raypanama.bsky.social
@raypanama.bsky.social
CHINA RESPONDS TO VOIDING OF PANAMA PORTS CONTRACT AND AUSTRALIAN MOVES ON THE PORT OF DARWIN

On 1 February, an editorial in China Daily reacted to the moves in Panama and Australia. economic and reputational costs of US strategic anxieties.
www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202602/01/...
'Protection' for predation a reminder to be Washington's friend can be fatal: China Daily editorial
www.chinadaily.com.cn
February 1, 2026 at 2:48 PM
CLAIM THAT IRAN AYATOLLAH'S SON 'HAS £100MILLION IN PROPERTY ON BILLIONAIRE'S ROW' IN NORTH LONDON

On 31 January, the Daily Mail reported claims that the son of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei owns luxury mansions in Britain; through a network of shell companies
www.msn.com/en-za/news/o...
MSN
www.msn.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:47 PM
CHINESE LANGUAGE MONEY LAUNDERING NETWORKS EMERGE AS MAJOR FACILITATORS OF THE ILLICIT CRYPTO ECONOMY

On 27 January, Chainalysis reported that Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLN) now dominate known crypto money laundering activity,
www.chainalysis.com/blog/2026-cr...
The Chinese-language Underground Crypto Money Laundering Ecosystem
Chinese-language money laundering networks processed $16.1 billion in illicit funds in 2025, dominating over 20% of crypto money laundering activity.
www.chainalysis.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:46 PM
US: PRESIDENT TRUMP BOOSTS CLUSTER MINITIONS PRODUCTION

On 13 January, Export Practitioner reported that Trump had authorised sales of cluster munitions to South Korea
www.exportprac.com/stories/unti...
President Boosts Cluster Munitions - The Export Practitioner
President Trump has invoked emergency authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize up to $25.9 million in sales of cluster munitions to Korea, overriding longstanding congressional ...
www.exportprac.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:46 PM
TRM LABS 2026 CRYPTO CRIME REPORT

This report examines activity in 2025, with illicit crypto activity reaching $158 billion in 2025, up nearly 145% year over year
www.trmlabs.com/reports-and-...
2026 Crypto Crime Report – Illicit Crypto Trends & Typologies | TRM Labs
Explore key trends in the illicit crypto economy from 2025—including data-driven analysis on sanctions, nation-states, hacks, scams, ransomware, illicit drugs, money laundering, and terrorism.
www.trmlabs.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:45 PM
EU DELETES 3 NAMES FROM TUNISIA SANCTIONS LIST

On 29 January, EU Regulation 2026/338 saw 3 names removed from the list, and details for 24 others amended.
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Implementing regulation - EU - 2026/238 - EN - EUR-Lex
eur-lex.europa.eu
February 1, 2026 at 2:44 PM
SERBIANS PUSHED OUT AS CHINA TAKES OVER A MINING EMPIRE

On 1 February, an article from Politico on Chinese state-owned group Zijin Mining and the copper and gold mining complex at the town of Bor in Serbia.
www.politico.eu/article/serb...
Serbians pushed out as China takes over a mining empire
Beijing’s investment is transforming the landscape in Bor — and the lives of the people who call it home.
www.politico.eu
February 1, 2026 at 2:44 PM
US BEGINS IMPOSING TARIFFS ON COUNTRIES SUPPLYING OIL TO CUBA

On 19 January, an Executive Order declared a “national emergency”, began process of imposing tariffs on goods from countries that sell/otherwise provide oil to Cuba
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba
CONFRONTING THE CUBAN REGIME: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency and establishing a process to
www.whitehouse.gov
February 1, 2026 at 2:43 PM
US: BRIEFING REPORT ON THE ELEMENTS OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL MONEY LAUNDERING STATUTES AND THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED FOR THEIR VIOLATION

On 29 January, the Congressional Research Service published a comprehensive briefing on federal AML laws.
www.congress.gov/crs-product/...
www.congress.gov
January 31, 2026 at 2:34 PM
HORIZONTAL ANALYSIS OF AML/CFT EFFECTIVENESS IN EUROPE

The Egmont Group of FIU has published this report which examines the operational effectiveness of FIU across 23 jurisdictions in Europe
egmontgroup.org/news/new-pub...
New Publication: Horizontal Analysis of AML/CFT Effectiveness in Europe II (IO2, IO6, R29 and R40) - Egmont Group
Egmont Group facilitates and prompts the exchange of information, knowledge, and cooperation amongst member Financial Intelligence Units across the world.
egmontgroup.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:33 PM
RUSSIA’S PROCEDURAL OFFENSIVE BEFORE INTERNATIONAL COURTS AND TRIBUNALS

On 30 January, a post from the European Journal of International Law reported a shift towards active and increasingly aggressive procedural participation
www.ejiltalk.org/the-empire-s...
The Empire Strikes Back: Russia’s Procedural Offensive Before International Courts and Tribunals
In the immediate aftermath of the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022, Ukraine and its allies turned to international adjudication with remarkable speed and intensity. This early legal mobilisation e...
www.ejiltalk.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:32 PM
CHINA ISSUES WARNING OVER AUSTRALIA’S PLAN TO TAKE BACK DARWIN PORT

On 30 January, Marine Insight reported on plans by the Australian Government to take back and run the port
www.marineinsight.com/shipping-new...
China Issues Warning Over Australia’s Plan To Take Back Darwin Port
Marine Insight - The maritime industry guide.
www.marineinsight.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:31 PM
BACKGROUNDER FOLLOWING THE PANAMA SUPREME COURT DECISION RE THE PANAMA PORTS COMPANY

raytodd.blog/2026/01/30/b...
BACKGROUNDER FOLLOWING THE PANAMA SUPREME COURT DECISION RE THE PANAMA PORTS COMPANY
BACKGROUNDER FOLLOWING THE PANAMA SUPREME COURT DECISION RE THE PANAMA PORTS COMPANY On 30 January 2026, it was announced that, on 29 January, Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice had declared the Pan…
raytodd.blog
January 31, 2026 at 2:31 PM
BACKGROUNDER FOLLOWING THE PANAMA SUPREME COURT DECISION RE THE PANAMA PORTS COMPANY

BACKGROUNDER FOLLOWING THE PANAMA SUPREME COURT DECISION RE THE PANAMA PORTS COMPANY On 30 January 2026, it was announced that, on 29 January, Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice had declared the Panama Ports…
BACKGROUNDER FOLLOWING THE PANAMA SUPREME COURT DECISION RE THE PANAMA PORTS COMPANY
BACKGROUNDER FOLLOWING THE PANAMA SUPREME COURT DECISION RE THE PANAMA PORTS COMPANY On 30 January 2026, it was announced that, on 29 January, Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice had declared the Panama Ports Company SA (PPC) contracts to operate container ports in Panama as unconstitutional. In fact, what was declared unconstitutional was Law No.5 of 16 January 1997 and other regulations related to the concession granted for operation of the ports.
raytodd.blog
January 30, 2026 at 10:08 PM
OFAC DESIGNATES 2 MORE IRANIAN OFFICIALS, 2 DIGITAL ASSET EXCHANGES, 5 OTHERS

On 30 January, OFAC advised it had designated the officials, digital asset exchanges, & others. 7 entities with Hong Kong addresses deleted.
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
home.treasury.gov/news/press-r...
ofac.treasury.gov
January 30, 2026 at 6:13 PM
TRUMP SAYS REMOVING CERTIFICATION OF BOMBARDIER AND OTHER CANADIAN-BUILT AIRCRAFT IN THE US

On 30 January, Aviation Week reported Trump had threatened to “decertify” all Canadian-built aircraft until Transport Canada certifies a number of US-built types
aviationweek.com/business-avi...
Trump Says He Is ‘Decertifying’ Bombardier Aircraft In U.S. | Aviation Week Network
The U.S. president take aim at Canadian aircraft.
aviationweek.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:10 PM
AUSTRALIA: AUSTRAC BACKS NEWLY REGULATED SECTORS WITH RELEASE OF AML/CFT PROGRAM STARTER KITS

On 30 January, AUSTRAC announced starter kits, designed specifically for small businesses in newly regulated sectors to meet their compliance obligations, manage risks
www.austrac.gov.au/news-and-med...
www.austrac.gov.au
January 30, 2026 at 6:09 PM
OPERATION TAIPAN: THE INVESTIGATION THAT CHANGED AUSTRALIA’S FIGHT AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING

On 29 January, AUSTRAC related the story of the operation sparked in 2021 (during COVID) by an unusually high volume of cash deposits flowing into ATM
www.austrac.gov.au/operation-ta...
www.austrac.gov.au
January 30, 2026 at 6:08 PM
JERSEY: AGGREGATED SUPERVISORY RISK DATA FOR THE TRUST COMPANY BUSINESS, INVESTMENT BUSINESS, BANKING, LEGAL AND FUNDS SECTORS

On 29 January, the FSC released its annual risk data report
www.jerseyfsc.org/news-and-eve...
Read our latest aggregated supervisory risk data
The Jersey Financial Services Commission is the financial services regulator for Jersey, Channel Islands. Our Registry is responsible for ten registers.
www.jerseyfsc.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:07 PM
PALAU REVAMPS SHIPPING REGISTER

On 29 January, Sea News reported the revamped register weeks after the US imposed sanctions on the company operating the register.
seasnews.net/palau-revamp...
nauticalvoice.com/palau-shakes...
Palau revamps shipping register - Explore the Latest Shipping News & Logistics Trends
The government of the republic of Palau has reinstated Panos Kirnidis to head its ship registry, six weeks after taking the flag under state control after the
seasnews.net
January 30, 2026 at 6:06 PM
GUERNSEY: COURT SEIZES £8.5 MILLION OF CRYPTOQUEEN'S ASSETS UNDER GERMAN CONFISCATION ORDER

On 16 January, ITV reported that the Royal Court has seized more than £8.5 million from a shell company bank account
www.itv.com/news/channel...
www.itv.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:05 PM
NEW EVIDENCE OF LABOUR ABUSES AT FLAGSHIP CHINESE FACTORY IN SERBIA

On 29 January, Rferl reported claims that Bangladeshi workers employed at a Chinese-owned factory in Serbia were subjected to labour abuses that may amount to human trafficking
www.rferl.org/a/serbia-chi...
New Evidence Of Labor Abuses At Flagship Chinese Factory In Serbia
Serbian human rights groups say Bangladeshi workers at the Chinese-owned Linglong tire factory faced withheld passports, unpaid wages, and poor living conditions, prompting a new probe by Serbian pros...
www.rferl.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:04 PM
PANAMA: SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN CK HUTCHISON PORT CONTRACTS – RAISING DOUBTS ABOUT WORLDWIDE PORTS SALE

On 30 January, Lloyd’s List reported the Court had held the contracts unconstitutional
www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/pan...
www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/china-...
news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/comp...
Panama Ports Company rechaza fallo de la Corte Suprema y evalúa acciones legales
Panama Ports Company, S.A. (PPC) manifestó este 29 de enero de 2026 su desacuerdo con la decisión anunciada por el Órgano Judicial, según la cual la Corte Suprema de Justicia declaró inconstitucional ...
www.laestrella.com.pa
January 30, 2026 at 6:03 PM
US: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO ACCUSED OF HELPING NORTH KOREA FUND TERRORISM IN LAWSUIT

On 30 January, the Guardian reported a lawsuit in US for damages against BAT, and a subsidiary, claiming the company spent years illicitly helping fund North Korea
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
British American Tobacco accused of helping North Korea fund terrorism in lawsuit
Victims of terrorist attacks say BAT’s operations in North Korea helped fund weapons used in the Middle East
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:01 PM
CHINA EXECUTES 11 MEMBERS OF CRIME GROUP THAT RAN RAN LARGE-SCALE TELECOM FRAUD AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS IN MYANMAR

On 29 January, OCCRP reported that China has carried out the death sentences of 11 members of the so-called Ming family criminal group.
www.occrp.org/en/news/chin...
China Executes 11 in Myanmar-Linked Telecom Fraud Gang
www.occrp.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM