This is actually not the first time Mossack Fonseca has been exposed. Investigative journalist Ken Silverstein released a report in December 2014 detailing how the law firm works with oligarchs, money launderers and dictators. A year and a half later, however, the release of a gargantuan cache of the company’s records show just how far this network of corruption spreads around the globe. The release of the Panama Papers comes mere days after the revelation of another scandal involving the shadowy company Unaoil. An explosive investigation found that the Monaco-based company exploits the widespread corruption in the Global South, charging multinational corporations multi-million dollar fees and then bribing government officials in oil-rich countries in order to get good deals for these companies. In the process, the little-known firm fuels inequality and helps destabilize natural resource-rich conflict areas in these countries, some of which are also implicated in the Panama Papers scandal. Both leaks shine further light on the international schemes of economic and political elites. — Inside the Panama Papers: Massive leak shows just how extensive corruption is worldwide, implicating politicians, human traffickers and drug dealers
It’s hard to know where to start in tallying up the explosive revelations in the Panama Papers, an analysis of leaked documents from global law firm Mossack Fonseca revealed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). Yes, we’ve known for a while now that the shadow financial system was growing. But it’s another thing to take in 11.5 million documents showing the way in which Mossack Fonseca was working with big name financial groups like UBS, HSBC, Société Générale, and many others to help elites from the Communist Party leadership of China, to soccer star Lionel Messi, to global financiers hide cash in offshore havens around the world. It’s just the tip of a much bigger iceberg. “The size of the leak is unprecedented, but the tricks Mossack Fonseca has allegedly used for its clients are neither new nor surprising. Anonymous shell companies and the failure of governments to require lawyers, corporate service companies, or banks to collect beneficial ownership information on clients leave the door wide open for dirty money to flow around the globe virtually unhindered,” says Heather Lowe, the Director of Government Affairs for Global Financial Integrity, a Washington DC-based consultancy. — Time Magazine, The Panama Papers Could Lead to Capitalism’s Great Crisis
It is interesting but not at all mysterious that there are no Americans named in the Mossack Fonseca documents. The reason is simple. U.S. law so clearly favors the rich that they have no need to go offshore to form shell corporations. They can do so legally in Wyoming, Delaware or Nevada. Rich people everywhere know it too. No need to go to Panama or Switzerland. The U.S. is now the best tax haven on the planet. Hopefully the corporate media will decide to cover that story too. — Freedom Rider: The Panama Papers Problem
Images of the Day:
Steve Bell on David Cameron and the Panama Papers
Quotes of the Day: 
Environment:
Freedom Rider: The Panama Papers Problem by BAR editor and senior columnist Margaret Kimberley
A Few Black Caucus Members Have Some Questions About Israel A Black Agenda Radio commentary by executive editor Glen Ford
Petition to Fire Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy for Gross Negligence in the Flint Water Crisis by BAR editor and columnist Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo
The 2016 Elections Reflect General Crisis of Imperialism by Danny Haiphong
My Wise Country Cousin on Mule Dung at the Apollo by BAR poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner
They Call Me MISTER Picasso! by Dan De Leon 
Katrina, Climate Justice and Fish Dinners: Social Justice Lawyer Colette Pichon Battle By Bill Quigley
Western Sahara: Another Misinformed Imperial Analysis by Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion
Millions Starve as Ethiopia Rejects Eritrean Ports by Thomas Mountain
Labor:
