Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 128

128th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 128th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Oct 26, 2025 and Nov 30, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Catherine Connolly Sworn In as Ireland’s 10th President After Landslide Victory

One noteworthy event has occurred in Ireland, Catherine Connolly was sworn in as Ireland’s 10th president, following a landslide victory at the end of October.

The 68-year-old politician succeeds Michael D. Higgins, whose 14-year term ended. Connolly, who defeated Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys, was formally inaugurated at a ceremony in Dublin Castle attended by politicians, judges, and other invited guests.

The presidency is a largely ceremonial, non-executive role, but one that carries significant symbolic weight in Irish public life. A service of prayer and reflection took place as part of the inauguration, followed by speeches from both the new president and Ireland’s Taoiseach, or prime minister, Micheal Martin.

Offering his congratulations, Martin said he had “no doubt that Catherine Connolly will serve our country well,” state broadcaster RTE reported.

Lithuanian President Appoints Robertas Kaunas as Defense Minister

Shifting our focus to Lithuania, President Gitanas Nausėda appointed Robertas Kaunas as defense minister and Vaida Aleknavičienė as culture minister.

Kaunas, a Social Democrat whose defense experience is limited to just over a month on the Seimas (parliament) National Security and Defense Committee, was nominated by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.

The president said that he had expected Kaunas to have “less expertise” in certain areas but, after his meeting with him, was pleasantly surprised.

President Paudel Swears In Surendra Labh Karna as New Chief of Madhes Province

In Nepal, President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Surendra Labh Karna, the newly-appointed Province Chief of the Madhes Province, amidst a special ceremony organized at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas.

Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, ministers, and the heads and officials of constitutional bodies were present on the occasion.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held recommended to the President the name of Karna of Dhanusha for appointment as the Chief of Madhes Province.

Caesars Palace Fined $7.8 Million for Years of Anti-Money Laundering Failures Tied to High-Risk Gambler Mathew Bowyer

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and its affiliated entities have agreed to pay a $7.8 million fine after Nevada regulators outlined extensive anti-money laundering lapses involving California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) filed a five-count complaint describing how Caesars continued hosting Bowyer despite years of internal warnings pointing to unverifiable income and significant risk concerns.

According to the complaint, Bowyer had been wagering at Caesars Palace from before 2017 through January 2024. Internal reviews flagged him as suspicious as early as 2017, primarily due to the casino’s inability to identify a legitimate source of funds. Multiple due diligence checks reached the same conclusion, yet Bowyer continued to gamble large sums at Caesars properties, including Caesars Palace, Harrah’s Resort Southern California, and Harveys Lake Tahoe (now Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe).

Bangladesh’s Deposed PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death in Absentia for Crimes Against Humanity

Shifting our attention to Bangladesh, the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in abstentia by a court in Dhaka for crimes against humanity over a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

A three-judge bench of the country’s international crimes tribunal convicted Hasina of crimes including incitement, orders to kill, and inaction to prevent atrocities, carried out as she oversaw a crackdown on anti-government protesters last year.

Reading the verdict to the court, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder said the “accused prime minister committed crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters and lethal weapons”.

Hasina had pleaded not guilty to the charges and alleged the tribunal was a “politically motivated charade”.

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