be updating this news story at 21:00 EST.

The Panama Papers

PANAMA PAPERS: The secrets of dirty money -- Suddeutsche Zeitung
Panama Papers -- ICIJ
ICIJ/OCCRP Panama Papers project yields unprecedented access to high level offshore corruption -- OCCRP

Live Updates

Panama tax leak reaction: Live -- BBC
The Latest: France vows to hunt town alleged tax cheats -- AP
Panama Papers: global reaction to huge leak of offshore tax files - live -- The Guardian
Panama Papers live: Downing Street responds to claims David Cameron's father avoided paying tax -- The Independent

The Panama Papers -- News Updates April 4, 2016

The big names caught up in the Panama Papers scandal -- Sydney Morning Herald
Trove of data on offshore accounts prompts probe, questions -- AP
Tax evasion probes underway after Panama Papers leak -- Reuters
Panama Papers: Leaks spur global investigations -- BBC
A look at offshore accounts used to hide wealth, avoid taxes -- AP
Panama Papers: Huge leak exposes tax havens of world leaders -- Asia Times
A world tour of the politicians named in the Panama Papers -- France 24
Panama Papers: Vladimir Putin associates, Jackie Chan identified in unprecedented leak of offshore financial records -- ABC News Online
Panama Papers: biggest leak in history published by German newspaper -- Euronews
'Panama Papers': World leaders, politicians, celebrities hide fortunes offshore -- UPI
Panama leak draws scrutiny to offshore havens -- Financial Times
'Panama Papers' reveal how the rich hide money offshore -- DW
Panama Papers: Huge leak alleges elites hiding money -- Al Jazeera
Panama Papers: Mossack Fonseca Leak Reveals Widespread International Corruption -- IBTimes
Massive document leak taints 140 int'l politicians, officials -- FOX News
Massive Document Leak Reveals Offshore Accounts Of World Leaders -- NPR
Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents reveal how world’s rich and powerful hid money -- The Independent
Panama Papers: Document leak exposes global corruption, secrets of the rich -- CBC
Massive ‘Panama Papers’ leak reveals how world leaders, celebrities, billionaires are using shady off-shore company to hide their riches -- New York Daily News
Massive leak reveals money rings of global leaders -- USA Today
The Prime Ministers, Presidents and Kings Who Benefited From Tax Shelters -- Haaretz

Russian President Putin And The Panama Papers

Revealed: the $2bn offshore trail that leads to Vladimir Putin -- The Guardian
ICIJ Report Says Putin Associates Ran $2B Through Offshore Accounts -- VOA
Massive Document Leak Details Offshore Accounts Connected to Putin and Other Leaders -- Fortune
Putin associates had $2 billion in offshore accounts, report says -- Washington Post
Panama Papers: Putin associates linked to 'money laundering' -- BBC
International Journalists Say Putin Associates Ran $2 Billion Through Offshore Accounts -- VOA
In search of Putin's money -- Al Jazeera
A massive leak of documents connects Putin and other world leaders to offshore deals -- Quartz
Putin's spokesman denies involvement in offshore accounts -- AP
Kremlin dismisses reports alleging links between Putin and offshore deals -- Reuters

Chinese Leaders And Their Families Named In The Panama Papers

Panama papers: China leaders' relatives named in leaks -- BBC
The Panama Papers are super awkward for Beijing -- Washington Post
Panama papers: China censors online discussion -- BBC
China’s elite—including Xi Jinping—are linked to offshore deals that hid millions of dollars -- Quartz
Panama Papers: Family of China's President Xi implicated -- Straits Times

Ukrainian President Poroshenko

Ukraine’s leader set up secret offshore firm as battle raged with Russia -- The Guardian
Ukraine's Poroshenko defends record after Panama leaks -- Reuters
Poroshenko delegated management of his business assets to consulting companies -- Interfax-Ukraine
Ukrainian president under fire over Panama Papers -- AP
Leaked documents show no evidence of crime by Ukraine's Poroshenko: prosecutor official -- Reuters
Ukrainian MPs call for investigation into Poroshenko after Panama leaks -- Reuters
Ukraine Radical party calls for impeachment probe into president -- Reuters

United Kingdon

David Cameron's father and senior Tories named in 'Panama Papers' leak -- The Independent
Cameron's father was Mossack Fonseca client -- BBC
Panama Papers: Downing Street says investments made by David Cameron's father are a 'private matter' -- The independent

Australia

Panama Papers: Australia investigates tax evasion. -- BBC
Australian tax office probes hundreds for possible tax evasion after Panama leak -- Reuters
Panama Papers: ATO investigating more than 800 Australian clients of Mossack Fonseca -- Sydney Morning Herald

Iceland

Iceland’s PM faces calls for snap election after offshore revelations -- The Guardian
Moment Icelandic Prime Minister storms out of interview when asked about hiding millions in bank bonds through secretive Panama firm – while his country's financial system collapsed -- Daily Mail
Iceland Prime Minister Refuses to Resign Over #PanamaPapers Scandal -- Sputnik
Iceland’s PM says he won’t resign in Panama Papers scandal -- AP

More News On The Panama Papers

France to seek documents behind Panama papers: finance ministry -- Reuters
Norway regulator says bank revelations could undermine trust -- Reuters
Dutch to investigate allegations revealed in Panama papers: government -- Reuters
Austrian watchdog investigates two banks after Panama Papers leak -- Reuters
Panama Papers: Who's Implicated from Africa? -- Newsweek
Panama Papers: The Middle East Players -- Forbes
Argentina president, Brazil speaker linked to Panama Papers -- AFP
Panama to Work "Vigorously" to Investigate Offshore Accounts -- AP

Panama Papers: Biggest Leak In History Reveals How The Rich And Powerful Hide Their Money

Daily Mail: Putin and the 'Dirty Dozen': 11million leaked documents reveal how TWELVE world leaders – plus Russian leader's inner circle, British politicians and Lords – hide their millions in tax havens

* 11million financial documents have been leaked from Panamanian law firm
* Show how world's rich and powerful use offshore tax havens to hide wealth
* Twelve current or former world leaders implicated along with UK politicians
* Russian president Vladimir Putin's friends appear to have earned millions
* Leak is bigger than the amount of data stolen by Edward Snowden in 2013
* German newspaper obtained documents but identity of source is unknown

The biggest financial data leak in history has revealed how Vladimir Putin's inner circle and a 'dirty dozen' list of world leaders are using offshore tax havens to hide their wealth.

A host of celebrities, British politicians and the global rich are all implicated in the so-called Panama Papers - a leak of 11million files which contain more data than the amount stolen by former CIA contractor Edward Snowden in 2013.

Documents were leaked from one of the world's most secretive companies, Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, and show how the company has allegedly helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

Lord Ashcroft, Baroness Pamela Sharples and former Tory MP Michael Mates are among the British politicians named in the data release, while several dictators make up the 12 world leaders.

German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung obtained the files and shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists but the identity of the source who leaked them and how it was done is unknown.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: There has been a rumour for the past few weeks that an expose on Putin's financial holdings was going to be released .... I guess this is it .... and in revealing Putin they are revealing evryone else. I have been spending the past 3 hours reading all and everything on this story. Cannot say that I am surprised .... but it is good to see it being exposed as it is right now. The newspaper that broke this story and its exclusive is here (it is in English) .... PANAMA PAPERS: The secrets of dirty money (Suddeutsche Zeitung).

Update: The law firm responsible for all of these tax havens has responded .... Mossack Fonseca’s response to the Panama Papers (The Guardian).

WNU Editor: This is a huge story. $32 trillion in assets hidden in shelter companies that are based in tax havens. Tens of thousands of companies and individuals involved. I expect there is going to be a lot of fall-out from this expose .... starting with the tax audits and tax investigations of people who have now been revealed in this expose. As to the political implications .... it is going to be enormous and long lasting for those who have been named.

More News On The Panama Papers

ICIJ/OCCRP Panama Papers project yields unprecedented access to high level offshore corruption -- OCCRP
Panama Papers: Mossack Fonseca leak reveals elite's tax havens -- BBC
Revealed: the $2bn offshore trail that leads to Vladimir Putin -- The Guardian
'Panama Papers' reveal how the rich hide money offshore -- DW
Panama Papers: biggest leak in history published by German newspaper -- Euronews
'Panama Papers': World leaders, politicians, celebrities hide fortunes offshore -- UPI
Panama leak draws scrutiny to offshore havens -- Financial Times
Huge data leak shows how world's rich hide their money -- Al Jazeera
A massive leak of documents connects Putin and other world leaders to offshore deals -- Quartz
Panama Papers: Massive Tax Haven Document Leak Exposes Corruption and Crime on Global Scale -- Haaretz
Super rich hiding up to $32 trillion offshore -- Al Jazeera
Panama Papers: Mossack Fonseca Leak Reveals Widespread International Corruption -- IBTimes
Massive document leak taints 140 int'l politicians, officials -- FOX News
Massive Document Leak Reveals Offshore Accounts Of World Leaders -- NPR
Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents reveal how world’s rich and powerful hid money -- The Independent
Panama Papers: Document leak exposes global corruption, secrets of the rich -- CBC
Massive ‘Panama Papers’ leak reveals how world leaders, celebrities, billionaires are using shady off-shore company to hide their riches -- New York Daily News
Massive leak reveals money rings of global leaders -- USA Today
Massive Document Leak Details Offshore Accounts Connected to Putin and Other Leaders -- Fortune
Putin associates had $2 billion in offshore accounts, report says -- Washington Post
Panama Papers: Putin associates linked to 'money laundering' -- BBC
International Journalists Say Putin Associates Ran $2 Billion Through Offshore Accounts -- VOA
In search of Putin's money -- Al Jazeera
Australian tax office probes hundreds for possible tax evasion after Panama Papers leak -- Reuters
Panama Papers: Iceland PM's investments questioned -- BBC
Leaked papers give Fifa ethics committee new credibility crisis -- The Guardian
Panama Papers: ATO investigating more than 800 Australian clients of Mossack Fonseca -- Sydney Morning Herald
The Panama Papers: Massive Leak Reveals the Global Elite's Secret Cash Havens -- Vice
Here are the famous politicos in ‘the Wikileaks of the mega-rich’ -- Fusion
Worldwide, jaws drop to 'Panama Papers' leak -- USA Today
Largest leak ever: Whistleblower reveals global elite crime network -- Inforwars
A world of hidden wealth: why we are shining a light offshore -- The Guardian
Panama law firm safeguards murky offshore secrets -- News & Observer
Panama Papers and Mossack Fonseca explained -- Lisa Main and Elise Worthington, ABC Nes Online
Panama Papers Q&A: How assets are hidden and taxes dodged -- BBC
The Panama Papers: what you need to know -- Luke Harding, The Guardian
The largest leak of secret documents in history was just released — here are its key findings -- Business Insider
Panama Papers: Jurgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca - the lawyers whose firm is at the centre of global controversy -- The Independent