Current Events #9

Pandora Papers Release

- On October 3rd, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the “Pandora Papers,” a series of over 11 million leaked documents that
cover the the numerous secret businesses, offshore holdings, and more of over 300 politicians and other world figures
- Another addition to list of similar leaks, with the last being the Paradise Papers from 2017
- Summary:

“The more than 330 politicians exposed by the leak were from more than 90 countries and territories. They used
entities in secret jurisdictions to buy real estate, hold money in trust, own other companies and other assets,
sometimes anonymously.

The Pandora Papers investigation also reveals how banks and law firms work closely with offshore service providers
to design complex corporate structures. The files show that providers don’t always know their customers, despite their
legal obligation to take care not to do business with people who engage in questionable dealings.

The investigation also reports on how U.S. trust providers (financial institutions) have taken advantage of some states’
laws that promote secrecy and help wealthy overseas clients hide wealth to avoid taxes in their home
countries.”
Group identifies potential Zodiac Killer
- Active during the 1960s in NorCal,
targeted young couples, leaving
cryptograms behind
- A team called the Case Breakers
claims they have identified the
Zodiac Killer using new physical and
forensic evidence
- FBI has not closed the case,
however
- Case Breakers identified Gary
Francis Poste, who died in 2018, as
the Zodiac Killer
Group identifies potential Zodiac Killer
- The Zodiac Killer is one of the
most infamous serial killers
(especially in CA), and their case
is one of the most well-known
unsolved mysteries of the past
few decades
- The race to decipher his codes
lasted for decades, with the most
recent being deciphered last year
- https://www.foxnews.com/us/cold-
case-zodiac-killer-identified-murde
r
Former Nazi SS guard put on Trial in Germany
- On October 7th, a man identified
as Josef S went on trial for
assisting to the murder of over
3,500 in a camp near Berlin,
Germany
- The SS was the Nazi Organization
most responsible for killings during
Holocaust
- Josef S, who is 100, is the oldest
former Nazi to be tried
- Time to convict former Nazi’s as
war criminals running out
Josef S, covering his face at his trial
Resistance to Military Rule in Myanmar (Burma)
- Military seized power in coup d'etat
on Feb. 1st
- End of ten years of quazi (fake)
democracy that started in 2011
- Attempts by military to suppress
opposition have become more
forceful over time
- Has resulted in the injury of
thousands and the deaths of over
600
- Myanmar Resistance Movement
(MRM) calls for uprising
Protesters in Myanmar back in March
What do you think of this week’s topics? Talk with a
neighbor, then write about one or a few of them.
Links
Pandora Papers: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58780561
Zodiac Killer Identified?:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/us/zodiac-killer-identity-law-enforcement-investig
ation/index.html
Nazi SS Guard put on Trial: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58826189
Myanmar Resistance and Coup:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/myanmar-news-protests-coup.html