The colourful autumn has arrived, and the sunshine is rapidly disappearing in these high north regions. There is also an ongoing energy crisis, making heating houses and keeping your artificial lights an active debate. However, there is light in the tunnel since we can still shine spotlights on essential topics and stick to a grit attitude to improve the state of the world. Here are some nitpicking topics that have passed our desks this past week.
Let’s start with some Law enforcement news. Europol has assisted law enforcement in Spain in dismantling an organised crime group involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit euro banknotes.
Europol- More than EUR 4 million in fake 500 euro bills seized in Spain
A counter-terrorism operation coordinated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL has enabled frontline police across Africa to detect potential terrorists and seize dangerous and prohibited goods.
Interpol-First INTERPOL-AFRIPOL counter terrorism operation
The UN informs that nearly half of the world’s terror victims are African, where organised crime is heavily involved in activities and profiting from the situation.
Following up on previous large-scale money laundering scandals. Swedbank’s former CEO went on trial in Stockholm Tuesday in a high-profile white-collar crime case involving massive money laundering in its Baltic branches.
OCCRP- Swedbank Ex-CEO on Trial for Alleged Money-Laundering Cover-Up
Last week I mentioned that the EU was planning a new set of sanctions targeting Russia. This has now been adopted in the 8th sanctions package.
And for this week, more in-depth reading. The Basel Institute on Governance has released its 11th public edition of the Basel AML Index
Basel AML index- AML index 2022: one step forward, four steps back in tackling money laundering
A new report from the Europol Innovation Lab has studied the possible risks to be aware of in the Metaverse. To quote: “The report aims to help police chiefs, law enforcement agencies and policymakers to begin to grasp this new environment so that they can adapt and prepare for policing in the metaverse.”
Europol- Policing in the metaverse: what law enforcement needs to know
Until next time, stay safe and have a fantastic weekend.
