Trump Moves U.S.-Controlled Venezuelan Oil Money to Qatar
The Trump administration’s first sale of Venezuelan oil under a new arrangement is valued at $500 million, with much of that money being held in a U.S.-controlled bank account in Qatar, according to Semafor.
Stepping Back from Military Threats, U.S. Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Iran
The White House imposed new sanctions on Iran even as the Trump administration appeared to step back from its threat of military action in response to Tehran’s ongoing crackdown on Iranian protestors, according to The Wall Street Journal.
U.S. Justice Department Closes Swedbank Case without Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its anti-money laundering (AML) investigation into Swedbank AG without bringing an enforcement action, according to the Swiss lender.
White House Designates Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorism Groups
The Trump administration designated three Middle Eastern branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, claiming the groups contribute to regional instability and violence.
Panamanian Supreme Court Case Set to Decide Control of Canal Ports
Panama’s Supreme Court is nearing a decision in a lawsuit that could void a Hong Kong company’s license to operate two container ports at either end of the Panama Canal, The Wall Street Journal reported.
EU’s Kallas Threatens New Iran Sanctions over Protestor Crackdown
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is preparing to push for new sanctions on Iran following a security crackdown that has “reportedly claimed hundreds of lives” since protests began nearly two weeks ago, Euronews reported Monday.
U.S. Launches New GTO, Probes Aimed at Minnesota Benefits Fraud Scandal
The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday launched a set of initiatives to investigate what it called “rampant government benefits fraud” in Minnesota, including the imposition of new reporting requirements for financial institutions.
Spain Targets Nigeria’s ‘Black Axe’ Network in Criminal Crackdown
Spanish National Police, working with Germany’s Bavarian State Criminal Police Office and supported by Europol, arrested 34 people in Spain during an operation against the international criminal organization known as “Black Axe,” Europol announced.
Trump Family’s ‘World Liberty’ Crypto Venture Seeks Banking License
World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s flagship crypto venture, said an affiliated entity has applied for a national banking license, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Ex-TD Bank Employee Pleads Guilty to Helping Launder $474 Million
A former TD Bank employee pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder monetary instruments after prosecutors said he used his position to help a money-laundering network move hundreds of millions of dollars through the institution.