News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Panama announces inquiry into offshore deals

Panama has announced that it is setting up a special commission in the aftermath of the leak of millions of documents from the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which show it helped some clients evade tax and avoid sanctions. The announcement was made in a televised address by Panama´s president Juan Carlos Varela: "The government of Panama, through our Foreign Office, will create an independent committee of national and international experts to look at our standard practices and propose measures we will share with other countries to help increase the transparency of the illegal financial system."

Regulators investigate Austrian bank

The head of Austria´s Hypo Vorarlberg bank, Michael Grahammer, has resigned after the bank attracted massive media attention in connection with the so-called Panama Papers leak. Grahammer says he is convinced that the bank had not broken the law or contravened sanctions. Austria’s Financial Markets Authority is investigating whether Hypo Vorarlberg took steps to prevent money laundering.

Dutch voters reject EU-Ukraine treaty

Voters in the Netherlands have overwhelmingly rejected a European Union treaty on closer political and economic ties with Ukraine. Turnout in the referendum initiated by Eurosceptic groups was low at 32%, but above the 30% threshold for the vote to be valid. The deal was rejected by 61% of votes compared with 38% in favour. Although the referendum was non-binding, it was a blow to the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He says he will have to see if the treaty can be altered in a way to satisfy all parties.

Public sector walkout in Greece

A strike across Greece has grounded flights, forced state schools to close and left public hospitals accepting emergency cases only. The 24-hour walkout, called by public sector unions, comes as Greece´s international creditors meet in Athens to review the country´s compliance with the terms of a bailout agreed last year.

France passes new prostitution law

The French parliament has passed a law that makes it illegal to pay for sex. Those convicted face a 1,500 euro fine for a first offence and must also attend classes to learn about the conditions faced by sex workers. The controversial legislation is intended to help fight trafficking networks. Opponents fear it will force prostitutes into hiding, leaving them even more at the mercy of pimps and violent clients.

Bangladeshi blogger killed for secular views

A Bangladeshi law student who had expressed secular views online has been killed in the capital, Dhaka. Nazimuddin Samad is the latest in a string of prominent secular bloggers attacked or killed by religious extremists in Bangladesh in the last year.

The weather

Mostly overcast with showers, snow in the western mountains. Some sun in the east and southeast. Top temperatures 8 to 18, upto 22 in the south.

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