Dutch bank ING Bank NV will pay $619 million to settle charges that it secretly moved billions of dollars through the U.S. financial system on behalf of Cuban and Iranian customers, in violation of U.S. sanctions.
If you think you're paying a lot at the gas pump now, just wait until summer hits. Stronger demand could lead to record gas prices as an economic recovery takes hold and turmoil in the Middle East sends the price of oil upward. How high? $5 a gallon isn't out of the realm of the possible.
The jury found ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich guilty of lying to the FBI but deadlocked on the 23 other charges. Because of one hold-out juror, Blagojevich goes free on charges including allegedly selling the President's Senate seat.
Barclays agreed to pay $298 million to settle criminal charges that it did business with countries like Cuba, Iran, Libya and Sudan, violating U.S. economic sanctions against these nations. Barclays is just the latest in a string of banks that have transacted with such countries.